A glimpse into my day...
Spoke with a pastor that is leading his congregation to turn inward so they can effectively turn upward which will naturally lead to an outward expression of mission. I love strategy!
Spoke with another pastor that has been caught in the trap of pleasing people - and it's not going too well. At the conclusion of the conversation, he was determined to discern the voice of the Father and please Him! What a break through!
A church member called about a conflict. The way they want to resolve the conflict is not possible. Asked lots of questions, prayed over the phone, hung up thinking that I wasn't much help. Burdened for him and the church tonight.
Went to the mailbox and was waiting on much needed mail.... we are thousands of dollars behind in giving this month... can't figure out why... worried, couldn't sleep last night. Nothing in the mailbox but laughed and came inside.
Colleague marched into my office and shared with me the story of Jesus and the storm and said, it's just a storm Eric - Jesus is with us.
Heard a Facebook message that I wrote to some old friends was read at a funeral service today and thought about the power of words, written words, my words. Those happened to bless but what about the one's that have hurt.
Prepared for an Elder's meeting....
Something major clogged the septic lines - that could cost big bucks. Why when you want to spend money on ministry do you have to put up with ... well you know... the stuff in septic lines.
Ate 2 cookies that were still warm to celebrate Swen's birthday and remembered I was suppose to be fasting with fruits and vegetables. Sorry God...
And now to go home and maybe paint a ceiling - or maybe just watch continuous episodes of the Law & Order (2009-2012) Not the Sexual Hideous Crimes one but the one that is 30 minutes cops and 30 minutes courtroom.
Nothing went as planned but for some reason there is peace in my storm tonight. Doesn't make sense, it is like a peace that passes understanding.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Singing Church
Yesterday I posted something on worship. I thought this blog followed up the my blog well. It is on "why we sing in worship".
I don't know the writer but I really love his thoughts:
http://michaelkelleyministries.com/2015/02/three-reasons-why-singing-is-essential-in-the-life-of-the-disciple/
I don't know the writer but I really love his thoughts:
http://michaelkelleyministries.com/2015/02/three-reasons-why-singing-is-essential-in-the-life-of-the-disciple/
Friday, February 6, 2015
Does this matter?
I have lots of discussions about worship. How long should it be? What songs should we sing? Are we contemporary because we use a guitar and drums? What is traditional? What is blended? Does style matter? Shouldn't we focus on God? Shouldn't we focus on new people? Should worship be evangelistic? Is worship for the believer?
This is an article that Bob Whitesel posted last week that has caused disconcertment in me as I have read it over and over... Yet, as a consultant he is watching growing churches and what is working. While I don't disagree with his findings, how could I, they are his. Isn't it just another form?
A few years ago, jokes were made regarding churches that used a plug and play:
Call to Worship
Invocation
Hymn
Scripture & Offering
Offertory
Hymn
Prayer
Special (that wasn't very special)\
Sermon
Response
Benediction
Will we not crack jokes in the future about the new plug and play?
I think the title bothered me the most: "The best celebration order to grow a church"
Here's what Bob said:
by Bob Whitesel, 2/4/15.
After almost 30 years consulting, I have noticed that growing churches have a similar and very concise worship order.
Here it is:
10:30 – 10:35, welcome and announcements
10:35 – 10:55, 20 minutes of uninterrupted worship
10:55 – 10:57, pastor comes onto the platform and asks people to pass the offering. There is no prayer, no special music, no bumper, just the offering being passed while the sermon begins. 10:57 – 11:17 sermon with two (maximum) take-away points
11:17 – 11:20 closing prayer
11:20 – 11:40 empty and refilling of the auditorium for another service.
Notes:
> A 50 minute service is the most common length for growing churches. > The hourly times are approximate.
> 10:30 AM on Sunday appears in my observations to be the time when most unchurched people still have available to attend church.
> These times are replicated regardless of what day and/or time the service starts: 8, 8:30, 9:00 AM, 5, 5:30, 6 PM, etc.
But, you get the idea regarding how fast-paced and concise the worship services are in growing churches that I have observed.
This is an article that Bob Whitesel posted last week that has caused disconcertment in me as I have read it over and over... Yet, as a consultant he is watching growing churches and what is working. While I don't disagree with his findings, how could I, they are his. Isn't it just another form?
A few years ago, jokes were made regarding churches that used a plug and play:
Call to Worship
Invocation
Hymn
Scripture & Offering
Offertory
Hymn
Prayer
Special (that wasn't very special)\
Sermon
Response
Benediction
Will we not crack jokes in the future about the new plug and play?
I think the title bothered me the most: "The best celebration order to grow a church"
Here's what Bob said:
by Bob Whitesel, 2/4/15.
After almost 30 years consulting, I have noticed that growing churches have a similar and very concise worship order.
Here it is:
10:30 – 10:35, welcome and announcements
10:35 – 10:55, 20 minutes of uninterrupted worship
10:55 – 10:57, pastor comes onto the platform and asks people to pass the offering. There is no prayer, no special music, no bumper, just the offering being passed while the sermon begins. 10:57 – 11:17 sermon with two (maximum) take-away points
11:17 – 11:20 closing prayer
11:20 – 11:40 empty and refilling of the auditorium for another service.
Notes:
> A 50 minute service is the most common length for growing churches. > The hourly times are approximate.
> 10:30 AM on Sunday appears in my observations to be the time when most unchurched people still have available to attend church.
> These times are replicated regardless of what day and/or time the service starts: 8, 8:30, 9:00 AM, 5, 5:30, 6 PM, etc.
But, you get the idea regarding how fast-paced and concise the worship services are in growing churches that I have observed.
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