- God moved in a powerful way again yesterday and it seems to be happening on a more regular basis these days. God is doing good stuff in and through our church!
- I can't share personal details but there was a family that joined us for worship today and it's nothing short of a miracle to have them with us at TF!
- As I was preaching, God ignited a fire inside of me that kept getting hotter as I went along. I spend enough time in study each week that the message usually gets down inside of me but today it seemed to be bursting back out.
- The stomach flu of last week is gone, it was nice to not have to wonder whether I'd make it through the entire message.
- It's amazing what a creative worship planning team can accomplish. My initial idea was to just have the congregation write their "leaving behind" and "taking on" on an index card, but my wife and Alicia Brush put together the nail, ribbon and card that we used. Thanks, ladies.
- As great as this Sunday was, next week is going to be even better. Most is a powerful movie. I thought I heard someone crying even during the trialer. We set up all our chairs to show how much room we have for inviting your friends. Invite someone (or someones) from your Fave Five next Sunday!
- I'm going to a church planters conference next week, I think I should do some research to find out whether the regular tardiness of the congregation at the start of worship is something I should be concerned about.
- I've heard some rumors of kids being excited about Pastor Andy's slumber party next Sunday morning! Should I join them and preach in my pajamas?
- It was moving to watch people lay their "selfish ways" down before the cross this morning. This season of Lent we're leaving behind and taking on.
- Finally, I want to give a shout out to Deputy Joe Kumor who is reading this blog while he should be looking after some inmates. Dude, stop wasting my tax dollars and get to work :) !
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Thoughts from Sunday
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8 comments:
WOW You called it!!
I haven't been paying close enough attention to the order of service, but is it always (or ever) music at the beginning?
I've been to many churches in the KC area since I've been down here. Most of them do music at the beginning and from my observation people treat that like some kind of buffer that blurs the edge of on-time for church.
Or sometimes, ahem, one's spouse isn't as into the musical part of worship as they are. There are lots of reasons I'm sure. Right or wrong, I personally don't feel as dumb when I walk in during the music as I would if you were already preaching.
This Sunday most of the music was before the preaching. We try to change it around, to find different ways to engage people. To be honest, a benefit of preaching first is that it keeps people on their toes. Worshipping through singing isn't just a buffer before the sermon, it's an important way to encounter God. But personality plays a big part. Your comments seem to indicate that you engage more with the preaching but I know others who engage more during the music.
I do love music very very much, especially at church. It is my favorite part actually, but I think the whole thing has an informality to it that isn't present in 'traditional' churches. People perhaps take advantage of that.
Yeah, good point.
Wow Bill, what a great observation! At some formal churches the participants have some sort of sense that they should be there on time. That is very interesting.
OK, Donnie, for real, maybe we could create that same sense and not go too formal? OR maybe we could go more formal and have our content continually be emergent! The two are NOT at odds..."free" is the opposite of formality...and in that people feel "free" to show up whenever they want. And it isn't like you have to follow some strict schedule...
I mean we already have our set patterns (plural). We already have our own strict formalities. It just seems that they are too free...
Style, Content, Structure...Warren's 3 ingredients to worship. Emergent, biblical, free...
Sigh...
Derin,
Interesting thought. I'd have to add, though that there's a difference between being casual in our form and people arriving for the beginning of worship. We can (and need to) do both. Both enhance the worship experience for people.
I'm curious about your Creative Team Process. I've been doing it in a church for a few years now, and I'm always looking for how other churches are doing this. If you could let me know that would be great.
http://worship-arts-ministry.blogspot.com/
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