You won't believe the things we do to impress others...
Check out this extreme case:
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Somewhere Between The New & The Old
So... I am sitting on a not so soft bed overlooking a lake somewhere in southern Michigan reading "WORSHIP MATTERS" by Bob Kauflin at our church's annual staff planning retreat. We do these planning retreats as a staff so that we can re-evaluate our effectiveness in ministry and also dream and plan for the following year.
Personally, if I may be honest, I am finding myself frustrated with planning, sick of creativity, left to be reminded that some church with a way cooler pastor, worship leader and stage props are going to do it way better than I can. I am tired of this faulty ministry model. What are we doing? I don't want to waste my life planning services that are jam packed with creativity leaving absolutely no room left for the Holy Spirit. Yet, I want sweet services, with loud speakers, and cool sermon series. I want to be changed, but not as much as I want to be entertained. I am somewhere caught between the pressure of entertaining every Sunday, and actually leading worship... Physically. Just spent. I don't want to dream up new anything. I dont want to look at an empty calender and fill in the dates with something new and exciting.
I am somewhere between the new and the old... I once stood in awe in worship, lately, I've been standing in duty doing my job. You know the "motions". The thing God so desires. "Jonathan, Just give me the motions..."
I came accross a quote from a famous song writer I look up to, Isaac Watts, maybe you've heard of him. He once wrote this quote, maybe even on a not so soft bed overlooking a lake somewhere in the middle between the new and the old...
"The Great God values not the service of men, if the heart be not in it; The Lord sees and judges the heart; he has no regard to outward forms of worship, if there be no inward adoration, if no devout affection be employed therein. It is therefore a matter of infinite importance, to have the whole heart engaged steadfastly for God."
My number one job as Pastor, worship leader, or just plain old regular guy who's trying to live like a Christian is not to do, but to be. Thus, this retreat I am determined to work more on self-evaluation than future vision for our church. If I am empty, I will have nothing to give. "the greatest gift I can give my church is my personal intimacy with Christ." This is something worth working on. This is something that matters. Yeah... this is the new old. Go figure!
Personally, if I may be honest, I am finding myself frustrated with planning, sick of creativity, left to be reminded that some church with a way cooler pastor, worship leader and stage props are going to do it way better than I can. I am tired of this faulty ministry model. What are we doing? I don't want to waste my life planning services that are jam packed with creativity leaving absolutely no room left for the Holy Spirit. Yet, I want sweet services, with loud speakers, and cool sermon series. I want to be changed, but not as much as I want to be entertained. I am somewhere caught between the pressure of entertaining every Sunday, and actually leading worship... Physically. Just spent. I don't want to dream up new anything. I dont want to look at an empty calender and fill in the dates with something new and exciting.
I am somewhere between the new and the old... I once stood in awe in worship, lately, I've been standing in duty doing my job. You know the "motions". The thing God so desires. "Jonathan, Just give me the motions..."
I came accross a quote from a famous song writer I look up to, Isaac Watts, maybe you've heard of him. He once wrote this quote, maybe even on a not so soft bed overlooking a lake somewhere in the middle between the new and the old...
"The Great God values not the service of men, if the heart be not in it; The Lord sees and judges the heart; he has no regard to outward forms of worship, if there be no inward adoration, if no devout affection be employed therein. It is therefore a matter of infinite importance, to have the whole heart engaged steadfastly for God."
My number one job as Pastor, worship leader, or just plain old regular guy who's trying to live like a Christian is not to do, but to be. Thus, this retreat I am determined to work more on self-evaluation than future vision for our church. If I am empty, I will have nothing to give. "the greatest gift I can give my church is my personal intimacy with Christ." This is something worth working on. This is something that matters. Yeah... this is the new old. Go figure!
Monday, May 12, 2008
New From Switchfoot
Are you getting ready for May 16th, the new CHRONICLES OF NARNIA movie. If you are, check this out brand new from Switchfoot...
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