When change is the norm - lesson from the "box" church

The Change:

Recently my church has undergone a major change. We have transitioned out of our building and into a mobile environment that gives us more flexibility with our resources and space to expand. A “box” church has advantages but still poses many challenges for a worship team and it’s leader. I think the greatest challenge is leading an engaging worship service when you don’t have the tools you are used to having.

The Bare Bones:

In this new environment we don’t have our lighting, our multi-media or sound system. We are using borrowed equipment, learning some new equipment and trying to figure out how to best utilize our new space. In this mode, it is vital for a worship team and leader to understand that the sound, the building, the set up and the production are not worship in and of themselves and the lack of these things cannot stop true worship.

The Requirements:

Jesus only has two requirements for worship to be true. Shockingly, the two requirements are not good lighting and good sound. Instead His requirements are that true worship be done is spirit and truth. John 4:21-24 ²¹Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. ²²You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. ²⁴God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Spirit – G4151 pneuma – a current of air, a breathe

Truth – G225 alētheia – truth (absolute)

The Basics:

We must continually humble ourselves and come back to the basics. Worship is not a part of a service; it is a lifestyle that declares who God is. Worship is not based on a location, but upon the constant revelation of the Spirit and Truth of who Christ is. No location (sound system, lights, fog, media, ambiance) can replace or trump Spirit and Truth. Anything that steers us away from declaring who God is and leads us to self-reliance needs to be reevaluated and, most likely, removed.

The Conclusion:

Once we have secured our foundation and understanding of worship we can introduce these new elements in their proper place. They lights, sound systems, stage designs, graphics and media must help in revealing the Spirit and Truth of Christ. If they do not help in revelation, remove them and get back to basics. IT’S OK! Starting with a blank slate might just be the best thing that ever happened to you and your church. Pursue God, not ambiance.