Have you ever wondered…what’s the point of church services? Or maybe, why do we have services EVERY week? Have yo
u ever wondered what goes into planning our weekend services here at Milestone?
We believe your time is valuable and it’s why we intentionally spend so much of our week praying, hearing from God and creating services where people can have a genuine, authentic encounter with Jesus. We gather as the church to get equipped to live out our faith on a daily basis. This past weekend Pastor Jeff showed us a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into planning the weekend and imparted to us a powerful teaching on these essential components of our services:
Prayer
Everyone has needs, things you’re praying about right now. Church should be a place where you come and receive prayer for those needs! As a church we believe in the power of prayer, both corporately and personally. At the beginning of the year we set up a prayer wall during Prepare as we pray for each other as a church family. During our services throughout the year we often pray corporately for the specific needs of one another on our prayer cards. We have a team of staff and volunteers who pray for your needs every single week.
The Bible says we are in a spiritual battle. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Our heart as a church is that every single person feels equipped to go to God in prayer and engage in a very real spiritual conflict. This isn’t just for professionals–Jesus made a way so that we all have access to the Father. We want you to feel equipped to pray with your spouse, over your family, over your own needs and for one another.
Worship
Worship isn’t a spectator sport! The Bible says to “enter His courts with thanksgiving and praise.” Worship is about God. It’s about responding to His greatness. We worship God because He’s worthy. When the weight of the challenges of life threatens to harden our hearts, worship softens it. Worship isn’t a performance; it’s for everyone to participate! And it’s not just for weekend services–worship is a lifestyle.
Our worship team spends hours every week seeking God–asking for direction in creating space in worship for people to meet with Jesus. Every weekend, before services begin, our worship and production teams are praying over the chairs in our worship center–asking God to move in lives of those coming into our church. Powerful things happen when we join and worship God together. Many of you have shared with us how God has revealed Himself and spoken to you during worship–we’ve even heard stories of people accepting Jesus during worship. We go into our weekend services believing for those things to happen!
Word
We believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of God. It is the ultimate authority for our lives and is one of the greatest gifts He’s given us. We believe every single person has the opportunity to have a personal revelation from God from reading His Word. As we come to know God and walk deeper in relationship with Him through reading His Word, He begins to change us from the inside out. God has a revelation for you right now, and it’s amazing! The next time you come to one our services, come expecting Him to change your heart.
Announcements
Even our announcements have a point at Milestone. They’re all about taking a next step and getting connected. Have you thought about what your next step might be? Jumping into a small group, signing up for the Growth Track, serving on a team? Whatever it might be, we want to help you take that next step and help you discover all God has for you. It’s why we’re big believers in prayer, worship, the Word, and yes…even the announcements!
Matt Benson
January 5, 2017 at 11:27 pmLOVE Milestone Church! Changed my life.