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Category Archives: Churches

Forgetting to plug in: a plea for community

18 Mar

“I’m not going anywhere tonight,” I told myself.  ”I can just let my laptop run out of batteries while I lay here on the couch and surf facebook then grab my charger later,” I thought.

I was wrong.

I ended up driving to Starbucks to write a paper this evening, instead of staying on the couch as planned.  Now, here I sit only three sips into my Vanilla Latte, and only 29% battery remaining on my laptop.  And alas, I’m nowhere near an outlet.

One of the guidelines I’ve failed to fulfill tonight is always plug in your laptop when you’re near an outlet.  I was sitting on the couch for an hour and a half and could’ve easily plugged my laptop in and charged it up.  But instead, being stubborn, I told myself I didn’t need to be plugged in and assumed I would have time to do it later.

How often to young Christians make the same mistake?

No, I’m not talking about forgetting to plug in our Macbooks and iPhones.

I’m talking about forgetting to plug ourselves in.

I’ve heard over an over again from exhausted college students that they don’t see the need to go to church during their 4 years in academia, since they will have time for that later in life.  Those who are best at procrastination are procrastinating again.  But this time, the results can be devastating.

Thinking you’ll have time for church later in life is almost like thinking, “Meh, I’ll go visit my doctor when I’m on my death bed.”

The community that one receives from involvement in a local church is unlike any other.  Hebrews 10:24-25 says:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We are meant to live in community with others; to build each other up, to serve together, to encourage each other, and to worship Christ together.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: a relationship with God is personal, it is NOT individual. We are to personally know God as our Lord and Savior, but we are to know him within the context of a community.  A church.

I plead of you to stop looking for the perfect church.  You’re not gonna find it (churches are filled with broken people, after all).  Instead, search for a community that you can get plugged into… then do it!  Dive head first into the mess and brokenness of other’s lives.  Don’t wait until your life is coming to an end.  Get plugged in now.  When conflict arises (and it will… it always will), don’t just get up and walk out.  Keep pursuing the heart of Christ together!  I promise you that on the other side of conflict, there will be a depth of relationship unlike any you’ve experienced elsewhere.

Soon you’ll find that the closer you grow in community, the closer that community as a whole draws to Christ.

Get plugged in.

 
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Posted by on March 18, 2012 in Churches, Worship

 

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What comes next in worship?

27 Dec

I’ve never really been an innovator. I’ve never found myself asking “what’s the next big thing?” But a recent article has changed that.

CNN reported this morning that somewhere between 100-200 Kmart and Sears stores will be closing due to abysmal holiday sales. Apparently, most shoppers are taking their business to online stores such as Amazon or Ebay, where customers don’t have to pay sales tax.

At one point in time, Sears looked untouchable. They were the mainstay department store in every mall. We all assumed that they would be around forever. But that’s not the case anymore.

Why?

Because their method of delivery is stuck in an old way of life where people actually shopped at stores. Now, the preferred method of delivery is through online retailers who will ship any product to your doorstep without you having to get off the couch. What was once a mainstay in American culture is now on the decline. Can you see where I’m going with this?

Throughout the 80s and 90s, we saw multiple reports of “traditional” churches closing their doors. The more contemporary churches said “out with the organs and pulpits and in with electric guitars and slick power point slides!” Contemporary churches had the method of delivery that best connected with that generation.

But guess what? Within a few years, the best method of delivery will no longer be contemporary worship. Something about it will change:

  • the heightened emotionalism
  • the enormous emphasis placed on the sermon
  • the lack of any Scripture readings (besides maybe a few verses during the sermon)
  • the standard “3 songs–announcements–special song–sermon–closing song” order of worship
  • the repetitive altar calls that many denominations still practice

Something is going to change. I don’t know what’s next. I don’t know what worship will look like in 10 years.

But I do know this, any church leader who thinks that their method of delivery is perfect–who is unwilling to change their style of worship–will likely go the way of Kmart and Sears.

So here’s my challenge to church leaders: instead of holding fast to the worship style your congregation loves, hold fast to Christ. Worship will change. He won’t.

 
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Posted by on December 27, 2011 in Churches, Teaching and Preaching, Worship

 

Mini Post: An “individual” relationship with God?

16 Oct
I’m working on a “Philosophy of Ministry” statement for my resume, and I found myself writing the following sentence:
While a relationship with God is personal, it is not individual; meaning that life as a Christian is to be done in humble spiritual submission and active participation in a group of believers through the means of a local church congregation.
What does this mean for your relationship with God and the church?
 
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Posted by on October 16, 2011 in Churches, Corporate Worship

 

5 reasons college freshman should find a new church

27 Jul

Last week, I tweeted about something horrible–something that absolutely broke my heart.  I said, “Just saw my first back to school commercial. Old Navy, you just ruined summer.”  Though the commercial had an incredibly catchy song in it, that didn’t help to hide the shock and pain I felt when I realized they were talking about school.

With the ever-approaching classes ahead, there also comes a great migration of 18 and 19 year-olds heading off to college for the first time in their lives.  With this new transition, you will also be transitioning out of your home church.  Sadly, that means you’ll have to say goodbye to your youth pastor, worship leader, and that crazy guy who sits in the same pew every week and mumbles to himself.  But with that sadness comes a new time of excitement: when you get to choose a new church!

