"One of the primary ways we worship God is through proclaiming His glories, perfections, and works. But another equally significant way we worship God is through building one another up through encouragement and blessing. Different activities, but the same end." (p. 178)
There are times in church services that I forget that God has called us to "Speak to one another with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." (Ephesians 5:19a). We get so caught up in the vertical plane (our relationship with God) that we forget to move in the horizontal plane (our relationship with those around us). God is honored when we encourage each other. We worship Him when we show love for, pray for, and serve each other. When we come together to worship by singing praises, taking communion, and learning from Scripture we aren't supposed to be a bunch of separate individuals who are looking only for a one on one experience with God. Individual experience is involved, but we are to be His body with all the different parts working together to bring Him glory (1 Corinthians 12). If the body is thirsty doesn't the hand bring water to the mouth? If the body needs to move won't the legs move the body where it needs to go? The body of Christ is meant to function as a single unit that all works together for the Glory of God.
The next time we come together as the body of Christ, as we participate in our vertical relationship, let's also try to keep our eyes open to the ways that God might want us to participate in our horizontal relationships. Let's look for ways to encourage, pray for, and serve one another and in doing so worship and bring glory to God.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Chapter 21 - Internal And External
It is important that we recognize first, though, that any form of worship (physically expressive or not) must be based in a accurate view of God. If our worship is based only on what we feel, or on our awareness of our image and reputation, then it is not God that we are worshiping, instead it is ourselves and our emotions or are pride that we begin to worship. "God-pleasing worship involves a heart engagement and an active faith in the existence and goodness of God (Hebrews 11:6) (p. 169)" God looks at our heart as we worship Him. This might lead some to conclude that it is really only what is in someone's heart that matters, but Kauflin points out the error in this way of thinking. I liked how he expressed this in the example with his wife. "If I told my wife, Julie, that I loved her, but never looked glad to see her, never hugged her, and never demonstrated my affection in any concrete way, she wouldn't be too impressed. We wouldn't have much of a marriage either." (p.170) Love that is never outwardly expressed isn't really love at all. True love chooses to act for the benefit of the one being loved without regard to self. Is it important what is in our hearts? Of course, it is absolutely vital, but that doesn't excuse us from the expressions of worship that are modeled for us in the Bible like "...clapping, singing, bowing, kneeling, lifting hands, shouting, playing instruments, dancing, and standing in awe." (p.171) and these can only be meaningful to God if our actions each day demonstrate our love for Him.
Kauflin made two other points that I think are vital to the discussion of physical expression in worship.
- First he says, "These expressions don't all have to be evidenced every time we gather...The crucial question is this: Is there any physical expression of worship that God has given us in Scripture that I've never displayed? And if so, why?" (p. 171) When we lead people in worship, we don't need to feel bad or feel like something is wrong if we don't see a ton of physical expression from the people we are leading every single time. As people go through different things in life their outward expressions (or lack thereof) will change from week to week. Something that might give us cause to pause and think, however, is if there is never any physical expression amidst the people we are leading or if there are Biblical expressions of worship that have never taken place in our church. This should probably make us stop and think, "Are we teaching and modeling a Biblical view of worship to the congregation?" "People in your church will learn the most from what is modeled by you and the other leaders. Churches rarely rise above the level of their leaders in expressiveness and genuine engagement." (p. 173)
- Second he points out that, "Our highest priority when we gather with the church is not our own personal expressiveness but the privilege of serving others. (1 Corinthians 14:12, 13:1-8). Individuals should be following your example and direction in the area of expressiveness, not breaking into loud shouting and enthusiastic dancing just because they feel like it. We're to be concerned about "the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4). At the same time, more reserved members shouldn't assume that expressive individuals are hypocritical, seeking attention, or rude. They might want to consider what they can learn from the unhindered and sincere expressiveness they see." (p. 172) As we lead (and even as we participate as a member of the congregation) we should be aware of the atmosphere and people around us and allow ourselves to be physically expressive in a way that honors God and that isn't going to be a major distraction to the rest of the congregation.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Chapter 20 - Head and Heart
"...churches can have a hard time connecting the knowledge of the mind with the passions of the heart. Yet they're integrally related. And both are crucial to Biblical worship." (p. 165)Kauflin has touched on this subject multiple times already, but it definitely is worth being repeated because it is so important. We must not get into the habit of promoting one area over the other. Without accurate knowledge of the truth in the Bible our passion is meaningless and possibly idolatrous. Without passion, the most wonderful and fantastic truth's about God are left uncelebrated and we risk becoming a "religion" rather than being a people who have a marvelous relationship with the living God of the universe.
