Church

I finished my Philosophy of Ministry a few days ago, and it has a great deal to do with ministry roles, but I didn’t mention giftedness.  I didn’t feel I needed to mention it, since it’s venue (ministry search/interviewing process) pretty much assumes that gifts will be a strong factor.

We all know that gifts are important if we sit down and think about it a little.  We know that preaching isn’t just about public speaking, and teaching isn’t just about knowing stuff.  We know that couseling isn’t just about empathy and that evangelism isn’t just about social skills.  Some people are gifted by God to do those things.

But some gifts have gotten a bad wrap in recent years. One of the one’s I’ve heard several times is about worship/music ministers.  I remember a big push when I was in college to call them “lead worshipers” instead of worship leaders.  I was in a pretty confined space - Abilene is like a teeny tiny island in an ocean of dirt and very small rocks - so I don’t know if this played out anywhere else.  It didn’t bother me then, but it irks me now. (continue reading…)

Some “reformer”

. . . Bozek has reshaped the church into a community that would be unrecognizable to those 19th-century founders. His vision for a reformed Roman Catholic faith calls for supporting female ordination, allowing priests to get married and accepting gay relationships. Bozek’s stands have attracted hundreds of new St. Stanislaus parishioners who share the priest’s reform-minded vision.

But they have also divided the church, pitting newer members against traditional parishioners unhappy with how far the priest has gone in condemning the Roman Catholic church. There have also been questions about the priest’s trappings. He has negotiated a 143 percent salary hike, moved into a $157,000 Washington Avenue loft and leased a 2008 BMW for $450 per month.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

II Corintathians 2:14-17

Via GetReligion

Life is an exercise in trust in Christ. Do we trust him to act on our behalf, to bless us and sustain us…or do we try to do it ourselves? Do we trust him to initiate our salvation and be faithful to finish what he started in us, or do we focus on our own behavior or good deeds or morality to justify us? I tend to rely on myself too much. But, I love it when Jesus decides it’s time to splash a little cold water in my face and wake me up.

We have worship team practice on Wednesday nights, and overall we’re pretty good. But sometimes we forget what it’s all about. Last week was a good example. We got caught up in the songs that were chosen (”I’mnot singing that.”), and in the parts we were singing, and completely ignored the whole ‘worship’ angle.  I caught myself a few times not even singing the words, but just humming along, because I was so worried about singing the right notes. (continue reading…)

My wife and I started a couples Bible study tonight.  We picked up a Fisherman Bible Studyguide today on marriage.  I’ve done a couple of these Fisherman studies before, even taught from them, and thought they were pretty good source material.

I never read the “How to Use This Studyguide” section, so I don’t know if what I read tonight was new:

Fisherman studyguides are based on the inductive approach to Bible study.  Inductive study is discovery study; we discover what the Bible says as we ask questions about its content and search for answers.  This is quite different from the process in which a teacher tells a group about the Bible - what it means and what to do about it. In inductive study, God speaks directly to each of us through his word.

I understand why people have a problem accepting teaching from others, particularly when they disagree.  It’s pride.  We all truly believe that our idea is better than the other guy’s. (continue reading…)

So, I was called “churchy” yesterday. And by a church person! So, this post is for you (and you know exactly who you are).

The whole idea of churchiness made me think of the stats in Unchristian about the large number of 20-somethings in the church who feel the same way about Christians as 20-somethings outside of the church. My wife and I have thought about it and found that we definitely fall into that category.

So, I was pretty shocked to be called “churchy”. I have tried very hard to not be churchy. Where did I go wrong? Well, it turns out that I went wrong in assuming that I knew the intended meaning. I was way off.

It turns out that this person’s definition of churchy is one that I think I can actually be proud of. But I think the definition can be better. So, if you’re reading this, I’m challenging you to redefine churchiness, and live it out. Share a story if you have one.

Photo: SNL’s Church Lady

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