Associational Staff 

 Director

  Joshua Hall

  jhall@gbaptist.org 

  Mrs. Burnace Smith

  bsmith@gbaptist.org 

 dwatson@gbaptist.org

1-2 Associational Office closed

1-9 Grand Oak Mission Center closed

10 Cross Cultural Pastors Collective Lunch, Springhill, 11:00 am

22 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

31 Getting a Game Plan: Estate Planning for Church Leaders, Associational Office, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

4 Mexico Mission Trip Informational Meeting, Associational Office, 2:00 pm

12 Souper Bowl Sunday for Grand Oak Mission Center

19 Focus on WMU Sunday

22 Associational Leadership Council, Associational Office, 11:30 am

4 VBS Early Bird Training, FBC Ozark

5-12 Week of Prayer for North American Missions/Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

11 Boys & Girls Pinewood Derby, Willard, First

15 Executive Board Meeting, Grand Oak Mission Center, 11:30 am

 

One of the best parts of being a Director of Missions is getting to worship with our churches. Worship is our highest calling. It is what we were created to do, and what Christians will do for all eternity. On that note (see what I did there?), I would like us to consider the difference between “horizontal” and “vertical” worship services.

Horizontal worship services are focused on the worshiper. Religious activity takes place, but nothing feels like it makes it through the roof of the church to the realm of God (figuratively speaking of course). When you participate in a horizontal worship service, you feel as though you've merely attended a community meeting.

In contrast, vertical services exalt God and are centered on the work of Christ. The point of the service is to direct the hearts of the worshipers upward to the very throne of Heaven. When you participate in a vertical worship service, you feel as though you've made a genuine connection with God.

How do you know what kind of worship service you're attending? Consider the following:

1) In a horizontal service, as much (or more) time is spent on announcements and other "housekeeping" matters as is spent on the actual worship of God. In a vertical service, only necessary housekeeping is done, and it's done in a manner that keeps it distinct from time that is dedicated for worship.

2) In a horizontal service, the songs tend to be almost exclusively about God (e.g. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”), whereas in a vertical service there is a healthy balance of songs that are offered directly to God (e.g. "I love you Lord, for Your mercy never fails me.”) Both are legitimate forms of worship, but if we only tell each other that God is good, and never say it to Him, aren't we kind of missing the point? Furthermore, horizontal services have a tendency to utilize songs that have more to do with nostalgia than the glory of God (e.g. “Give Me that Old Time Religion”).

3) In a horizontal service, the preaching emphasizes being a nice person (moralism – e.g. don't drink, don't smoke, don't cuss, don't have premarital sex, etc.), whereas in a vertical service the preaching emphasizes being made a new person by the power of God (the Gospel). This isn't to say that horizontal preaching never mentions Jesus, nor is it to say that vertical preaching shouldn't address matters of holiness. But it is to say that people tend to leave a horizontal service thinking, "I must try harder," whereas people leave a vertical service thinking, "I must let God have control."

Vertical worship services don't just happen.  They require an intentional effort on the part of the pastor and other leaders to put God front and center when the body gathers for worship. This may require examining everything from song lyrics, to sermon content, to the order of service. If hearts are right, the Holy Spirit will bless the effort, and draw people into the presence and worship of God.

In Christ,

Josh

This event, sponsored by the Missouri Baptist Convention, is designed to bring pastors of various languages and backgrounds together to connect with one another, celebrate what God is doing in His church, and be encouraged in the work. All pastors are invited! Please RSVP by calling or emailing

Pay online here and then select the Conferences fund

2,150 in attendance

133 prayer requests

44 have more questions about Jesus, finding a church home, etc.

84 Professions

Russ Essary, Pastor,

Patrick Morrow, Pastor,

Jeremy Muniz, Pastor,

Jared Proctor, Pastor,