For the past seven years I have had the honour and privilege to lead the worship at my home base church. One way I respond to God is through contemporary worship and I am so blessed to have been able to lead our congregation closer to Christ through worship in the Liturgy and with the Life Teen program. I am so happy that they were open to and willing to let me introduce this form of expressive worship.
Recently as a family we decided that I needed to take a step back. With the new addition to our family coming this Summer and my busy tour schedule, we felt it was important to spend some time focusing on OUR family for a while with regards to Church and congregational worship. We realized we really haven’t been to Church together as a family, without me leading worship, in seven years! We've realized that I need to change roles at Church, first and foremost, being a father and a husband, and now leading OUR FAMILY.
My wife and I are both looking forward to being a 'normal' Church family for a while. Some weeks that might mean showing up at five past (with 50% of the other Church members) because of last minute diaper explosions. Other weeks it might mean having two cranky, crazy, loud, screaming, but absolutely adorable sweethearts tearing up the sanctuary. We are looking forward to being "PARTICIPANTS" for the first time... again.
While I absolutely loved leading worship every Sunday, and I will terribly miss this kind of offering, I believe God has given our Church an opportunity to grow. The last thing I want is our Church to stay stagnant, in one place. I believe I have offered our Church all that I can for where I am at right now. Enter: my replacement. I trust that God will use the gifts that each of our congregation members has to offer to better enhance our Church.
Thank-you for the opportunity. Thank-you for keeping me grounded and humble. Thank-you for embracing, supporting, loving, encouraging and nurturing the gifts that God has given me. I pray that God will continue to lead me in Ministry, even though this does not include our Church anymore. I pray that God will continue to draw people closer to Him through the offering of service and I pray for our entire Church body. We are the body of Christ.
To all the other Churches that I will have the pleasure and opportunity to visit in Ministry in the coming months & years, I look forward to our worship together!
God bless,
CHRIS BRAY Blog, News and Theological Musings
4 comments:
Congratulations on all you have accomplished Chris and " kept your eyes focused on the Lord". Knowing when to step down is an important step on the Journey. God bless you and your family.
Marilyn Bergeron
Who is your replacement?
Chris - your ministry that came to Monkfest/Familyfest - two years ago in Madoc- - touched a lot of people and I know that one heart specifically - opened to God - I know that you have a ministry that is to be shared with many- and I understand as a musician in the Church that it is really really nice to just go and be congregation some times :-) God bless you and your family! And we would love to see you next year at our event!! Will be in touch! Peace and Good to you - Colleen MacAlister ofs
Ian Duckworth will be leading the group. He and I have worked together for years in Ministry. He's a very talented musician and worship leader. He's also the drummer in my "CALLED" music video!
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