In highschool I had two friends who had a passion for motorcycles. While I was focused on my studies and preparing for university, they inspired me with their stories of adventures riding their bikes on the weekends. Many years later I took up that passion and to this day create my own stories of motorcycle adventures.
In my first congregation I met this master craftsman who could turn rough lumber into heirloom furniture. It was inspiring watching this man work. I wanted to become like him, being able to build furniture. Eventually, on my day off from work I would head over to this man's massive workshop and ply my own hand at turning oak and pine boards into woodcrafts. Today our home is filled with furniture that I have built.
Both riding/fixing motorcycles and woodworking began with someone inspiring me. That inspiration resulted in future directions in my life. The same is true of my faith in Jesus. As a young boy I attended a boy's club in my church called Cadets. There I met Counselor Karl. I don't think he knew how to tie knots or make teepee fires, but he knew Jesus, and I saw Jesus in him. The way he spoke, what he said, and the true compassion he had for the boys in his cadre. Counselor Karl inspired me to seek and find Jesus, surrender my life to him, and commit to a lifetime of church ministry and service.
As churches we are committed "to grow healthy churches which nurture and equip their members...." NCD (Natural Church Development) has identified inspiring worship as one of the quality characteristics of healthy churches. In my ministry development work in the CRCA I understand and stress the importance of having inspiring worship services in our churches. But I am often asked, "What does this mean? How do we know if our worship services are inspiring?" Does this mean that people like what they see? That the songs that are sung in worship make us feel good? That the preacher gives a message that is well-researched and is thought provoking? That the hospitality experienced is warm and engaging? That the pews are truly comfortable pews? Not that all these things are unimportant, but what truly makes worship services inspiring?
Well, I come back to motorcycles, lumber, and my boy's club. My connection with each of these three things inspired me. But that inspiration did not simply result in making me feel good, or being impressed, or having some warm and comforting experiences. The inspiration I received resulted in me changing the direction of my life. My behaviour. My priorities. What I did. Today I ride and fix motorcycles. I do workworking. And in the words of the Cadet hymn, "I live for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please in all that I do." Inspiration leads to doing! Not just knowing. Not just believing. But doing. As Jesus taught, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." (John 13:17)
Are your worship services inspiring? Well the proof of the pudding is in the eating! The proof of inspiring worship services is seeing people move the direction of their lives. People surrendering their life to Jesus and testifying of their faith in church and throughout the week (Romans 10:9). People taking on a holy lifestyle where they put off the old and put on the new (see Colossians 3). People acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly before God (Micah 6:8). People becoming more and more like Jesus (Ephesians 4:13). Inspiring worship services is all about seeing movement in the lives of people. As you lead worship you inspire people to make a joyful noise to our God (Psalm 66:1); as you preach sermons you inspire your listeners to radical obedience as you apply the Word of God; As you welcome visitors and engage in hospitality you inspire visitors to become part of the body of Christ. So when it comes to worship services, whatever you do, make this your goal: to inspire!