The X Factor
The X Factor
I get a strange sensation with unnerving regularity when visiting Sunday morning worship services around the country. Sometimes it hits me right away, and other times I realize it’s happening only afterwards when the pastor takes me for lunch and, over chips and salsa, asks, “so what did you think, what could we improve?”
What I’m feeling could be described most clearly if I were to answer the pastor’s “what can we improve” question with one simple word: everything.
What is this X factor that seems to be missing in churches that are struggling? The Pentecostal side of me wants to say that there is some limitation on the Holy Spirit in these settings. But the organizational leader in me replies that the issue is more likely a lack of “synergy” or some other leadership buzz word. My conscience warns that I’m judging them using my own cultural preferences. All of these voices probably speak some truth, but collectively they still add up to something for which I have no name.
Consulting with faith communities has left me in some ways feeling like I now know less than I ever have. I find it easy to describe leaders who do amazing things with very few resources. In fact, I have a whole arsenal of words developed just for this purpose (e.g., team work, momentum, alignment, congruence, values-driven, etc.)
It’s on the other side of the spectrum, among congregations that seem a little lost that the terminology thins out to the vanishing point. Oh, I can tell you what they’re doing wrong organizationally, but I cannot account for what I feel absent when they are together in a large, worshipping group. They may execute the basic elements of a service well, have a handsome facility, and even have a friendly atmosphere, but something powerful is missing. What are we to do about a force we cannot even name?
When I stand (or sit) in a service where the X factor is present to only a small degree, I feel about as comfortable as when I’m waiting to see my dentist. But when a corporate worship experience is overflowing with X, it feels like no one there can get enough. In the former experience I say to myself, “If I lived in this town I would not go to this church, but I’m not precisely sure why.” In the latter, I speculate, “Maybe we should move to this town so we can join this church.”
Perhaps the scariest part of the experience I’m having is the number of congregations that, to me, seem unaware that their X level is running near zero. But then that all depends on what it is, doesn’t it?
For Discussion:
1. At least in the context of large group worship, what is this X factor?
2. What is a more useful name for the X factor?
3. How much X factor is found in your church’s Sunday morning experience?
4. Can the X factor level be increased in corporate events? How?
[This blog originally appeared in Monday Morning Insights
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good post. I know this x factor of which you speak – what is it actually? I don’t really know and I wish I did. I look at our little community when the x factor has been high and I’m still not sure – passion (that comes from the soul – more than just excitement or holy spirit warm fuzzies)? connection with the divine? this is going on our list of hot topics for our core group gatherings
Earl
The X factor is definitely missing in a lot of places. I resigned from a pastor position in December – so since then we have visited a number of churches [of several denominations]. Some dreadful; some OK; a couple where there was a sense of the presence of God. Is it ever discouraging. I have started reading your O-RD, I identify with the journey. I didn’t fit where I was. People are afraid of the unknown, but Len Sweet has it right – “out of the question… into the mystery”. I am reading a lot of emerging/emergent stuff right now, & while I sense that is part of the answer, it seems that it is so easy to reduce things (or what to reduce things) to formulaic steps – that kills the X factor.
To get back to the question: the X factor is multi-pronged or layered.
* presence of & openness to the Holy Spirit
* a people who live in relationship with God & each other (not just saying they do)
* taking time to worship, opportunity for response in worship, multiple opportunities to pray for others, recognizing that the whole body (children included) worships and ministers
* I’m sure there’s more
Thought provoking. This is one topic that needs to be discussed prayerfully. As a District official, I wish I had answers to the X-factor. I want to hear from your readers and will be following this blog closely.
I have a feeling that part of the “X” factor is the leader themself! How else do you explain the difference from place to place … as you said Earl, it is when you are in these places that you can describe the guys/gals who are getting it done, and know that these are the places that have it … so it must be connected with the leader somehow … as Spock once said, “It is logical”
I feel inadequate in my knowledge and background to discuss this with someone of your stature. However, I will share some of my thoughts and opinions. :0)
1) I believe this X-factor is like a momentum. If there are enough springs of water bursting forth in a desert it will eventually get wet! The more people in a joined area, whom the Holy Spirit is working through, the more others will see, feel, experience the Holy Spirit. 2)Flood of the Holy Spirit. At least that’s how I see it. :0) 3)(husband is an A/G pastor) Very little. Why? So few are filled w/ the Holy Spirit. Those who have been filled don’t live with and enjoy the gifting and fall back into comfort. My husband and I feel like springs in the desert, yet the desert is so vast that our water being poured out from the Holy Spirit does very little good, it’s too quickly absorbed. 4) Yes. Look at worship services at a Dist. meeting or I’m assuming Gen. Council (I haven’t been to one). How sweet and uplifting these are! Why? There are more filled with the Holy Spirit, truly worshiping and praising. The Holy Spirit is able to fill-up, and as we pour out it’s on already watered ground, and soon we can get a flood.
x factor synonyms.
creativity.
excitement.
relevantcy.
experiental.
Excellent, thought provoking post Earl. My tendency is to believe that the “X-factor” is expectation/faith. Having been exposed to services styles of all types and denominations, the one thing that is common among churches that have the “factor” is the expectation of the community of believers. The worship style, powerpoint, or lack thereof are not as important as the collective faith of those seeking Christ.
It was the faith of the woman with the bleeding condition that healed her. Jesus didn’t do many miracles in his hometown because of their lack of faith. When we have faith, Jesus not only shows up, but he invades our lives. That is when miracles happen, lives are changed, and we are confronted with who we are and who Christ intends us to be.
