|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
A Music-Less Revival June 18, 2007 By Kimberly Rigney
My pastor made a decision to clear the platform for a while. From now until further notice, there will be no live music in the main services. Any music used during the service will be from CDs. This goes against the grain of music-loving Apostolics, I know. For the home missionaries without a slew of talented musicians, it sounds familiar. However it’s strange for a 200+ member church that is filled with musicians and singers to all of a sudden be told to stop playing and singing.
Many were apprehensive about the new arrangement. How are we going to worship to soundtracks? How are we going to feel the anointing with Israel Houghton or Chris Tomlin leading us in worship? How are we going to take up the offering without a fiery rendition of “I’ll Fly Away” for the ushers to bop down the aisle to? I’m sure many questions loomed in the back of the parishioners’ heads as we gathered for service.
Sunday morning’s service began with a video and the fitting song, “I Surrender All.” My pastor invited the entire congregation to join him in the altar for a time of worship to God. An array of praise and worship choruses on CDs played through the sound system as people began to worship God. By the second song, almost the entire altar was filled with people speaking in tongues, lost in adoration to their Creator.
Service went no further than the worship service at the altar. People I had never seen before were coming to the altar, and, as my pastor prayed for them, they began to speak in tongues, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. A few people that have not prayed or spoken in tongues in a long while were driven to their knees for a time of refreshing. An hour and half after the first song, people were finally regaining consciousness of the physical realm and were able to leave the service.
The Sunday night service was a repeat performance of the move of God. Everyone gathered at the altar again for worship time to our pre-recorded CDs, and again, God stepped in. More souls were filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. People danced and shouted, despite the fact that the sound guy had to hit repeat on several occasions on the long pauses in between tracks.
What caused this great stirring? No excuses! No one had an instrument or a microphone to hide behind. Everyone had a chance to worship God without reservation, and those that wanted to do such did. The apprehension and concern about the lack of live music slowly faded out of the picture, and true worship prevailed. No one had to worry if the guitar was too loud or a praise singer was singing the wrong part. We weren’t concerned with giving the right signs to go into the chorus or verse. If the PowerPoint didn’t correctly display every lyric, people were still able to worship God.
Our church is making its way back to the heart of worship, finding that worship is more than a good song or a touching lyric. We are no longer going to depend on the formality and tradition of church, but the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are having true, anointed revival because we are worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth! (John 4:24). Who cares if the music is live, from a CD, or non-existent? Revival is revival even if it is music-less. ninetyandnine.com © 2007, Kimberly Rigney
--------- Kimberly Rigney is a youth leader and public school history teacher. She is dedicated to the cause of Christ and ready for anything God may throw her way. However she's hoping God doesn't throw too much her way because she is enjoying her summer off! |
|
|
