View of the World

Food for thought:
One topic that we touched on at our December WAC gathering was the subject of our worldview and it’s impact on the society at large, and then society’s effect on our worldview. Because our worldview should be Christian influenced, how do the events and activities happening around us affect us in our personal mission, or even how does our personal walk impact the world in general? Are we kingdom goal minded in that respect?

Take some time over the holidays and ponder this. It can be our way of offering resolution to some potentially unanswered questions, and also a way for us to encourage one another as we go. If you have time put your thoughts down so we can talk about it.

Walking a thin line...

In the realm of ministry through worship and the various styles that are prevalent in today's society, one of our members in WAC was relating worship to being a tightrope walker, in that as a tightrope walker goes across the high wire he carries with him a looong pole in order to keep the correct balance on both sides of the wire. Leaning to either side by itself doesn't work for the gymnast, just like leaning too much in one direction in worship might miss God's heart of what he likes. After all he is an audience of one. Is this relagated to musical syles...form...preference?

The bible doesn't talk about worship styles per se, but it says "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." (John 4:23 NIV)
What's your experience with different styles of worship in your congregation? How are you reconciling 'in spirit and truth' at your church?

I am not, but I know I AM

God is alive and well and in control of all things. -Louie Giglio message

We are small and he is huge. In our WAC gathering this month we talked about new seasons of opportunity and ministry and what our role in that might be. How do we let go while God orchestrates a new facility plan, or when he opens the doors for a new ministry to be born, or works through a mission team overseas? It seems easy because we can just let go of it and put it into his hands to do, but that's not always our nature. We sometimes feel like we are in charge of a ministry that God has birthed in us, and we are really helping him with His ministry, that he stewarded to us.
Do you ever feel like it's all slipping through your fingers beacuse your grip is too tight? What's God doing in your life now?

What's Next?

It's been a great summer and now it's time again for school and Fall is right behind it. I'm enrolled at Johnson Bible College this year in a ministry and leadership program. it looks like it's going to be a great experience. It's almost Football time here in Vol Country which is fun too. If you have been doing anything interesting this summer let us know. Like attending a conference or visiting someplace or someone. We're did not meet in August and it was kind of like a summer break for us, but we're back on schedule in September and already have a location for October.
If you have something to add...have at it. Peace

In the middle of Summer

Ok...we're halfway through summer, and sometimes we get a little dried out in between the seasons as we navigate through vacations and such that cause our teams and congregations to dwindle.

Today in WAC we talked some about things we can do to stay creative in our service planning and implementation, like rearranging songs, arranging medleys and incorporating responsive readings and creeds along with choruses. Also, integrating some additional summer type hang out sessions with your team can keep the connections good through the 'dog days'. A BBQ or something at the park with team and family is alwyas fun. Got any ideas? Let us know what things you have on your grill to share with us.

June Gathering

We had a great time today at our gathering. Thanks to Harvest for hosting. Lots of talk about mentoring and handing off the reigns to future worship leaders on your teams. It seems we all have the same dilemma of needing to identify future people that can be plugged into ministry places to 1. offer support and relief to the current leader 2. be getting raised up for future ministry opportunities such as church plants. We all agreed that the biblical mandate to raise up disciples is hard to maintain when you are sparse on people on your team or that "right person' hasn't presented themself fo you. It would be great to hear how some of you navigate through the discipleship/mentoring process of raising up future leaders. Yes, I know prayer is a big thing too. God is good. All the time!!

Tipping the scales of passion

Ok, what's your passion? Is it something between being a wholy devoted worshiper of God and doing your own thing? Can you do both? If you are on a church staff, how do you incorporate the daily rigors of church business into your personal passions and goals as a human being? Where do the lines cross? Should they? Yes, I'm working towards 20 questions here. But, the question of the day is how do you balance it all.? We're called to a 'lifestyle of worship' and to 'seek first his kingdom' and 'offer ourselves as living sacrifices' all the while keeping in mind that we are in a temporary earth suit, destined for eternal life in a glorified body. Whew!!! And yet the rent is still due, your deadlines are looming, and plenty of work is to be done around your temporary living space known as home. How do you squeeze some 'me time' in there? Even though it's not all about you. Great slogans huh? We'll anyway, if you want to weigh in on this, the lines are open.
Peace...

Happy Mother's Day...absolutely!

Have you ever heard the old saying, "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"? We actually have a refrigerator magnet hanging up with that saying on it. I guess this being Mother's Day weekend we can set our sights on that reality of how much mom's really mean to us in the daily moments of our lives. From experience, I know that most church services will have special tributes to mom's incorporated into the service agenda, be it a video or children 's special song, or a drama showing the light hearted side of motherhood and how no one can really relate to being one unless you are one. All of this guaranteed to bring a tear to our eye or a smile to our faces, Mother's Day is also a great time to reflect on family roles and values and how much we need to hang onto the traditions that have been celebrated across our united nation for over 200 years. Is this a sermon about some ancient customs that we should embrace in order to make our selves feel better about our existence? No, it's an opportunity to make us rekindle some family values that we sometimes put on the back burner except to plug into our corporate programs. Anyway...Happy Mother's Day because we care and you deserve it.

School's Out?

Remember the old song by Alice Cooper, "School's Out"? In the lyrics it talks about school being dismissed for the summer and what benefits that bring to the students, "no more homework or books or teacher's dirty look" Obviously the students are tired of learning and need a break. I can relate because I just finished a year of school myself, and while I'm ready for a break, I know that the learning won't stop just because I am out of daily classes.

That being said, have you ever asked yourself the questions, "Does school ever dismiss for believers? Are there really summers off where you can kick back and put the bible and prayer life on the shelf in order to refresh for a future season of growth? I know we all have experienced times of rest and times of growth, but how does that fit in a "lifestyle of Worship' mentality. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Beginning a New Life

Since all of the pagentry of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus has now passed us (church calendar wise) how do we incorporate this new life experience into our mindset?

I once had a guy ask me when I decided to start really following after Jesus. After a few minutes to think about it, I answered, "Today." Not too profound, but actually it's about the only way I can reconcile a daily walk with him, because each day brings a new challenge as to how that looks for me. Any thoughts.

Community Connection

At our last WAC gathering in March one thing we discussed was the benefit of having a common forum to dialogue together in between meetings, so this blog was created. Feel free to add your thoughts and ideas, and I encourage your comments and feedback to make this a really neat communication avenue for the WAC.