Acts 13:1-3

Paul Critchley reflects on different types of worship leading

Paul Critchley

Over the past year I've been considering some of the more usual models of worship leading. A couple of examples might be: the role of drawing a congregation into a place where they can meet with God, or the ability to connect to the preacher's message, or the theme for the day. These are valid expressions of course and are fairly common in our experience of gathered or congregational acts of worship. Alongside this I've been delving into the importance of 'ministering to God'.

This has been a principle that has been deeply rooted into my personal worship journey. Way back in 1997, when I sensed the call of God to pursue the gift of worship leading that He had given to me, I also felt a serious warning from Him. I believe He said to me, "If you ever have your own ministry, it's over".

Consequently, I've never been overly comfortable with the term 'ministry' when applied to an individual or organisation. For me, it's been important to turn the attention over to God, rather than the role I'm fulfilling. It's a personal thing, but important when considering the place of purely coming before God and bringing anything we have to Him as our offering.

The Greek word for "ministered" is "leitourgeo", or in our English translation, "liturgy". In this context it means, "to carry out priestly or ministry activity". This application of the word was used to describe the priest, or minister's role, in the temple. In Acts 13:1-3 we see the same ministry word used to describe the Church in Antioch.

'Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away'.

What I find interesting in this passage are the words, 'as they ministered to the Lord'. The very act of coming and bringing themselves, their worship and their fasted bodies before God released instruction from the Holy Spirit. It gave God opportunity and room to speak what was on His heart to do through His church, through His people who were submitting to Him.

This is a very different place from where we come with our requests before Him, which He will receive, coming and asking for an encounter with Him, which He will give to us. This is a simple, no agenda, no ulterior motive standing before God. This is a place I'm learning to love. It's not a complete work in me. I often have questions for God; I often want to tell Him about the injustice I see and explain to Him what's on my heart for the city I live in, but I am growing in my ability to stand before Him and sometimes just to stand, give Him my praise, enjoy His presence, listen for His prompting and engage my heart. It's an amazing place. It's a freeing place, especially for someone like me who sometimes feels the pressure to 'come up with the right song', or 'draw others in'.

I am finding more and more that as I choose to 'be' with Him, as I choose to offer my worship to Him in this God intentional stance, it is allowing others to do the same. It is allowing others to join in with the worship I'm giving to Him, to stand before Him with their own offerings, rather than relying on that of someone else.

This place of ministry to God described in Acts is the temple that is now made out of living stones, the people who now embody the church. It is you and I. So here we are now, with Jesus, a royal priesthood bringing the everyday offerings and sacrifice of who we are to God our Father.

I believe that its good and right to come to God first, minister to Him first, to give Him His portion; we are then in a really good place out of which to stand before people and minister to them.

I like this quote I heard recently, "Ministry to men is founded on ministry to the Lord".

I guess some of the fundamental declarations that might be helpful to speak out when we come before God could be these:

• Not my will, but Your will


• Not my Kingdom, but Your kingdom


• Not my glory, but Your glory


• Not my needs, but Your need

I want to be clear where I am with this. I'm not throwing out the reality of God hearing our prayers, or asking Him to respond to the cry of our hearts. I'm not suggesting the disposal of corporate worship, which connects to teaching, preaching and instruction. I'm simply suggesting a more personal approach to the Father. Taking up the personal invitation from Him to enter the Holy place and 'be' with Him

We were created to love Him; we were created to be loved by Him. So Father, teach us how to draw closer to You. Teach us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, Your desire, Your heart, Your need, Your satisfaction and Your glory. For You God are our possession, our inheritance and our reward.