The Bible NETWork ~ Impacting the World for Christ one post at a time!

Our worship today was awful! The preparation was non-existent, and it was clear that the worship leader made little effort, if any to spend time getting ready for this morning's service. For the sake of attempted vulnerability I must also admit that my sermon delivery missed the mark as well. However, I did prepare, I went through my normal routine and was ready to go until I sat on the front row and experienced one of the most lackluster worship times we have had at our church in a long time. I spent more time after the first song praying that God would help me to mentally stay on track. I have noticed that our worship service affects my sermon delivery moreso than I would like to admit. Does anyone else encounter this problem or am I the only one dealing with this issue? If the worship sucked, I find myself struggling in my sermon delivery. Is this normal or am I too absorbed in what's going on around me or what? Interested in your response.

I do find that affects how I feel as I get up to preach. It has at times been detrimental to how I feel, but overall it has reminded me that we are in process. Sometimes I've wondered if my sermons seemed to be the drag-down of the service. When it is all said and done it is an opportunity for your worship leader and team...and yourself to grow together in what God has for your congregation and community. I can imagine that those doing it didn't likely feel that great about it either. What can constructively come of this for everyone to grow through this? Does God's Spirit depend upon great music or even great preaching? (And I say this as someone who holds myself to a very high standard for pastoral ministry...I even teach pastors-to-be and care for other pastors). I have to remind myself that I will do my best, but know that God is the one who must be present and active. If I seek Him then I can trust in Him to do what He has promised to do. I will offer my best to Him, but He must act. Those are at least my 2 cents.

Sorry for your crummy Sunday AM. There will be plenty of other opportunities for both poorly done and well done singing. Do not be discouraged brother!

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Thank you for the encouragement and the timely response. It is always good to find someone who cares even in cyberspace. I feel convicted that my own due diligence was lacking. Regardless, it is my opinion that I should be able, if adequately prepared and spiritually sound to preach thru this when it happens, yet it continues to affect me mentally as I become distracted by the poor worship time wandering what these people, who by the way came in order to have an encounter with the Most High, are thinking. God deserves our best efforts and our worship is the "weak link". The reality is this, our worship leaders heart does not seem to be in it, his own disciplines are severely lacking and his wife has stopped coming to church. I see a change on the horizon.

I think the biggest thing right now is communication. It sounds like as his Pastor you might need to sit down with you worship leader and find out what is going on. Ask him if there's anything you can do to help. it might be something in the home.

I've noticed that people can have problems outside the church and they bring it with them to service And hold on to them. It can in turn affect them during the service. Especially if they're part of the worship team and that can affect the worship service. (Ask me, I know).

HTH

- Pastor Williams

Brother Not Worthy : Shabbat Shalom ( Sabbath of Peace Heb4:1-7 ! ) ... !!! You are not alone and please listen to Brother Antipater ... !!! ... We are Human and are prone to mistakes ... think of Elijah thinking he was the only man of God Left ... that did not bow the knee to Baal ...??? !!! ... God had 7,000 others hidden in a cave ... !!! I encourage you as brother Antipater has done and please don*t be discouraged ... bless you and your loved ones ...glory to God through Christ amen shalom bye !!!

Brother Unworthy : One more thing to help you Cope ... We are made in God*s Image and Likeness ... to Create with our Words as the Good Lord does everyday ? !!!... John6:63 kjv ... Jesus said that * Words are Spirits * ... Think Positive about yourself and your sermons !!! ... The Words we use Create Positive or Negative in our lives ... free will to choose ... !!! Bless you allways , Faith Hope Peace Mercy Love from Mount Zion ... Psalms71:17-18 kjv ...,72:17-20... Adonai be praised amen bye !!!...

Brother Pastor Williams : Amen to your post !!! Bless you and your loved ones ... Awesome is Adonai the Lord ... amen shalom bye !!!