"worship as an hour of growth"

There was a time when the preacher tried to control the outcome of worship.  The altar call was the method.  Everything was judged on who, how many came to the altar.  "Get'em saved!" Many verses of several songs  were sung to force some response.  It did not work.

I am convinced the spirit wants to work during the worship.  The lempowerment of life  happens in the midst of that experience.  It might be a new insight, letting go of some baggage, or a new life decision.  The decision is personal.  It is awakened within by the Spirit and is more powerful in its insistence than any pressure a human can apply.

I'll never forget being in a community prayer service with a group of men.  The man beside me began to sob during the time of prayer.  I knew something was happening, put my hand on his shoulder and patted him several times.  After the meeting I followed him a distance and began a conversation with him.  "Are you O.K.?" I asked.  "I am a little shakened", he responded.  "While we were praying I became aware of the fact that I hated my stepson with whom I am having a great deal of trouble.  I know as long as I hate him I am telegraphing that to him, and I will never be able to contact him.  What do I do?"  No wonder he was sobbing.  What a powerful insight.  Just think ... no preacher laid it on him, the Spirit awakened it from within him.  We talked together about how to build a relationship beginning with really learning who another person is.  The follow through was his idea.  It worked and the good relationship was started purely because he became aware of his real reason for failing to get along with his stepson.

Listen to what people are saying.  It could be the Spirit at work.  "When you told the story of the man who helped his neighbor" ... it made me conscious of my opportunities to do the same. I miss so many such opportunities. When you hear several people make a similar statements think about how the church could help them respond. Your answer could be a program in the church, or the theme of another worship service. Remembering what people say is crucial. It tells you what your people feel they really ought to be about.

Matthew 10:  "What people whisper you shout from the roof tops".

"Again I say ... The Sunday Worship Service is the most important hour in the life of the church.