6. I learned that…A lot of people connect with Jesus Christ through the personal
Presbyterians in the past have prided themselves on the cerebral. I am a child of this heritage in the sense that I studied for 10 years, Ph.D. included, before being ordained. Our worship tends to rely on thinking, and for very good reasons (Google the etymology of hokus pocus!).
12 Things I learned when our church started another worship service
One of the things we tried almost from the beginning of the service we started was once a month to have someone stand up and talk about God in their life.
I learned that as a pastor I could talk until I was blue in the face about how much Jesus loves you, but when someone else stands up and shares personally from their life, about where God has been, how they have experienced suffering and healing, mercy and grace, the listening in the room goes to a whole new level. And rightly so.
Over the years, the stories I’ve heard from people now in the congregation continue to astound me. People from Europe, Africa, Asia, the U.S., Canada, the Maritimes, out West, Montreal, all over, have shared. A living testimony. It puts exegesis and careful sermon writing in a whole new light.
You want to see the resurrection? Ask some people to stand up and talk about the risen Christ’s presence with them in their lives. Wow.
rev. dr. greg davidson 
Hi Greg, I have been really appreciating these posts (especially because we plug away at two services here in Duncan). One thing we do, that sort of goes along with this post, is have our children’s time be a personal story about the work of God in our lives from an adult who is asked to talk about something recent in their lives which reminded them of God at work in their lives. This has been very popular, many people are offering to tell their stories and the kids are riveted (and the other adults as well since they get a glimpse into each other’s lives). We then leave it to the Sunday school and parents to teach the children the bible stories.
Love that idea Chris. Would like to try it at Bwood with founding service! Hope you are great in BC.