Weekend Rewind

Today was a low attendance day, but worship was really beautiful in the first service. I have been trying to be more sensitive to the congregation and the Holy Spirit even while I am playing the guitar and worshiping with the worship team. There were several quiet moments in worship where it was really great to allow the other insturments to play and I back off and then sometimes, just listen to the congregation sing.

I had a great time with the sermon this morning! I am very excited about the series, "God at the Box Office." Another AG church I know does a series by this title every year and I thought the idea was really powerful. They Biblically review several movies each year that have had particular inpact on our culture. We are doing something just a bit diferent with ours.

We are studying the full gospel message (Jesus saves, heals, baptizes in the Holy Spirit, and is coming soon). We are reviewing these truths creatively by observing the basic human needs and longings that these doctrines meet. Those basic human needs are evident in our culture through the artform of film. The baisc needs that we are considering and illustrating through movies are: redemption (a second chance), empowerment (a mission and ability to succeed), health (living every day to the fullest), and flying (the chance to fly from our everyday existance to a different world). It is amazing to think that the message of the New Testament fulfills the great longings and passion of the human spirit. We have an awesome message for our world.

Spontanious Worship

I have been troubled lately.

20 years ago when I became a Christian worship in a Pentecostal or Charismatic church was different from that of other Christians. It was marked by different music, hands being lifted by worshipers often. Today that flavor of worship has been captured and enjoyed by all kinds of churches of all kinds of denominations. Somewhere in that time frame the catch word for this kind of worship became "contemporary worship."

I believe in contemporary worship. It is one of my core values. Worship needs to be stylistically relevant to people. It needs to evoke new feelings toward God. We should learn new songs so that we don't fall into a rut in our worship. Keeping worship contemporary helps the person not acquainted with the Church easily learn and enjoy the music of worship.

Here is the trouble, it has two parts. First a family from our church visited another church with relatives last week and they were amazed. They said, "Their service is just like ours!" But the church is not like ours in doctrine at all. Second, there is a trend in very large churches that have multiple services to keep the service to one hour or close to that so the next service can start. Worship is a set of very sharp, well played, contemporary songs, that must end at a certain time for the schedule's sake.

It seems to me that all kinds of churches offer contemporary worship. So what makes a Spirit Filled, Pentecostal, Charismatic worship service any better than those contemporary services?

Then it hit me!!!

I remember reading in my History and Doctrine class in Bible College about the worship of the early days of revival in the Pentecostal movement and the Great Awakening. What marked the worship was not that the music was contemporary (though in most cases it was considered contemporary at the time). The worship was spontaneous.

In thinking more and more about what the Lord would want from us in worship I think that the Lord is not so concerned about how old a song is, but about us following his direction at a moments notice in worship. Yes, I will be contemporary, it is still a core value. But, I want our worship to be marked by spontaneity because we are allowing the Holy Spirit to direct or even re-direct us in our worship times. We believe in preparation and that prayerfully! I think that we have to be very careful when coming up with a new term to describe our worship that we don't loose the real factor that makes Pentecostal worship different, that is spontaneity!

Weekend Rewind

We had an amazing weekend as a family. We went to the farm and had a great time together. I came back a little tired still. I think I have a bit of a cold and it is wearing me out.

Sunday was Mother's Day and I felt like the sermon was really flat. But I think that God spoke some words of wisdom to some mothers, and a word of hope to others that, "God settles the barren woman as a happy mother in her home." Psalm 113.

I want to thank the worship team. Worship has been very good for the last several weeks. I also want to than those who have traveled to new haven in the last few weeks for worship ministry. Let's keep our prayers and efforts up for the names of those we are trying to reach who are far from God. If you have a name to add to the wall do so quickly.

Donut Shop

Friday is donut shop day. Every Friday we visit Schulte's Bakery for a great morning snack. We have made several new friends at the Schulte's snack bar. Every family needs to have family traditions that help hold the family together. This is one for us.

After donut time we are traveling to Jefferson City to visit some great friends and then staying at my parents farm to take Ben turkey hunting on Saturday. He is absolutely positive that we are going to get a turkey. I hope his faith stays certain and sure, we will get a turkey!

