WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME…
February 23, 2024
When was the last time you didn’t lead worship and just stood on the front row, lifted your hands and your voice, and experienced a Sunday as a congregant? There are things we can never know if we are making all our decisions based on what *we think* is happening in the room from our position on stage. Spend some time in the regular seats, add your un-amplified voice to those around you, let your own soul be fed and nourished…and of course you’ll be tempted to spend extra time engaging your critical mind noticing what could be better. Try to let go of that if you can…at least until Monday morning…
When was the last time you didn’t go to your church on a Sunday morning and planned a trip to another Vineyard church to be inspired and learn? One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is how often I pick up little things by simply traveling and seeing someone else in action. A while back I was at the Evanston Vineyard and was really moved by how they pray the Lord’s prayer each Sunday as a part of their worship. It felt so good praying the words of Jesus with a room full of believers. I brought that home immediately and it’s been with us in Campbellsville ever since. A few times a year it would be worth getting in your car and driving to another Vineyard church and soaking up their particular expression of God’s kingdom.
When was the last time you visited another church from another stream? Maybe something radically different…like an Anglican or Orthodox congregation. I always enjoy that feeling of being in a church as an outsider. You can see things with fresh eyes. What is the *point* of their service? In our Vineyard context it’s often a time of response at the end where we invite the Holy Spirit to come and intervene in some way - and while that’s a precious thing, it’s not the only thing…some streams are highlighting practices that might inspire us in our local context. I didn’t really *get* communion until I visited an Anglican Church. And I didn’t really *get* silence until I visited a Trappist monastery. There are gifts all around us if we make the space to go and take them in.
I’d like to invite you to take your work and your calling even more seriously in the coming year by coming off the stage a few extra Sundays to sit in the pews or padded chairs of your own church…but also a few churches besides your own. You’ll be better for it.
Adam
Adam Russell is a husband and father of four. In addition to his role as the Director of Vineyard Worship, Adam is Lead Pastor of the Vineyard Church in Campbellsville, KY and also serves on the Vineyard USA Executive Team.