Just my thoughts.
The x factor is not something that I can control, nor can I make it happen. It is more than good leadership even though good leadership helps it. Prayer is critical to it, but prayer alone doesn’t make it happen. Teaching the truth helps, but teaching all the truth of scripture will not guarantee it.
In my way of thinking, the x factor is best understood as a church that is in a healthy relationship with Jesus. It is about loving God by loving each other enough to work at forgiveness, caring, unity and other important traits of a healthy church. But one thing that I read about in my devotions this morning emphasized the danger a church enters into when they quite the prophetic voice of the church. The study helps for Ephesians said that when you stop God’s voice in the church you stop God’s presence. Guess the x factor is not about style, a sermon, or praise music. It is about us coming together in love and making room for God to speak to us. Maybe if we weren’t so afraid of God’s voice, we might hear it more often and more clearly. And if we were not so fearful of really loving each other we would experience more of Him when we come together.
When the x factor is in place church is good, it is fun, and it is satisfying. This is when going to church really makes sense. Until then, well that is discussion for another blog sometime in the future.
I like (and agree with) Evan’s response (“expectation/faith”) ... when people come to the service with hunger, anticipation, and confidence that God is going to move, he usually does.
Earl,
Maybe Gordon Fee has the answer to the X-factor. “If the church is going to be effective in our postmodern world, we need to stop paying mere lip service to the Spirit and to recapture Paul’s perspective: the Spirit as the experienced, empowering return of God’s own personal presence in and among us, who enables us to live as a radically eschatological people in the present world while we await the consummation. All the rest, including fruit and gifts (that is, ethical life and charismatic utterances in worship), serve to that end.” (Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God, p. xv)
i’m not sure the “x-factor” is an either/or conversation. i’ve been to churches with good leadership and style that is atractive to me as a 23 yr old single male who doesn’t like CCM but still leaves me wondering what is wrong. on the other hand i’ve been to churches who obviously are open to the Spirit in their worship services but seem so foreign to me that i also leave wondering what is wrong. maybe both are needed?
Earl, what about a place to subscribe on this blog? Like feedburner. All the best.
Earl,
Good question—I posted this on MMI, but I thought I would post it here too. Just some of my thoughts…
It is true that there is an X factor in church worship services. This is where worship services become more of an art than a science. The X factor that we strive for is much more artistic than it is scientific. Meaning, I do not think that we can boil it down to an exact formula.
There is the “spiritual factor” which refers to the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit.
There is the “relational factor” which refers to the love and friendship (partnership?) between the people present.
There is a “missional/contextual factor” which refers to the relatability of music, language and the aesthetic of the service. Are there cultural barriers in a worship service that drain the X factor?
There is a “leadership factor” which refers to the worship leader and pastor ability to lead people in worship. There is a difference between leading “songs” / preaching sermons and leading people into a time of deep encounter with Jesus.
There is a “flow factor” which refers to the worship planning process that places worship elements together in way that causes worship to flow uninterrupted. This also includes thinking through transitions and creative elements of the worship service.
There is the “suck-a-bility factor” which refers to the musicians and preachers. Are they mildly talented and having a bad day or are they just crummy musicians? Does the pastor have a spiritual gift of teaching or exhortation or are they just really nice guys who have no public speaking ability?
There is the “superstar factor” which refers to the charisma of the pastor and worship leader. I have found that this increases with the brightness of their teeth! So if we can all get bleech white teeth like Chris Tomlin then our superstar factor rises! Insert laughter here :-)
There is the “enthusiasm factor” which refers to the energy level of the people in the worship service. Charles Finney talked about preaching to “sinners” at certain times when it feels like “pulling a freight train uphill.” Haven’t will all experienced services where the congregation is just not engaging, because they are tired or distracted?
There are some factors that make worship services better than others, but I can’t say they are the X factor. Maybe the X factor is a combination of these things???
http://www.rotlc.blogspot.com
I’m coming into this discussion late and maybe too late but I believe I know a little bit about the X-factor.
Some years ago my wife and I passed a church marquee with this message: “Come worship with us on Sundays, after all, God does.” My wife said, “Hmmm, I wonder who God worships.”
This experience started a train of thought along the line of “Worship is a transitive verb; it requires an object.” My own worship was radically changed. Sometimes I would even stop a “worship service” mid-stream and point out that we were much more interested in what we sounded like than Who we were worshipping. Don’t get me wrong, God certainly deserves our very best but for too long we have been more concerned with audience approval rather than Divine approval. True worship involves TRUTH and SPIRIT.
AND (please forgive my judgemental attitude) so much of our so-called worship is so theologically flawed one can hardly find any element of truth in it. Does the theology of our songs matter? Apparently God thinks so. He told Job’s friends, “My wrath is aroused against you….for you have not spoken of Me what is right…” (Job 42:7)
There is nothing more stirring than to see a congregation of 200-300 people literally fall on their faces in worship at the conclusion of a one hour worship service – and no one told them to do it.
I am convinced our worship can rise no higher than our knowledge of the One we worship. That is why I prefer to teach and or preach first and do praise and worship last. Does praise and worship prepare hearts for the preaching or should the preaching prepare hearts for praise and worship?
Man, there’s a lot of thinking going on here.
X sounds so mysterious, I hope that doesn’t mean we don’t we have a clue.