"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind". Romans 12:2
Have you ever thought of this verse in terms of creativity?
The renewing of our mind is all about our thinking - the challenge to think differently. The amazing thing is that we are transformed by this thinking. This transformation is meant to be a glorious metamorphosis of the same ilk as Jesus in His transfiguration. As I think through this I am concerned that we decide that because this is the work of the Holy Spirit we leave it to Him to change us and forget that we have responsiblity over our minds and our thinking. This is our spiritual act of worship. Remember our bodies comprise of soul, flesh and mind.
I am sure there are lots of ways to look at this verse and possibly deep theological truths I haven't thought through at this stage. I would like to consider the patterns of the world and more specifically the patterns of the church and the challenge to think differently. In the same way that this verse indicates that the patterns of the world are ungoldy I wonder are the patterns we create in the church just as ungoldy? Does the church look any different to the world? We have patterns of prayer, worship (in song), worship leading, band dynamics and line-up, communicating God's word, house group format, leadership training, kids work, fashion, going for coffee in specific establishments, profile of worship leaders and pastors .......etc.
Does the church reflect a group of people who think differently and are transformed by the renewing of their minds?
"Creative people are always looking for new ways of doing things" J.Parks
"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift". A.Einstein
"The things we fear most in organisations -- fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances -- are the primary sources of creativity". M.J.Wheatley
Hear my heart in this - I love the church but can we see this glorious transformation of our minds in turn transforming the 'church'? Are we courageous enough to think in a new way that will usher in renewal? Are we forgetting the gift? Are we just fearful and so would rather be safe in patterns and structures that are familiar to us and don't challenge our thinking?
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Monday, 26 March 2007
Reflection Resonate
Resonate is an event held in 'the upper room' of a methodist church ( I think) in Portadown. The event is co-ordinated by a team of guys from that church one of whom (Pete Ferguson) is a youth pastor for 7 churches in the area. These guys were really welcoming when we arrived and weren't afraid to approach us and introduce themselves - I love that! They are really passionate about the ministry they are part of and really desire to see the reputation of Portadown changed by the love of God.
We had the opportunity to lead 2 sessions of worship, both about 40mins in length. It was really encouraging to see how engaged these young people were and how unafraid they were to express themselves in terms of singing AND EVEN DANCING! I love the fact that there is freedom coupled with reverence before a holy God. I love to worship God, I live to worship God, I love to sing, I love to play and sing and I am fairly confident in the gifting God has given me but I do have to ask myself alot whether or not I am living in freedom in those areas. I think I will write a post on this as I have been watching people worship (not in a freaky sneaky way) and just contemplating freedom or the lack of it.
Jools Hamilton was speaking at Resonate (you may know him from Summer Madness). He took the first part of the Lord's prayer and tried to communicate the meaning of the words we know and rhyme off too easily. I don't know about the rest of you but this is a prayer that I say every morning along with the staff in our school. I love this prayer and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to be reminded of it's meaning and what I am actually asking for as I say it. Maybe I'll write a post on that sometime too.
I love that everytime we play it is a learning curve and we figure out more and more how we sound as a band and what we need to work at. This was a small venue with a lot of people crammed in which I kinda liked because we felt like we were all in it together (rather than being THE BAND) but in terms of sound it was pretty loud and pretty hard to hear exactly what we were doing. Sometimes you end up playing quite harshly and loudly just to hear yourself in the monitor when actually you probably need to just be confident in what you are doing and in the sound engineer (Andy Irwin in this case - lovely guy to work with!).
We had the opportunity to lead 2 sessions of worship, both about 40mins in length. It was really encouraging to see how engaged these young people were and how unafraid they were to express themselves in terms of singing AND EVEN DANCING! I love the fact that there is freedom coupled with reverence before a holy God. I love to worship God, I live to worship God, I love to sing, I love to play and sing and I am fairly confident in the gifting God has given me but I do have to ask myself alot whether or not I am living in freedom in those areas. I think I will write a post on this as I have been watching people worship (not in a freaky sneaky way) and just contemplating freedom or the lack of it.
Jools Hamilton was speaking at Resonate (you may know him from Summer Madness). He took the first part of the Lord's prayer and tried to communicate the meaning of the words we know and rhyme off too easily. I don't know about the rest of you but this is a prayer that I say every morning along with the staff in our school. I love this prayer and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to be reminded of it's meaning and what I am actually asking for as I say it. Maybe I'll write a post on that sometime too.
