Simon & Garfunkel song inspires worship leader

Church Life

Worship leader Ivor Geetar at 23rd Baptist Church in Minneapolis was at low ebb until he heard Simon & Garfunkel playing on the radio.

“I’d only been employed as the worship pastor for a couple of weeks but none of my modern songs seemed to rouse the church from their stupor.  It just felt like they were still stuck in the mannequin challenge from way back in 2016.  I confess I had lost all hope and had even stopped listening to K-Love.”

Ivor sighs deeply before continuing, “In the car I randomly switched the radio to a different channel and it landed upon one of those secular stations that plays old songs my dad still thinks are good.  Well it was playing this naff sounding song but then I listened to the words and it was like Jesus was speaking directly to me through them…”

When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I’ll dry them all (all)
I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

” …I was feeling small and helpless against the power of the congregation who were opposed to modern choruses – but this Simon & Garfunkel song speaks the answer of how to get over the troubled waters I was in: the bridge!”

“So the following Sunday I decided to ditch the traditional approach of verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus and instead go for verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge, chorus, bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge, bridge…”

Ivor becomes breathless with excitement, “The transformation in the congregation was apparent after only the fifth time through the bridge.  No longer were they motionless but they were moving under the power of the Holy Spirit.  Some chose to run out of the church (presumably with their feet shod with the readiness to proclaim the gospel), others were shouting out (in what must have been praises to God) and then the Pastor unplugged my guitar (presumably so he could do an altar call) and I was sent out by the whole church with their blessing to take my worship ministry into the world.”

“Now I’m serving God by declaring His praises in the marketplaces every Sunday and nothing can stop me…apart from the police who move me along for disturbing the peace.   But I know that God will use this persecution for His glory.”

Reporter: John Spencer aka Not the Bible

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