Okay...let me be very clear this time. Nat is not here the second Sunday of August, nor will I, so we will need to try for the 3rd Sunday in August. That will be the 20th. Please leave a comment confirming your availability.
Nat, as you see Mark most days, can you let him know about the meeting. I would like to invite him to our meetings until he is able to come, and begin the small steps in removing the odd division between worship and teaching.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Worship planning thoughts
It happened again, though not as bad.
Just before I left for my vacation (middle o' June), I felt that little burn-out from the job, much like I did back in January of this year. It wasn't the worship leading that was the culprit, or the relating with people, or the meetings, or the work environment, or the 17-minute commute to the church from my house --- it was the worship planning that was doing me in!! That last week came, and I thought, "I just don't want to plan any more worship gatherings!!"
To expect to plan worship practically every week, essentially by myself, is a daunting...expectation (redundancy intended). In many of the books I've recently been reading on worship, there is emphasis on planning worship in community -- valuing broad active participation not only in the executing of worship but also in its shaping. That has happened at the BC to a certain extent: for almost four years now, Mark, Cyndi, and I have been meeting each Monday to debrief the previous worship gathering and plan for the next one (or two or three). But really the bulk of the "music/worship portion" (you know I'm not fond of that sharp division 'tween worship & teaching) is designed by me.
I have started to not like that very much. (Perhaps some of you are reading this and thinking, "It's about time, Nat...") I have a deep desire to be creative in planning worship, but it's hard to be creative practically every week, essentially by myself. I'm not just talking about the old conversation about a variety of musical styles and genres, but I mean really creative, even risky -- not being sure if something is even gonna work at all! Creative with sound (more than music), visuals (more than art), other creative expressions, prose and poetry, dance, creative presentation of Scripture (not just read), use of other media like video and stuff, reconsidering of the worship space (chair set-up, use or non-use of the stage, use of lighting, etc.), people getting up and out of their seats, interacting with one another and God in a holistic (physical/emotional/relational/spiritual) way. Man, it needs to happen! If this community, this culture, is going to be reached for Christ, it's gotta happen.
I want people to dream with me on Monday mornings at 7:30 AM. I want to meet for breakfast, share ideas, leave by 8:45, be in constant contact for the next couple of days as creative juices flow and ideas are exchanged amongst the group. I want the Chapel Hill Bible Church to have a fresh experience of God and each other as we gather on Sunday mornings. I want this body of worshippers to worship with their gifts and lead others to do the same. I know I've been relatively resistant to it before, but I think I am ready to explore worship planning in a community context.
Somebody talk to me.
Just before I left for my vacation (middle o' June), I felt that little burn-out from the job, much like I did back in January of this year. It wasn't the worship leading that was the culprit, or the relating with people, or the meetings, or the work environment, or the 17-minute commute to the church from my house --- it was the worship planning that was doing me in!! That last week came, and I thought, "I just don't want to plan any more worship gatherings!!"
To expect to plan worship practically every week, essentially by myself, is a daunting...expectation (redundancy intended). In many of the books I've recently been reading on worship, there is emphasis on planning worship in community -- valuing broad active participation not only in the executing of worship but also in its shaping. That has happened at the BC to a certain extent: for almost four years now, Mark, Cyndi, and I have been meeting each Monday to debrief the previous worship gathering and plan for the next one (or two or three). But really the bulk of the "music/worship portion" (you know I'm not fond of that sharp division 'tween worship & teaching) is designed by me.
I have started to not like that very much. (Perhaps some of you are reading this and thinking, "It's about time, Nat...") I have a deep desire to be creative in planning worship, but it's hard to be creative practically every week, essentially by myself. I'm not just talking about the old conversation about a variety of musical styles and genres, but I mean really creative, even risky -- not being sure if something is even gonna work at all! Creative with sound (more than music), visuals (more than art), other creative expressions, prose and poetry, dance, creative presentation of Scripture (not just read), use of other media like video and stuff, reconsidering of the worship space (chair set-up, use or non-use of the stage, use of lighting, etc.), people getting up and out of their seats, interacting with one another and God in a holistic (physical/emotional/relational/spiritual) way. Man, it needs to happen! If this community, this culture, is going to be reached for Christ, it's gotta happen.
I want people to dream with me on Monday mornings at 7:30 AM. I want to meet for breakfast, share ideas, leave by 8:45, be in constant contact for the next couple of days as creative juices flow and ideas are exchanged amongst the group. I want the Chapel Hill Bible Church to have a fresh experience of God and each other as we gather on Sunday mornings. I want this body of worshippers to worship with their gifts and lead others to do the same. I know I've been relatively resistant to it before, but I think I am ready to explore worship planning in a community context.
Somebody talk to me.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Had a little epiphany...thought I would share. we have been all trying to attach meaning to the word missional, and get beyond the very traditional interpretation.....(go to africa).
I had this nice little picture that came to mind, of someone breathing. In and out...in and out.
Perhaps missional living is like breathing, we must breath in (the first commandment being that we love God with all our hearts, souls and minds). Breathing in is the "loving of God" allowing him to invade every cell of our being. Then we breath out, (the second commandment is to love your neighbor as your self). We breath out the love of God to others.
I like this way of thinking about it because we cannot breathe out until we have taken a breath in. We have nothing to give others of true spiritual value until we have filled ourselves with the Giver of Life and breath.
I also like the idea that breathing in and breathing out are so closely related in time. Very shortly after we breath out we must breath in. We cannot love others for very long without breathing in the Love of God in our own lives. We are dependant on the love of God to love others. Breathe in....breathe out.
