Update: Saturation Service 5-29-09      

People started arriving and we found ourselves all sitting and talking about certian bible verses. Specifically we began a discussion on "Tithing" as it's taught in many churches today. For an enlightening study on this theme see this link:

 http://weeklyword.freedomministrynetwork.org/categories/Teaching%20-$-%20Giving%20vs%20Tithing.aspx

We talked about this for an hour and a half. That's how it is in the 'open meeting' format. We show up and the Holy Spirit is free to direct things. We don't usually do that when we are having a Saturation Service but we are "open" to what ever direction the Holy Spirit leads. When Paul penned 1 Cor. 14:26 he was addressing the topic of order in church meetings. Something that many fail to recognize is that when the New Testament Church met everyone was expected to participate. Listen to this verse, "How is it then, brethern? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."  He goes on to explain how this is supposed to be done. In verse :31 he says, "For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged." The church that he is talking to is a small group. Can you imagine if today in one of our 'mega' churches "all tried to share in some way?" You would be there for 3 or 4 days. The way people 'learn' according to this verse is to participate in what is going on. He doesn't say that they had to be 'approved' by anyone or have to attend classes on ministry. I'll tell you from my personal experience of years working with youth that when they get involved themselves it becomes theirs.

I know the way we have learned to 'do church' and have done it that way for years. From even a superficial reading of the New Testament we see that 'everyone' was expected to take some part when we "come together". That can only happen in a small group setting. I don't see any problem with the mega church paradign as long as that church has small groups so that people may participate and be used as we see the New Testament teaches. For those churches that only meet in a huge meeting that usually ends up being more entertainment than ministry they are doing God's people a disservice. The New Testament doesn't teach a pastor/pew, passive listener kind of meeting that we see in most churches today. People learn to be dependant on the Pastor to hear from God and many never learn to allow the Holy Spirit to use them in a significant way when they are together with God's people. Paul said that "Everyone" had a part to play and could be used by the Holy Spirit to help build up the group. In the process they themselves are bulit up, mature and make spiritual progress. It's sad to say that many churches are filled to the brim with people who took that first step on their journey to spiritual maturity and it's 20 years later and they are still there where they started. People need to get involved.

Well I was pleased and willing to allow the Saturation Service to be a discussion for the entire time if that's' the way the Lord was leading. After about an hour and a half it naturally wound down and Brett began to play and sing some worship songs with his guitar. He had forgotten to bring the overhead transparencies with the words to the songs on them so he would sing a few choruses and we would join in. It seemed to be better than ever with out the overhead projector. Some of the songs we knew and flowed right along. These meetings are not planned and God is welcome to do things as He wishes when He wishes. Pretty soon people began to pray for each other and things really started getting heavy. I was just sitting in my seat. All the ministry began to just 'happen' in and by others present at the meeting. I believe that God has shown me that I need to witness and preach to unbelievers to see them saved. With believers I want to see them raised up and 'release' them as opportunities for ministry arrise. I don't need to 'control' them as I believe God's Spirit is a Spirit of order and can handle leading the meeting with out my help. Now we are dealing with imperfect humanity and if someone begins to move in the 'flesh' and drawing attention to themselves more than to God we will know it. Just as it is with giving in the New Testament we teach people what the Word says about it and the Holy Spirit will lead them without our help.

There was a lot of ministry taking place. I know that I experienced God's Presence in a powerful way and I believe others there would say the same. Unrehearsed, spontaneous interaction between us and God's Spirit is the type of meeting many people are hungry for. I could say a lot more but I am trying to keep this as brief as possible. See the schedule on the home page for the next Saturation Service and/or Church service.

All I can say is that I'm excited for what the next 3 Saturation Services will be like this summer. We have church services that aren't as intense and are more to see community and fellowship fostered also. It's all good.

Yours for Him, Pastor Danny