Question of the Week #12: What is an Open Sunday?

What are Open Sundays at Centre Church?
Open Sundays are some of our favourite times at Centre Church – but if you’re visiting for the first time, they might feel a little unusual. So here’s the deal:

We think we spend a little too much time talking TO God and ABOUT God, and not enough time LISTENING to him. So every few months or so, instead of running a “normal” service with a sermon and pre-set plan, we create space. We create space to worship. We create speace to wait on God. Importantly, we create space to listen and respond to God, as the Holy Spirit leads us.

The service is OPEN for God to move. Open Sunday.

One of the key verses that really shapes these open Sundays is 1 Corinthians 14:26. Paul says this:

“When you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be done for building up.”

Now, that verse doesn’t always get much attention in modern churches, does it? We like to think, WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, the paid pastors and ministry tell HAS. But that’s not what the Bible says. It says EACH ONE has something to bring. It’s not a show, it’s a time to pursue God TOGETHER. We are what’s called a “Priesthood of ALL believers” – in other words, God speaks to all of us in the same way as followers of Jesus. And this verse gives us a wonderful pictures of what that might look like when we allow space for it. People bringing spontaneous hymns, teachings, revelations, tongues, interpretations. That might look like someone bringing a passage from the Bible. A prophetic word. An encouragement. Maybe even a testimony. But it leads us to this incredible picture of what gathered worship can be when we leave space for the Spirit to move.

There are few truths that we don’t want to take for granted in 1 Corinthians 14:26:

First: God is still speaking to all of us today. The Holy Spirit is alive, active, and wants to speak to us and through us.

Second: Church isn’t passive. We don’t gather for a concert or a show or a LECTURE — we’re a body, a priesthood. God’s calling us to spend time in preparation and prayer as we come to gather together.

Third: The goal of our sharing is for mutual encouragement.
Whatever we bring — a verse, a picture, a prayer, a word — it should glorify Jesus and build others up in love. 

So, practically, what might happen on an Open Sunday?

Well, like I said, you might feel led to share something — a Scripture, a prophetic word, a word of knowledge, a picture, a tongue with interpretation… even a short encouragement or prayer.

And if that happens, we’d love for you to share it!!  But keep these four important questions in mind:

1. Does what I’m about to share build up the congregation?

2. Does what I’m about to share glorify Jesus or is it really drawing attention to me?

3. Can I share this in genuine love and humility?

4. As well as being the right THING, is this the right MOMENT?

If you’re sensing something but not sure whether to share, talk to one of our elders – we’ll make it clear who that is on an Open Sunday so you know. Remember, we’re here to HELP you step into what God is calling you to do. And to be clear, because we love you AND our congregation, if any of us share something that is out of line with Scriptural truth, we’ll say so – Lord willing, with kindness and grace. We want to be a church of grace AND truth.

Now, two last things. Firstly, we invite this contributions EVERY Sunday, not just Open Sundays. So please feel free to share at ANY point during our sung worship time. And one more picture that might help as we worship together:
Think of our Sundays as being like a river.
The Holy Spirit often moves us in a particular direction. So as you consider contributing, ask:

“What’s the Spirit already doing? And how might this fit with that flow?”

So that’s Open Sundays. A time to worship, wait, listen, and respond — together.

If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you. Either send an email to info@wearecentrechurch.ca or chat with me or any of our other leaders on a Sunday morning. Otherwise we’ll see you soon for our next question of the week!

---

See you for next week’s question of the week! If you have any questions you’d love for us to cover, contact us as info@wearecentrechurch.ca