Attempting to Understand

Do Good

Chad — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:21:29 +0000

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
(Titus 3:1-9 ESV)

As ministers of the Gospel, we must be committed to a lifestyle of good works. Not with the intentionality of proving our faith or even gaining our faith, but simply as response to our faith. In verse 8 it tells us that everyone benefits from the good works we perform. Some things in life are lawful, but may not be good. Some things are important, but may not be worthy because others do not benefit from them. Our lives in ministry should not just be full of good morals, but also good quality. Worship ministry should not just be done with great intention, but also done with great skill. For its in the good that everyone benefits.

If I am good at home, my family will benefit. If I am good in my neighborhood, my neighbors will benefit. If I am good in society, the culture around me will change. If I am a good worship leader, or if the worship ministry I lead is good, everyone in my congregation will benefit.

I know it seems like a hard line and in some instance these premises may not be 100% true. But that may have nothing to do with the “good” in something. The goal in ministry that Paul encourages is to do good works. Let us be people who lives are filled with these things, so that the lives of those around us will improve.

Cell Phones and Public Worship

Chad — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:03:01 +0000

Recently I had a conversation with a church member who was frustrated by the idea that our church leadership allowed cell phone usage in our worship services. Feeling that cell phones were a huge distraction to worship, I was asked if I was ok with cell phones being used in our services. My first response was, “of course I am because I do.” The conversation continued and towards the end I could tell that my position on cell phones in worship may not have been accepted. But just because I do it doesn’t make it right. So what do I think about cell phones in worship?

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Cell phones can be a great resource to creating interaction during service, especially if worshipers are encouraged to text or tweet a question about the sermon. Many churches have done this as a means to give people more opportunity to interact on the moment with the pastor/preacher. It can give a good indication of what people are thinking, especially if what they text or tweet is something they would never consider sharing out loud.

Tyler Charles, a freelance writer from Ohio, wrote an article about this very issue. He interviewed one pastor who actually allows tweets to be displayed on the screen DURING SERVICE! I know my church probably would not go for that, but the value of doing so is to give people the opportunity to communicate a part of who they are and what they’re thinking. So in a sense, it’s another part of building community.

HARMING COMMUNITY

Everything we do should be for the building of the Body, to edify one another. Again in Charles’ article, he talks about a Tweet-Free zone that some churches have. This perspective runs on the premise that tweeting about communion with God is different than actually having communion with God. Although true, the point here is not to harm the community of worshipers gathered for the purpose of magnifying God.
Every church must wrestle with every part of its worship service, including cell phone usage. I think there should be a proactive approach to communicating values that our leadership has and making sure that everyone is on board. Otherwise, the risk of distracting worshipers every weekend will continue.

Here is the link to the article mentioned above written by Tyler Charles: http://christianitytoday.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vcat12/i1/p2

“Why I Hate religion, but Love Jesus” video

Chad — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:41:32 +0000

It’s the next viral YouTube video. It’s called “Why I Hate Religion, but Love Jesus.” I’ve seen this video about 4 times now. According to today’s blog through CNN, so have 15 million others. As a Evangelical, I’m not entirely supportive of saying that we “hate religion.” I did a sermon last year where I talked about how worship should lead to true religion. Although Bethke suggests that Religion says do and Jesus says done, there still is a lot of doing that needs to be done if the love of Christ is going to reach a fallen world.

I think the word religion carries such a negative tone to it these days. If we were to pull back and really look at what Jesus was saying, I don’t believe he was trying to destroy religion when He came. Why would Jesus do that if he knew that his followers would have to display a true religion? I think rather than destroying religion, he came to communicate the role of religion in a person’s life. True religion is the pouring out of love, a response to a mercy that has been shown, all through Jesus. Romans 12:1

Until the day of Jesus’ return, there will always be a need for true religion. James 1:27 As Evangelical Christians, we should be quick to help communicate why religion exists and the role it plays in the life of Follower of Christ.

A Brief History of Christmas

Chad — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:21:54 +0000

http://www.history.com/flash/VideoPlayer.swf?vid=8128635901

“God With Us”

Chad — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:54:10 +0000

Isn’t it amazing to think that the Creator of the universe would have desire to dwell among us so that we could have a relationship with Him? What other God has that type of love, that He would send His only Son to make that possible? ”God With Us” is a new series starting this weekend where we’ll be looking at how God’s presence in our lives affects how we share our faith and how effective living the Gospel can become. The Triune God desires to work through us as we share our faith. Join us at Moraine Valley Church as we take four weeks to celebrate the birth of Christ, the anticipation of His 2nd coming, and the ways in which He walks with us through life.

www.MoraineValleyChurch.org

www.Facebook.com/MoraineValleyChurch

A New Sermon series | Prayer

Chad — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:51:35 +0000

This week we’re starting a new series on the topic of prayer. God has been very clear to our congregation that we need to be praying more corporately as we seek to fulfill the purposes of God and seek His heart for our body. It begins March 06 and will run through May 01. We’re even planning two worship/prayer services as bookends to the series! These next 9 weeks are going to be an amazing season for our church.

For more information:

http://www.morainevalleychurch.org/content/view/307/85/

Worship and the Earthquake of New Zealand

Chad — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:43:37 +0000

Today I had a chance to listen in to a webinar about how worship has been affected by the recent earth quake and tremors in Christchurch, NZ. Senior Pastor Paul Bennetts of Life Church shared with us how his congregation has personally been affected by the events of this devastating earthquake.

One thing that jumped out at me was how he said that “rain falls on the just and the unjust.” I don’t think any of us are exempt from experiencing traumatic events as Christchurch, NZ has experienced in the last year. But what Pastor Bennetts said what that when everything was stripped away (the buildings, the instruments, the programs) all that was left was the people and their voices in worship.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3 ESV)

Our worship for God must go beyond the tools we use to support our worship and must break through times we experience fear and trouble. We have hope in a God who sees and rescues and it is that hope that we can build our lives of worship around.

planning center online

Chad — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 19:02:09 +0000

This week we’re moving our worship team to Planning Center Online. I’ve been working on scheduling my volunteers 3 and 4 months out. PCO really helps a lot in seeing the full schedule, communicating with volunteers, and keeping the communication in tact. Can’t wait to get into PCO full time starting next week!

If you’re a worship leading and looking to find a good software for scheduling, check out Planning Center Online

Refreshment

Chad — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:30:19 +0000

Here’s two thoughts I had from yesterday’s sermon on Resting and Refreshment. We’re looking at doing a Sabbatical for our pastor and for our congregation sometime in 2012…

1) Fearing the Lord, humility and turning from evil is related to health and refreshment (Prov 3)

2) Times of refreshment are linked with repenting from sin and turning to God (Acts 3:19-20)

Here’s Pastor Bill’s sermon on Times of Refreshment. Enjoy.

a la carte | Willie Nelson

Chad — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:50:01 +0000

Awesome video… check out Willie’s second sound hole on his guitar! Awesome!