Earlier this week I found myself in the middle of what I’ll call “The Valentine Frenzy” and I didn’t do such a good job… my apologies to my family. This morning, as I reflected on what marketers call “the month of love” I realized I lacked a discipline I normally apply during Christmas; that is to press beyond the marketing, shallow and ephemeral traditions to the fundamental and essential celebration. To make the most of Christmas, we look beyond buying gifts to greatest gift – God’s son. Similarly, in February, we should be looking beyond the candy and flowers to ...read more
Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and t...read more
Introduction:
The same question is being asked today as it was in Jesus' day, "Why do those worshipers make so much noise? Isn't worship supposed to be reverent? Quiet? Somber? Serious?"
A. Some may remind us, shouting is pagan revelry: Moses heard shouting as he returned from his meeting with God; we don't want to be like them, so we'd better not shout! But pagans also pray, should we avoid doing that too? - Exodus 32:15-19 Was Moses angry at the dancing, the shouting? No, he was upset because of what they worshiped, the golden calf.
B. Herod accepte...read more
I have been studying the book of Hebrews, and I never realized until this time around all of the parallels that it makes to the Old Testament. God is truly an amazing God. He orchestrated history so precisely that it is an exact mirror of Christ.
Hebrews chapter 3 is a chapter of encouragement, but also a chapter of warning. Chapter 3 is an exhortation to us to remain faithful to God. It even goes so far as to say that not being faithful to God is a sign that we have an evil heart, and that we have willingly departed from God (verse 12).
To put things...read more
Over the past twenty years or so the church has seen some welcomed changes in its attempt to be relevant and current in today’s world. Churches are finally able to hire trained staff to help produce quality music, dramas, videos and more for their worship services. They hire trained teachers and leaders to head up the various ministries throughout the church. We have come a long way.
Where the church has struggled in recent years is in the area of web design, publications and graphics. We have graduated to using high dollar video projectors only to project t...read more
I prefer the term “Unified” worship over “Blended” worship because our intention should be to reflect the scriptural teaching of unity in diversity. (Gal. 3:28; 1 Cor. 12:12-14) The term “Blended” worship does not necessarily mean that it is “unified” worship. The best way to describe “unified” worship is to say it is anchored in the church’s historic worship and seasoned with the fresh winds of the Spirit’s movement in the present using the “best of the best” from the past and the present.
The Church today faces “the spirit of individualism” and has succumbed to ...read more
Planning Center Online is one of the best new resources we have found for helping organize your worship teams and ministry. From communicating the worship order to hosting songs and charts, this site has it all.
Some of the features include:
A Master Calendar
Drag and Drop Order of Service
Links to Songs and Music Charts
Complete Layouts of the Service with Times and Lengths
Fully Customizable
New Music Stand Feature w/IPad
And Much More!
Planning Center Online allows you to schedule multiple teams and communicate with them individually. From a stage...read more
A great article about money and it's place in worship. We can attempt to separate them for fear of looking like televangelist but the truth is, money is a big part of worship. ...read more
The Great Commission which Jesus gave to His disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) has rightly been a motivating force and rallying cry for churches and other Christian organizations. In it we find expressed God's heart for the world and His desire for us to be His faithful instruments in carrying the message of the gospel to all peoples. The Commission also instructs us in the full-orbed ministry of disciplemaking, which involves not only evangelism but also the teaching and mentoring of converts into lives of obedience, maturity, and finally disciplemaking themselves.
As ...read more
If you've ever read the story of Jeroboam, you know he proceeded Solomon and became king of ten of the twelve tribes. The Bible states in 1 Kings 11:37-38, "However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you."
What a promise fr...read more
Experiencing Worship, The Study
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
Experiencing Worship, The Study