For 3 years we have been laboring to remove traditions of men, that have usurped the simple joys of disciples gathering together. Sitting in rows staring at the back of your brethren’s head, coming to ‘receive’ and give nothing except money, thinking that the only way… or even the best way… for the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself, is through one man giving a speech every single Sunday year in and year out. All of this is spiritually numbing and with virtually no scriptural precedent.
So at the StoneHouse Keptembwa Church family gathering this Sunday we did something different. We arranged the chairs in a semi-circle so we could smile at each other without having to turn around. The arrangement also made more room for dancing of which the children took full advantage. There was no pulpit, no special seats for leaders, it actually felt like we were family.
Every single person that entered our meeting place was greeted, welcomed and asked… What did you bring for the Lord today? A song? A teaching? A praise, prayer or scripture? Then they were asked to be ready to give whatever was in their heart.
It was, without a doubt the most uplifting, time together, we have ever had in Keptembwa. It took a little coaxing but almost every adult participated. I must admit the seating and different approach to worship, was a shock to most people but everyone seemed to love it. I think we will be doing this a lot more. It is, after all, how they worship in heaven. Probably makes our King feel more at home!
I think we’re on to something.
Around the throne were twenty- four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty- four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. Revelations 4:4
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, Revelations 5:11
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, Revelations 7:11
For 3 years we have been laboring to remove traditions of men, that have usurped the simple joys of disciples gathering together. Sitting in rows staring at the back of your brethren’s head, coming to ‘receive’ and give nothing except money, thinking that the only way… or even the best way… for the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself, is through one man giving a speech every single Sunday year in and year out. All of this is spiritually numbing and with virtually no scriptural precedent.
So at the StoneHouse Keptembwa Church family gathering this Sunday we did something different. We arranged the chairs in a semi-circle so we could smile at each other without having to turn around. The arrangement also made more room for dancing of which the children took full advantage. There was no pulpit, no special seats for leaders, it actually felt like we were family.
Every single person that entered our meeting place was greeted, welcomed and asked… What did you bring for the Lord today? A song? A teaching? A praise, prayer or scripture? Then they were asked to be ready to give whatever was in their heart.
It was, without a doubt the most uplifting, time together, we have ever had in Keptembwa. It took a little coaxing but almost every adult participated. I must admit the seating and different approach to worship, was a shock to most people but everyone seemed to love it. I think we will be doing this a lot more. It is, after all, how they worship in heaven. Probably makes our King feel more at home!
I think we’re on to something.
Around the throne were twenty- four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty- four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. Revelations 4:4
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, Revelations 5:11
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, Revelations 7:11