Unselfish, servant-minded availability to assist in human need—seen in a heart of care for victims of neglect and injustice, nourished by a merciful mindset toward those whose cheapened values reveal their blindness.
It is this conviction that drives an inclusion of “prayer circles” in nearly every worship at our church. “Ministry time” is the formal name we use for an approximately 10-minute segment of small group interaction and prayer, usually following an extended season of sensitive, intimate and praiseful worship to God. The habit was formed decades ago at the same time my thinking about worship was being revolutionized. The four to five minutes of that time, during which three to six people share their personal need or concern and then pray for one another, is an estimable key to our effectiveness as a congregation.
Notwithstanding the doubts of those who wonder if such a practice might violate a “seeker-sensitive” style, we have found that “Ministry time”:
a. Applies in pragmatic ways the sense of God’s love evoked during worship’s intimacy;
b. Realizes the release of the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit in the assembly;
c. Opens the doorway to personal expression, mutual concern and the power of pointed, heartfelt prayers with their consequent answers; and
d. Lays the foundation for the invitation at the end of the message (because it is infinitely easier to invite people to receive the love of God in Jesus Christ after they have had a personal encounter with some people who have shown it!).
Over the years, the bottom line of worship seems to have been and continues to be served as we pursue these values on the basis of the theological viewpoint I have presented. We have never lost sight of Him as First and Foremost, but we have not based our approach on the supposition that we understand anything more than the splendor of His love shown to us in Jesus—and that love-gift ignites our worship. What begins in treasuring Him proceeds to humble our hearts, awaken our sacrifice and release our service. What is birthed in the heart finds expression in the hands—hands that rise in humble praise, give in simple expectancy and serve with gentle grace.
With such sacrifices, God seems to be well pleased.
Copyright 2014 by Jack W. Hayford. All rights reserved. Used by permission from Jack Hayford Ministries.
Find out more about The King’s University’s Spirit Formed Worship Conference 2014 here.