CSM encourages churches to press on in #UsapangWorship webinar

By CSM

Jul 21, 2021

Worshiping together, whether done online or face-to-face in limited numbers, is essential.

This, in summary, was the heart and message of #UsapangWorship: Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pagsamba, a CSM webinar held last July 17, 2021. The session was led by Pastor Rommel and Susan Guevara, the husband-and-wife team renowned for Filipino worship classics, such as “Mahal na Mahal Kita, Panginoon” and “Napakabuti ng Ating Diyos.”

“Ngayon panahon ng pandemic hindi dapat mag-stop sa atin ang pagkalat ng word ni Lord,” Ms. Susan Guevara said. “Make use of the opportunity na binibigay sa atin sa pamamagitan ng online ministry. Nasaan man tayo will not stop the work of the Holy Spirit, let us continue to pursue people for the Lord,” she added.

The webinar, which was attended by 147 participants from different parts of the Philippines and as far as Los Angeles, Japan, and Hong Kong, covered topics such as “Real Worship in a Virtual World,” “Lapit Pa More: Sino Ang Lalapitan Natin? Jesus!” and “Leading Worship in Pandemic Times.”The speakers also shared helpful tips for churches adapting to virtual services such as improving audio setups to ensure the clear delivery of the worship message, which, according to Ptr. Rommel, all boils down to the individual state of heart.

“Ang unang instrument talaga sa worship is the heart, yung puso talaga, kaya ang lagi naming payo kahit noon pa man, what fills your heart? It should be God. Yun lang ang magpapatatatag sa atin. Heart and mind yan eh, pag nilagay mo si God sa puso at isip mo, eh di ayun din ang lalabas, di ba? Para bang sa bangko kung ano ang inipon mo, yun din ang mawi-withdraw mo. That’s why I want to over-emphasize this especially in a virtual word, that when we speak and lead, it should be about the Gospel,” Ptr. Rommel highlighted.

The well-known Filipino worship pastor and musician then emphasized to the participants that skill, though important, is not everything. “Ang musician (worship team) na walang interes sa salita ng Panginoon walang power,” Ptr. Rommel shared. “Mag-iingay lang yan, pwedeng ma-impress ka sa umpisa sa kanyang skills pero pag walang salita ng Diyos sa buhay niya, nagsasayang tayong lahat ng pagod, walang mangyayari sa buhay niya. In fact, baka problemahin pa natin ang taong yun. Kase salita ng Panginoon ang nagsabi e, in order to be successful, kailangan ng Kanyang salita,” he further explained.

The Guevaras likewise encouraged the participants not to feel pressured in adapting hi-tech digital strategies in the “new normal” nor to look down on congregations that have taken various steps to return to face-to-face meetings. Essential aspects of worship, such as fellowship, the state of heart, and the preaching of the Gospel remain top priority, according to Ptr. Rommel. “In order for worship to be real, we always have to return to the Gospel,” he said, and Ms. Susan added, “Do not give up encouraging people. Let us pursue meeting with each other kahit limited at restricted ang mga gathering ngayon.”

Another webinar offering from CSM titled “How to Effectively Study the Bible: Understanding the Books of the Prophets” will be on July 31, 2021 from 9am to 11:30am via Zoom. The speaker, Dr. Michael Janapin is currently the Academic Dean of Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS). To register, visit www.csm-publishing.com/events. For other details, you may email training@csm-publishing.com or contact 0908-8937016.

 

Usapang Worship speakers with the participants
(in the red box: Ptr. Rommel Guevara, CSM Training Officer Ptr. Reuel Alfonso, and Ms. Susan Guevara)

 

Q & A session with the Guevaras