Feb
4
Written by:
Dennis Atwood
2/4/2010 3:30 PM
We’re beginning a new worship experience at FBC this Sunday (Super Bowl Sunday) and we are excited about it! We’re calling it “Fresh Start.” Why? Well, because it starts early—at 9:00 a.m.—and we hope it will be a fresh encounter with God for people who may be unchurched, de-churched, or churched-yet-stuck-in-a-rut.
This has been a slow, deliberate process for us. We have chosen not to jump on some alternative/contemporary worship bandwagon. This is an additional worship service—not an alternative one. The worship we do at First Baptist is probably best described as traditional, somewhat liturgical, and reverent. I like it. Yet in these times we are being beckoned by Jesus to fish for people in deeper, uncharted waters.
Worship is not a consumeristic enterprise where we shop around until we find a place that meets all our felt needs. Worship is about God, not us. Worship happens when God’s Spirit touches our spirit. If that doesn’t happen, then we have not worshiped. Therefore, style is secondary.
I honestly believe that a true sign of maturity within a congregation is the ability to venture into deep, uncharted waters and try new things. Not begrudgingly, but expectantly. It requires a congregation to value diversity and with a spirit of unity keep its focus upon the mission of God for the church. That’s no easy thing these days given all of the issues that tend to divide—generational, economic, ethnic, and theological just to name a few.
But here we go. We’re turning our sails toward the deep waters anchored together by the unity of the Holy Spirit. It’s risky and it’s exciting.
I’m looking forward to this Sunday. First I’ll be celebrating communion in Fresh Start worship as the dressed down crowd comes forward to receive the bread and the cup surrounded by music from a band of college students.
Then a little later I’ll be wearing my black clergy robe and celebrating communion as the bread and the cups are passed from one congregant to another with the music of the pipe organ, piano, and violin playing in the background.
I think God will be pleased. The point of both worship experiences is to give honor and glory and praise back to God our creator, redeemer, and sustainer—who is alone worthy to receive our worship. I am praying that we get the point.