Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sunday - From the BACK!

I took today 'off' so that I could worship without leading, for one thing, but also so I could see things from the perspective of those I'm tasked with ministering too each week. Here's what I saw:

1. Aaron and the team did a great job getting us to a place where we could connect with God, hear God and obey God. Good job, folks!
I made a comment a while ago about how I need to 'replace myself' in the near future. One of the ways that I will do this is to put Aaron, and others, in front of the the 'crowd' as often as I can. This helps keep it about the music of worship instead of the music of Karl leading worship. Get the difference?

2. Our Greeters team, thank you Gary and Letty for leading this, do a good job of taking care of business. It's way more than handing out bulletins and shaking hands. Noise was becoming a factor from our Children's ministry area, and before I could do anything, they were already closing doors and making sure that distractions were kept to a minimum. They were even showing folks seats once the service got started - YEAH!!!

3. Music is always going to be a challenge in church until we all get to go home. Sorry, I just think 'church people' are too selfish to care about what we need to do in order to communicate to those who don't know Christ yet. Our church has done a GREAT JOB in letting the music NOT be an issue, to the point of 'letting go' of much of the old to make room for the new. THANK YOU FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH and thank you to Becky M. for blazing the way before I got here.

4. Our guests' are NOT getting the chance to get to the Guest Services area at the end of the service. We're going to work on fixing this PRONTO!

If you want church to be a place for those who are seeking Christ, those who are in need of hope, and those who are hurting, you have to apply what Pastor Bill reminded us of today:
"Let go of the illusion that you are in control and admit that God is in control."

Are you willing to let go of 'church' as you have always known it in order that 'the lost may be found'? Are you willing to be the 'spark' that starts the massive move to take over the Portneuf Valley for the Kingdom? I'm not saying give up everything you've ever known. I'm asking you to make a sacrifice, much like one that was made for you, so that someone may come to know Christ. We have a group of people in our church who made a huge sacrifice for the good of those not yet here.
Our seniors class, called the Lamplighters, used to meet in the back of the worship center. The room used to be a parlor, with couches, comfy chairs, a fireplace and two way glass that looked into the worship center. This was their Sunday School class meeting room. At the end of each service, they could stay in the room if they weren't feeling well and still hear the service.
A few years ago, our Children's pastor cast some vision about our need for a place for moms with infants to go and still hear/be a part of the worship service. The logical place was this room. After casting some vision (from our Children's pastor), and after much prayer, they sacrificed their comfort and their 'place' for those not yet here. They made a huge sacrifice! And to this day, we hear from moms with infants how incredible this room is and how wonderful it is to be able to take their babies away from the crowd and still be able to hear the message and connect.

Something that was 'sacred' to us has become a spark for showing how much we are willing to let go of our control and let God have complete control.

Have I said lately how much I LOVE MY JOB? TOTALLY DO!

See ya in church...

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