Why does it always seem like church has to be done a certain way? Are we honestly naive enough to think that there is one proper way that it has to be done in order for us to be able to worship?
I think we are missing the point.
When we "do church", our intent is to create opportunities for ALL people to encounter God. Sometimes that means making church a little uncomfortable in the sense that we may try something in order to reach an unreached people group.
The church is not a country club. It's NOT a place where we say, "If you like this and do that, then you are welcome here." It's NOT a place where we try to make everybody happy by doing whatever they think is best.
It IS a place where we strive to encounter God and learn where He wants us to go. It IS a place where ALL people are welcome and anything is tried to help reach that one lost soul. It IS a place where we love unconditionally and accept people where they are.....not where they should be (at least that's what Jesus did).
So many times we put emphasis on personal preferences in church that we don't allow even ourselves to see the bigger picture.....forget trying to help others see it.
If Jesus himself were to come to your church, what would he think?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
04.26.11 - What now?
So we have reached the first climax in our 2011 season of church services; EASTER. Did I really just type that out?
One of my fears as a worship leader is being able to continually create moments that allow people to really experience the emotion of their relationship with Jesus through songs, creative movement, video, styles of songs, etc. Seasons like Easter and Christmas make it much more likely that people will allow themselves to meet with Him during a service simply because of the nature of the story being told at that time. At Easter, we talk about the death and resurrection of Christ and his marvelous sacrifice made for us. At Christmas, we talk about the anticipation and excitement of the story of the birth of the Saviour. During these seasons, it is not as difficult (if I can say that) to create opportunities for those moments to happen.
But what about all the rest of the "regular Sundays"?
I tend to think that these are truly the times that can be more crucial in our ministries to really minister to people where they are. It's the "ordinary days" in people's lives where we are maybe a little less "in the mode" of Jesus that we can slowly start to slip away. "Well Easter just passed so now we have a long series of Sundays where there aren't any good stories to talk about, therefore, I am going to probably be less engaged in what's going on at church." Does anybody even really think that way? I don't know. My gut reaction would be that maybe we really do FEEL that way, but we would never SAY it.
So how do we address this? How do you make all the other Sundays as interesting/powerful/purposeful as those at Easter and Christmas? Or a more dangerous question...How can we help those who only come to church at Easter and Christmas WANT to come other times of the year?
Why can't Easter and Christmas last all year?
It does.
The message through the rest of the year is still the same! God came in the form of baby Jesus.....33 years later He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us by dying on the cross.
So why is that story not as effective unless it's told on it's anniversary (or the day we select to act as such)? What is the real reason a lot of people only attend these two days out of the year?
I don't know....and I am a little worried/interested in finding that out.
One of my fears as a worship leader is being able to continually create moments that allow people to really experience the emotion of their relationship with Jesus through songs, creative movement, video, styles of songs, etc. Seasons like Easter and Christmas make it much more likely that people will allow themselves to meet with Him during a service simply because of the nature of the story being told at that time. At Easter, we talk about the death and resurrection of Christ and his marvelous sacrifice made for us. At Christmas, we talk about the anticipation and excitement of the story of the birth of the Saviour. During these seasons, it is not as difficult (if I can say that) to create opportunities for those moments to happen.
But what about all the rest of the "regular Sundays"?
I tend to think that these are truly the times that can be more crucial in our ministries to really minister to people where they are. It's the "ordinary days" in people's lives where we are maybe a little less "in the mode" of Jesus that we can slowly start to slip away. "Well Easter just passed so now we have a long series of Sundays where there aren't any good stories to talk about, therefore, I am going to probably be less engaged in what's going on at church." Does anybody even really think that way? I don't know. My gut reaction would be that maybe we really do FEEL that way, but we would never SAY it.
So how do we address this? How do you make all the other Sundays as interesting/powerful/purposeful as those at Easter and Christmas? Or a more dangerous question...How can we help those who only come to church at Easter and Christmas WANT to come other times of the year?
Why can't Easter and Christmas last all year?
It does.
The message through the rest of the year is still the same! God came in the form of baby Jesus.....33 years later He paid the ultimate sacrifice for us by dying on the cross.
So why is that story not as effective unless it's told on it's anniversary (or the day we select to act as such)? What is the real reason a lot of people only attend these two days out of the year?
