"Un-Hurried Worship" (Worship at Encounter)

Psalm 46:8  “Be still and know that I am God.” 

“Unhurried Worship” is a term we use to describe the musical worship time at our mid-week Encounter gathering.  Encounter is an extension of our Healing Prayer Ministries at Reynolda Church.  When we gather for Encounter we know that we are gathering to experience the Presence of the Spirit of Jesus.  This expectant attitude leads to powerful times of worship and deep relational blessings from the Holy Spirit. 

When planning for Encounter services we always leave space and time for the Holy Spirit to minister in the midst of musical worship.  We will let go of the song arrangement and leave space for spontaneous Spirit inspired lyrics and melodies to emerge.  We have been blessed many times by the Spirit leading us through an entire evening of Spirit inspired spontaneous songs.  As we worship in an “un-hurried” manner we leave room for scripture reading, prophetic singing, and calls for healing prayer all in the midst of giving glory to God through song.  It’s a true blessing to let God control the liturgy of a service.

That being said, we do plan.  If it weren’t for planning we would not have the comfort level it takes to let go and let the Spirit take control.  We plan for six songs each evening.  Three that are more praise focused to help those gathered sing of the blessings God pours out on his people.  Then we have a short teaching time that guides us toward a passionate time of prayer ministry in the midst of worship.  During this ministry time we lead songs that are more worship centric, focused on the attributes of God.  As we move through these songs we will often linger in instrumental improvisation that supports the work of the Spirit and does not distract.  At all times we try to be very aware of what God is doing in this gathering and we will open our hearts and liturgy to let Him speak, heal, and minister to His Church. 

I feel it is vital to experience God in an un-hurried worship environment.  Worship in about giving worth to our Creator, Savior, and Restorer.  We are blessed to spend meaningful time with Him.  Let’s not rush it, be it in our personal or congregational times of worship.  Why don’t we “be still and know that he is God?”

Establishing Your Ryhthm

Establishing a rhythm.  When it comes to making music it is step number one.  My musical journey started with the drums.  I am extremely thankful that my first experience as a musician started behind a drum set.  Laying a foundation that the other members of the band can create harmony and melody on top of has helped me understand the importance of creating a rhythm in my spiritual life.

A few days ago I downloaded a couple of looping apps to my iPad.*  As I've been exploring this "new" means of making music, in many ways, I have gone back to my roots.  For me to create with drum machines, loop stations, and synthesizers is a bit weird being that my main instruments over the past 20+ have been acoustic guitar, mandolin, and banjo.  Using this new technology to create has forced me to think about the building blocks of music.  Everything starts with rhythm.  Creating a pattern is essential.  Once a pattern is established we are placed on a path and set in motion.  Now that we have begun the musical journey we can add elements into the mix that add texture and atmosphere.  After all, what good is a journey without being able to see and experience the sights along the way?

I have recently started a FaceBook page for ReynoldaWorship that my colleagues and I will be managing.  One of the first things I wanted to do with the page was to start a foundational rhythm.  So I started posting quotes from the morning and evening Psalms from the Common Lectionary.  I wanted to share a rhythm based on the foundation of worship, rooted in the book of Psalms from God's Word.  From this rhythmic foundation we will begin creating a symphony of inspirational material to share with the Reynolda Church community and others who come across our little corner of the internet.  

Establish your rhythm in partnership with the living God and see what beautiful music He will make with your life.

*check out the Novation Launchpad and Key Station free apps for iPad in the AppStore.
Novation launchpad app