I love that everytime we play it is a learning curve and we figure out more and more how we sound as a band and what we need to work at. This was a small venue with a lot of people crammed in which I kinda liked because we felt like we were all in it together (rather than being THE BAND) but in terms of sound it was pretty loud and pretty hard to hear exactly what we were doing. Sometimes you end up playing quite harshly and loudly just to hear yourself in the monitor when actually you probably need to just be confident in what you are doing and in the sound engineer (Andy Irwin in this case - lovely guy to work with!).
Saturday, 24 March 2007
Worship Training Day
Those of you who didn't get to the training day today really missed out. We had a great day and I know people were really encouraged and up for the continuation of this event. What is great about this kind of thing is that it isn't super-spiritual stuff and so people can come as they are and find out more about who they are and the call on their life. I could literally blog for days on the content of today's training and the encouragement it was to me.
We looked specifically at our call to be creative. I guess what was so great for me is that I heard Johnny do a talk on this issue at Soul Survivor last August and today I felt I had moved forward on this journey when I asked myself the same questions as I did back then. The guys/gals who came to this event were soo hungry to learn and even more than that they wanted to build relationships with other people who are passionate about worship. If I could just explain in words the good that does my soul! That's my dream! I love the humility in being teachable and the fact that we have worshippers who really do care about the church and each other.
I am absolutely overwhelmed with excitement when I consider the opportunity we have to build each other up and encourage each other in our faith and gifting as worship leaders and musicians.
JP had assiged a significant amount of time to small group discussion and this was fantastic. I just loved hearing about the experience and struggles people are facing and the fact that this event created a forum where they could be honest. I wish I had the answers but isn't it great to just listen.
Hopefully some of you who were there have been reading and will now post your comments. I would love to hear from you and continue our dialogue.
We looked specifically at our call to be creative. I guess what was so great for me is that I heard Johnny do a talk on this issue at Soul Survivor last August and today I felt I had moved forward on this journey when I asked myself the same questions as I did back then. The guys/gals who came to this event were soo hungry to learn and even more than that they wanted to build relationships with other people who are passionate about worship. If I could just explain in words the good that does my soul! That's my dream! I love the humility in being teachable and the fact that we have worshippers who really do care about the church and each other.
I am absolutely overwhelmed with excitement when I consider the opportunity we have to build each other up and encourage each other in our faith and gifting as worship leaders and musicians.
JP had assiged a significant amount of time to small group discussion and this was fantastic. I just loved hearing about the experience and struggles people are facing and the fact that this event created a forum where they could be honest. I wish I had the answers but isn't it great to just listen.
Hopefully some of you who were there have been reading and will now post your comments. I would love to hear from you and continue our dialogue.
Monday, 19 March 2007
Reflection - CFC
Just a short one this time to say we played in CFC last night. For me, it was one of those nights where I couldn't really tell if it was going well or not. There were definitely moments in the set where I was incredibly moved - do you ever feel like you are worshipping but it's beyond your control? In the song 'Rescuer' there is a line that says "Hearts that know mercy cannot stay silent" and I was soo overwhelmed last night at my desire to worship with everything I am in response to this awesome mercy that I am so unworthy to receive.
Priscilla Reid was the speaker at last night's service. She was talking about staying on track (refering to John ch 16). I felt challenged by this sermon particularly when she was discussing our expectations of God and how to pray in His Name (I realised I do it in my name quite alot!). I was reminded last night that everything I do in worship/life is for His glory. Everything I ask of Him is not not about getting my requests but about His glory. I get frustrated with God alot especially if I feel He has spoken things over my life and yet I don't see them happening so I get cross that He hasn't come through for me. How stupid am I?! He came through for me a long time ago! How do I lose sight of the cross so easily?!!!!!!!
Priscilla Reid was the speaker at last night's service. She was talking about staying on track (refering to John ch 16). I felt challenged by this sermon particularly when she was discussing our expectations of God and how to pray in His Name (I realised I do it in my name quite alot!). I was reminded last night that everything I do in worship/life is for His glory. Everything I ask of Him is not not about getting my requests but about His glory. I get frustrated with God alot especially if I feel He has spoken things over my life and yet I don't see them happening so I get cross that He hasn't come through for me. How stupid am I?! He came through for me a long time ago! How do I lose sight of the cross so easily?!!!!!!!
