Eighteen years ago this week I attended my first Renovaré conference. I was 22 and just beginning to discover the gift various Christian traditions — at Renovaré we call them streams—had to offer. 

The back of the program listed Renovaré Ministry Team members and their affiliation — Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, nondenominational, Roman Catholic. Having so many different types of Christians together in one place was exciting. And a little scary. My upbringing had unintentionally bred suspicion of Christians outside my own camp, so my heart was asking, ​“Is it okay to worship with them?” (Yes, I would quickly learn, it’s more than okay; it’s glorious.) 

Richard Foster and Dallas Willard spoke. I remember nothing they said but I remember the spirit in which they said it. They mixed gentleness and passion, levity and reverence. They enjoyed God and each other and their joy was rubbing off on us.

Then there was the music. George Skramstad, with his thick black mustache and contagious smile, sat at a piano and led familiar hymns and choruses. I remember none of the songs but I remember the spirit in which George led and how we all worshipped together. There was unity, joy, life — a taste of heaven.

From the piano George also presented ​“The History of Worship,” a narrative account of worship and music from Genesis to the present day. (George has graciously made a 2005 recording of this presentation available free for download.)

Nathan Foster talked with George on the Renovaré Podcast this week. One question stood out: Why is worship often synonymous with music?

“It shouldn’t be, but it is,” he replied. ​“Worship is anything that we do out of a love for the Father who created us; it’s what we do to make our creator known, to show him our love. The whole congregation is the worship team.”

I’m thankful for George and his gift of creating space for worshipping in spirit and truth.