|
Other Side of Silence
Appropriate moments of silence contribute to the rhythm of revelation and response in worship by providing "waiting space" for the revelatory work of God's Spirit. Writing in WALKING ON WATER, Madeleine L'Engle said: "Deepest communion with God is beyond words, on the other side of silence." A church that takes seriously the concept of worship as dialogue must also take seriously the role of silence within the context of worship. - Madeleine L'Engle in WALKING ON WATER, as quoted in THE DIALOGUE OF WORSHIP: CREATING SPACE FOR REVELATION AND RESPONSE by Gary A. Furr and Milburn Price, Smyth & Helwys, 1998. [What is your experience? Are you nervous when there is an extended time of silence in your worship service? I'm not talking about a quiet time with soft background music - that's something different. I'm talking about several minutes of real silence, real time to listen to God and to respond to him "on the other side of silence."] Have a great week, Chip Stam Pastor of Worship and Music Chapel Hill Bible Church Chapel Hill, North Carolina |