Rich, you are exactly right. The issue is our “willingness” to do WHATEVER Jesus asks of us. I think that too often we are only willing to do the things that are easy and convenient for us but not the things that challenge us and make us uncomfortable.
In my own life I have chosen a bit of an uncomfortable road with an entire family that doesn’t know Jesus. My family has been surfacely supportive but I see through that and even see some of their disappointment in the choices that I have made to follow Jesus and to be willing to do whatever He asks of me.
I am by no means perfect, nor do I have this idea of “willingness” perfected, but I am working on it.
As far as which one is the worst offender, not sure I can say… but one thing I recognize as super important is #2. I think it’s so important that the lead worshippers are spending time in the word, tracking with the pastor, and giving God ample time to build the set list according to where He wants to take the church for that particular gathering. I notice a big difference in the services where I have done this kind of prep versus whippin’ out a set list last minute.
I think it really depends on the person. Some people who are artists, in whatever fashion, are not really gifted to be leaders and others are. Don’t you think?
Good word for us, Rich, thanks for sharing. You know most all of our story and the things that we have been through since moving here and planting this church in Redding and it was great to read this morning and to be encouraged that we have planted an acorn and have not grown a mushroom. We have definitely had our share of windstorms but through it all our little tree is slowly sprouting and roots are growing deep.
Thanks for the doodle dood, and the encouragement!
haha… reminds me of Tommy Boy… what is a guarantee? Just a pretty little sticker on the outside of a box… and for you Tommy Boy fans, you know what comes next…
yeah yeah, for sure. I hope I didn’t come across as saying that it wasn’t ordered. I knew that it was. I think I meant to just say that it could have seemed confusing.
Now that I think about it though, it’s amazing how God will meet people wherever they are at in their relationship with Him whether near or far, God will draw people to himself and God is able to meet people on a level that they can understand.
We just need to be faithful and try to not leave anyone behind and let God take care of the rest and let him clean up all of our messes.. hehe
In re-reading this I was reminded of how an unbeliever would think of the day of pentecost if they happened to be just strolling through? All of a sudden people just start preaching the gospel in different languages and no doubt things may have seemed a little crazy. Now I know that God is not the author of confusion so it must have been somewhat orderly since it was brought on by the Holy Spirit, but no doubt weird and unexpected.
I think the point is, we need to be sure we are not excluding the unbeliever nor are we so focussed on the unbeliever that the believer feels left wanting. How that looks? Not sure? But it’s our job so we better figure it out!
I whole heartedly agree that we need to keep the unbeliever or the unchurched in mind when putting together and planning for our worship services, especially in bigger churches. In the bigger church setting it is often hard for the new/non believer to penetrate the gathering and enter in, and they end up just standing on the sidelines observing, not fully understanding, and ultimately walking away.
It’s our job as lead worshippers and pastors to be sure that everyone feels welcome in our gathering places and that the spirit of God is easily seen and understood. It is also our job to make sure that we don’t water things down so much that the mature believer is feeling dissatisfied. There is a healthy balance and I think you nailed it in referring to the “insider language” – we need to speak on terms that everyone can understand.
I am definitely challenged by this to be sure to do my part!
Definitely an opportunity! Technology is amazing and I believe that if used right it really can enhance our worship experience, but if done wrong it can really dampen our worship experience. God has given us so many amazing gifts and technology is one of them. As long as Jesus remains the center of our worship and glorifying Him remains our passion, then we should use whatever means possible to make that happen and should give Him our best!
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Our "Christian" friends verses Jesus: would we be willing to lose them to befriend sinners?
August 11th, 2009 at 8:14 amRich, you are exactly right. The issue is our “willingness” to do WHATEVER Jesus asks of us. I think that too often we are only willing to do the things that are easy and convenient for us but not the things that challenge us and make us uncomfortable.
In my own life I have chosen a bit of an uncomfortable road with an entire family that doesn’t know Jesus. My family has been surfacely supportive but I see through that and even see some of their disappointment in the choices that I have made to follow Jesus and to be willing to do whatever He asks of me.
I am by no means perfect, nor do I have this idea of “willingness” perfected, but I am working on it.
TODAY ONLY - Hillsong CD Giveaway: Faith+Hope+Love
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:34 pmhook it up foo
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: David Crowder Band Exposed! Twitter Will Kill You? #nwlc09
July 21st, 2009 at 9:29 pmThanks for clearing that one up for us… rad video
Worship Mythbusters: Ten things that damage a worship ministry and hamper worship in a church
July 13th, 2009 at 10:32 amAs far as which one is the worst offender, not sure I can say… but one thing I recognize as super important is #2. I think it’s so important that the lead worshippers are spending time in the word, tracking with the pastor, and giving God ample time to build the set list according to where He wants to take the church for that particular gathering. I notice a big difference in the services where I have done this kind of prep versus whippin’ out a set list last minute.
