The Worship Wars

So there was this debate on a forum about Comtemporary or Traditional Styles of Worship - and here is my Response.




Somehow I think we miss the point. Define Worship - Worship isn't a style - it is an expression.

If you worship something it is what you adore, admire, show your love for.

I think we get Worship and our "services" mixed up. The assembling of the church on Sunday comes together to show Worship and that expression may be done in many different musical and other expressions during the service. Whether this be traditional, blended, contemporary, or what have you - does it matter? In some ways it may but then it gets back into the McChurch theology rather than defining Worship as an Expression.

I almost laugh at the whole "Worship Style" "Worship Wars" Why?

Because if our people and leadership know and do what true Worship is - we wouldn't worry on musical tastes but what is showing Love to God and love for others.

You may not like a certain beat or style of music but hopefully you like that people are expressing their love for the Lord.

Sometimes I think we miss the point. What is contemporary Worship? Is there such a term? (I know what they mean by this but really shouldn't our worship always be relevant?)

Worship should be done in all we do? Thus our Worship Style be our lifestyle. People know who you love by whaT you do, own, and say. Our Worship of God is daily.

I think until we define worship and have people know that Worship isn't a Sunday AM thing but daily then we might be Restoring back to the NT church.

Church Shopping

Article



This quote stood out to me:

"
It takes character and selflessness for ministers and members to be kingdom oriented, not my-church oriented. God does want our churches to grow, but through the conversion of the lost, not by just doing church a little better than the church across town."

My prayer is I'm more Kingdom oriented than comparing myself to local or national churches. The Kingdom of God is bigger than the church I'm @ now.

Applying for a Church

Top Ten Things to Know When Applying for a Youth Ministry.

1. Your Resume is everything. Keep it short. Simple. An opening letter of interest of the position. The Resume itself should have your contact info, Philosophy of YM, Doctrinal statement, Education, Experience, Honors, and References. Usually 1 page for intro letter, 1-2page resume, and references. Make it professional. Check for spelling. Make them want to talk with you. Don't over do it though. Be concise and honest.

2. Have it in Writing. Get a description of the position. Is it just teens, children also? Pay range etc. If a church doesn't have any idea of what they are looking for, neither should you look at them.

3. Ask what the application process is. This is important. If you are looking for a position in the next few months and the church isn't in any hurry to hire, no need to send a resume. How soon hear back? Are they doing a beauty contest? Bringing in their Top 3? etc.

4. Demographics. Size of church, location. Region of the Country. Not everyone can be the Next Doug Fields in Southern Ca (I'm sure Doug doesn't even want you to be) but be who God called you to be. Know your own personality and gifts and where can minister (This doesn't rule God out, but also might clarify your Calling to a particular area ..if passionate about Inner City don't apply to middle of Nowhere Idaho. Get some info about the church, size, ages area etc.


5. Be professional. Apply for the position. Review the pros and cons of the area. When conducting interviews try to be concise and be prepared. Nothing like off the wall questions. Be prepared for whatever may come. Be prepared to give a lesson. Show your philosophy of ministry. Dress appropriately for the occasion.

6. Ask Questions. Not only answer them. But Ask them. History of the church. Budget. Leadership styles. Get to know much about the church as possible. This is a very much like a dating relationship - you want to know if compatible.

7. Get References. Not only for yourself. But about the church applying to. Ask for them. What does the local Y church say about the church I'm applying to. How is it seen in the community? Who else has worked or knows about the Senior Minister? etc.

8. Theology is a must. If you cannot agree theologically or methodology with a certain church - don't apply. Don't shape your theology to get a job but rather let your theology lead you. Too often what happens is politics and misunderstanding not over theology but of opinion, and yet some of this could of been avoided if understood upfront where the congregation stood doctrinally and in its methods to approaching that doctrine.

9. Pull your resources. Network. Know your friends. Know what is out there. Get those connections to help find the right youth ministry position for you.

10. Pray. (Should of been #1) Seek God's will in this. Applying for a youth ministry isn't an easy task. You want it to be for the long haul. Too many apply and accept the first church that has accepted them only to be looking again in a short turnover. If you do your homework, God has a place for you. It is far worth it. Youth Ministry is a good thing ... a job of which you can love God and love students.

-Gerrard R. Fess is a veteran of of a decade of youthwork.

Some resources to consult:

Applying For Your First Church - David A. Enyart
Genuine Ministers - Marshall Leggett
My First Church - Elmer Towns
Things They Never Taught you in Seminary - Deborah and James Bushfield

Life is not always Fair ... But God is there.

So one of my peers
has been recently terminated from his youth ministry position.

SAD really. I hurt for him. Whatever happened to extending Grace, mercy. Basically let go because of financial reasons.

Now what bothers me is given a severance. Only a month or so. Must jobs you can get a 2 week, month, or 60days notice or more. The thing about most jobs is you can get another job within that amount of time. With youth ministry or any pastor position it takes months even years to get into the next position, and sometimes is harder when you are in between positions.

Here are some Top 10 suggestions to handle a Forced Exit.

1. Use Resources
that are already out there to help with the healing process and get onto the road of recovery.
2. Get as much encouragement as possible. There will be bouts of doubt, depression, anxiety, stress, and knowing where God is - in this time.
3. Get some accountability and counseling advice.
4. Move on, but also cherish the memories. Make a scrapbook, write a resignation letter. Be positive - even if you are not.
5. Get a GOOD recommendation IN WRITING from the former congregation. Sometimes - even if forced exit having this might save the pain of Gossip, rumours, and hearsay, and reading too much or too little inbetween the lines.
6. Ask for a contractual agreement of what to take what not to take. Example - if computer, books, etc is church's verify that or have that the church gave those as a gift to you and have it in WRITING, so no accusation you stole from the church.
7. Update your resume. Use your network of friends, see if you want to get back into ministry right away or a time to reflect on God's calling on your life.
8. Apply at local jobs for a time. Get involved at another church as a volunteer. Sometimes it is better to be a volunteer and then see where God is directing you.
9. READ. REflect. Reason. Look at yourself. Was there things you could improve on? Others. Be a peacekeeper. Don't anguish over the exit but also be a good critic of your former ministry and yourself.
10. Pray. Should be #1. Take time to get your soul refreshed. Take time to contemplate the way God has brought you to this point.



Forced Exits and termination in Youth Ministry is something that breaks my heart. The Church abuses it's own too much. It is time to Stop the Pain, Abuse and for the Church to be THE CHURCH to its people - both parishioners and pastors.