I think of the very first thing a baby does, it breathes in, then it breathes out with a cry to the delight of the mother and father. I have yet to hear a more beautiful sound.
Breathe in...breathe out....taking God's love in....giving God's love out.
I had this nice little picture that came to mind, of someone breathing. In and out...in and out.
Perhaps missional living is like breathing, we must breath in (the first commandment being that we love God with all our hearts, souls and minds). Breathing in is the "loving of God" allowing him to invade every cell of our being. Then we breath out, (the second commandment is to love your neighbor as your self). We breath out the love of God to others.
I like this way of thinking about it because we cannot breathe out until we have taken a breath in. We have nothing to give others of true spiritual value until we have filled ourselves with the Giver of Life and breath.
I also like the idea that breathing in and breathing out are so closely related in time. Very shortly after we breath out we must breath in. We cannot love others for very long without breathing in the Love of God in our own lives. We are dependant on the love of God to love others. Breathe in....breathe out.
I think of the very first thing a baby does, it breathes in, then it breathes out with a cry to the delight of the mother and father. I have yet to hear a more beautiful sound.
Breathe in...breathe out....taking God's love in....giving God's love out.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
We are meeting tomorrow
My mistake....we ARE meeting tomorrow after the second service. I was thrown off by Nat being away and the fact that the second sunday is upon us so quickly. Just wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page!
Andrew
Andrew
Friday, July 07, 2006
Next Meeting and the 1st and 2nd commandments
We had agreed that we would meet every second Sunday of the month, but I believe this month it is the third as the July 2nd was a Sunday. (doesn't really count as the 1st Sunday) For those who can attend please say so in the comment section. Thanks
A reminder...we were going to discuss the chapter on Worship from the book by Minatrea.
I think discussing Nats great thoughts can also be on the agenda.
One last thought, something I have been thinking about.
The first two commandments are as follows
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
I think the order is very significant, and especially relevant to our discussion about becoming more "missional".(neighbor centered)
What this says to me is that the relationship with God really needs to comes first (the "greatest" commandment), and loving our neighbors (similar but not "as great") comes a close second.
As those charged with thinking about how we worship, the first two commandments strongly suggest that every Sunday needs to focus on both but with a lean towards "Loving God with all our hearts,souls and minds". This would mean alot of getting to know the heart of God through the word, listening in prayer,....alot of adoration through songs and praise. The service content needs to help encourage everyone to really consider how God is impacting their daily lives, transforming, healing, encouraging, forgiving, loving. Then, out of an electric awareness of God's goodness in our lives, we overflow to the second commandment..."Love you neighbour."
How do we obey the second commandment in a service? Let there be discussion about what we are doing in the community, program initiatives, testimonials etc, and the ocassional sermon specifically about serving others. All elements can be very inspiring and encouraging to get involved missionally. But I am afraid that the motivation to love and serve our neighbor will not be sustained without the heavy diet of God. When I read the word, pray and ask God to lead me in my daily life, I find that my motivation to serve comes naturally, more spirit led.
I am really excited and encouraged about the direction of the CHBC with its no nonsense, roll up your sleeves, get real and love people message. It's been really good for me personally, tending to be a little more introverted and introspective by nature.
However, I continue to be faithfully concerned that the imbalance in the effective influence of various leaders in the church will lead us to make "serving others" more a priority than to "first love God with all our hearts, souls and minds."
Maybe the two commandments are not as different as I am making them out to be. If we love others and forget to look up at God in our service, in His grace he looks down and says....good enough. I so want us to remain very God focussed.
I am being challenged.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
Andrew
A reminder...we were going to discuss the chapter on Worship from the book by Minatrea.
I think discussing Nats great thoughts can also be on the agenda.
One last thought, something I have been thinking about.
The first two commandments are as follows
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
I think the order is very significant, and especially relevant to our discussion about becoming more "missional".(neighbor centered)
What this says to me is that the relationship with God really needs to comes first (the "greatest" commandment), and loving our neighbors (similar but not "as great") comes a close second.
As those charged with thinking about how we worship, the first two commandments strongly suggest that every Sunday needs to focus on both but with a lean towards "Loving God with all our hearts,souls and minds". This would mean alot of getting to know the heart of God through the word, listening in prayer,....alot of adoration through songs and praise. The service content needs to help encourage everyone to really consider how God is impacting their daily lives, transforming, healing, encouraging, forgiving, loving. Then, out of an electric awareness of God's goodness in our lives, we overflow to the second commandment..."Love you neighbour."
How do we obey the second commandment in a service? Let there be discussion about what we are doing in the community, program initiatives, testimonials etc, and the ocassional sermon specifically about serving others. All elements can be very inspiring and encouraging to get involved missionally. But I am afraid that the motivation to love and serve our neighbor will not be sustained without the heavy diet of God. When I read the word, pray and ask God to lead me in my daily life, I find that my motivation to serve comes naturally, more spirit led.
I am really excited and encouraged about the direction of the CHBC with its no nonsense, roll up your sleeves, get real and love people message. It's been really good for me personally, tending to be a little more introverted and introspective by nature.
However, I continue to be faithfully concerned that the imbalance in the effective influence of various leaders in the church will lead us to make "serving others" more a priority than to "first love God with all our hearts, souls and minds."
Maybe the two commandments are not as different as I am making them out to be. If we love others and forget to look up at God in our service, in His grace he looks down and says....good enough. I so want us to remain very God focussed.
I am being challenged.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
Andrew
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