I love having an opportunity to lead people in receiving communion during worship. There are so many different ways to incorporate communion in a service, whether it be at the end of the message, or during a special song, or inviting people to come and receive. This past weekend we did it in the middle of our journey to the feet of Jesus in worship.
As a worship leader, I have spent a lot of time not talking publicly within a time of worship. I could ramble all day if I let myself, and it probably wouldn't be the most coherent. But, I have learned that when given an opportunity to lead or speak in a time of worship, the words spoken, just like the words that are sung, have the same purpose...That purpose is to take people to a destination. Ultimately, our destination is the feet of Jesus, where purely we ascribe vertical adoration to His matchless, holy name. But how we get there is a wonderful freedom that must be grounded in scripture, prayer, and sensitivity to the Lord.
RULES FOR TALKING WORSHIP LEADERS:
* Pray, open your Bible, and think ahead of time of what you want to convey
* Write it out. Always write it out.
* Rehearse what you wrote down. In the shower, in the car, in your office, and on the stage in run-thru to an empty worship center.
* Slow down and take your time.
* Finally, watch yourself back, and find ways to improve. **
So on this particular weekend, I spent some time speaking rather than singing. We had just finished singing the words "You tore the veil, You made a way, when you said that it is done." I wanted to illustrate the picture of our former separation from God, to our now newly given access to God through Jesus as it all relates to communion. I think it's a beautiful picture to think of a table or a feast in the heavenly courts, that we once had no access to, and now God invites us to the table through Jesus Christ. In drawing attention to the Gospel, it set the table to receive communion together, and do so in a way that was meaningful, not rushed, and both introspective and congregational.
The reading of scripture over God's people is always important to me as I have opportunity to lead others in worship. I keep this quote close, and it always convicts me, but N.T.Wright says:
“Even the simplest acts of Christian worship ought therefore always to focus on the reading of Scripture...You’re insulting the Bible if, given the opportunity, you don’t create a context in which it can be heard and celebrated as what it really is: the rehearsal of the powerful deeds of God the Creator and rescuer. ”
After taking time to do what scripture says introspectively, we received communion together as a body, stood, responded to Christ's forgiveness, and ended at His feet proclaiming "Worthy is the Lamb that once was slain, to receive all glory, power and praise. For with Your blood You purchased us for God, Jesus You are worthy, that is what You are."
I can always find something I'd say or do differently, but these short moments in our weekend services were a special time in our body. I thought I'd share some of my thoughts behind approaching last weeks communion, as well as share the video so you can worship with us. Thanks for taking the time to read and watch if you did :)
lory to God Alone.