"CULTURE IN WORSHIP"

I'm not finding much time to write my own blogs these days. Too many things to juggle in my life to be able to sit and think and write about things I feel strongly about. So instead, for this blogpost, I'm going to sent you to a link that is really interesting - and challenging! It is from two members of our Covenant worship leaders Facebook group, "Better Together." They wrote this week's blogpost for the Covenant website, WorshipConnect, and it expresses very well my own feelings/concerns/interest regarding multiethnic worship. I believe that we at Hilmar Covenant need to be wrestling with this issue much more than we are - and to consciously educate ourselves on the issue so we can embrace it better. Whether we like it or not, we are becoming an increasingly multicultural, multiethnic society and churches MUST reflect this reality better in the future if they are going to not only survive, but thrive. To ignore this reality and cling to a homogeneous mindset will be the kiss of death for churches. The cool thing about this link is that the blog also provides you with links to other stimulating locations (ex. our superintendent, Efraim Smith's, perspective on diversity and North Park's approach to multi-ethnicity in their worship life). And you can also comment on the article itself! Click ConversingOnCultureInWorship - and enjoy!

A few weeks ago during my prayer time, I was spending reflecting on our church, my ministry responsibilities, this transition time that we are in, various issues and concerns, etc. In the midst of these quiet moments, I began to get a series of rather poetic couplets that seemed to express what was on my heart. Out of this, the following prayer emerged:

A PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH
(as a new year of ministry begins...)

O God, the fall season is just around the corner. New opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus, to grow in discipleship, and to reach out in ministry and service abound. As a new season awaits your Church, there is an eagerness and excitement to start new and fresh once again.

Thank you for your love and faithfulness to us.
Thank you for the hope of our salvation, made available to us through your Son, our Savior, Jesus.
Thank you for your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who enlivens our faith, helps us grow in awareness and understanding of you, and sends us out to minister in your name.
Thank you for the community of faith, the Church, which is your means of reaching the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. May we be faithful in this calling.
Thank you for the resources you have given to us, your Church, the body of Christ on earth: spiritual gifts, talents, creativity, finances, sacred spaces, artistic expressions of every kind, materials and property and the freedom to use them all.
Thank you for the privilege of including us in your mission to reach all people, for “you do not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (I Peter 3:9)

But sometimes, Lord, our humanness, our selfishness, and our bent to sinning get in the way and get the better of us. Then your Church doesn’t look so good, grows increasingly unhealthy, and gets sidetracked with issues and concerns other than your mission. Forgive us, O God.

If we have been self-centered, we repent...
If we have hardness of heart, we repent...
If we are have a critical spirit, we repent...
If we are holding grudges, we repent...
If we have been judgmental, we repent...
If we have been antagonistic, we repent...
If we have been resistant, we repent...
If our words or actions have hurt or alienated others, we repent...
If we have set up roadblocks to progress and change, we repent...
If we have been lazy in our relationship with you and with others, we repent...
If we have relied on human efforts instead of the power of prayer and on your Holy Spirit, we repent...
If we have made the life of the Church about something other than your Kingdom priorities, we repent...

Thank you for confession, repentance, and forgiveness, O God. May we exercise these healing expressions often and freely so your Church can remain strong in unity and love.

Finally, dear Father, we pray for those who struggle with life and faith. The world has changed in so many ways and many of your people are apprehensive about what’s happening with your Church today.

For those in fear, bring peace and understanding.
For those who are disheartened, bring hope.
For those who are hurt, bring healing.
For those who are mourning losses, bring fresh vision.
For those who are angry, bring resolution.
For those who are bitter, bring sweet release.
For those who are frustrated and upset, bring patience and perspective.
For those who are suffering, bring comfort.
For those who are wounded, bring healing.
For those who feel broken, bring restoration.
For those who are sad, bring joy.
For those who feel neglected, bring connection.
For those who don’t feel heard, bring opportunities for listening.
For those in broken relationships, bring confession and forgiveness.
For those who are dry in faith, bring renewal.
For those who are resistant to change, bring openness and courage.
For those who are impatient for change, bring patience.
For those in leadership, bring wisdom.

Hear our prayer, O Lord.

And now, as we go forth into another season of ministry in your Name, may we be ever attuned to your leading, always pursuing Christ and Christ’s priorities in the world.

Amen.