For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt.
One of the main things that I have learned over the past few weeks is that we have a part to play in the Story that God is telling. As Christians we know that God has a plan for our lives. However, we can sometimes neglect the larger story that God is including us in, just as all that have gone before us have been included in. It’s a story that began in the garden of Eden and is building toward the return of Christ when all of heaven and earth will be renewed.
Not fully understanding the Story will mean that we have an inaccurate or smaller view of the real character and nature of God. All things can be viewed in the light of what is to come in the future. All things will be renewed and there are glimpses of those we can catch even in our present time. When we see healings, acts of forgiveness or mercy, then we see the age that is yet to come. Every little thing is indeed going to be alright, as the song by Martin Smith goes.
As worship artisans, we can lead others with the knowledge that this is the future we are heading toward. This means that we can join in with others at joyous happy occasions, such as anniversaries or weddings. It also means however, that in light of the future to come, that we can lead others with confidence, whilst sharing in their sorrow or grieving. We have a hope that cannot be extuinguished by anything here on earth.
We have, then, a responsibility to lead others to these liminal places where heaven and earth meet. In song we can gather up all our passions and learning, theologically and musically, and bless others by leading them to a place where heaven and earth meet. This is our calling and priviledge. We also get to appreciate the value that God has placed in each and every person that we lead. We can have a part to play in their own story by being present as we lead in music on a regular basis in our own local communites and also in their personal lives as we share life together.
This is a significant part of being a worship artisan and not simply a worship leader. I take this term to represent someone who is willing to share their own talents and time with communities larger than our own church based ones. This also gives us the freedom to share artistically and therefore build bridges into the lives of others so that God can speak throught he gifts He has given to us. God never intended to separate the secular from the spiritual. As worship artisans, neither should we.
God is already involved in our lives as creator. It is up to us how much, as image bearers and subcreators, we reflect back to God the praise of creation.
