Said I would talk about Jack Hayford's three year rule.  Took me ten days, but Oh, Well.  Anyway,  I don't remember if he actually said "three year rule", but that's the name I'm giving it.  Bottom line is, Jack said, in looking back over his career in church leadership, he noticed that about every three years at seemed as if everything was growing stale and stagnant, and needed to be shook up, re-thought, new plans laid.  Now, on that evening, Pastor Jack was speaking to worship leaders and teams, and was telling the story from the point of view of worship in his church.  But I believe this should be a crucial element in all "church" business.  Many of us are familiar with instances of "stale" churches--"because we have always done it that way".  Or maybe an entire lifeless body of believers, going through the motions, without even comprehending the dying.

I humbly ask that we at the Mission, if we believe in the possibility of this concept, remember it.

davek

Went to the evening session of the IWI worship conference at the Gaylord Texan last nite.  Went to see and listen to Pastor Jack.  But Linda and I wound up in, what was for me,  a real get down, God is here, come to Jesus, camp meeting, revival in the most opulant setting in N. Texas.  Now if any of you attended, remember, I am a relatively new Pentacostal, so maybe my perception is skewed.  Came to the Lord a long time ago, but very few experiences of being able to say I went where he was.

I realize that every worship service can have it's moments, but this is the way church should be!  On your feet, hand reaching, dancing in the aisles (or in front of your seat) praise music.  Sure the music was technically and professionally excellent, but the level of excellence rises to the level beyond analysis, where one actually becomes free to worship and focus on God, without missed notes, dead time, inappropriate speaking, etc. causing human distractions for us weaker souls.  Instead you have "runway music", as the worship leader called it.  Songs that were a runway towards worship of God, at the end of which you are vertical.  Spine tingling and heart washing. 

The worship leader (wish I could remember his name, sorry dude), and later Pastor Jack made a point that was for me one of two take-away thoughts of the evening.  Worship music, worship teams, worship leaders are to reach out and draw us into the experience.  Many churches ( and I'll have to take their word on "many") have evolved into "platform" worship.  The "performers" singing, the people LISTENING,  with applause at the end.  After experiencing a couple thousand brothers and sisters SINGING, SHOUTING, DANCING with one goal, to reach the ear of God, I firmly believe he looked down and was pleased.

Well, this may be abrupt, but I really should get to work.   I want to talk about Pastor Jack's "three year rule".  But later (even if Linda already expounds!).

davek