This past weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (a.m. and p.m.), Stephen and I were asked to come and hold a revival for Momma's church, Muldrow Church of God.
It was a truly amazing experience, and I am still quite overwhelmed by the impact of it in my mind and spirit. I wanted to try to record some of my impressions here before time gets away from me and before I forget all together.
1. It IS possible to have a husband/wife team conduct revival services (but it requires planning!).
Stephen and I had to sit down and spend time discussing what we thought God was leading us to talk about. Then we discussed the flow of the services--who would speak when and what was theme of each message and which message (speaker) would go first, second, etc. Because God had impressed Stephen with two related messages, we believed that he was supposed to present them first and in order. Because I wanted the messages to flow and be fresh--and not redundant--I decided to record my thoughts, and detailed notes from his messages, and pray about what exactly He wanted me to present when it was my turn. But I wouldn't make specific and final notes until after Stephen spoke. Long story short: God had mercy on us. The message seemed to flow and His message--which resounded through all of ours, unplanned by us and clearly HIS idea--was about the gifts of the Spirit.
2. Stephen and I chose one specific text to use as a jumping off point or starting point for all of the messages we presented.
Stephen and I could not get away from Acts chapter 3 (and 4). We used this for every message, but in different ways. In his first message, Stephen focused on the line, "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I unto you..." His emphasis was "such as I have" and identifying our gifts and talents and giving them, surrendering them, to The Lord. The second night, he focused on .... The third session, I focused on the enemy's attacks--sly--and compared it to mice infestations. We talked about "setting traps." The final session, I spoke on "Holding On" to the dream, to the purpose, to what we're waiting for, through adversity, and I went through chapter 4, talking about how Peter and John had done a great thing, but were under attack for doing a good thing.
3. We decided, at mom's request, that when one spoke, the other would present a song prior to the message.
I sang for the first time in a long time, on my own, as a special. The song I chose was "I Give Myself Away" and I sang it both of the nights I sang. I love that song because it's a worship song, and if I have to sing a solo for the first time, I would rather it be something that I don't focus on ME--but on Him. And that's where I like to be, anyway. In worship to Him.
4. There were many things I never want to forget, and hope to implement, given the opportunity, in my/our own congregation:
A. Mom had many different people activated in the service--young and old. The first worship songs were led by teen and junior high girls (my nieces) who have strong, identifiable gifts in this area. Then an older woman led hymns. The lady who led the hymns made comments of transition between the songs to explain WHY she'd selected them, how they went together. (So you knew the songs weren't random.) Two young boys were selected to hand out mugs to the Fathers in the congregation on Father's Day.
B. The door greeter, Bob McNabb, hands everyone a piece of candy (a kid's candy, butter rum?) when they enter the sanctuary. He gives them a light-hearted word and smile.
C. When you walk in to the church, morning or afternoon, there is a fellowship table and coffee is already brewing. There is a station where you can come get coffee, for free, and sit and enjoy conversation before church (or during the Sunday School, if someone would rather talk). On Sunday morning, there are free doughnuts.
D. On the last Sunday of each month, they have Holy Communion and a pot luck fellowship time after service. There is no p.m. service on that day, every month. (They do not cancel night services at any other time, however.)
E. Momma has, at the end of services, often, prayer lines, where she anoints, prays for, and speaks over anyone who gets in line. EVERYONE (that I could tell) got up and got in line! She anoints them and prays--and a couple of times, prophesied over them.
F. The presence of God, the Holy Spirit, is UNDENIABLE in this church. You can FEEL it in all parts of the service. Stephen said this was the easiest place to preach, EVER, that it was like "surfing on a wave of the Holy Spirit."
JUST A NOTE: I told Stephen that I really believed that Mom should be a mentor for EVERY future minister, no matter where they go, how many in their church, or what denomination. Any and every future minister who sincerely wants to do the will of God needs to be around my Mom and watch her. I wish I could watch her more. Honestly.
5. Another thing I learned was to TRUST GOD, that He WILL PROVIDE. My mind felt "numb" during the revival, as it has been much of the summer. I just trusted God to give me a fresh word because I didn't feel "inspired." I have learned, through the Wednesday night experience, that when this happens, you keep showing up and you keep praying for a break through. We can't "call in sick." We have to SHOW UP and do what He's asked us to do. Sometimes, IN FAITH ALONE that He has called us and will provide. [And He did just that during the revival--and I give Him praise! Saturday night, at 12:15 a.m., He gave me the message, and then he woke me at 5:30 to complete the message.]
New Prayers/Goals after This Experience
1. I am thinking that I need to learn how to play the guitar, so I can sing worship songs with the guitar. I think my voice and singing style is more cut out for the guitar. I also suspect that I would WRITE songs if I knew how to play the guitar.
2. I need to make record of songs I might need to download for any future opportunities God brings.
3. I am really in prayer and seeking God about our next step, His Will for our lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment