Worship
It depends….
Thanks for your thoughtful responses to my last post on altar calls. The consensus is – “it depends.” So my next question is – it depends on what? Let’s talk about the factors determining methodology when the Bible is silent.
How does your personal experience influence your methodology? Many of you referenced personal spiritual growth as [...]
Altar Calls: Yes or No?
Let’s discuss the use of altar calls in church services. For the purpose of this blog post, an altar call is an event that takes place after preaching. It involves an invitation from the preacher to come to the front of the church in response to the message.
FOR
Faith demands a response. In Scripture, there are [...]
Pray The Word
For some of us, it’s easier to talk with God spontaneously during the day: a request here, a thank-you there. To pray anywhere and anytime is an amazing blessing of knowing God. But momentary talks with God are not enough. Imagine a father who comes home and chats for a moment, then leaves. Even if [...]
Soul-Stirring Music
Have you ever experienced this? You’re in church, singing with the congregation, and suddenly a line from the text becomes highlighted in your mind. You’re arrested by its truth. The music flows on while your heart is stirred up toward God. You feel a lump in your throat and your eyes well up.
You may not [...]
Enjoying Communion
I feel especially blessed to have attended church from childhood! But one risk of growing up in church is that you can become mentally mechanical during the church service. Communion time is one example. I think many Christians acknowledge the significance of Communion but often feel “in a rut” during Communion. So it’s helpful to rethink what is taking place as you participate.
A Missionary Melody
My pastor, Steven Mock, preached on Psalm 96 on Sunday. He called this Psalm “a missionary melody.”
“Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!”
There were three key points that Steven made from the text:
1. Mission starts with worship (v. 1)
Mission is about maturing disciples of Jesus Christ.
John Piper said “Mission exists [...]
Why The Gospel Is Good News
I’m reading John Piper’s God Is The Gospel, where he asks: “Why is the Gospel good news?”
The reason this must be asked is that there are seemingly biblical answers that totally ignore the gift of God himself. A person may answer, “Being forgiven is good news because I don’t want to go to hell.” Or [...]
Why Men Hate Going To Church
Why Men Hate Going To Church. David Murrow. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005. 248pp.
I was required to read this book and I opened it with curiosity, as I often interact with guys who have no interest in church. The short answer is that the book was frustrating but did provide a handful of practical suggestions for [...]
Only Jesus
“A Quiet Heart” by the Soundforth Singers & Orchestra has been a real God-send.
One song in-particular that has been a blessing is Only Jesus (Words and music by Keith Ferguson and Bruce Greer). This song has been such an encouragement to me personally both from a doctrinal and musical standpoint. I will be touching [...]
Questions About Music…
Music, being perhaps one of the most controversial issues in Christianity today, brings up a lot of questions. Many of them deserve to be answered personally and honestly.
Is bigger, louder, more majestic… better?
When I listen to sacred music throughout the week, am I using it for entertainment?
If I like it, does that mean I should [...]
When Satan Rings Your Number
Mobile Phone Etiquette for the Church Goer
By Jason Harris
One of the most distracting things that can happen during a church service, second only to crying babies and sleeping deacons, is when the phone rings. You know the drill. The pastor is drawing the Scriptural points together and the power of the message is hitting [...]
Printed Music vs. Projection, Part Two
Effective Use of Projection
By Jason Harris
Since hymnals have been around for years, there’s less need to discuss their use. Projection on the other hand is relatively new and extremely difficult to use well. As seen in my last post, I’m not arguing for or against using projection. I am saying that if you use it, [...]
