sunday night manifesto
Before I go on, I must get this much out. I've had this scribbled on paper for a few months now, but it needs to be declared.
The power of prayer, devotion and worship was revealed to me at the age of 15. A time was set aside for us to participate in these activities,prefaced solely by the words, "Let's seek God." Since then, I have yet to find a community where such intimacy was developed in a group setting. God has instilled in me a desire for these words to be said, and all around the room, people fall face down and declare the sovereignty of God. They cast their cares on Him, they dig in the word with the mindset "I'm not stopping until You reveal Yourself." This desire has become a hunger.
I think a desire can be thought of, but a hunger is more basic instinct. Hunger is a desire for something that is essential. In light of this new season, this new life, this new church, this world away from where I've been, I want to run and I don't want to stop, and I don't want to look back. But the hunger isn't quenched. The energy is dying, the newness is growing old, and the hunger is turning to starvation.
I would like to start a gathering. A Sunday night rejuvenation that sits on the cusp of a turning point every week. The week fades at some point, late Sunday afternoon, and focus is suddenly projected on the next. At this point, one of two things happen. Worry and panic set in as the realization that nothing got done that should have gotten done to prepare for the next week. The other thing is not the opposite, where peace or excitement is welling up inside for the week to come, but rather an apathetic attitude that barely grazes the conscience grips us with the idea that "here we go again. One more week with no real significant attention needed." It is at this turning point that I would like to gather and experience the presence of God.
Imagine a candle lit room with music playing that hints at the idea that more is going on than meets the eye. An unplugged setting that allows for more contemplation and participation than receiving any sort of message. People are encouraged to dig in the Word, journal prayers and thoughts on God, sing along in worship, listen to lyrics that move, guide, flow, direct, and hit home, eat together at the Lord's table, and one lone mic sits in the back of the room. The walls around it are shrouded with black fabric. Every word that is spoken is scripture. No lesson is given besides the word of God. Then we take time to listen. Music and silence that reveal God and his love.
--For the time spent here, in community with others, we are alone with God, so let's seek Him until we find Him.
The power of prayer, devotion and worship was revealed to me at the age of 15. A time was set aside for us to participate in these activities,prefaced solely by the words, "Let's seek God." Since then, I have yet to find a community where such intimacy was developed in a group setting. God has instilled in me a desire for these words to be said, and all around the room, people fall face down and declare the sovereignty of God. They cast their cares on Him, they dig in the word with the mindset "I'm not stopping until You reveal Yourself." This desire has become a hunger.
I think a desire can be thought of, but a hunger is more basic instinct. Hunger is a desire for something that is essential. In light of this new season, this new life, this new church, this world away from where I've been, I want to run and I don't want to stop, and I don't want to look back. But the hunger isn't quenched. The energy is dying, the newness is growing old, and the hunger is turning to starvation.
I would like to start a gathering. A Sunday night rejuvenation that sits on the cusp of a turning point every week. The week fades at some point, late Sunday afternoon, and focus is suddenly projected on the next. At this point, one of two things happen. Worry and panic set in as the realization that nothing got done that should have gotten done to prepare for the next week. The other thing is not the opposite, where peace or excitement is welling up inside for the week to come, but rather an apathetic attitude that barely grazes the conscience grips us with the idea that "here we go again. One more week with no real significant attention needed." It is at this turning point that I would like to gather and experience the presence of God.
Imagine a candle lit room with music playing that hints at the idea that more is going on than meets the eye. An unplugged setting that allows for more contemplation and participation than receiving any sort of message. People are encouraged to dig in the Word, journal prayers and thoughts on God, sing along in worship, listen to lyrics that move, guide, flow, direct, and hit home, eat together at the Lord's table, and one lone mic sits in the back of the room. The walls around it are shrouded with black fabric. Every word that is spoken is scripture. No lesson is given besides the word of God. Then we take time to listen. Music and silence that reveal God and his love.
--For the time spent here, in community with others, we are alone with God, so let's seek Him until we find Him.
posted by Kurt Libby at 10:21 AM
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