So this morning I open up google reader to check the blogs that I follow, I read this blog by Perry Noble, and while I agreed for the most part, there was part of it that didn't sit well with me.
I wish that I could post the exact feedback that I sent to him, but it's gone. I actually tried to post this already this morning, but it didn't go through and now the exact wording is gone...lost forever in cyberspace unless Perry himself resends it to me, and as I'm sure that he's a faithful reader...well maybe I won't hold my breath. =)
Anyway, I basically affirmed a lot of what he said and what he often says, tried to assure him that I'm not a crackpot or a mean-spirited critic, but then I basically asked him this question:
As we seek to make our churched better and better, is it possible the every single person can walk out of our churches saying, "I really got something today," and yet our efforts are a failure because we did not lead people to "give back"? I referenced the song "I Will Not Forget You" which contains the line "my offering is not what You can give, but what I alone can give to You." How much of church should be what we get as opposed to what we give to God?
So what are your thoughts on this issue? Read Perry's post about his trip to Las Vegas. Maybe you know someone who would have an opinion and would like to weigh in--forward this post to them.
Peace
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
A new week...a wonderful dilemma
Forgive me blogosphere, for I have sinned. It's been one week since my last post.
Y'know everytime that I make up my mind to be more consistent in my blogging, I find ways to distract myself. But I couldn't not blog today... this weekend was spectacular!
The weekend stats: Attendance was 365 at our two Sunday morning services; a 105 person (40%) increase from the same weekend last year. Our 10:45 service is totally full. The earlier service which begins at the crazy hour of 9:00 (much sarcasm) has half as many attenders. Exactly half, in fact...122 vs. 243.
There is a huge difference in the dynamic between first service and second. The question is...is it a factor of the early time or is it to be expected from the people who choose an early service? Could it be that the people who come to the early service are just 'getting their church' over with so that they can get on with their day? That's a depressing thought!
I've thought about going to about 20 enthusiatic leaders and begging them to switch to the early service and become worship thermostats (thermostats change their environments). If that doesn't work, I may invest in a laugh track that I can use during PK's sermons and the various media that we use.
Our services are designed to be identical, but after an early service that was mediocre, I was actually afraid people might start throwing chairs during the 10:45...it was that exciting and powerful. This is probably a programming issue. What can we do to help people, who are struggling on a Sunday morning, connect with God in a meaningful way. How can we help them engage?
I can remember mornings when it was two or three songs into a worship service before I really "got it." How can we help people "get it" from the start? Stronger coffee? Ephedrine?
It's possible that my expectations are off. I have often been guilty of expecting everyone else to be just like me...feel the same way, connect the same way, etc. Perhaps we just need to listen harder to what the felt needs are for those who come to the earlier service.
Does anyone else experience this? I'd love to have your feedback! This won't go away soon, I'm sure.
Y'know everytime that I make up my mind to be more consistent in my blogging, I find ways to distract myself. But I couldn't not blog today... this weekend was spectacular!
The weekend stats: Attendance was 365 at our two Sunday morning services; a 105 person (40%) increase from the same weekend last year. Our 10:45 service is totally full. The earlier service which begins at the crazy hour of 9:00 (much sarcasm) has half as many attenders. Exactly half, in fact...122 vs. 243.
There is a huge difference in the dynamic between first service and second. The question is...is it a factor of the early time or is it to be expected from the people who choose an early service? Could it be that the people who come to the early service are just 'getting their church' over with so that they can get on with their day? That's a depressing thought!
I've thought about going to about 20 enthusiatic leaders and begging them to switch to the early service and become worship thermostats (thermostats change their environments). If that doesn't work, I may invest in a laugh track that I can use during PK's sermons and the various media that we use.
Our services are designed to be identical, but after an early service that was mediocre, I was actually afraid people might start throwing chairs during the 10:45...it was that exciting and powerful. This is probably a programming issue. What can we do to help people, who are struggling on a Sunday morning, connect with God in a meaningful way. How can we help them engage?
I can remember mornings when it was two or three songs into a worship service before I really "got it." How can we help people "get it" from the start? Stronger coffee? Ephedrine?
It's possible that my expectations are off. I have often been guilty of expecting everyone else to be just like me...feel the same way, connect the same way, etc. Perhaps we just need to listen harder to what the felt needs are for those who come to the earlier service.
Does anyone else experience this? I'd love to have your feedback! This won't go away soon, I'm sure.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Awesome weekend!
This was a really great weekend!
Saturday morning was way cool as the NC3 planning team met at my house to finish the prep for next 3 JWATR services and to continue the planning for Good Friday and Easter. I am just discovering how much fun it is to collaborate with the truly creative people around me.
