09/22/22 DIVINE POWER AND ORDER DURING SERVICES

09/22/22 DIVINE POWER AND ORDER DURING SERVICES

When our church was growing from 100 to 300 people (in a previous pastorate), and we gathered for Sunday services, many folks came in the fullness of the Spirit, ready to share in song, testimony, exhortation, prayer.

As we grew in numbers, I (as pastor, shepherd, manager) needed to moderate the corporate worship. With so many wanting to share their praise, victories, burdens, walk, there was not enough time to accommodate everyone. during a service. I set aside part of the morning and evening service time for parishioners to share.

Though there were several that wanted to testify, sing, exhort, confess their faith and pray, I did not sacrifice the preaching and teaching of the Bible. There were times that God directed our service into song and testimony, but those were exceptional times. The Word of God was central. In fact, it was the preaching and teaching that brought the congregation to a point that they had something, about which they had a song and a testimony.

Participation was for believers, of all ages and in any stage of growth. Though there was great freedom for folks to express their witness, I (as pastor) gave direction if aberrant doctrine or behavior surfaced. In fact, if someone brought errant teaching into the meeting, sometimes I would either stop the witness and move to the next person or even counsel the errant one I would address the individual in a loving, but firm way and I would answer questions as I turned this time into a learning and growing experience for the church. If the person became belligerent, I would stop them and offer to talk with them privately after service. Seldom did we have any negative situations and never did we have one that actually disrupted a service. Our people were loving and kind, and they were able to move forward. They were also able to show kindness toward the one who was bringing confusion into the service.

Though I had to manage the participation, everyone understood that God was in charge of the service and they did not intend to take over or manipulate the meeting. Everyone brought their gifts, talents, abilities under personal control for the greater good. I listened and watched for God's leading during the services. I was willing to add or redirect a service, as God led me. As a helmsman I would steer the fellowship around and through troubled seas, and into friendly and productive currents. I knew what the destination was and I maintained the course, but I was sensitive to the Captain's orders.

It is better for the pastor to manage an enthused and expressive congregation than to have to raise a comatose group. There will be unsaved and backslidden people in services. But the gathering should be primarily the gathering of the living, the loving, the light bearers. Believers ought to be living in joy, peace, power, love and excitement. There should be unity, submission, participation.

Not every service is the same. Some services will be much more serious, heart searching, thought provoking, life challenging than some other services. Some services will be more celebratory than other services. Pastor and parishioners need to be sensitive and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. When the people come in the fullness of the Spirit and when the Holy Spirit has His way with a service, it will be "sitting together in heavenly places." 

But remember, you can't really come to a service in the fullness of the Spirit if you have not been living in the fullness of the Spirit during the previous week. Living in the fullness of the Spirit comes from walking in the Spirit, walking in the light, walking in love, which requires self denial, self discipline and total surrender to God.

It is good if each one comes with a ministry, provided they come in humility and unity with pastor and the body. When this happens on a regular basis, people will know they have been in the presence of God and His people. People will know that they have sat and eaten at the heavenly table.