Shannon Watson
Staff Writer
If you have ever walked down the hallway of Lovernich’s A-block apartments after 7:30 on a Tuesday night, perhaps you have heard the sound of worship and praise songs mingling with the sound of passing footsteps and whirring washing machines. These songs come from apartment A12, the meeting place of Campus Ministry’s worship team.
Each week, this team meets to praise God and plan for upcoming events. The group is led by three interns: senior John Grogg, a computer science major; junior Kelly O’Rear, a public relations and religion double major; and Matt Bush, a religion major.
Their mission is “to create and promote in ourselves, our team, and the greater community a lifestyle of worship characterized by genuine, natural response to who God is and what He has done,” Grogg said.
The worship team is an integral component of Campus Ministry and the University Church of Christ.
This group coordinates the worship services of Care Group and Chapel. These services include prayers, Scripture readings, acappella songs and guest speakers.
Meetings provide opportunities for interested people to engage in fellowship and contribute to the planning of worship services.
Members pray together, learn new praise songs and address the needs of people attending the services.
“The worship team is a group of students who seek to develop and explore what it means to worship God in all aspects of life,” Grogg said.
“Our goal this year is to get past the day-to-day tasks of planning worship and reach a place in which even planning can be worship,” Grogg said.
“Also, to equip and empower students to worship in whatever way God calls them to, be it singing, planning, preaching, painting, studying or any other day-to-day activity or gift.”
What is worship?
“I don’t think it can be put in a box with a simple definition,” said junior Dana Smith, a liberal arts major, three-year member of the team and RA of dorm 14. “It is living a life that is glorifying to God.”
Worship can be defined differently.
“I define worship as being fully vulnerable and open with the Lord,” O’Rear said. “Worship is not just praise. It is a daily lifestyle requiring only the awareness of the presence of God.”
Different perspectives allow the team to reach the needs of audience members.
Each person draws upon his or her own experiences and beliefs in contributing to the development of worship services.
An open exchange of ideas takes place between team members, and new ideas are discussed among the group each week.
Meetings allow members the chance not only to contribute to the planning of worship services, but also to engage in fellowship with other students with passion for worship.
When asked what she valued most about her experiences as a team member, Smith said, “It is the sense of community within Campus Ministry.”
During each meeting, time is set aside for acknowledging prayer requests and lifting the requests to God.
The worship team provides members with a support group. It fosters reflection upon possible venues for worship and how to use these venues to meet the needs of people seeking the Lord.
“I know in my own life the team has helped to expand my definition of worship already, freeing me to praise God in more ways than ever before,” Grogg said.
The team encourages people to take action.
“Our team this year is willing and ready to jump into any task or ministry opportunity given to them,” O’Rear said. “By being witnesses in their sections of campus and giving their all to Campus Ministry, they aid in furthering the spiritual life on campus.”
11-11-2004