Saturday afternoon our volleyball team finished off a nearly perfect season with a big win to retain the #1 seed in the upcoming tournament. Last year we finished the season #1 but sputtered and died at the tournament...hopefully not this year
Saturday evening went to a very fun "vegan" St. Patrick's Day party. The highlight of the party was the NCAA Tourney in HD on the 50" plasma...or maybe it was the dill veggie dip that was made up of mostly vegan cream cheese, but doesn't taste like cream cheese. (Have I mentioned that I despise cream cheese?)
BTW, my NCAA bracket is trashed! The first two rounds were brutal, but so far all of my regional picks are still online, so there's still hope.
Sunday morning totally rocked! The worship band was dead on! PK rocked the house with one of his best deliveries to date, IMO. The 3D images even looked better than I thought they would. Attendance was 338 at our two Sunday morning services; a 96 person (39%) increase from the same weekend last year.
A couple of our closest friends came over for dinner (burgers on the grill...yay! Spring!) and brought the hands-down, ugliest cake that I have ever seen. It was good, though. And Shannon, thanks for complimenting my coffee...I know you only come over for the frothy tea!
Saturday morning was way cool as the NC3 planning team met at my house to finish the prep for next 3 JWATR services and to continue the planning for Good Friday and Easter. I am just discovering how much fun it is to collaborate with the truly creative people around me.
Saturday afternoon our volleyball team finished off a nearly perfect season with a big win to retain the #1 seed in the upcoming tournament. Last year we finished the season #1 but sputtered and died at the tournament...hopefully not this year
Saturday evening went to a very fun "vegan" St. Patrick's Day party. The highlight of the party was the NCAA Tourney in HD on the 50" plasma...or maybe it was the dill veggie dip that was made up of mostly vegan cream cheese, but doesn't taste like cream cheese. (Have I mentioned that I despise cream cheese?)
BTW, my NCAA bracket is trashed! The first two rounds were brutal, but so far all of my regional picks are still online, so there's still hope.
Sunday morning totally rocked! The worship band was dead on! PK rocked the house with one of his best deliveries to date, IMO. The 3D images even looked better than I thought they would. Attendance was 338 at our two Sunday morning services; a 96 person (39%) increase from the same weekend last year.
A couple of our closest friends came over for dinner (burgers on the grill...yay! Spring!) and brought the hands-down, ugliest cake that I have ever seen. It was good, though. And Shannon, thanks for complimenting my coffee...I know you only come over for the frothy tea!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Unleash, Buzz, the Bible and hyphens
I've been reading the blogs about Unleash 07 at NewSpring in Anderson, SC. It sounds like our team missed out not being there. It also is weird seeing Christians flame each other. I think a lot of us need a big fat injection of passion into our lives and our ministries.
I know I do.
I'd also like to check out Buzz inWashDC.
Speaking of Tony Morgan's blog, (the first thing I hyperlinked) I started a read-the-bible-in-a-year deal, after reading Tony's decision to. Not that I'm trying to be him or that he's my hero or anything (although he is someone I really enjoy reading) but it was just a good kick-in-the-rear. You should try it as well...come along on the journey [add your own breathy, melodramatic tone of voice].
There...I've totally exhausted my allotment of hyphens for the day. I'd better wrap
I know I do.
I'd also like to check out Buzz inWashDC.
Speaking of Tony Morgan's blog, (the first thing I hyperlinked) I started a read-the-bible-in-a-year deal, after reading Tony's decision to. Not that I'm trying to be him or that he's my hero or anything (although he is someone I really enjoy reading) but it was just a good kick-in-the-rear. You should try it as well...come along on the journey [add your own breathy, melodramatic tone of voice].
There...I've totally exhausted my allotment of hyphens for the day. I'd better wrap
what to do, what to do?
Well, once again, my wife Tricia and I are trying to decide what she should do, job-wise. She currently travels about 50 minutes to Naperville to teach 5th grade. Upside...great school, great pay, great principal; downside...10 hours a week in the car. She's considering trying to get a job at our local elementary school, White Oak. Upside...close (she could walk), it's where our daughter will be next year for K5 and our son the year after; downside...about a $800 per month drop in take home.
We've really wavered back and forth. The future will definitely see her at White Oak, but the question is...one more year in Naperville or try to get to White Oak this fall. Hard call. We've gone back and forth...leaning to one and then the other and then back to the other... Love to have your prayers on this one.
We've taken into account the cost of commuting (financial), the cost of daycare (Katy would have none), the cost of commuting (time in car, time away from family). Let me hear from you on this one.
We've really wavered back and forth. The future will definitely see her at White Oak, but the question is...one more year in Naperville or try to get to White Oak this fall. Hard call. We've gone back and forth...leaning to one and then the other and then back to the other... Love to have your prayers on this one.
