When there's no organ
Sophie - October 4, 2009
Can y'all believe it? It's finally the week of Living Proof Live in Memphis! And I don't know about you, but I am READY. I am craving some time with friends, not to mention some concentrated time in worship and in the Word. Can't wait.
I absolutely loved your suggestions for how to prepare my mother-in-law for her first LPL event, and I mentioned some of them to her on the phone a couple of days ago. She is still so excited - still referring to the weekend in Memphis as "the trip of a lifetime" - but last night something occurred to me that I hadn't thought of before.
Martha has been a member of the same church - the church where I grew up, in fact - her whole life. And while there is a contemporary worship service there, Martha goes to the more traditional service. I love that service because it's where I learned all the old hymns that mean so much to me now, but last night I wondered if Martha doesn't have a little "worship shock" in store - since, as y'all know, worship with at an LPL event can get a little, um, lively.
Oh, I adore lively.
However, I recognize that lively can be a smidge overwhelming if you're not used to a contemporary worship style. I mean, I know that after my first experience with contemporary worship back in the 90s, I went home, sat down next to my husband, looked at him and said, "Well. They had a guitar AND drums. And PEOPLE RAISED THEIR HANDS."
I know that God is the one who bridges the gaps in our worship preferences, and I trust that He will do just that this weekend. Plus, I think Travis and his team do an absolutely phenomenal job of creating an environment (through the power of the Holy Spirit, of course) where people from all denominational backgrounds are comfortable. But still. I just wonder how Martha will respond to, you know, something like this:
Have y'all ever been in a similar situation? Where you know you're going to spend the first five or ten minutes of worship looking out of the corner of your eye to see how the person sitting beside you is responding?
And have you maybe felt just a teensy tiny bit anxious about it? Even though you can't imagine that the person sitting next to you won't be completely blessed by what she hears?
Or am I the only one?
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Comments (8)
You are not the only one!
I live in Naples, FL but my parents still live in Memphis. Well, Daddy still lives in Memphis, Mama went home to Jesus a couple of months ago.
I remember the first time Mama and Daddy came to Naples to visit me. I couldn’t wait to take them to our church, where there are a lot of hands in the air, including mine! When we left church Mama said, “Karen, I really like your church, Jesus was all in there!” She was so excited. Mama and I had talked about this upcoming LPL event in Memphis. She wanted so badly to see Beth teach in person and we had planned to attend along with my daughter. I’ll miss Mama not being with us this weekend but, I am thrilled to know she is now with our sweet Lord Jesus.
See y’all this weekend!
Posted on October 5, 2009 1:43 PM
Girl, you are SO not the only one! I grew up in a charismatic church, and everytime I had a friend spend the night on Sat night, I wondered what they’d think of our Sunday morning. Thankfully, my church here in ATL has a contemp service that I ADORE (Woodstock First Baptist), so I feel right at home like when I was little.
Better have Martha listening to a few of Travis’ cds on the way up, huh?
:)
Posted on October 5, 2009 2:52 PM
Sophie — girl, I have been there! And it was at a similar event. Can you imagine sitting with a more, shall we say, reserved friend and during worship Stomp comes up. GP are you with me?
Oh my! It was a blast! I know Martha will just love the lively! I just know she will.
Posted on October 5, 2009 4:18 PM
Raising hand. Yes, a little intense at first, but then you just close your eyes and block out any visual reminder of the discomfort. By that time, the Holy Spirit will ignite within her and capture her attention. Yes, definitely listen to some of Travis’ music on the way to prepare her for the amazing worship. Let her know it might be familiar hyms with a contemporary spin on them.
Posted on October 5, 2009 9:08 PM
I LOVE this song. I just wish Julie could sing. Poor, untalented, Julie. You think Trav could find people somewhere on this planet with a little bit of talent…. ;)
Posted on October 5, 2009 10:49 PM
Sophie, The first time I took my mom to a conference I was so worried about what she would think. I resigned myself to just enjoy and let God take care of mom. She LOVED it and I even saw her clapping and hand raising!! It was delightful!!! I just know Martha is going to surprise you this weekend - she might even bust a “praise” move and throw her hands up :) Wouldn’t that be fun!!
Posted on October 6, 2009 9:02 PM
I KNOW what you mean. Have been there many times before because I am usually the one lifting my hands ;)
Posted on October 7, 2009 7:04 PM
I grew up Southern Baptist, and I still remember the first time I went to church with my friend that was Assembly of God. I just didn’t know what to think. I totally think that one’s worship style is so personal…and on that day I decided I was probably a little more on the conservative side. But of course I do love a good conference with praise and worship!!
Posted on October 8, 2009 8:40 PM