Indiana Annual Conference

 I just had the distinct honor and privilege to lead worship at the Friday night celebration/communion service of the Indiana Annual Conference.  And it was hands down. Spirit filled. I'm still processing and unpacking that night.

 Growing up in Virginia, I'd attended annual conference several times...once with a choir, and a few times to catch up with old friends.  Last summer, the staff of Project Spy showed up in our matching polos and represented throughout the mission service.

This was my first time to the Indiana Annual Conference....which since I've only lived here for the last six months...should come as a shock. :o) Held at the convention center in downtown Indianapolis, it was a awesome to be urban bound for a few days.

flash mob by the youth

 I went down on Thursday, to play an acoustic set on a side stage, and to get prepped for the limited rehearsal time we had with the vocal team, sound check, band.....none of which happened all at the same time....tight schedule!

I spent most of last week wrestling with God. Old insecurities bubbled up and I found myself worried and nervously anticipating the night.  Who am I to lead in such a large gathering?  God had laid the groundwork all along to prepare me, but it was hard to walk in the complete freedom of Christ.

Somewhere between Thursday night and Friday afternoon, I surrendered.  I had been asked to lead.  I was prepared to lead.  And God knew once again what He was doing all along.

The theme of the conference was "Make More Room" and I was only one of many new voices that were added to the night.  We shared the scripture of the wedding feast, where the invited guests refuse to come....and so anybody that could be found was brought in; the poor, crippled, blind, and lame....and there was still more room for more.  Our message was split into testimonies of various ages who shared when the church made room for them.

I sang a song I wrote. And then I led How He Loves.  Just me and my guitar and 1,500 methodists. And they sang. I mean, really sang.  As in, I stepped away from the microphone and they still sang.  I almost lost it mid-service.  The voice of the corporate body of Christ is beautiful and humbling...I want to join it, not lead it!

God unlocked something in me that night.  It overflowed into worship at Saint Joe this morning. We were jacked up for Jesus.  The scariest thing is what comes next.  There are things God's stirring up in me.  We talked about stepping into the river this morning. You aren't in it, until you are in it.  I remember the words God spoke to my heart in Colorado way back when....my love, you haven't even stepped in the water yet.

I am thankful.  That the old and new in music, liturgy, leadership, and people came together.  That so many of my new St Joe family were there to be involved and lend their love.  That God is unchanging and all knowing. Thankful.