The Sunday Morning Experience

The Vision Story

Sunday morning is the highlight of my crazy life. It is the pinnacle of a week of encounter with God through everyday activities, meeting friends, receiving an invitation or just looking forward to being with brothers and sisters in Christ. From the moment I drive onto the property, I sense the presence of the Lord, because that is what people have been praying for all week. I have entered a beautiful place from the entrance at the gate to nursery crib, from the welcome greeter to the safe place to sit, from the friendly faces in the service to the peaceful walk to my car. It is where the church family comes home.

The music begins and I am drawn to be a part of something supernatural happening in this building, among these people. It is not a concert, I am not here to watch, I am here because I was meant to be here, to be a participant, a piece of the mosaic, a member of the family. The building is not perfect, neither are the people. The room is not built of stained glass and exotic wood. The people are not perfect. They are not made of crystal and exotic spirituality, but they are beautiful, real, and they are a part of me.

One person offers a prayer. She is talking to God and somehow I have entered into her conversation. Although I may not speak out, she is speaking for me. She expresses my heart’s deepest hurt, and need, and joy, and praise. Now a man stands and opens the Holy Book. God speaks. The man is speaking to me and I know it’s real. It is not a speech from another self-serving politician. This man is sharing his heart and how it has been transformed by God’s healing voice. Somehow, however, it is not the man, but the Spirit of God speaking through him. I feel my heart softening. I feel. I hurt. I laugh. I want to do life differently. I want Jesus. I want to go with Him.

It’s over. Oh, I wish it could have gone on longer. It was an amazing concerto with every movement building upon a theme that told the story of my life -- watched and directed by God. God was there, within the invitation to come to that Bible study, the very one that addresses the struggle of my childhood. I laughed at that silly video. I wonder if that crazy guy, the one with paper stuffed in his shirt made to look like muscles and the school-bus hat on his head, knew that God was using him to represent me. God was there when the crowd was standing with raised hands, closed eyes, some in tears, singing out his praise. They were lifting to Him what I could not. I don’t want this to end, and yet, I am eager to try this new life. I want to test the waters and be stretched by the challenge.

It is such a blessing hanging out together after the service. I have a chance to pray with my good friend — he is making his way over here now. We are meeting this week for coffee. I think I’ll tell him this time about my struggle. I know he’ll not judge me but will love me and encourage me.

Jesus, you know how full my heart is because You’ve met us here today. Thank You for this family. Thank You for these people. Thank You for this morning of worship. I think I can face this week now. Will You please lead me through it. I’m eager to return next Sunday to celebrate a week of walking with You.

Objectives & Strategies:

1. Develop a fully integrated worship service where prayer, preaching, singing, communion, giving, baptism flow in orchestrated harmony that draws each person into an encounter with the living Lord Jesus.
   • Meet at the beginning of each series (lay out communion, video announcements, special music/drama, involving children’s ministry).
   • Hold a coordinating meeting 10 days prior to the Sunday morning event to go over final plans for that Sunday.
   • Hold weekly preaching team meetings (call to Mary).
   • Add video announcements by a team of creative videographers and editors. (Jason in Charge: Tim, Jay, and Dave).
   • Assemble a team to do scriptural research on how we should do giving.
2. Create an atmosphere that is warm and inviting, where people easily navigate the campus. They are greeted with helpful information from a trained host so that they are encouraged to get involved from their first visit.
   • People are greeted at key locations by well trained hosts
   • Use hand written name tags for everyone at church
   • There is clear signage at every location that would require
   a visitor to make a decision as to where they should go
   • Create a guest table in the auditorium where a host can
   provide helpful resources such as brochures, Information DVDs, invitations, guest information cards and Bibles
   • Robot greeter
3. Develop an after service fellowship time where people have the opportunity to make significant connection with others.
   • End each worship time with intentional instructions for people to enter into a time of fellowship.
   • Train congregation to invite visitors to lunch
4. Develop an experiential learning program that engages children in the biblical narrative, encourages them to age appropriate worship and supports parents in their role as trustees of the children’s hearts.
   • Recruit and equip a children’s ministry team.
   • Provide facilities and environment that encourages excellence in the children’s ministry.