JULY 2008 - WORSHIP WEEKEND

Electric Worship Weekend Impacts Newcastle Church
5 August 2008

A sound of vibrant and passionate worship filled Elim Church Newcastle this summer at a special worship weekend with guest speaker David Reidy from Hillsong Church Sydney.

With years of worship leading and preaching experience, David Reidy has travelled the globe impacting many people positively through his innovative music and teaching. At this, his third visit to Newcastle’s Elim Church, David led worship seminars and a worship concert with his team of accomplished musicians.



 



The atmosphere of adoration continued at the Sunday morning church service where his team fused with Elim’s home worship team and choir for an electric time of praise.

David has seen a great response to the positive message that he brings and in 2007 saw over 3,500 people giving their lives to Jesus Christ. We caught up with David after the events of the weekend to find out more.

Interview with David Reidy

ECN> David, it’s been wonderful having you with us. Where have you been travelling this year so far and where’s next on your tour?

DR> So far this year we have been to Hong Kong, The Netherlands, Belgium and the UK, to name just a few places. We’re also hoping to go to China for the Olympics to do some music at events during the games.

ECN> That sounds amazing! What do you hope will be the fruit of your ‘Connect’ worship seminars and concerts?

DR> We have launched a new strategy to do city wide events all around the world. We’re looking at going to neutral venues and encouraging all the churches in the city to come. Our express desire is to see lots of people saved, so the idea is to do something similar to the idea Billy Graham has with his crusades. We just don't use the term ‘crusade’ as it’s not so much the language of the day and perhaps has some negative connotations. 

 



ECN> So what do you love most about ministering in different cities and churches?

DR> Seeing friends all around the world and making new ones of course! It’s great seeing different places but we don't often get time for tourist things; essentially it’s about the people.

ECN> How do you think God is speaking to the church today about worship?

DR> That's a big question... But I think authenticity would be the key word: authentic worship from the inside out. It’s not about style, so much as substance. You could have any style, whether it’s Hillsong or Integrity or whatever else. God is just looking for true worshippers.



ECN> Now that the events are over, what did you and your team enjoy about the worship weekend in Newcastle?

DR> Seeing our friends. The church is so wonderfully responsive to the things of God and you guys are so great with hospitality and being well organised – it makes such a difference when we are doing what we do. It’s a church that I certainly love coming back to because it’s a touch of home for me.

ECN> And I believe you know our newly appointed pastor too, Simon Lawton. Do you have any words that you’d like to encourage the church with?

DR> I am certainly excited about your new pastors, Simon and Julia. You are so blessed to have such great people coming to pastor the church. I want to encourage you to get right behind them and the fresh vision they will bring to the church. It’s so important in the early days to allow them to establish what they have on their hearts as the vision of the church.

With one vision, one heart and one mind you will see great growth and development in the church. The key to growth is to bring people to church who are unchurched. Don't worry about attracting more Christians, go for new babies.

ECN> Thanks for bringing that message to us David, no doubt we’ll see you back in Newcastle very soon!

 





The worship seminars led by David gave members of Elim’s worship team a chance to learn and improve their skills in vocal technique and blending, arranging music in a band and raising their level in ministry by setting goals and getting serious about practising.

Hilary Kidd, one of Elim’s backing vocalists, said: “I was encouraged by David saying we should strengthen our strengths,” and fellow singer, Mary James, said she got a lot out of the vocal training, especially the diaphragm exercises.

What most people found impacting were the worship times, as described by long-standing church members Ian and Rita Scott: “We came to the concert and Sunday morning worship and thought they were brilliant. The team’s hard work and dedication shows in the power of the music – it can bless and enrich people in the ways of the Lord for everyday life.”





Lawrence Kidd, an Elder at Elim Church Newcastle, said: “The weekend was vibrant, loud, exciting and a statement; a milestone in the life of our church,” a thought echoed by church member George Taylor: “I felt a statement of intent was given that this is the way forward and is God’s way – non-religious and evidenced by its fruit. It’s what I’ve been praying for.”

Choir member, Amii Clark, described what is was like to lead worship with the team: “I felt extremely privileged to be part of the Sunday morning worship, where people came together in complete abandonment to reach one common goal – to tell our God how much we love and adore Him! What an amazing sight!”





There was certainly a tremendous atmosphere in the church as God’s presence ministered to people. “The concert was electric and so was church. The band and music were inspiring. The song ‘Healer’ really touched me and I haven’t been able to stop singing it in my heart all week,” said choir director Sally Masendeke.

The worship weekend came at a strategic time for Elim Church Newcastle, during a five-month period without a pastor.

“This has been a time of strengthening ourselves in Christ and preparing our hearts for what God wants to do with the church in the future. We’ve certainly not held back and we’ve seen God expand us in moments such as this worship weekend,” Lawrence Kidd explains.

“We eagerly await Pastor Simon & Julia Lawton arriving in September and have been motivated by David Reidy’s positive comments about them. This is definitely a God-appointment!”

Without a doubt, the congregation in Newcastle have a great future to look forward to as they live worship-filled lives and impact their community.