We've taken into account the cost of commuting (financial), the cost of daycare (Katy would have none), the cost of commuting (time in car, time away from family). Let me hear from you on this one.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Responses to "Extreme Discontent"
Well I received some interesting comments regarding last Thursdays post. So I thought I should follow up a bit. First, I am not depressed, nor am I considering leaving. The feelings that I expressed in the post were true and valid, even if somewhat reactionary. My friend Sean wrote me a very concerned (and very long) email regarding things that I'd said and he had some great points...so Sean, I hope you don't mind if I quote you.
"I have to believe that the things we do no matter how small or trivial they might seem at the time add up to make a big difference."
Absolutely! There is no job too small and no detail unworthy of attention. I lost sight of that for a while on Thursday.
"i know you didn't post to put these thoughts in my head but rather just express the thoughts you were having that day. but it happened. i dont think its a bad thing at all. quite the opposite in fact because it just hit me that I'm right where I'm supposed to be or at least close. alot closer than just a few years ago. deep down i feel like I'm doing what God is calling me to do and I'm trying my hardest to do it the way he wants and the absolute best that i can for him."
That's exactly it. Knowing where you are supposed to be and being there is an amazing thing. Part of my problem on that day was wondering "Is this what I should be doing?" I never questioned (in my mind) the necessity of those things (cuesheets, postcards, graphics) being made, I just felt like maybe someone else should be doing them so that I could be doing something "greater." I can totally see the error in what I posted. I have to remember that I'm not to important to do anything. The very fact that God allows me to serve Him in the most menial and humble of ways is a testament to His incredible Grace, "for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips..." I'm so proud of my humilty! =)
There is no task below and no detail to small for a leader. There is an appropriateness, however, in serving mostly in the ways that you are gifted and called. Pavarotti may have been the best floor polisher the Met had ever seen, but his true gift would have been wasted. I do not mean to imply that I'm gifted in any way like Pavarotti, but the principle applies to us all: focus on what you're best at and that which produces the most benefit.
A week later (with cuesheets and chordsheets still to be done), I feel very comfortable in the reality that I'm now doing some things that will not always be my task and in doing so I take away from the things that I do best and that produce the most benefit. BUT, that doesn't diminish the value of those tasks. I also know that a little bit of discontent can be a very good thing.
Still far from content...
"I have to believe that the things we do no matter how small or trivial they might seem at the time add up to make a big difference."
Absolutely! There is no job too small and no detail unworthy of attention. I lost sight of that for a while on Thursday.
"i know you didn't post to put these thoughts in my head but rather just express the thoughts you were having that day. but it happened. i dont think its a bad thing at all. quite the opposite in fact because it just hit me that I'm right where I'm supposed to be or at least close. alot closer than just a few years ago. deep down i feel like I'm doing what God is calling me to do and I'm trying my hardest to do it the way he wants and the absolute best that i can for him."
That's exactly it. Knowing where you are supposed to be and being there is an amazing thing. Part of my problem on that day was wondering "Is this what I should be doing?" I never questioned (in my mind) the necessity of those things (cuesheets, postcards, graphics) being made, I just felt like maybe someone else should be doing them so that I could be doing something "greater." I can totally see the error in what I posted. I have to remember that I'm not to important to do anything. The very fact that God allows me to serve Him in the most menial and humble of ways is a testament to His incredible Grace, "for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips..." I'm so proud of my humilty! =)
There is no task below and no detail to small for a leader. There is an appropriateness, however, in serving mostly in the ways that you are gifted and called. Pavarotti may have been the best floor polisher the Met had ever seen, but his true gift would have been wasted. I do not mean to imply that I'm gifted in any way like Pavarotti, but the principle applies to us all: focus on what you're best at and that which produces the most benefit.
A week later (with cuesheets and chordsheets still to be done), I feel very comfortable in the reality that I'm now doing some things that will not always be my task and in doing so I take away from the things that I do best and that produce the most benefit. BUT, that doesn't diminish the value of those tasks. I also know that a little bit of discontent can be a very good thing.
Still far from content...
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
New Book
I'm flat-out pumped! My new book arrived, "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. I'm two chapters into it and I'm enthralled. I love the concept, love the story of Benaiah, I love the way Batterson mixes theology with science and philosophy and literature to engage your intellect...
I'm thankful for the impact that Max Lucado's books had on me early in my faith journey, but when I read now, I want meat and more meat. I want to be challenged intellectually as well as theologically and morally. I hate the thinking that to be Christians and to have faith in God, we must check our brains at the door. Batterson seems to get this. He's a sharp guy and seems to be doing an incredible work in Washington D.C.
If you want to be someone who does something, not just someone who exists, this book may be a good tool. Check it out. Let me know if you've already read it and what you thought.
I'm thankful for the impact that Max Lucado's books had on me early in my faith journey, but when I read now, I want meat and more meat. I want to be challenged intellectually as well as theologically and morally. I hate the thinking that to be Christians and to have faith in God, we must check our brains at the door. Batterson seems to get this. He's a sharp guy and seems to be doing an incredible work in Washington D.C.
