The corporate spiritual disciplines are activities for the body of believers gathered together. These disciplines are best practiced in the context of a local church body to which one is a member, but can occasionally include gatherings of multiple congregations for a special celebration.
Prayer
Although prayer is an individual spiritual discipline, a body of believers without a corporate prayer life is a powerless body. Most of what applies to the personal discipline of prayer applies to the corporate spiritual discipline. The discipline is mentioned again as a corporate activity, as it is so often forgotten or given little priority in the corporate life of the church. Spirit-led Prayer, especially as a corporate activity in conjunction with confession, is essential for genuine revival.
Confession
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16). Although sins should be confessed on the level that they are committed, there is a place for corporate confession of sin. When we confess to a group, it requires humility. Also, public confession supplies a source of accountability. Corporate and public confession of sin, in conjunction with Spirit-led prayer, is a gateway to genuine revival.
Worship
In contemporary church life, “worship” means singing songs and not much more. “Worship” is better described as “worth-ship”, or ascribing to God his true worth. A denotative definition is: reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred. (dictionary.com)
While music is an excellent medium for Worship as a corporate spiritual discipline, if that is where we limit our worship, we are missing out on the fullness of the activity. Commonly in Scripture, when people encounter God, they fall prostrate on the ground and worship him. There is no mention of music. True reverence may result in silent awe. Jesus tells us that true worshipers will and must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). The apostle Paul tells us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, which is spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). The psalmist implores us to “worship and bow down,” and “kneel before the Lord, our Maker” (Psalm 95:1). So many of these biblical examples are instructions for the corporate gathering of God’s people. In many instances, the call is for all people or all people groups to worship the Lord (Psalm 102:22).
The Bible also provide many warnings about vain and meaningless worship. Many prophets gave warning to the Israelites not to become so enamored with the process that they miss the object of worship: God himself. Jesus echoes the warnings of Isaiah in Matthew 15.
When Christians gather to worship, we seek God. We listen for His voice. We depend on The Holy Spirit to guide us. True worshipers do not simply get carried away by the music, but are led into the presence of God by the music. We pray. We may stand, or fall on our knees, or even lay prostrate. We seek to offer our best and be prepared, but we are also be open to throw all planning and hindrances aside to allow God to reveal himself as He desires.
Guidance
Guidance information coming soon
Celebration
Celebration information coming soon.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25