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Showing posts from July, 2008

Study of Scripture as a Discipline

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So this Sunday's Message is on the value of studying Scripture. Three points. I. Plan - have a plan. II. Prioritize - why, what is studying scripture. III. Practice - How to study the Word. Looking forward to it!

The Music Controversy in Church!

Dan Kimball has a interesting post on this very issue. (Talk about timing since I'm doing the Spiritual Disciplines - and Worship is comign up in the next few weeks) Here is what I found amusing was this quote: The letter said: "I am no music scholar, but I feel I know appropriate church music when I hear it. Last Sunday's new hymn - if you can call it that - sounded like a sentimental love ballad one would expect to hear crooned in a saloon. If you insist on exposing us to rubbish like this - in God's house! - don't be surprised if many of the faithful look for a new place to worship. The hymns we grew up with are all we need." This letter was written in 1863 and the song they were concerned about was the hymn "Just As I Am". Another letter said: "What is wrong with the inspiring hymns with which we grew up? When I go to church, it is to worship God, not to be distracted with learning a new hymn. Last Sunday's was particularly unnervin

Sermon Worksheet

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The following is a guide that I use and isn't original with me - I borrowed it from others ...feel free to use. Step 1 Choose the Passage to be preached. Passage:______________________________ Step 2 Study Your passage and Gather your notes. A. Did you read the book of which the passage is a part?____ B. What introductions to the book did you read (in commentaries, study Bibles, dictionaries, encyclopedias, online etc)? Biblical author?______________________Date Written________________ To whom Written?_____________________________________ Historical situation: C. What is the topic of the passage immediately preceding yours? D. What is the topic of the passage immediately following yours? E. Versions or translations in which you read your passage (Circle all that apply) KJV NIV NASV RSV Greek/Hebrew Interlinear Other: Any interesting differences between translations? F. Any interesting or obscure details, background, terms, figures of speech in the p

Being Authentic

A good Reminder that as a church leader, our lives are not our own. We belong to Jesus and are the Hands and Feet of Him at all times. Sure, we're messy. Sure we are broken. And sure we as leaders struggle with sin. The issue is having boundaries, accountability, and integrity. I can tell you that sometimes my own vocabulary needs to be cleaned up too. People can misunderstand or rather read into wording that sounds like you are cursing. Phrases like "O Crap" and "Gosh" can be exchanged for other words in their usage. So what's one to do? Be the Leader God has called you to be. I've known many leaders that have fallen due to immorality. Some being restored, others still broken and needing their way back (Like the prodical son). I had the chance about a year ago to ask one leader who seemed to have everything going for him - Big Church plant, hiring staff, worked with several mega churches to plant the congregation. (Everything we think of as successful