Sunday, 11 March 2007
Reflection -Northdown CFC
This was our first visit to Northdown CFC, Newtownards. Every experience is a learning experience and this has been yet another significant time for me. I have been thinking about band dynamics alot and learning each time we play so I will write a post someday with that in mind.
The service this morning was really a worship service where we led 2x30min sets of worship with a short time of anouncements in between and a really lovely family who are working in Calcutta sharing their thoughts briefly through Q&A. Most people seemed to respond this morning and we were very encouraged at the end when we sold 25+ of Johnny's album 'Almighty Sound'. The church offered alot of encouragement when we had a chance to hang around after and chat. A few people asked if we have a recording of 'Rescuer' - Great sign!
We hope that this morning was a real encouragement to the church and look forward to coming back some Sunday. I was particularly encouraged when people were given the opportunity to come forward and share what they felt God was speaking to the church about. Usually this can be a little awkward with people being shy but it was one after the other this morning. This takes great boldness and I hope that these along with our worship gave hope and strength for the journey.
The service this morning was really a worship service where we led 2x30min sets of worship with a short time of anouncements in between and a really lovely family who are working in Calcutta sharing their thoughts briefly through Q&A. Most people seemed to respond this morning and we were very encouraged at the end when we sold 25+ of Johnny's album 'Almighty Sound'. The church offered alot of encouragement when we had a chance to hang around after and chat. A few people asked if we have a recording of 'Rescuer' - Great sign!
We hope that this morning was a real encouragement to the church and look forward to coming back some Sunday. I was particularly encouraged when people were given the opportunity to come forward and share what they felt God was speaking to the church about. Usually this can be a little awkward with people being shy but it was one after the other this morning. This takes great boldness and I hope that these along with our worship gave hope and strength for the journey.
Sunday, 4 March 2007
Living Sacrifice
"Therefore I urge you... in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
I love the way Paul appeals to our will i.e our God-given choice about how we live. I am always challenged by this verse and so I thought I'd share my thoughts on it. I have always been struck by the challenge Paul presents us with to live our lives in a way that is holy and pleasing to God but I hadn't considered the reference in this verse to the fact that this is actually a response to God's mercy. I guess we are only able to offer ourselves to God because of His mercy and as we do He works His mercy in us.
I was spending some time worshipping recently thinking about the holiness of God and couldn't help but think of how God has set us apart as a holy people, a royal priesthood. I was actually really moved when I considered that because of His mercy I am already holy. How incredible is the sacrifice that has been made for us.
God wants us, not just the work we do for Him but us. We have got to make choices and establish convictions in our lives in order that the sacrifice of our body, soul and spirit are holy and pleasing to Him. The Old Testament sacrifices were to be without blemish, having no defect in order that they would be a sweet aroma to the Lord and I imagine we are to be the same. I just love the fact that as we offer ourselves to God and submit to His work of holiness that He purifies us. For me, the most important part of this is to remember that it is Him who makes me holy. There have been many times when I have tried to make myself holy and to be honest I end up feeling the exact opposite. We can't make ourselves something we already are. We just have to chose to honour him with our lives so that all that we are is worship to Him and the Holy Spirit can reside in His fullness.
This is a topic I am going to consider over the next number of posts as I reacquaint myself with it again.
I love the way Paul appeals to our will i.e our God-given choice about how we live. I am always challenged by this verse and so I thought I'd share my thoughts on it. I have always been struck by the challenge Paul presents us with to live our lives in a way that is holy and pleasing to God but I hadn't considered the reference in this verse to the fact that this is actually a response to God's mercy. I guess we are only able to offer ourselves to God because of His mercy and as we do He works His mercy in us.
I was spending some time worshipping recently thinking about the holiness of God and couldn't help but think of how God has set us apart as a holy people, a royal priesthood. I was actually really moved when I considered that because of His mercy I am already holy. How incredible is the sacrifice that has been made for us.
God wants us, not just the work we do for Him but us. We have got to make choices and establish convictions in our lives in order that the sacrifice of our body, soul and spirit are holy and pleasing to Him. The Old Testament sacrifices were to be without blemish, having no defect in order that they would be a sweet aroma to the Lord and I imagine we are to be the same. I just love the fact that as we offer ourselves to God and submit to His work of holiness that He purifies us. For me, the most important part of this is to remember that it is Him who makes me holy. There have been many times when I have tried to make myself holy and to be honest I end up feeling the exact opposite. We can't make ourselves something we already are. We just have to chose to honour him with our lives so that all that we are is worship to Him and the Holy Spirit can reside in His fullness.
