One House, Many Rooms: Bringing Worship Online

As a worship school whose calling is first and foremost to cultivate an atmosphere of worship, the unprecedented COVID-19 situation has forced the Awaken Generation team to fulfil its mission - virtually. We dialogue with Senior Leaders Calvin and Alarice as well as mentors Gideon (keys), Caleb Kay (drums), and Stacy (songwriting) for some behind-the-scenes action and contemplation.

This circuit breaker has been going on for three weeks and it has been further extended yet again. How have you come to terms with this being the “new norm”?

Alarice: Well, there is something more restful about staying at home, being with family, and working from the comfort of your own home (staying in your PJs all day lol).

Gideon: Yeah, to be honest, I kind of like the “new norm”. Though it might be difficult, I like going through new challenges... Okay, but not being in the studio to record and arrange has been personally frustrating for me!

So… do you miss people?

Stacy: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes! I usually like spending a lot of time to myself doing nerdy things like reading or watching documentaries, so when this circuit breaker was first announced, I was like… yay! But three weeks in and I have to admit: I miss people! I miss my colleagues.

Calvin: I’m learning that God really did create and wire us for relationships. We know from Matthew 18 - for where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them - that there is power in gathering together. This has been a strange time for the team, as I’m sure it has been for many other people.

Kay: Yeah, I would say I had to come to terms with it quicker because I had already had a foreshadowing; when my church was identified as an early cluster, I was asked to work from home for a week as a precautionary measure. So I had a headstart on this routine, way before the rest of the team!

Speaking of churches - it’s been a rough time for churches in Singapore with all these new restrictions, and many have had to scramble to bring services and their worship online. It’s definitely a trying time, so what do you think the Lord is doing here?

G: It’s almost like a recalibration, like God is calling us to a deeper revelation with Him. I feel that we are called to search deeper in this time of 'rest' and find peace in the midst of the storm.

A: I believe it is a season of consecration where God is rebuilding the altar of worship in our personal lives and in our families and households first. For many of us, many things that we had previously put our trust in - career, relationships, finances - are being removed. It’s like God is setting us up for ’success’ in His eyes… having our priorities right with Christ being at the center of everything that we do.

But at the same time, it’s still important than ever to raise worship and intercession, even from our scattered homes?

S: Definitely! I think recalibration doesn’t mean that we have to do it alone. I think while God is calling us individually to the heart of worship, He is also calling the entire church to synchronous and unceasing intercession and praise. I am reminded of the verse in the Gospel of John: In my Father’s house are many rooms. And now we find ourselves truly split across many rooms… Even across our different “rooms”, may we recognise that we are all actually under one roof; a united house of prayer.

C: This is something we cultivate as a team as well. One of our AG core values is “Hosting the Presence of God”. Though the Lord is taking each of us on a personal worship journey, we have made a commitment to come together every Monday for our staff devotion to worship the Lord together. It’s always important to connect and worship as a Body of Christ.

This photo was taken before the COVID-19 circuit breaker measures were implemented.

What is AG’s role in this season, especially since worship is so embedded in the organisation’s vision and work?

K: I feel that AG too has a crucial role to play in teaching our students (and those who are within reach of our music or media) how to respond in worship and obedience in times of crisis. I love what Sidney Mohede shared at our first Worship Conversations webinar: he shared that you can worship in trials – and not be offended with God for allowing tough times to come – when your relationship with Him is rock solid.

A: Our specific role as Awaken Generation is to do our part in equipping the Body to learn to enter in His presence and to lead their families to do the same. Our mission doesn’t change even in this time, we just get to use technology and have new opportunities to reach and equip the global church!

G: I agree! In 2 Chronicles 16, it says: For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. As we create a resting place for the Lord, He in turn ministers to us and gives us peace. This is so necessary in this season.

A: It’s why we started online Worship Rooms and Revival Nights - to create a dwelling place for God - where we livestream worship and prayer from our homes on different days of the week. It hasn’t been easy though!

Yes, the challenges! What mountains have you had to climb, and how have you seen the AG Team and community come together in this time?

G: To be honest, we are still struggling with this… haha. But I think we have all been quite flexible and adaptable, and of course, we just really have to rely on the grace of God. Big win for us!

C: I'm so proud of the AG team for stepping up during this outbreak by going the extra mile and coming up with creative ways to engage the Body of Christ in worship during these difficult times. We have to thank our sound mentor Caleb Chan as well.

K: Oh yes, Caleb Chan is definitely on my speed dial (thanks bro!). I’ve had to learn so much in terms of audio and streaming workflow since the measures have kicked in, and Chan is someone who’s always willing to share info and knowledge. It’s really helped all of us to up our streaming game.

Any last words for surviving this pandemic?

S: Make sure to carve out technology-free times in your day. And I know this is going to be be super ironic because this is a blog (lol), but I think it’s the tension we are all walking in now - connecting with the Body of Christ but also drawing boundaries when necessary.

K: Yes! We need to “disconnect to connect” – shut off all devices and just find time and space to worship, read the Word, and transact with God – something we’ll cover possibly in a future blog. Look out for that!

In this season, the AG team is organising a series of online Worship Rooms and Revival Nights to encourage the Body of Christ. Subscribe to our Youtube page for notifications, and follow us on Instagram for latest event updates.

Additionally, the AG Team has put together a very straightforward guide to live streaming worship from home, using ZOOM as the primary platform: download it here. We pray that this would help your churches and communities gather together and lift up the name above all names.

PARTNER WITH US NOW

Awaken Generation is a not-for-profit organisation registered in Singapore and we believe every year for the full funding needed to support the operational costs of running the ministry. In this season, we are organising a series of online worship rooms, revival nights, and public electives to encourage and equip the Body of Christ. Partner with us financially via the following channels:

Paynow/Paylah

UEN No. 201927870M

Please indicate “Offering” under the comments.

DonorBox

Local/International donations via credit card.

Regular-Giving option also available.

One House, Many Rooms: Bringing Worship Online

PARTNER WITH US NOW

— Awaken Generation —