Deeper IWI Reflections

Well, Mark and Steph and Laura have blogged about their experiences at the International Worship Institute, and I think I’ll attempt the same today. I’ve hesitated because it’s so impossible to adequately put a visitation of the Holy Spirit, as Mark called it, into words. I posted my little list of 10 of my favorite things about the IWI when I got home, but now I want to reflect more on two or three of them.

To me it became clear when Shane and Shane were leading worship that this year’s conference was going to be different than last year’s. They sang awhile, and as we were singing the chorus of one song, the Holy Spirit just CAME and manifested himself powerfully among us. The guys sensed what was happening and fell to their knees and continued singing. We sang that same chorus over and over, not willing to move on, because the presence of God was so strong. Soon other people began to kneel, and before it was over, pretty much everyone was kneeling in worship to this powerful majestic God. That didn’t happen last year, so it really blew me away. (Mark said it happened the year before when Lindell Cooley was leading the worship, though, so he probably wasn’t surprised.)

Then the same thing happened with even MORE intensity Thursday night when Bob Sorge spoke. (Annette, you'll like this!) He talked about the bridegroom from Song of Solomon. He explained to worship leaders their role of ministering to the bride, the Church, on behalf of the bridegroom, Christ, without ever getting in the way of her love relationship with the bridegroom, never taking the spotlight off HIM.

I had been to Lindell Cooley’s smaller session earlier, and he said there was a new thing coming and we needed to get ready for it, but he didn’t really know what that was yet. Well, Bob Sorge identified it as HABITATION—pure worship of the bridegroom 24/7.

And then the power and anointing of God fell over the entire place again. Everyone was first standing, then kneeling, and crying out to God. It was a loud holy moment as we experienced some of the habitation he talked about. The worship didn’t actually end because people weren’t ready to leave, so some stayed longer, and it was very intense, and I wasn't the only one prostrate before the powerful presence of God. (Did I say that out loud? )

When it was all over the last night, the nine of us talked about how we could import that back to FBC, and we decided just to be totally open and wholehearted in our own worship without giving a thought to the people in the congregation. Maybe we can usher in his powerful presence at FBC. If not, at least we can be worshiping with all OUR hearts!

Then, and this may be the high point of the week for me, Mark asked me to pray, and I got to speak a special blessing over all eight of them. I felt like a Mother Hen preening over her youngsters.

I was so proud of them for being willing to do the hard work of organizing things at home to make the trip possible. And I was so proud that they were willing to sacrifice time with their families and their 4th of July celebrations to come and be “the family of God” together.

And I think the thing I was the most proud of was that even the “most Baptist” among us dropped their reserve and openly worshiped and enjoyed God. My prayer is that it won’t wear off. May we be different this Sunday—and every Sunday from now on.