Many Pastors get in their cars on Sunday evenings and it can be a very discouraging time. They have preached the Word, ministered, prayed, wept and laughed with people they love deeply. They have had kind, encouraging words spoken to them and, at times sarcastic words spoken to them… but to say the least it is emotionally draining. However, to be very honest there have been very few Sundays at Trinity that I have left discouraged or frustrated. But, I must admit that I don’t know if I have ever been as encouraged on any Sunday as I was our last Sunday in June. Now if you are a Pastor and reading this, that probably sound crazy because with people out of town on vacation and about two hundred other events going on in June and July, these summer Sundays can usually be discouraging. I walked in and our service looked…well like it was the last Sunday in June. But we began with 4 baptisms of people that ran the gamut of ages, we had incredible worship, 2 more professions of faith. This was followed by several visitors at the Pastor’s Reception, one of the best deacon’s meetings we have had, and then a wonderful Sunday evening service.
Now all of these things have happened before during my time at Trinity….but at the end of the service on Sunday evening, I was speaking with a lady who was asking about joining our church family. I introduced her to my wife and to another sweet lady who is a member (we will call her Laura because that is NOT her name). As we began to talk with this sweet visitor, something unique happened and it was at this moment my heart began to rejoice. She is a member of another church in our area and I was getting ready to talk with her about this issue, when “Laura” said (I summarize)---“We have a wonderful church and I love it and can tell that you do to. But, can I ask you why you are leaving ______________Church?” After the lady explained her reasons, Laura then questioned her in such a loving way and asked her if she had prayed about this decision…Laura was very tender with the lady, but politely questioned to see if there was any problem or bitterness towards her present church. “Laura” did this in such a gracious and loving way that it made my heart leap! I have been preaching about the Church and the commitment we must have to one another and this dear lady gets it! With grace, love and mercy she presented questions in such a way to let a visitor know that she was wanted at Trinity, yet sought her spiritual well being and sought to protect this fellowship! She got it! So in short - this one event put the last Sunday in June over the top. It is a blessing to watch the Body of Christ, do what the Body of Christ should do! I know in a day that the chief desire of many Churches and Pastors is to just get’em in. I am encouraged by a church that wants health above all else. Thank the Lord for all the “Laura’s” and “Leonard’s” at Trinity!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
How to Define Great Music
After writing my blog last week and quoting the tremendous song we sang as a congregation, I came across this wonderful blog on 9marks.org and I thought it would be a blessing. I put it below and also put a link to it. I hope it serves as a frame work for each of us as we worship together.
http://www.9marks.org/answers/how-important-style-music-church-sings
How important is the style of music a church sings?
The style of music a church sings is relatively unimportant.
1. Most important are the truth of the words being sung. Since a church sings music in order to worship God, our songs should function like a musical confession of faith. Those confessions of faith should contain substantial truth about God, or else we’ll hardly be worshiping at all.
2. Two principle purposes of putting such words to music (questions of style aside) are (i) to assist the heart to emotionally engage with the truths being sung, so that one’s emotions properly conform to those truths; (ii) to help the congregation remember, even memorize, those truths. We sing to God to stir up our hearts to exalt and honor him.
3. The style of music a church uses is ultimately unimportant. Style is passing.
4. It’s only worth paying attention to insofar as different styles may do a better or worse job of helping people properly conform their hearts to the truths being sung.
5. Even then, many people can learn to adapt, especially when their pastors teach them that our musical preferences provide us an excellent opportunity to “count others more significant than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3). This is especially true if a church hopes to reach a variety of people from a variety of walks and stations of life.
6. In short, what we sing is far more important than how we sing it.
http://www.9marks.org/answers/how-important-style-music-church-sings
How important is the style of music a church sings?
The style of music a church sings is relatively unimportant.
1. Most important are the truth of the words being sung. Since a church sings music in order to worship God, our songs should function like a musical confession of faith. Those confessions of faith should contain substantial truth about God, or else we’ll hardly be worshiping at all.
2. Two principle purposes of putting such words to music (questions of style aside) are (i) to assist the heart to emotionally engage with the truths being sung, so that one’s emotions properly conform to those truths; (ii) to help the congregation remember, even memorize, those truths. We sing to God to stir up our hearts to exalt and honor him.
3. The style of music a church uses is ultimately unimportant. Style is passing.
4. It’s only worth paying attention to insofar as different styles may do a better or worse job of helping people properly conform their hearts to the truths being sung.
5. Even then, many people can learn to adapt, especially when their pastors teach them that our musical preferences provide us an excellent opportunity to “count others more significant than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3). This is especially true if a church hopes to reach a variety of people from a variety of walks and stations of life.
6. In short, what we sing is far more important than how we sing it.
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