Copyright 2011 http://www.sxc.hu

“A new church,” you’re thinking, “I could never find a new church that’s as awesome as my home church.”  But before you think too quickly, here are five reasons to discover a new church during your freshman year of college:

  • Church shopping can create community: A professor of mine once taught me that, “a shared experience, whether positive or negative, still creates emotional bonds with those who participated.”  In other words, if you go church shopping with a bunch of friends, it doesn’t matter how much you enjoyed the service; that shared experience will still bring you closer together.
  • Only time it’s OK to leave your home church: At any other point in your life, it wouldn’t be acceptable to leave your home church with every intention of coming back.  Think about when you’re 35: if you decide “I’m gonna stop going to this church for 9 months a year,” the church leadership will probably question your decision (as they should). But, as you enter college, your home church should be more than accepting of you finding a new church family while you’re at school.
  • A new church can help you plug into the community: I remember my freshman year of college, when I attended The River in Marion, Indiana.  In my first two months serving there, I helped Pastor Matthew distribute over 800 flyers to houses in town.  That one Saturday afternoon showed me more of the city than any class ever could have.  I guarantee if you volunteer at a new church, you’ll begin to see your college town as more than just “the town where my college is.”
  • A new church can broaden your views: If you’ve attended the same church for most of your spiritual life then I’m about to rock your world.  Believe it or not, there are actually other types of churches out there.  I know, I know.  You thought your comfy home church is the exact same as the church down the road.  That’s simply not true.  Every church has its own unique personality: the music will be different, the teaching will be different, the theological views will be different (even within the same denomination), and the overall “feel” of the church will be different.  As you try out new churches, you may actually find that you like a different type of church than the one you’ve grown up with.
  • You’ve got a great gift to share: God created you special.  Very special, in fact.  One of a kind.  You have a very specific set of gifts that God has entrusted to you for the greater good of the Church.  You may be amazing with kids.  Maybe you’re an encourager.  Maybe you’re a prayer warrior.  Maybe you’re a fantastic small group leader.  Or maybe you’ve got another great gift that God currently uses at your home church.  This fall, as you head off to school, remember that God still wants to use that gift for his bride.  There’s some church in your college town who needs your presence.

While these are some great points for finding a new church when you leave for college, I do have to add a disclaimer: don’t lose touch with your home church.  They’re called your home church for a reason.  Remember to go visit them every time your’e home, and continually keep them in your prayers.

Question: What was your “church” experience like during your freshman year of college?

 
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Posted by on July 27, 2011 in Churches

 

Is your “welcoming team” doing their job?

25 Jul

Last weekend, I was in California for a friend’s wedding (it was great! Thanks for asking).  The day after the wedding, I decided to visit The Rock, a mega church in San Diego, California, with hopes of seeing Pastor Mile McPhereson deliver a great sermon, and hopefully learn some things by attending a new church for a weekend.

So a group of us headed to The Rock and had an interesting conversation in the car ride: everybody else had the notion that mega churches were way too large, unwelcoming, and you always feel like you don’t know anybody.  Being a fan of mega churches myself, I countered their opinions saying ,”sure, you may not get to know the senior pastor, but the real community in a mega church happens with other people on staff, not the main pastor.”  The conversation went on for a few minutes until I decided to test their theory.

I walked into The Rock with a friend, both of us had the completely blank “I’m lost” look on our faces.  You know the one: walking slowly, staring around trying to take in the scenery, purposefully making it look like it was our first time there.

I expected a greeter or other volunteer to see our dazed and confused looks and politely say hello and welcome us to their church.

But that didn’t happen.

Nobody talked to us.

Nobody welcomed us.

Nobody said “Hey, welcome to the Rock.”

Not a one.

So I started looking around, thinking maybe they were low on staff that weekend.  But, in the hour we were in the lobby, I counted 15 volunteers/staff members, all of which had name tags and “The Rock” shirts on, and not a single one came up to greet us. In fact, the longest conversation I had with anybody from the church was with Miles McPhereson himself.  (He asked if there was anybody visiting from out of town. I raised my hand, and we had a 30 second conversation.  He’s a pretty great guy).  But besides that, not a single word was spoken to me from another volunteer.

I want to think this was just a fluke.

I want to think that The Rock is normally much better at welcoming newcomers.

I want to think that every church I’ve attended is much better at this.

But I’m afraid I’m wrong.

I’m honestly afraid that our carefully recruited and specifically assigned “welcoming teams” aren’t doing the great job we think they are.

So here’s my challenge for anyone who reads this blog (and that includes myself): be a welcomer.  Not necessarily a volunteer who stands at the door and greets each and every person, but more of the sort that naturally greets people you see in the church.  Walking down a hallway and pass somebody?  Say hello.  Standing in the lobby with a group of friends?  Seek out those without a group of friends in the room.

Let’s help the Church become a place where people feel welcomed and loved.  But that’s not the staff’s job, it’s all our jobs. Be a welcomer.

Question: Have you ever had a similar experience at a new church?  Did you feel welcomed? 

 
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Posted by on July 25, 2011 in Churches

 
 
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