"The affections we're seeking to stir up are more than fleeting shallow, self-induced emotions. We aren't trying to excite people for the sake of excitement. We aren't leading a pep rally for band. Godly affections are deep and long-lasting. They're the result of focusing on what God has done and who He is." (p. 166)
As a worship team we can move peoples emotions simply by what we play and how we play it. But, as Kauflin said, we aren't just trying to get people emotional for the sake of being emotional. We must be careful to base whatever we are doing in the truth of God's word. Then God's truth is the basis for the emotions that come up within people and it can lead to real change in people's lives and help them to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. We use music to help people along the way and to help lead them to the place where they see God's truth clearly. Our music is a tool to be used to point people to God's truth and to bring honor and glory to God. Music is not the end in itself.
"When the church gathers, the sense of confidant joy in God should be pronounced. When we fail to demonstrate delight and satisfaction in God, we're not only dishonoring God, we're disobeying Him (Psalms 32:11). More than anyone else on earth, Christians have a reason to celebrate." (p. 167)
These words jumped off the page and slapped me in the face. I know that God wants us to be joyful and celebrate in His Name, but I had never thought of it as being sinful to do otherwise. But I think that Kauflin is right. As Christians, no matter what has occurred or is occurring in our lives, we have reason to demonstrate delight and satisfaction in God. I don't think that this means we can't ever feel sad or troubled (Jesus felt sadness and wept on multiple occasions) But even amidst sadness we, as Christians, always have reason for hope and joy. Even amidst difficult times and trials we can still demonstrate our delight and satisfaction in God. Not that this is easy by any means. It takes consistent effort and time spent in developing our relationship with God. It takes a purposeful decision to choose God's hope and joy rather than the world's despair.
There is a woman in our church who has exemplified this better than anyone else I've ever known. No matter what is happening she is always exuding the joy that is found only in God. A while back her husband's health took a turn for the worse and slowly declined further and further over time until finally he passed away. She certainly felt sadness during this time, but never once could any one question her joy in God. She continued to demonstrate her delight and satisfaction in God all through this difficult time in her life. She could do this because her hope and joy was based in her relationship with God and the hope he had given her of her eternal future with Him. That is what we must take hold of and proudly claim as our own. If we can take hold of that relationship and that hope, then we too can demonstrate delight and satisfaction in God no matter our circumstances.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Chapter 19 - Transcendant And Imminent
I've been quite busy this week and probably will be for the next few weeks as one of my classes is wrapping up and a number of other things have come up, so I asked Sam and Madeline if they would write the blog for this weeks thoughts on chapter 19. I'm sure you'll enjoy a break from my ranting and a fresh perspective on Kauflin's writing.
-David
Both characteristics of God, His Transcendence and His Imminence, seem like attributes that are emphasized at different times in Christian Church History. It does seem like they are opposing swings on a Master Pendulum. For awhile, perhaps many hundreds of years, the Reverence and Honor due to our Most Holy God was predominant in the Liturgy and Worship in many formal churches. People dressed in their very best attire to go and worship God. Many of our beloved Hymns were written in this period of solemnity and quiet awe.
Currently, though, many of the churches of today strive to be “seeker-friendly”, and thus present God more as a friend and brother and compassionate lover of our souls. We dress more casually, behave more informally, and strive to be very welcoming, just as we remember that Jesus lived among human beings, touching them, crying with them, eating with them. This is a beautiful picture of Him, too.
As Kauflin states on p. 162, “At Calvary we stand in awe of perfect righteousness, holy justice, and unerring judgment. We can offer no excuses or justification for our sin. We’re completely at the mercy of our sovereign Creator and King. Yet the gospel assures us that our sins have been completely atoned for. We’re no longer God’s enemies. We’re His adopted children.” This is a wonderful description of the tension, or the balance, between God’s transcendence and His imminence.
