When we first heard about the ZOE Group Leadership and Worship Conference hosted by the Monterey church last weekend, I was interested in the attending the Friday leadership sessions about small groups, but not the worship conference. I eagerly signed myself and our other small group leader, Steve Gauntt, up in anticipation that we might learn something useful about how to continue our small group ministry at church. And, I wasn't disappointed. The tracks were helpful and I came away feeling good about what we are doing and the direction we are going.
Jill's folks were here for the weekend as well and they were all planning to attend the Saturday worship conference while I eagerly volunteered to keep Avery all day. I'm just not a big fan of acapella music and the thought of attending a whole conference on the subject kind of gave me the heebie jeebies. Anyway, after Jill had signed up, she got a call from one of our long lost college friends who happened to be one of the conference organizers. She had noticed I wasn't signed up and kindly suggested there might be a scholarship available for Avery and I to attend. Great, I thought (did you catch the sarcasm there?). My plan was ruined. I felt compelled to accept this generous gift and attend as a family.
I'm glad I did! The conference was far more than just acapella music stuff. There were some great worship times, Jeff Walling did an outstanding job speaking, and my favorite part was the breakout sessions. I was thrilled to discover there were classes for guys like me - classes that had nothing to do with praise teams, singing, music, or drama. Now - don't get me wrong here - I'm not a worship ogre. I greatly appreciate quality worship and the effort that is put into it. It's just not what I do well right now. I got excited to attend the sessions on Contemplative Prayer. Over the past few years I've been exposed to some of the more mystical forms of Christian discipline and practice through my readings in graduate school and through friends we've made during our international travels. Contemplative Prayer is an ancient practice that I really wanted to learn more about - and I did. We spent three sessions talking about the practice and then actually doing it. It was just what I needed! I was able to block out my hectic life and work responsibilities for the day and just focus on God. In the end, I guess that is really what "worship" is all about - focusing on God, in whatever form that might take.
6 comments:
Sounds Great! Glad you got some good ideas. It is so helpful to go to one of these conferences and get fresh ideas, and new perspectives. I found this site and thought I went will with what you wrote. http://www.prayingchurch.org/contemplative.html
We are doing prayer stations at Church Sunday and I think I am going to try to incorporate this into what we are doing.
You go around the room and have different stations like pictures of families and you pray for family, Pic of Whitehouse pray for the president. . .
Matt
Oh, I'm SO relieved to know that you're not a worship ogre!!!! That tickled my funny bone!
Glad you enjoyed the conference. It sounds like it was absolutely wonderful.
Love you!
Robyn
I find it so hard to believe that I raised a child who doesn't like to sing. Sigh. I'd like to hear more about contemplative prayer....
Sorry Mother, I'm afraid you raised two kids who aren't that into acapella music. Worship is just something that I am not doing very well right now either... Thought this post was very funny, Gabe.
Well, Mamjill, it's not that I don't like to sing. I do. I enjoy it very much when it is in certain contexts. I think what I was trying to say is that I don't enjoy singing in an environment that feels spiritually dead. The conference did not feel that way and the singing was wonderful - AND it was acapella. I think it all has to do with the heart of those who are singing.....
I agree that it is NO FUN to sing in a spiritually dead feeling place. It is actually maddening and not good for one's soul at all because it makes one think of murder and mayhem. I don't think God likes it either. Sing on, my child!!
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