Prepare to be Bethelized

Bethel Music, based out of Redding C.A. has completely changed the face of contemporary worship music in only a few short years. Discerning the plot line of how exactly this has happened is a tall order for someone sitting the opposite corner of the continent, in rural Nova Scotia. But a few basic facts might be in order before blasting into headier territory. 

Emerging in the mid 2000s, Bethel's first offspring of note, the Jesus Culture band, blended a conference-friendly, electric wall of sound with the passionate caterwaul of vocalists such as Kim Walker-Smith, Kristene Di Marco, and Chris Quilala. Spearheaded by Banning Liebscher, Jesus Culture has since planted a church in Sacramento and are continuing to record music and expand their musical palate. (See: http://jesusculture.com/team )While this blog will primarily focus on the worship ministry at Bethel Church, Redding, much love and credit must be given to Jesus Culture for breaking through the ordinary worship/concert/sing-along mentality, and pushing the younger generation to expect deep encounters with God through worship.

At the head of an endeavour such as this blog, it's worth spilling a bit of digital ink covering a bit of my thought process regarding praise and worship.

Working through the reclaimed human vessels making up the Body of Christ (aka Church), the Holy Spirit empowers worshippers today to offer praises out of an ever deepening revelation and understanding of God's nature and character. Instead of toning down the passion and intimacy found in the Psalms, how much more ought we shed both our pride and our insecurities in devotion now that we can point to Christ as a clear, personal, embodiment of YHWH. We can rest assured that His blood has made a way for us to boldly approach God's throne at any time, with the liberty of being freed from the curse of the Law we could not keep. Where a man could be struck dead by a mere touch upon the wooden Ark wherein God dwelt under the Old Covenant, it is a glorious mystery that we - as clearly imperfect human beings - are ourselves the intended dwelling place of God, consecrated for His purposes.

On a practical level, we never again need to kill animals in our worship, nor do we need to strive by our own efforts to earn God's favour and love but instead "through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." [Heb. 13:15, NIV] As we behold the Glory of God in devotion, we are actually transformed into His image so that the divide between Creator and creation is not only healed in theory through the cross, but in the deepest parts of our beings as followers of Christ. 

Next time, expect a video - and expect to continue being transformed.

@theezachcooper