Worship - August 2019
Church Family,
This month, I want to leave you with an article written by a man named David Santistevan, who serves as the Worship Pastor at Allison Park Church in Pittsburgh. In his article, he writes about the importance of corporate worship, and why we all need the Church. I would invite you to read this article, and to consider the role of corporate worship in your own life. We all need the Church! Here is his article:
“More than a few times I’ve heard from people who don’t care to attend church because they can have their “time with Jesus” at home. There’s nothing wrong with “Jesus time” at home. But if it’s a replacement for the gathered singing of the people of God, it is a problem. And I don’t think Jesus would be happy with your decision.
But let’s be honest. Sometimes connecting with God is a challenge in church. Sure, it’s amazing when you’re in a room full of passionate people pursuing an all-glorious Savior. But there’s something beautiful and necessary about the mess of your church on Sunday. It’s awkward. It’s inconvenient. And it’s beautiful.
Of course, it doesn’t look like a Casting Crowns tour. Your band isn’t that good. Your production isn’t that good. Your budget isn’t that big. But do you know what makes the CHURCH impressive? It’s not necessarily the creativity and production. It’s the fact that we are the BRIDE of Jesus – the inheritance of an all glorious, Savior. We are misfits from many walks of life gathered under ONE NAME. We are sinners who’ve screwed up our lives, gathered under ONE CROSS where there is mercy. We are orphans embraced under ONE FATHER, now called sons and daughters.
We are the large, we are the small. We are the rich, we are the poor. We are the smart, we are the uneducated. We are the talented, we are the glossed over. We are the brilliant, we are the broken. We are the church.
And we need your voice in the corporate gathering. And you need that beautiful distraction in your life. It’s a fairy tale to only listen to Bethel records in the comfort of your home. Whether you like the songs or enjoy your band or not, you need Church. And the Church needs you.”
If you would like to read more from this author, visit www.beyondsundayworship.com. See you Sunday!
In Christ,
Jared