A few weeks ago, I was scheduled to lead worship at a small service – just an acoustic guitar and me. I had chosen a few modern praise choruses from our current repertoire - but upon arriving at the church, I learned that the sound system and media projection system were not working due to technical difficulties. We spent almost an hour fruitlessly trying to get these complex systems up and running - but soon enough the congregants began to file in, and it was time for the service to begin.
So we had church, just as it was, minus the technology that we've grown accustomed to using. The pastor spoke without a microphone and without a media presentation to help him - and he did fine. I stepped a little closer to the congregation, strummed with an extra emphasis, and sang a bit louder than usual. I dropped most of the praise choruses from the set list and instead sang some familiar hymns and just asked the church family to sing out – and they did.
Interestingly, the folks present seemed happy with our service just as it was. Our time of worship felt more communal this way – without boom stands as barriers between us and minus any feedback to assail our ears, our voices were united in praise. People sang from their hearts instead of singing with both eyes locked onto a video screen. The Holy Spirit had some room to move and made his presence known. It was quiet enough for us to hear God’s voice, too.
Remember the old song called “Just As I Am”? The concluding verse states: “Just as I am, Thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” Having church just as it was reminded me that we don’t have to put on a fancy show with a lot of bells and whistles to please God. Our services are not perfect, and neither are our lives. Yet He loves us just as we are. And His love will transform us.
So we had church, just as it was, minus the technology that we've grown accustomed to using. The pastor spoke without a microphone and without a media presentation to help him - and he did fine. I stepped a little closer to the congregation, strummed with an extra emphasis, and sang a bit louder than usual. I dropped most of the praise choruses from the set list and instead sang some familiar hymns and just asked the church family to sing out – and they did.
Interestingly, the folks present seemed happy with our service just as it was. Our time of worship felt more communal this way – without boom stands as barriers between us and minus any feedback to assail our ears, our voices were united in praise. People sang from their hearts instead of singing with both eyes locked onto a video screen. The Holy Spirit had some room to move and made his presence known. It was quiet enough for us to hear God’s voice, too.
Remember the old song called “Just As I Am”? The concluding verse states: “Just as I am, Thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” Having church just as it was reminded me that we don’t have to put on a fancy show with a lot of bells and whistles to please God. Our services are not perfect, and neither are our lives. Yet He loves us just as we are. And His love will transform us.