It is especially important to appreciate both of these attributes of God. We do ourselves, and His Church, a disservice if we over-emphasize one, to the exclusion of the other.
-Sam and Madeline
-David
Both characteristics of God, His Transcendence and His Imminence, seem like attributes that are emphasized at different times in Christian Church History. It does seem like they are opposing swings on a Master Pendulum. For awhile, perhaps many hundreds of years, the Reverence and Honor due to our Most Holy God was predominant in the Liturgy and Worship in many formal churches. People dressed in their very best attire to go and worship God. Many of our beloved Hymns were written in this period of solemnity and quiet awe.
Currently, though, many of the churches of today strive to be “seeker-friendly”, and thus present God more as a friend and brother and compassionate lover of our souls. We dress more casually, behave more informally, and strive to be very welcoming, just as we remember that Jesus lived among human beings, touching them, crying with them, eating with them. This is a beautiful picture of Him, too.
As Kauflin states on p. 162, “At Calvary we stand in awe of perfect righteousness, holy justice, and unerring judgment. We can offer no excuses or justification for our sin. We’re completely at the mercy of our sovereign Creator and King. Yet the gospel assures us that our sins have been completely atoned for. We’re no longer God’s enemies. We’re His adopted children.” This is a wonderful description of the tension, or the balance, between God’s transcendence and His imminence.
It is especially important to appreciate both of these attributes of God. We do ourselves, and His Church, a disservice if we over-emphasize one, to the exclusion of the other.
-Sam and Madeline
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Chapter 18 - Guiding Principles
Chapter 18 is a brief intro for the next section of the book which will be all about healthy tensions to have in any given church service.
One of the things that made me pause to think was when Kauflin said, "Are we doing what we do on Sundays because it's Biblical, or is it just our preference or simply what we've always done?" (p. 153) This was a good reminder to me because I know that it can sometimes be easy to get stuck in a rut doing something a certain way again and again, just because it is easy and because it's the way it's been done for a long time. Perhaps something that started out as a good idea that was based in Scripture (or maybe not) over time lost it's Scriptural reasoning and it just became a tradition without any real purpose. I'm certainly not against all tradition by any means, but tradition is only helpful if it has reasoning behind it rather than because it's what we've always done. It's good to re-examine the way we do things from time to time and make sure that each part of what we're doing in our services (as well as in our personal lives) has a solid purpose that is founded in Scripture and then perhaps remove, modify, or change up things that have lost their original meaning due to repetition or a drifting away from their original purpose
Another idea that Kauflin touched on in this chapter that was an excellent reminder was the idea of keeping the main thing the main thing and not letting small differences become walls between fellow believers. Instead of criticizing and fighting one another over small issues we should look to learn what we can from one another while acknowledging our convergent beliefs on the core issues. Kauflin says of a fellow worship leader who holds very different views from his own,
"For starters, we agree on the most important issues. The Bible is our authoritative and sufficient standard for everything related to life and doctrine. God alone determines how we approach Him, what we call Him, and how we relate to Him. Jesus is the only Savior, who died and rose for all who would ever turn from their sins and trust in His atoning sacrifice for forgiveness. Worshiping God is impossible without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. These are nonnegotiable truths that aren't open to discussion. But...there are several aspects of worship that we view, or at least practice, differently. Rather than just endlessly discussing disagreements we try to learn what the other might have that we don't. We're trying to embrace what I call the healthy tensions of worship."
When we have disagreements with one another, lets remember to keep the main thing the main thing. Rather than obsess over small things that aren't that important in view of eternity, let's try to learn what can from the differences that we each have while maintaining a mutual respect for one another.
I'm excited to begin reading with you this section of "healthy tensions" and hear what your thoughts are on the various areas that we will cover.
