Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

One of the simplest way we can release worship in our congregations is simply by living in unity with other believers in the Body of Christ. There’s just a “feel good” factor that occurs when believers from different churches, communities, denominations gather together to worship the King of Kings!!! I have heard pastors express fear and trepidation in linking arms with other believers because in reality they preach against these other believers and don’t want to confuse their congregations by linking arms with them. Can I just say that this grieves the heart of God and quenches the work of the Spirit. As a pastor I’m saddened by this misrepresentation of our Lord’s heart.

Imagine Paul writing in Ephesians when he tells the Jews the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been torn down. This was revolutionary. He was greatly persecuted by his own brothers because of this “heresy.” I’ve seen very prominent pastors decide to distance themselves from something simply because a particular church was a part of a particular group…. despite years of relationship. It was almost as if the title or affiliation was more important than the relationship. I do agree that we need to speak out against heretical teachings or those who teach them as did Paul. But I find that it happens much less often than some say.

Can I ask you a question pastor? Has Jesus torn down the dividing walls in your heart between your church and the church next to you? Or is that dividing wall still big in your heart – no matter how subtle it is?

When I was 16, I was the first worship leader for Calvary Chapel Vista. I was one of the youngest worship leaders in the Calvary Movement. When I was praying for an outreach event we were conducting, I believe I received a vision from God. I saw people from all denominational backgrounds coming together to worship the King of Kings!!! It was an overwhelming vision. At first I thought it was specifically applying to an event. However, at this stage I see it as more of a calling.

There has been such a sweet presence of Jesus at the Worship Life Conference. One of the reasons is because of the way the Body of Christ has joined together in the spirit of unity. I look at the list of worship leaders alone… Tommy Walker from Eagle Rock Assembly, Chris Lizotte and Sheri Carr from Vineyard Music, Brett Williams from Calvary Fellowship, Jason Ritchie and Daniel Smith from Crossroads Community, Hanz Ives from Harvest Christian Fellowship, Evan Wickham from Horizon Christian Fellowship, Jimmy Robeson from Maranatha! Chapel, Josh Blevins from Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, Chris Duran from Mosaic, Travis Ryan from Saddleback Church, Greg and Pam Fadness from Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, Tony Logan from Crossroads Church and our worship team from Ocean Hills Church. And here is the truth…. it has been a sweet time of unified worship in the presence of God!!!

I believe God is pleased…