Godly Sorrow

Tuesday our son Gabe (5 yrs.) asked a great question. He asked my wife, his mother, Stephanie, "Mom, why can't I ask Jesus to forgive all of my sins instead of remembering them all one at a time?"

Here is the beauty of the question. First, when we pray together at bed time we don't rehearse all our individual sins, we just ask for forgiveness and that God will help us be better people. That means that Gabe has some how, some where, gained the ability to understand the responsibility for individual sins. Second, the question tells me that Gabe has been thinking about his sins and how God forgives them.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 7:10, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow bring death." (NIV). I don't want my kids to be sorrowful and unhappy in life. But there is a need in all of us to be sorrowful when we have made errors. Gabe's question is the beginning of what I hope is a greater understanding of God's salvation and forgiveness through Jesus.

New Title Bar

I am working on a new title bar idea. Until I get it figured out I will leave it simple.

Weekend Rewind

Our first Missions Weekend was really great! Here are a few notes: We gave the biggest one-time missions offering of the last five years ($801.00). All three missionaries shared with the adults. Richie and his wife did a huge job of also sharing with Jungle Jam and Children's Church. David Hewkin sang and spoke at all the Small Groups. What was really amazing was the amount of fun that it seemed the missionaries had with our church. I was very proud of our church and the love for missions that is continually growing in us!

Sabbath

The word on my mind today is sabbath! This last week I was at District Council, came back early for a funeral, made two hospital visits in St. Louis, and then hosted our first Missions Weekend Friday through Sunday evening. Monday I started at 7:00 a.m. and destroyed our kitchen, then spent the rest of the day putting it back together so that new counters could be installed today. I worked till midnight. So, today I was so tired and hungry that I was a bit out of my mind! I literally could not think straight. I was so hungry at 10:00 this morning that I took lunch at 10:25.

This is why God tells us to take a day to rest. Research shows us that without proper amounts of rest we are unable to remember what we have done recently. Ever feel like life is a blur? Your brain can't even process everything. You need rest.

Weekend Rewind

Sunday was very busy. Today we moved from the loving God portion of Love University to the loving our neighbor part of the series. It never ceases to amaze me how difficult it is to love our neighbor. Whenever I preach on forgiveness or loving our neighbor I always hear numerous stories and difficulties from people about their struggles. I think people truly want to please God and truly want peaceful relations wit people. Its just never that easy. Loving God is easy, he is perfect. Loving our neighbor is hard, they mess up all the time. Just remember, your somebodies neighbor too.

We had a great time of prayer in the 10:15 service. I think that God wanted to do some work in people's lives. People had a lot of prayer requests. It is amazing to me this year how much larger the load of needs are in a church when the attendance is raised by just 15-20 people. After praying we sang some upbeat songs and you could just hear the relief in people's voices because they had faith that God was helping them.

In the afternoon I went to new Haven Assembly of God to lead worship. I felt horrible leaving after worship, but I needed to get back to Washington so that we could leave for my father-In-Law's birthday party. There is a lot of responsibility that can be delegated in ministry, but family can never be delegated. I need my family and my family need me. There is just no substitute.

I had a great time with Stephanie's family.

Monday John and I leave early for District Council.

Busy Saturday

Today has been very busy!

Stephanie left early to lead a Women's Ministry Picnic. I love to hear good reports about events like this one where people got to know each other and talk a lot. I had the three kids and then one of the boys form church so his mother could attend the picnic. We went to Big Rig Day in the morning. the School has all kinds of big equipment on display. The kids loved it. Then we did an hour at the park, an hour at Burger King (fast food?) and then a few hours at a birthday party for one of the boys friends.

Tonight the kids need to go to bed early and then I will get some slow down time.

Let's Surf!

Today I want to highlight some links for your surfing.

First, I have posted the first three messages in the Love U series. You can get the audio and put it on your computer or MP3 player from the First AG website. Check out the audio player at the bottom of the home page. Older messages are available on the audio sermons page.