One of the things that made me pause to think was when Kauflin said, "Are we doing what we do on Sundays because it's Biblical, or is it just our preference or simply what we've always done?" (p. 153) This was a good reminder to me because I know that it can sometimes be easy to get stuck in a rut doing something a certain way again and again, just because it is easy and because it's the way it's been done for a long time. Perhaps something that started out as a good idea that was based in Scripture (or maybe not) over time lost it's Scriptural reasoning and it just became a tradition without any real purpose. I'm certainly not against all tradition by any means, but tradition is only helpful if it has reasoning behind it rather than because it's what we've always done. It's good to re-examine the way we do things from time to time and make sure that each part of what we're doing in our services (as well as in our personal lives) has a solid purpose that is founded in Scripture and then perhaps remove, modify, or change up things that have lost their original meaning due to repetition or a drifting away from their original purpose
Another idea that Kauflin touched on in this chapter that was an excellent reminder was the idea of keeping the main thing the main thing and not letting small differences become walls between fellow believers. Instead of criticizing and fighting one another over small issues we should look to learn what we can from one another while acknowledging our convergent beliefs on the core issues. Kauflin says of a fellow worship leader who holds very different views from his own,
"For starters, we agree on the most important issues. The Bible is our authoritative and sufficient standard for everything related to life and doctrine. God alone determines how we approach Him, what we call Him, and how we relate to Him. Jesus is the only Savior, who died and rose for all who would ever turn from their sins and trust in His atoning sacrifice for forgiveness. Worshiping God is impossible without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. These are nonnegotiable truths that aren't open to discussion. But...there are several aspects of worship that we view, or at least practice, differently. Rather than just endlessly discussing disagreements we try to learn what the other might have that we don't. We're trying to embrace what I call the healthy tensions of worship."
When we have disagreements with one another, lets remember to keep the main thing the main thing. Rather than obsess over small things that aren't that important in view of eternity, let's try to learn what can from the differences that we each have while maintaining a mutual respect for one another.
I'm excited to begin reading with you this section of "healthy tensions" and hear what your thoughts are on the various areas that we will cover.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Chapter 17 - ...And To Live For God's Glory
In Chapter 17 Kauflin suggests six ways in which "worshiping God on Sunday should transform the way we live the rest of the week." (p. 143).
1. Worshiping God should make us humble
2. Worshiping God should make us secure
3. Worshiping God should make us grateful
4. Worshiping God should make us holy
5. Worshiping God should make us mission minded
6. Genuine worship changes lives
Kauflin supports each of these points well, and I believe they are all excellent points, but I would like to focus specifically on point number 6 (which really relates to all five of the other points). Kauflin quotes Allen Ross as saying, "If worshipers leave a service with no thought of becoming more godly in their lives, then the purpose of worship has not been achieved." (p. 149) This statement really struck me and my initial thought was, "Isn't our first priority to honor, praise, and bring glory to God when we worship?" And after I thought about it some more I realized that if we don't leave a time of worship with a desire to become more like God, to become more holy like He is, then our worship isn't going to honor or bring glory to Him. Our praise would be false and meaningless. So I believe Allen Ross is right when he says, "If worshipers leave a service with no thought of becoming more godly in their lives, then the purpose of worship has not been achieved."
The apostle Peter writes,
"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Now, I know this isn't heaven yet and we can't be perfect. We are going to make mistakes, thankfully we're under God's amazing grace, but we aren't commanded to be holy just when we reach heaven we are commanded right now to "Be holy, because I [God] am holy." God didn't save us so that we could continue to stagnate in our sin, He saved us so that we could become more like Him. God wants us to be seeking Him with our whole hearts and striving to become more like Him in every aspect of our lives. When we do this, when we begin speaking like Jesus, acting like Jesus, loving and caring for people like Jesus, that is when our worship will be beautiful to God and that is when our worship will honor and glorify Him. I pray that every time we leave a worship service and that each morning as we get up to face each new day, that we would be granted the desire to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let's allow our lives to be changed by our worship as we strive to be more like Him in all that we do.
1. Worshiping God should make us humble
2. Worshiping God should make us secure
3. Worshiping God should make us grateful
4. Worshiping God should make us holy
5. Worshiping God should make us mission minded
6. Genuine worship changes lives
Kauflin supports each of these points well, and I believe they are all excellent points, but I would like to focus specifically on point number 6 (which really relates to all five of the other points). Kauflin quotes Allen Ross as saying, "If worshipers leave a service with no thought of becoming more godly in their lives, then the purpose of worship has not been achieved." (p. 149) This statement really struck me and my initial thought was, "Isn't our first priority to honor, praise, and bring glory to God when we worship?" And after I thought about it some more I realized that if we don't leave a time of worship with a desire to become more like God, to become more holy like He is, then our worship isn't going to honor or bring glory to Him. Our praise would be false and meaningless. So I believe Allen Ross is right when he says, "If worshipers leave a service with no thought of becoming more godly in their lives, then the purpose of worship has not been achieved."
