(God isn't always obligated to follow the order of worship in the bulletin. Sometimes he does the unexpected. LEADERSHIP contributing editor Bob Moeller collected the stories of eight church leaders who were surprised by God. Such sovereign, holy moments remind us that worship is, after all, entering God's presence.)

WALKING THE VIA DOLOROSO

By Penny Zettler

A few years ago I served as a co-pastor during a week of family camp at our denominational campgrounds. We decided to structure our daily worship by celebrating a different holiday each day.

To observe Easter we took a life-size wooden cross and, as a group, walked it down from the chapel to a peninsula on the lake. Families traveled together, children held the hands of their fathers, and young mothers carried their infants. We had formed our own Via Dolorosa procession.

Because the cross was heavy, several men were forced to take turns carrying it. Watching my own father bear the cross for a portion of the journey moved me powerfully.

When ...