Second, Charles Lewis posted some new pictures of the Royal Ranger camp out and the subsequent fish fry Last night. Check it out at the Royal Ranger Site. You will also find pictures from some other activities. At the last lock-in the boys received a great visit from a state trooper who described his work to them. It was a great opportunity for the boys to have friendly and positive contact with law enforcement, particularly officer Baughman, who came to visit our church on his own time.

Weekend Rewind

Sunday was a beautiful day. It was sun-shiny and we had a great morning at church. Worship was great. After church I said to my wife, "Now that's the kind of church I want to pastor." I want to encourage and commend our church for their worship. Often people come into the church service with problems or bad feelings. A great time of worship like we had in both of the services Sunday helps to minister to people. When we all worship together we all get more from God.

The message on Sunday was good for me personally. It was one of those messages that impacted me on several levels as I was preparing it. It was great to see so many people respond to the message at the end.

Sunday afternoon I went to New Haven, MO to lead worship at the Assembly of God church there. I will be going again this coming Sunday. If you attend First AG in Washington, are musically inclined, and would like to help in the next few weeks let me know.

Finally, our Small Group met on Sunday night this week instead of Friday. So, by the end of the day I was very tired. I left my house at 7:00 a.m. and returned again at 8:something p.m.

Shake Shake Shake

We woke up Thursday at about 4:30 a.m. to an earthquake! That is strange for Missouri. Then I was awake till 7:00 a.m. The weather was great Thursday so I switched my day off and planted grass seed. I worked Friday when it was raining. It was a perfect rain to follow grass planting. Most of my landscaping folows the words of 1 Peter 1:4-5, "...the grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord stands forever."

Love University

I thought I would post the outline from Sunday's message (4-13-08) today.

Is Jesus a Good Hobby?

Luke14:25-34
“Large Crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said…”
At this point in his ministry Jesus was becoming extremely popular. Look at these indicators:
In Luke 11:29 crowds were increasing and they were looking for miraculous signs.
In Luke 12:1 a crowd of many thousands gathered to hear Jesus, nearly trampling one another.
In Luke 12:13 and 54 Jesus is said to be addressing a crowd.
Now a great crowd again surrounds Jesus. There is a reason Jesus gave these five illustrations.
He saw the crowd leisurely following him looking for a thrill, and missing the message of salvation.

Jesus gives five illustrations to show us the extremity of our devotion that is absolutely required.

#1 The Illustration of Preference (26)
The cost of discipleship is placing Jesus above all other things.
#2 The Illustration of the Cross (27)
The cross is excruciatingly heavy if we carry it out of compulsion. His yoke is easy and his burden is light when we are passionately in love with Jesus.
#3 The Illustration of a Builder (28-30)
Salvation is more than a leisure walk to the altar. It is a commitment to forsake all else for eternal life that is promised to those who love the Lord.
#4 The Illustration of a King (31-33)
If we are willing to give everything to follow, then we will always be able to follow.
#5 The Illustration of Salt (34-35)
The truth of the parable is this: being a disciple is not just an important thing - it is the only thing!

This Sunday (4-20-08) the message is going to be, "Do You Love Me?"

The Right Pastor

Went to a pastor's forum today and got one really encouraging thought.

One pastor asked about knowing when to call it quits at a certain location after having been there for a long time. Much longer than my tenure at First AG. There was some discussion and then this thought.

"God loves his people. In God's view you are the best pastor for that church out of all the pastors in the entire world. Furthermore, of all the churches in the world, that church is the best church for you as a pastor."

If God did not care about his people, then any person would do for any church. If God was not concerned about the growth and good of every pastor than any church would do. But God is concerned and he puts the right people with the right pastor.

Here are some thoughts I have added as I have mused over this encouraging thought. First, it is good to think about how concerned God is about each believer and each church on an individual basis. Second, there are perhaps times when God puts a pastor in place to change a group of people, and other times the opposite is true. Most often both are true at the same time. Third, if a pastor and congregation seem to be at odds, might it be the case that God put them together for some purpose, even if accomplishing the purpose is difficult? Just a thought.

When I think about the church in Washington and the town of Washington I think God had a plan for the church, the community, and me when he brought me here.