Like many of us, I have been ruined for lame worship.

I love to worship and love great environments of corporate worship. When I talk about great worship, I don't necessarily mean something that will awe and wow you with a spirit of “excellence” (whatever that means anyway), but I’m talking about the tangible, thick, and real presence of The Holy Spirit that can fill a room, and even someone’s life.

Initially coming out of a Methodist and Baptist background, I had no real grid for a Spirit-Filled anything. The first time I was tricked into visiting an environment that was all about God’s presence, I was totally freaked out. I had no clue what people were doing in that dimly lit room to worship music in minor keys. But, that was also the day I was filled with the Holy Spirit. Like many, I was raised to fear and reject the parts of the Holy Spirit that I didn’t understand. But that day, the person of The Holy Spirit stepped into my body and filled me with the love of God.

No one preached. No altar call was given. I just had a life-changing moment in a corporate time of worship.

I honestly don’t remember any of the sermons I heard that following year, let alone anything preached at the gathering I got filled with The Spirit at, but God was revolutionizing my life! All I wanted was to be in His presence. Every habit, sin cycle, and lie I was caught up in, I recklessly abandoned to be closer to Him. I lived for His presence. I longed for His presence. My body would literally ache just to be with Him again. No wonder people thought I was nuts.

Going to church was all about one simple thing: To encounter God. Period.

I didn’t attend church to see people (although the people were nice). I didn’t go to make friends (although I’ve made great friends over the years). I didn’t honestly even go to hear sermons (unless the sermon would get me closer to Him). I had a holy, one-track mind!

My passion and pursuit of God has grown and matured in many ways since then, but the thrust remains unchanged:

My entire dealings with the Church and ministry revolve around the presence of God.

This is why worship is so important to me! That’s why I can’t stand lame worship gatherings. When I’m in a church service and worship is handled as a religious ritual, or a hype moment for the next thing, I want to barf. Literally regurgitate the mess that was just presented to me as an offering to Him. THIS IS THE ONLY REASON I’VE COME HERE! I’m here to meet with Him!

We are going to be planting a church soon. I am praying and thinking through the details of how it's going to look and feel, but I know one thing for certain:

Worship is transformational!

Real, God-centered worship transforms a gathering into a place where people can radically encounter The Lord. God can do more in five minutes of open-heaven worship than in five years of trying in our own will-power.

This will be a big part of what we’re going to be all about.