If you want to be someone who does something, not just someone who exists, this book may be a good tool. Check it out. Let me know if you've already read it and what you thought.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Extreme Discontent
So I'm obviously not a very good blogger. Over 3 weeks since my last post. Probably anyone who was reading has stopped. That's cool. This may be the post that I would least like to have anyone read.
I'm staring at my to-do list today and I just feel lost. Not that it's exceptionally long...I kept it short on purpose so that I could take my day off tomorrow. I'm staring at a to-do list that contains nothing that will change anyone's life.
Although I've begun to dabble in graphic design (which I enjoy) its just a creative outlet for me. I enjoy the compliments to a degree, but overall it has just become one more thing that must be done. Cue sheets, posters, mediashout, postcards... they're all very cool and possibly even necessary, but necessary for what? Whose life will be changed by the cool graphics that I make to accompany my pastor's sermon? What difference will a poster advertising the current series make? Who will experience God better because I've spent time making them. Is there something else I should be doing that has more eternal significance than a flow sheet?
I read Perry Noble's blog and Dave Ferguson's... I read Mark Batterson's and they're all writing with passion about what they're involved in--be it sermon series or their kids basketball team. Maybe it's a bad day, but I'm just not passionate about postcards! Why should I spend hours working on what produces no benefit?
Am I crazy? Am I missing the big picture? I'm sure that someone would tell me that every little thing we do matters and I know full well that whatever I do I should do it with all my heart because I'm working for the Lord, not for men. But maybe that just means that I should avoid things that I can't put my heart into. Someone help me understand what my reaction to all of this should be.
I feel like I'm a stallion that has been put into a hamster's cage, pointed at the wheel and told to spin it. There's got to be something bigger that I can sink my teeth into. There has to be something to invest my time and resources and passion into that will produce a bigger return than making cue sheets.
More than anything else, I want to see people who are not connected with God meet Him and realize that He is the reason for existence that they've been hoping to find. I want to see people being swept up in the divine romance and begin walking and talking with God...living their lives in his presence. I want to see people who mindlessly and coldly struggle from day to the next transformed into Lion Chasers, people whose lives are a daily adventure with God as their expedition leader. I want to see people who are hurt and broken and being trampled by the world, restored to health and vibrancy and filled with passion.
As I read what I've written, I'm acutely aware that the thing I'm wanting to stir up in others is what I feel I'm lacking today as I look at my menial to-do list. I don't know what all of this means, quite honestly.
But I do know that I'm far from content. I know there's more!
I'm staring at my to-do list today and I just feel lost. Not that it's exceptionally long...I kept it short on purpose so that I could take my day off tomorrow. I'm staring at a to-do list that contains nothing that will change anyone's life.
Although I've begun to dabble in graphic design (which I enjoy) its just a creative outlet for me. I enjoy the compliments to a degree, but overall it has just become one more thing that must be done. Cue sheets, posters, mediashout, postcards... they're all very cool and possibly even necessary, but necessary for what? Whose life will be changed by the cool graphics that I make to accompany my pastor's sermon? What difference will a poster advertising the current series make? Who will experience God better because I've spent time making them. Is there something else I should be doing that has more eternal significance than a flow sheet?
I read Perry Noble's blog and Dave Ferguson's... I read Mark Batterson's and they're all writing with passion about what they're involved in--be it sermon series or their kids basketball team. Maybe it's a bad day, but I'm just not passionate about postcards! Why should I spend hours working on what produces no benefit?
Am I crazy? Am I missing the big picture? I'm sure that someone would tell me that every little thing we do matters and I know full well that whatever I do I should do it with all my heart because I'm working for the Lord, not for men. But maybe that just means that I should avoid things that I can't put my heart into. Someone help me understand what my reaction to all of this should be.
I feel like I'm a stallion that has been put into a hamster's cage, pointed at the wheel and told to spin it. There's got to be something bigger that I can sink my teeth into. There has to be something to invest my time and resources and passion into that will produce a bigger return than making cue sheets.
More than anything else, I want to see people who are not connected with God meet Him and realize that He is the reason for existence that they've been hoping to find. I want to see people being swept up in the divine romance and begin walking and talking with God...living their lives in his presence. I want to see people who mindlessly and coldly struggle from day to the next transformed into Lion Chasers, people whose lives are a daily adventure with God as their expedition leader. I want to see people who are hurt and broken and being trampled by the world, restored to health and vibrancy and filled with passion.
As I read what I've written, I'm acutely aware that the thing I'm wanting to stir up in others is what I feel I'm lacking today as I look at my menial to-do list. I don't know what all of this means, quite honestly.
But I do know that I'm far from content. I know there's more!
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