Spiritual and Sentimental Ramblings

Had a great time with my ZOE family yesterday! We all got together at Brandon's to discuss our latest CD project for this year's conference in October-- Desperate. I have been blessed for the past nine years to sing with this group of people, The ZOE Group. We go around the country leading worship and introducing new music to churches for them to incorporate into their services. We make a CD each year of new songs which we debut at our Nashville conference in the fall.

I haven't really addressed the role ZOE plays in my life on my blog yet, apart from detailing our many travels! My blog is now linked off the ZOE site, so maybe I should give a little insight into what ZOE means to me. By the way... ZOE is the Greek word for "life" in the New Testament. I think a lot of people wonder why we are even called "ZOE"....

First, some history:

ZOE existed long before most of us were ever involved. Almost 10 years ago now, a small group of folks began meeting on Saturdays with one purpose in mind: what the Bible says from cover to cover about worship. After a year of study, they felt like they had a renewed passion to pursue worship in their personal lives and in their churches. They wanted to share this in some way, but had no idea where to start. The short version of this story is that ZOE. Getting people together who shared the same passion and sharing our ideas of what worship could look like from a new perspective.

Our mission statement:

The ZOE Group, Inc. is a not-for-profit Christian ministry dedicated to worship renewal in the lives of individuals and the churches to which they belong. The group consists of men and women who have encountered the living God in worship and have been changed by the encounter. They believe that the core of Christian existence derives its strength and focus from a life disciplined to worship God moment by moment in setting of solitude and in gatherings of believers. Worship is multi-dimensional, not limited to a weekly time and place. Instead, the encounters of God with His people throughout history have been in times of loss as well as celebration, in settings of splendor and squalor, in moments of introspection or even anger. To worship well we must become a people consumed by a desire to worship more.

The ZOE Group provides resources to help God's people improve in the discipline of worship. Through the prophetic word, music, arts, drama and the gifts God has given to His people in every age it is our prayer that excellence in the worship experience can be enhanced and improved, practiced and taught. Seminars, recordings, publications and internet communications are all means by which The ZOE Group expects to share a maturing vision of Christian Worship.

"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever! Amen."

Introducing new music to churches was one of the early goals of ZOE. So, by the grace of God, when auditions were held, one of my dear elders passed my name along to Brandon, and I was selected to join! This group is now one small, but important part of the ZOE mission.

It is so funny to look back now at those first months and years we spent together! We had no idea what God was using us for in some ways, but we were all just happy to be along for the ride together. I really had known NONE of them before being asked to join the group. I remember feeling awkward at first, but as time rolled on, we all became family.

Nine CDs later, innumerable trips, and hundreds of special moments shared; it is still hard for me to put into words how much ZOE means to me or how it has impacted my life. We have shared some of our best and worst times together-- engagements, marriage celebrations, the births of our first children, homes destroyed by fire, family illnesses, job changes-- and many other things too personal to share online! I think this is what makes us so special as a praise team.... When we worship together, we bring all of this past shared history to the table-- we can be honest-- we can feel freedom in the bond we have together as family. This is such a true blessing.

I wish you all could experience those times we have when we are leading worship-- not because we have some magical experience or gift that no one else can possess... everyone of us is able to enjoy in the passion of worship, whether we are on stage, in a pew, or by ourselves--- but, rather, I wish everyone could know the feeling of gazing out into hundreds of eyes and seeing God-- the incredible gift of observing people, hands raised, singing loudly-- many of whom are experiencing the freedom and exhilaration of worship for the very first time-- or those who are being renewed by His Spirit.

After nine years of asking "what is worship", "how should we worship", "what is meaningful worship"--- I have to say, I'm still no expert, but.... those times are the ultimate definition of worship to me. Being in a room of people declaring unashamedly that we believe in the one true God of heaven and earth and the saving power of the death of His Son, Jesus-- and responding to Him in whatever ways His Spirit moves us. Yes, worship is both corporate as well as individual... but in those times, I think that those two processes occur simultaneously-- everything simply melds together and rises towards the heavens without a second thought about theology, doctrine, or appearance.

These times become very real to me each year at our conference here in Nashville. What an amazing event! A thousand people gathered for the sole purpose and desire of worshipping God! An extra bonus is that each one of them have amazing singing voices and musical talent. What a beautiful noise we make to the Lord during those times of praise and worship together.

So-- yesterday, as I looked around the room at my precious ZOE family-- fully aware of so many of their strengths, weaknesses, talents, and flaws... I thanked God again for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing family. I am humbled, undeserving, and extremely thankful...

Enough spiritual and sentimental rambling for one day! To all of you who are aware of ZOE, have attended a conference, listened to one of our CDs, and/or have encouraged us in this ministry-- thank you!