Worship Mythbusters: Artists are not true leaders in the church
June 26th, 2009 at 11:54 amThat’s a great point. In a true meaning of the word, artist are people who inspire and motivate others, so yes, they are leaders!
Worship Mythbusters: Artists are not true leaders in the church
June 26th, 2009 at 11:41 amI think it really depends on the person. Some people who are artists, in whatever fashion, are not really gifted to be leaders and others are. Don’t you think?
Hot Sauce Love: Are you into the hot stuff?
June 18th, 2009 at 9:50 amLOVE the hot stuff, but I am more of a hot sauce snob… Tapatio is my fav and it’s all I have..
Ever throw yourself a party?: piano cake, birthday fun, open house & friends
June 7th, 2009 at 3:49 pmSounds like you had a great bday, kid! So really… how old are you?
Doodle of the Week: Tree Trunk and MISSION!
June 4th, 2009 at 5:36 amGood word for us, Rich, thanks for sharing. You know most all of our story and the things that we have been through since moving here and planting this church in Redding and it was great to read this morning and to be encouraged that we have planted an acorn and have not grown a mushroom. We have definitely had our share of windstorms but through it all our little tree is slowly sprouting and roots are growing deep.
Thanks for the doodle dood, and the encouragement!
CONFESSIONAL VIDEO: Worship Team verses the Tech/Audio Team!!
May 29th, 2009 at 5:14 amthis is radical! haha.. i have been in both spots and experienced both sides which is why it’s so funny to watch this!
Photo Caption... PLEASE ;)
May 26th, 2009 at 8:27 amhaha… reminds me of Tommy Boy… what is a guarantee? Just a pretty little sticker on the outside of a box… and for you Tommy Boy fans, you know what comes next…
Worship Mythbusters: the myth of believer-centered worship
May 13th, 2009 at 10:35 pmyeah yeah, for sure. I hope I didn’t come across as saying that it wasn’t ordered. I knew that it was. I think I meant to just say that it could have seemed confusing.
Now that I think about it though, it’s amazing how God will meet people wherever they are at in their relationship with Him whether near or far, God will draw people to himself and God is able to meet people on a level that they can understand.
We just need to be faithful and try to not leave anyone behind and let God take care of the rest and let him clean up all of our messes.. hehe
Worship Mythbusters: the myth of believer-centered worship
May 13th, 2009 at 4:21 pmNo problem buddy.
In re-reading this I was reminded of how an unbeliever would think of the day of pentecost if they happened to be just strolling through? All of a sudden people just start preaching the gospel in different languages and no doubt things may have seemed a little crazy. Now I know that God is not the author of confusion so it must have been somewhat orderly since it was brought on by the Holy Spirit, but no doubt weird and unexpected.
I think the point is, we need to be sure we are not excluding the unbeliever nor are we so focussed on the unbeliever that the believer feels left wanting. How that looks? Not sure? But it’s our job so we better figure it out!
Worship Mythbusters: the myth of believer-centered worship
May 12th, 2009 at 8:51 pmI whole heartedly agree that we need to keep the unbeliever or the unchurched in mind when putting together and planning for our worship services, especially in bigger churches. In the bigger church setting it is often hard for the new/non believer to penetrate the gathering and enter in, and they end up just standing on the sidelines observing, not fully understanding, and ultimately walking away.
It’s our job as lead worshippers and pastors to be sure that everyone feels welcome in our gathering places and that the spirit of God is easily seen and understood. It is also our job to make sure that we don’t water things down so much that the mature believer is feeling dissatisfied. There is a healthy balance and I think you nailed it in referring to the “insider language” – we need to speak on terms that everyone can understand.
I am definitely challenged by this to be sure to do my part!
Tech and its marriage to our worship as well as our lives
March 18th, 2009 at 5:09 amUsed in such a way that brings glory to God and not to man. It’s a fine line but I really believe that it can be achieved.
Tech and its marriage to our worship as well as our lives
March 17th, 2009 at 5:57 amDefinitely an opportunity! Technology is amazing and I believe that if used right it really can enhance our worship experience, but if done wrong it can really dampen our worship experience. God has given us so many amazing gifts and technology is one of them. As long as Jesus remains the center of our worship and glorifying Him remains our passion, then we should use whatever means possible to make that happen and should give Him our best!
Saddleback Worship Conference and a special GIVE AWAY!
March 9th, 2009 at 12:13 pmRichy Rich… pick me! haha…