For those who attended The Austin Stone Community Church yesterday, “refreshed” was probably not the word they used to describe themselves when leaving. It was a very intense experience for all. However, it moved me deeply.
I treasure the chance to attend a church and just be a participant and not a church staff member. So, I donned my flip flops, blue jeans, and t-shirt and headed to the coolest church in Austin… The Stone (as it’s known to its parters).
First, the Stone probably has the most amazingly gifted worship band in Central Texas. They are talented musicians, for sure, but they excel the most in the act of leading in worship. They bring you into an intimate experience of awe before God. It was beautiful.
Matt Carter is an amazing dude. He is a rare breed of “preacher” who is relevant in a mecca of postmodernity, such as Austin, but holds to a strong conviction to speak and teach the Word. I’m not sure if you can find a more relevant and reaching church in America that teaches in an expository manner.
Matt is moving through 1 Corinthians in his current series and was in chapter 6 yesterday. He spoke on verses 15 through 19, which deal directly with sexual immorality. I won’t go into the details of his message because EVERYONE needs to hear it… and you can listen to it HERE!
Matt approached this subject and exposed these verses in a manner that I have never heard before, but was completely honest to the message of the text.
It was a refreshing experience in so many ways. It was great to be a participant in worship. It was amazing to see an authentic community unfold in a tangible way. It gave me hope for what the church could and should be.
It was amazing and I can’t wait to go back.