The apostle Peter writes,
"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Now, I know this isn't heaven yet and we can't be perfect. We are going to make mistakes, thankfully we're under God's amazing grace, but we aren't commanded to be holy just when we reach heaven we are commanded right now to "Be holy, because I [God] am holy." God didn't save us so that we could continue to stagnate in our sin, He saved us so that we could become more like Him. God wants us to be seeking Him with our whole hearts and striving to become more like Him in every aspect of our lives. When we do this, when we begin speaking like Jesus, acting like Jesus, loving and caring for people like Jesus, that is when our worship will be beautiful to God and that is when our worship will honor and glorify Him. I pray that every time we leave a worship service and that each morning as we get up to face each new day, that we would be granted the desire to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let's allow our lives to be changed by our worship as we strive to be more like Him in all that we do.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Chapter 16 - ...To Cherish God's Presence...
"Conversations about God's presence can be confusing. One web site I visited advertised a book that will teach you to 'sing down the presence and power of God.' Can we actually do that? What's the real connection between music and God's presence?" (p.137)
Kauflin points out in this chapter a lie that many Christians have bought into (and I confess that I have times where I foolishly believe it as well). The lie resides in the title of the book that Kauflin mentioned in the above quote. The lie is thinking that we have any kind of control over God. I like how John Chisum put it in his book "The 5 Keys to Engaging Worship". "We must be careful not to turn spiritual preparation into a legal transaction between us and God ('I'll prepare and You will bless'). God is never obligated to us in any way, but we are always obligated to Him." Christians (and worship leaders in particular) often make the mistake of thinking we are the Holy Spirit and must bring God down into people's lives through our music. But this is entirely the wrong mindset.
We learn in the Bible that God is already present everywhere (Psalms 139:7-8). Also we know that it is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we even have the possibility of being in the presence of our Holy God. So, us singing His presence down doesn't really make any sense. If God is already present everywhere, then why do we feel His presence more some times than others and what is our role as a worship team? Well, part of the answer to that is that God is God and He can choose to make His presence more known or "localized" as Kauflin calls it when and where He wants to, such as with Moses and the burning bush. However, another part to that answer is that we often do or don't feel His presence more strongly because of our own quality of vision. We can choose to close our eyes to God's presence and miss Him entirely even when He is wanting to work in our lives and in the lives of those around us. But if we are prepared to worship, if we have taken time to read and study His Word, if we have asked Him to open our eyes to what He is doing, asked Him to show us what we need to learn and hear from Him, and we take the time to look and listen for what He is doing, then we will see the work that He is doing. And that is where we step in as worship leaders for our congregation. Our job is to do everything we can to help them open their eyes to what God is doing. This can happen through the lyrics or music of the songs we play and sing, through the Scripture that we read, through our expressions as we show our love to God through the music we are playing and singing, through prayer (lots of it!), as well as many other things.
However, we have to remember a couple of things as we lead the congregation. First, as I said earlier, we are not the Holy Spirit. Only He can move in people and bring about conviction or an awareness of His presence and each person then has to choose whether or not they will respond to that conviction or awareness. So, even if we are doing everything the way God wants us to and we are prepared to worship and we have planned everything in a way that should lead people to open their eyes to the presence of God, it's possible that no one will respond. That is between the Holy Spirit and each person. We cannot choose for others and we are only responsible for our own choice to respond to the Holy Spirit. On the flip side of the coin, even if we are not prepared, and have not planned well, the Spirit can still move and people can still respond to Him. However, that doesn't make our role irrelevant. We as the worship team, if we are following God's leading, can be a great help in bring people to a place where they are ready to listen to the Holy Spirit or if we are not following God we can be a great hindrance to or distraction from the Holy Spirit. But the point is that we are each responsible for our own choices and our own response to the Spirit, we cannot force our choices upon anyone else and we cannot force God to do anything, so we should not base our view of God's movement upon the response (or lack of response) of others.
