Reflections on Retreat at New Life Church in Grand Junction
On Saturday, December 3, leadership from New Life Church in Grand Junction, CO and I gathered for a worship retreat in a warm home on the foot hills of Colorado National Monument. Mark Quist, pastor of New Life Church, and his wife Deone were present along with three additional staff and four lay-worship leaders. The purpose of our gathering was to reflect upon the deep meaning and purpose of worship and apply our learning to the practicalities of worship planning and leadership.
New Life Church is a Christian Reformed Church planted only eight years ago. The congregation is made up of people from many diverse backgrounds. Those in the room with me represented at least four different denominational upbringings. New Life Church, however, is united by a Reformed vision for life and worship. Pastor Mark told me the story of one church member who after coming to learn about Reformed theology said, “I guess I’ve been Reformed all along!”
The style of worship of New Life Church is mostly contemporary and the church is blest with enough musicians to form four full worship bands. This is astonishing since the church has only 200 members! There is great enthusiasm in the church for the work of God in their community and there is a hunger for their worship to be vital and faithful.
The material I presented was readily received and discussion was profitable. There were five sections:
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