Building a covenant

I am working with the Leadership Team on creating a covenant for our team to make sure we are being intentional about creating room for God in our plans. The wonder of a covenant is that it requires a significant and meaningful relationship between the people and God. It is not just a simple agreement or contract. It has a God element that raises it onto a more spiritual plane and gives it a much deeper meaning. When you look at the covenants God made in scripture with Abram and Moses. A covenant also requires a sacrifice on the part of both parties that is deeper than performing tasks or keeping promises. I think of the sacrifice that was required in God's covenant between us and His son Jesus on the cross.

I am also praying about the idea of covenant around issues of church membership. We all belong to clubs and other organizations and those are memberships. The only thing required of a "member" typically is the paying dues. There usually is not an element of sacrifice included in membership. My question that I am praying over is: should church membership actually be a covenant? Should we be covenanting together as a church body to move inline with God's plan for TRCC?

EPIC Worship

I follow some Emergent Church blogs. One of the main issues arising out of that movement is the need to constantly look at the way we worship God. One of the ways worship is being modified is through EPIC Worship. Let me explain:

Experiential - The emergent community desires a worship that is more experiential in nature. They need to engage their senses in worship.
Participatory - This is the desire to be a part of the worship experience and not just a passive member of the audience.
Image-Rich - Worship should be full of images that help to bring people into presence of God. These images should be rich in symbolism and meaning.
Connect - Worship should provide ways for people to connect with each other and connect with God.

The reason I bring this up is that the Worship Team is discussing ways that TRCC can be more EPIC in our worship experience. I think this essential for TRCC to keep at the forefront on reaching people with the Gospel message.

Team Ministry

I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately about my place in ministry. One of the promises I made to God when I entered ministry is that I would always remain open to His leading where ever it may take me.

I have always been drawn to team ministry models. When I look at the model Jesus gave us with the disciples it is evident that ministry should be done as a team. The disciples traveled together and lived three years of their lives together. They prayed together, ate together and lived out their daily lives together.

One of my goals this year is to develop a team at TRCC that is focused on ministry as a whole and not individual ministries. This team will be very special. We will study the Word together, eat together, pray together and share our lives.

More on this later.

unChristian?

Yesterday I was reading an article about a new book titled, unChristian: What a Generation Thinks About Christianity... and Why it Matters by Dave Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. I have not read the book yet, but in an interview with the authors they cite that the big three reasons people dislike the church is because they perceive us as Anti-homosexual, Unfriendly and Hypocritical. Now I believe that homosexuality is not inline with God's teachings, but I would never want to come across as anti-homosexual. I don't believe that adultery is inline with God's will, but someone who has fallen to that sin is welcome in the church. Same with someone who is living a homosexual lifestyle. You see I think the church is being perceived as hating the sin and the sinner. Unfortunately there may be some truth to that across this country.

In the February 5th edition of the Washington Post Pastor Rick Warren was interviewed. The following quote struck me in relation to the above article. Pastor Rick said, "I just think we're becoming too rude," he said. "You have no right to demonize someone just because you disagree with them." Ouch...!

For the world to perceive the church as "unfriendly" is a markedly deep failing in fulfilling our mission for Christ. How can we show the world the love of Christ when they perceive us as unfriendly?

Someday...

Not that I am planning to retire for a very long time, but I have finally found the place where I will eventually hang up it up.

Several years ago my wife bought me the Thomas Kinkade painting "End of a Perfect Day 2". It has been a treasured possession in our house and always will be. It is absolutely beautiful and I have always said that I wanted to find that place and retire there when Lisa and I are ready to settle down. I have finally found it!

Here is a picture of the Thomas Kinkade painting:

Now here is a place in Northwest Montana that I found surfing the internet:

Now how similar is that? I just need to actually find this place now...sounds like a fun vacation in the planning. Now...how long will it take to drive to Montana...onto Google Maps for the answer. Have a great day!

Sunday Reflections

There are those Sunday's where time we set aside to worship our Lord is just so special and profound that they are literally moments-in-time. Yesterday was one of those times.

The theme of Sunday was "Facing Fears" and it was evident from the opening song to the closing prayer. The band opened with "God with Us" which is a new song for us. It was awesome to see some many people singing along. Vickie's drama was fantastic as it addressed the numerous fears we have and how it is easy to take God for granted in the good times and only call on Him in the tough times. I included Rhoda's testimony as part of my message on "Facing Fears". She really conquered one of her fears by sharing her life with all of us. I know that everyone who heard it was blessed hear how God has worked so richly in her life.