THE BLOG

16
May

Unity Creates Community

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1 ASV

Unity is something we all strive for in the body of Christ.

Often we allow hurt, disagreements or even a difference in denomination stand in the way of this powerful act. Worship Victoria exists because we believe it’s time to look past the things that could easily separate us, and instead choose to lift up the name of Jesus with one heart.

I believe in our region we are stepping into an unprecedented season, one where many Pastors and leaders have laid down their agendas and have gathered together faithfully to seek God’s heart and will for our region.  We are also stepping into a place of unity where the true heart of worship can, and is, being released.

Worship at its very core is for God, about God and to God.

I believe we are seeing one of the dreams of the Father’s heart being manifested here on earth as we join together in one voice and one heart.

Sound is a powerful thing.

Researchers of the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden studied the heart rates of high school choir members as they joined their voices.  What became very clear was that it took almost no time at all for the singers’ heart rates to become synchronized. The readout from the pulse monitors starts as a jumble of jagged lines, but quickly becomes a series of uniform peaks.  Perhaps this is what Jesus meant in John 17:21, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”

Something happens in the natural realm as we come together in unity, lifting our praises to God.

Something definitely happens in the spirit realm also. In Deuteronomy 32:30, it says that one of us can put a thousand to flight, two can put ten thousand to flight.

How many of us will gather together at the upcoming Spring Worship Event?

Together we are strong, and together we fulfill the heart of unity.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20

Come Lord Jesus, Come!

– Sandy Lockhart (Worship Leader at Lion of Judah)

If you would like to receive these posts by email, sign up here.

11
May

People Make The Ministries

I’ve always liked proverbs.

You know, the concise sayings like, “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” or “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”

I love it when truth can be stated simply.

So, here’s my attempt at a proverb:

Ministries don’t make the people. People make the ministries.  

One thing I’ve learned from eight years as a worship leader is that people are the most precious resource.

Investing in people and including them in the process is one of the greatest things you can do to strengthen your ministry.

The truth is, those who are working and volunteering with us want to be a part of the process. It creates a sense of ownership and investment.

It’s like the way my 5-year-old son doesn’t want to just eat the cookies; he wants to pour in the ingredients, mix them together, put them in the oven, and finally, enjoy the fruits (or the cookies) of our labour, together. Yes, the kitchen gets messy, but the cookies taste all the more sweet.

Ministries don’t make the people. People make the ministries.

– Simon Prittie (Worship Leader at Lambrick Park Church)

If you would like to receive these posts by email, sign up here.

02
May

Humility Is Everything

God is so good.

I look at the ways He’s blessed me and I’m overwhelmed.

I can reflect on the beautiful gifts he’s given me as a husband,

father,

worship leader

and

musician…

and I see His love.

I can also reflect on the amazing journey of Worship Victoria, and feel awe for the gifts we’ve been given as a team. Who would have thought that something that started so humbly would morph into a movement that continues to grow and impact this region?

PRAISE THE GIVER, NOT THE GIFT

When people are given gifts or talent, often pride will creep in, and the credit God would have gotten for those gifts is stolen. Thoughts like, “Look at what we’ve done,” or “We’ve earned this.”  Oh how those thoughts of pride must scrape at the heart of God…for He is the rightful owner of all praise. One of the unique aspects of Worship Victoria (#WoVic) is how it’s made up of people that all have the ability to be prideful, but have done all they can to beat that pride down.

It’s remarkable and encouraging to see people let go of pride because they love God, love unity and love each other. To be children that refuse to be prideful over gifts and successes, and instead seek to be thankful for all we receive from our generous Father.

As the Worship Victoria Weekend approaches and we begin to anticipate all that God might do and our challenge remains the same.

– Fraser Campbell (Worship Leader at New Life Community Fellowship)

If you would like to receive these posts by email, sign up here.