The "Empty" Stage

This week, I announced that our worship team will be taking a break for a couple/few weeks. Before I continue, let me assure you that there is not an 'issue' with the staff, the team or the congregation. This is intentional time to reflect, reconnect with God, and refresh ourselves.

I take my role as Creative Arts/Worship Pastor very seriously. I know that God has called me to this church for this ministry and this season of the life of the church. The reason I know this is that I spend time with Him, seeking Him and trying to live to honor Him.

And I expect nothing less from my teams. I want them to wrestle with God, to seek hard after Him and to live lives that honor Him.

I'm also a realist. I do this for a living. However, with the exception of Aaron, everyone else is volunteer and has another life outside these four walls. They have jobs, family, hobbies, etc. that compete for their time. Add to that weekly rehearsals and practice time along with 2 services each week - time becomes a precious commodity.

So I've asked our team to take some time to rest. Instead of rehearsing and 'working' the music, we'll take some time to pray, seek God and perhaps even fast (as needed). Our goal is to ignite the passion that we have for worshiping God, and allow us to take our worship to another level. It's not about how we sound, how we look or how well we play together. That is a by product of a committed team that loves God and wants to use the skills, gifts and abilities that He has given them to bring honor to Him.
I am more interested in the heart of the team and who gets first place in their lives. It has to be God - period! Anything less is missing the mark. And if we're ALL honest, we can say that there are times when God is not where He needs to be in our lives.

We're going to take some time to talk with Him about where He is in our own lives. Then we're going to ask Him if we're doing what He has called us to do - are we in the right place for this season of our lives? It will be fun, interesting and anxious all at the same time.

Pray for us to hear God and hear His plan/will for our lives. Pray for me to know that the direction He is calling me to lead this ministry is indeed His plan and His will.

I'll see you in church, from the empty stage - for now!