This is a topic I am going to consider over the next number of posts as I reacquaint myself with it again.
Reflective Practice CFC
Just home from CFC 3rd service after a day's hard work playing at all 3 services. It was just fantastic once again. It is great to come away encouraged about the set we played and the songs we used but also to critique what we did and get our thinking caps on as to how we could improve the songs or the arrangements. We had a really lively set today with songs like 'Blessed be your name', 'Arise', 'Noise' and 'Rescuer' among others. The church really responded once again to the more familiar ones and also 'Rescuer' (I love it!).
This morning the church celebrated communion together and JP had decided to use the Matt Redman song 'Your Blood'/'What can wash away our sin' which was such a powerful reminder of what Jesus has done for us. I feel like the worship we are bringing to God at the moment is really shaping my thoughts towards God and pulling me back to basics again. I just want to sense that simple appreciation of who God is and the sacrifice He made for us. I have been thinking alot about that sacrifice and bringing ourselves to the altar as a sacrifice of worship. I love the verses in Romans 12 and I would love to start a series of discussions on that chapter so I am going to include a post I have prepared after this one - please read and give me some feedback. I'd love to hear about your personal experiences of the stuff I write about.
Let's encourage and teach one another!!!
This morning the church celebrated communion together and JP had decided to use the Matt Redman song 'Your Blood'/'What can wash away our sin' which was such a powerful reminder of what Jesus has done for us. I feel like the worship we are bringing to God at the moment is really shaping my thoughts towards God and pulling me back to basics again. I just want to sense that simple appreciation of who God is and the sacrifice He made for us. I have been thinking alot about that sacrifice and bringing ourselves to the altar as a sacrifice of worship. I love the verses in Romans 12 and I would love to start a series of discussions on that chapter so I am going to include a post I have prepared after this one - please read and give me some feedback. I'd love to hear about your personal experiences of the stuff I write about.
Let's encourage and teach one another!!!
Friday, 2 March 2007
Reflection Ballinderry!
Just home from a worship gig in Ballinderry and we had a great night. The people were very friendly and even made us a wee lasagne for dinner. It was a very different night for the band in terms of space and sound but that didn't stop us having a great time of worship were we really felt people were engaging and responding to God. We had a few sound hic-ups so I didn't get to play too much but I loved just singing to and connecting with God. If you read my last 'Reflective Practice' you'll have heard me talk about the song 'Rescuer'. I am soo excited about this song, where it will go and the anointing on Johnny as he leads it. Just to recap, the song talks about God as our rescuer and how we have freedom when we live in relationship with him and accept what He has done to bring us into that relationship. It just reminds me that as worship leaders if we choose songs that declare truth about God and what He has done then people will want to meet with God. It kind of reminds me of Matt Redman's song in which he sings 'Worship strarts with seeing You'. When our songs reveal who God is and what He has done then what can we do but worship Him.
During our prayer time and again during our worship set at the end of the evening I felt like God gave me a picture aswell as a verse. It was simply about God dropping seeds into people's hearts during our worship. This would be seeds of wisdom, faith, knowledge, healing, prophecy, miracles, encouragment, teaching, pastoring and serving. I really felt like as these young people worshipped that God was dropping these seeds into their hearts in order to prepare them for the plans and purposes He has for them. I am really excited about this and trust that God has done these things and that the churches represented tonight along with the communities and families represented by these young people will experience the fruit of the good work God has begun in them.
All in all, another encouraging night for the JP Band. Hope to see you on Sunday at CFC -9:30am, 11:30am and 7pm!
During our prayer time and again during our worship set at the end of the evening I felt like God gave me a picture aswell as a verse. It was simply about God dropping seeds into people's hearts during our worship. This would be seeds of wisdom, faith, knowledge, healing, prophecy, miracles, encouragment, teaching, pastoring and serving. I really felt like as these young people worshipped that God was dropping these seeds into their hearts in order to prepare them for the plans and purposes He has for them. I am really excited about this and trust that God has done these things and that the churches represented tonight along with the communities and families represented by these young people will experience the fruit of the good work God has begun in them.
All in all, another encouraging night for the JP Band. Hope to see you on Sunday at CFC -9:30am, 11:30am and 7pm!
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