In this particular chapter Hayford brings up a very relevant and important thing - the idea of corporate worship unity.

Hayford points to five main things that we need to attain this: Willingness, sensitivity, understanding, alertness and ability.

Here at Lakeside we are contantly working on these things at the leadership level.  We are having tons on conversations and taking in feedback - allowing us know the willingness and to move with sensiitity when we do something.  We strive to communicate so that people understand what we're aiming at and we are very alert to the reaction.  We work to train our leaders - by providing training and by keeping close relationships with those who lead worship - knowing that their personal lives need to be reflecting an attitude of worship before they are given opportunity to lead worship in a public forum like Sunday mornings.

This is an on-going thing and we are constantly working on the various levels of the above five things.

The chapter closes with Hayford asking a direct question:

Are you doing your part to make the corporate worship of the Body so pleasantly unified that it's a true annointing?

Just as the leadership of the church has a responsibility on this - so does the congregation member - as each one of you represents and makes up "the Body".

So - Do you work at creating unity in our corporate worship times - do you strive to do your part as a piece of the "Body of Christ"?  What value do you place on the corporate worship expereince?  This - by the way - isn't just the time when we sing together - but also includes the entire service - offering-prayer and of course the teaching of God's word.

How much value to do place on being at services on the weekend?  Is it a "must attend" event in your week - or is it a "if something better comes along I'll do that instead" event in your week?

"How good and pleasant when brothers and sisters live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:16 - Read the enter section Ep 4:1-16 for more explanation.

How are you doing in this area of worship?