I don't know....and I am a little worried/interested in finding that out.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
04.07.11 - Converse with me...
Are you satisfied with facts and information, or do you desire relationship and hands on experience?
It's all around us in everyday life. Think of it from a schooling perspective....there is your basic stand and deliver an "Informational Symposium" (thanks Brandon) where a lecturer stands at the front of the class or on a platform in front of hundreds of people, such as in a lot of college classes, and delivers a mostly factual presentation on a given topic. Here you pretty much know what you're getting and can almost guarantee no participation in the content being delivered. You obtain the information and you are free to do with it what you will.
Now in some classes, you are offered a smaller focus group or team discussion opportunity where you can dig a little further in to the content in hopes of getting a better grasp of what is going on. There is a lot more freedom for each person to contribute their view or take on the points and there seems to be more of an "interactive" aspect to it.
So which is better? Honestly, I don't believe there is a right or wrong answer here. It's all about preference. If you want information to process for yourself.....lecture. If you want more interaction and deeper understanding.....focus/small groups. You get out of it what you put in to it.
The same concept applies in our walk with God (this is where it gets tough for me).
So my question is simply this....what if our Sunday morning worship was designed more towards interaction and congregational involvement? What if there was less of a "come and watch the show" design? What if YOU contributed to the worship experience?
You get out of it what you put into it.
It's all around us in everyday life. Think of it from a schooling perspective....there is your basic stand and deliver an "Informational Symposium" (thanks Brandon) where a lecturer stands at the front of the class or on a platform in front of hundreds of people, such as in a lot of college classes, and delivers a mostly factual presentation on a given topic. Here you pretty much know what you're getting and can almost guarantee no participation in the content being delivered. You obtain the information and you are free to do with it what you will.
Now in some classes, you are offered a smaller focus group or team discussion opportunity where you can dig a little further in to the content in hopes of getting a better grasp of what is going on. There is a lot more freedom for each person to contribute their view or take on the points and there seems to be more of an "interactive" aspect to it.
So which is better? Honestly, I don't believe there is a right or wrong answer here. It's all about preference. If you want information to process for yourself.....lecture. If you want more interaction and deeper understanding.....focus/small groups. You get out of it what you put in to it.
The same concept applies in our walk with God (this is where it gets tough for me).
So my question is simply this....what if our Sunday morning worship was designed more towards interaction and congregational involvement? What if there was less of a "come and watch the show" design? What if YOU contributed to the worship experience?
You get out of it what you put into it.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
04.03.11 - All In!
So the past few weeks have been a lot of fun at church. We did a series entitled "All In" (playing off the poker phrase of course). The premise of this series was to simply challenge the church to give 110% to God in everything we do. This was a great transition out of our previous series HOPE LIVES last month.
The music and media in this series was a lot more upbeat and energetic. Today in particular I was so encouraged by the response of our congregation. We ended with "I Am A Friend Of God" and at first I thought it was the fact that most people already knew the song and loved it anyway, or the fact that our band rocked it out, or maybe that my boy Tim Stubblefield sang it better than Steven Tyler. But then I realized that all those factors played a part, but the bigger part was the words and message of the song. I mean think about it...."God Almighty, Lord of Glory, You have called me friend,"....how amazing is it that the God of the entire universe calls us His friend, His desire, His children. That's worth getting excited about and screaming it at the top of your lungs.....rock on KCC, rock on!
Now to prepare for the hard journey that leads into the death AND resurrection of Jesus......stay tuned
The music and media in this series was a lot more upbeat and energetic. Today in particular I was so encouraged by the response of our congregation. We ended with "I Am A Friend Of God" and at first I thought it was the fact that most people already knew the song and loved it anyway, or the fact that our band rocked it out, or maybe that my boy Tim Stubblefield sang it better than Steven Tyler. But then I realized that all those factors played a part, but the bigger part was the words and message of the song. I mean think about it...."God Almighty, Lord of Glory, You have called me friend,"....how amazing is it that the God of the entire universe calls us His friend, His desire, His children. That's worth getting excited about and screaming it at the top of your lungs.....rock on KCC, rock on!
Now to prepare for the hard journey that leads into the death AND resurrection of Jesus......stay tuned
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)