If Church Was Like a Screamo Concert...

 The Breaker's Commission by For Today - one of their less "hard core" songs, yet still powerful.

Every Tuesday and Thursday mornings for an hour or so we have what is called intercession; we split up into small groups and pray for a specific artist or group of artists.  This past Tuesday we prayed for the band "For Today".  They are a very hardcore Christian band spreading the word of Jesus Christ all around at each show they play.  They played in Montreal last night so a group of about 10 of us decided to go.  At intercession we always take notes of images, verses or just words of encouragement that we feel on our hearts and then share all together as a group.  Since we were going to their concert we decided to make a booklet full of all of our prayers and what we received from those prayers for them.  We were able to hand it to them personally after the show and talk with the main singer/screamer. (ha ha) He is so straight forward with the message of Jesus and it is really inspiring to see this group of musicians so passionate and willing to tell everyone at the shows about God.  They stop in between songs and just say "We're not here to convince you to buy our CD's or buy our merch but we come to preach Jesus".  A feeling of great power and unity came over me each time he would speak.  Suddenly it didn't matter how tightly packed everyones sweaty bodies were in this dimly lit, tight space, up a few flights of stairs, inside a sketchy building in downtown Montreal; everyone was raising their hands to our God and worshipping Him.  It is so energizing to feel the music that our God created in my bones and so often many people judge the Hardcore/Metal scene, thinking it's just rebellious teenagers.  A thought occurred to me though.  What if our churches were like these concerts?  Full of life, dancing, jumping, passion, movement, even screaming.  Isn't that what God wants from us? We have watered down the times we worship to standing in pews and clapping our hands (occasionally).  Imagine if you hadn't seen someone really close to you ( a parent, a sibling, a best friend ) in a really long time, and when you finally got to see them again they just stood there and clapped as you came to them.  Wouldn't you want them to be running, jumping, and yelling about how excited they are to see you?  I think we do that to God.  We simply stand and clap at Him.