A second thing we must remember is that we cannot lead people to a place that we have not been. If we have not prepared ourselves for worship, if we aren't praying expectantly, looking and listening for what God is doing, then how can we expect to lead others to do the same? God has allowed each of us to have a very important role in His church and in leading His people. Let's not treat that role flippantly or apathetically, instead let us embrace it with fervor and excitement. Let's be filled with His Word by reading and studying the Bible. Let's spend time praying daily, talking with God. Let's come to our practices and services with a heart of prayer and expectancy as we look and listen for what God is doing among us, His church, that we might respond to His voice and choose to worship Him. If we do this, I think we'll be amazed by what we see!
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7)
Kauflin points out in this chapter a lie that many Christians have bought into (and I confess that I have times where I foolishly believe it as well). The lie resides in the title of the book that Kauflin mentioned in the above quote. The lie is thinking that we have any kind of control over God. I like how John Chisum put it in his book "The 5 Keys to Engaging Worship". "We must be careful not to turn spiritual preparation into a legal transaction between us and God ('I'll prepare and You will bless'). God is never obligated to us in any way, but we are always obligated to Him." Christians (and worship leaders in particular) often make the mistake of thinking we are the Holy Spirit and must bring God down into people's lives through our music. But this is entirely the wrong mindset.
We learn in the Bible that God is already present everywhere (Psalms 139:7-8). Also we know that it is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we even have the possibility of being in the presence of our Holy God. So, us singing His presence down doesn't really make any sense. If God is already present everywhere, then why do we feel His presence more some times than others and what is our role as a worship team? Well, part of the answer to that is that God is God and He can choose to make His presence more known or "localized" as Kauflin calls it when and where He wants to, such as with Moses and the burning bush. However, another part to that answer is that we often do or don't feel His presence more strongly because of our own quality of vision. We can choose to close our eyes to God's presence and miss Him entirely even when He is wanting to work in our lives and in the lives of those around us. But if we are prepared to worship, if we have taken time to read and study His Word, if we have asked Him to open our eyes to what He is doing, asked Him to show us what we need to learn and hear from Him, and we take the time to look and listen for what He is doing, then we will see the work that He is doing. And that is where we step in as worship leaders for our congregation. Our job is to do everything we can to help them open their eyes to what God is doing. This can happen through the lyrics or music of the songs we play and sing, through the Scripture that we read, through our expressions as we show our love to God through the music we are playing and singing, through prayer (lots of it!), as well as many other things.
However, we have to remember a couple of things as we lead the congregation. First, as I said earlier, we are not the Holy Spirit. Only He can move in people and bring about conviction or an awareness of His presence and each person then has to choose whether or not they will respond to that conviction or awareness. So, even if we are doing everything the way God wants us to and we are prepared to worship and we have planned everything in a way that should lead people to open their eyes to the presence of God, it's possible that no one will respond. That is between the Holy Spirit and each person. We cannot choose for others and we are only responsible for our own choice to respond to the Holy Spirit. On the flip side of the coin, even if we are not prepared, and have not planned well, the Spirit can still move and people can still respond to Him. However, that doesn't make our role irrelevant. We as the worship team, if we are following God's leading, can be a great help in bring people to a place where they are ready to listen to the Holy Spirit or if we are not following God we can be a great hindrance to or distraction from the Holy Spirit. But the point is that we are each responsible for our own choices and our own response to the Spirit, we cannot force our choices upon anyone else and we cannot force God to do anything, so we should not base our view of God's movement upon the response (or lack of response) of others.
A second thing we must remember is that we cannot lead people to a place that we have not been. If we have not prepared ourselves for worship, if we aren't praying expectantly, looking and listening for what God is doing, then how can we expect to lead others to do the same? God has allowed each of us to have a very important role in His church and in leading His people. Let's not treat that role flippantly or apathetically, instead let us embrace it with fervor and excitement. Let's be filled with His Word by reading and studying the Bible. Let's spend time praying daily, talking with God. Let's come to our practices and services with a heart of prayer and expectancy as we look and listen for what God is doing among us, His church, that we might respond to His voice and choose to worship Him. If we do this, I think we'll be amazed by what we see!
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7)
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