There is no doubt that the internet has changed our society. As reluctant as we may be to admit it, it also has affected the way we do church. The church has often tended to lag a few steps behind and getting an online presence is no exception. Outside of personal invitations, web sites are likely the primary way in which persons learn about and interact with a new church. During the past year, our web site was completely renovated. One of the new features (for us) is posting videos of the sermons from the Sunday Contemporary and Traditional services. Of course, after awhile we wondered just how much this new feature was being utilized. Some recent feedback delivered the answer loud and clear.
At our most recent new member class, we had asked persons to introduce themselves and state how long they had been attending. Imagine my surprise when one family stated that they had never attended a service in person! They had, however, been following online for sometime. Another family joining had only physically attended once while another had attended twice. Like the first family, these families had also been following online. Talk about outreach!
Posting the sermons online has not only become an outreach tool, but has been helpful for others to stay in touch. I recently heard from a member family who has had to be away for some time. They wrote to let me know how much they appreciated the sermons being online s that they could stay caught up. Just this past weekend, I ran into some old friends from my home church. They shared that they had recently learned of the sermons being online and how happy they were to be able to watch them.
While the new web site and sermon videos have been a great addition, I know of churches that do even more. Some have whole online congregations. I recently heard of a church that has a pastor assigned to the online worshippers. I am thankful that we have yet another means to connect people to God. However, as great as it is, I hope that it never replaces the face to face connection. The Internet can provide great opportunities, but it can never replace personal interaction.
Chris
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Tragic Accident
This past Saturday morning, I received one of those tragic phone calls that we all dread. A close friend to my oldest daughter was killed in a car accident Friday night. Naturally, my daughter has taken the news very hard. My prayers certainly go out to this young man's family.
As often happens in situations like this, the thoughts and questions seemingly start pouring forth. He was such a good kid; it doesn't make sense. Why did this have to happen? Why him? Why did God let this happen? The list goes on. The truth is, sometimes there just aren't any answers. Sometimes there are no explanations. I don't think it had anything to do with him being a good kid. I also don't believe that God "took" him. Sometimes accidents just happen. Tragic, yes, but still an accident. I know that doesn't help the hurting. That is going to take time.
What I tried to tell my daughter is that times like these remind us how precious life is. How easy is it for us to forget that? How often do we fail to value each day and each person in our life? We need to make the most of opportunities we are given. We need to appreciate the people in our lives. Finally, we must remember that we need to be there for one another, providing strength, comfort, joy, and hope. These are the things that Christ has brought to us.
As often happens in situations like this, the thoughts and questions seemingly start pouring forth. He was such a good kid; it doesn't make sense. Why did this have to happen? Why him? Why did God let this happen? The list goes on. The truth is, sometimes there just aren't any answers. Sometimes there are no explanations. I don't think it had anything to do with him being a good kid. I also don't believe that God "took" him. Sometimes accidents just happen. Tragic, yes, but still an accident. I know that doesn't help the hurting. That is going to take time.
What I tried to tell my daughter is that times like these remind us how precious life is. How easy is it for us to forget that? How often do we fail to value each day and each person in our life? We need to make the most of opportunities we are given. We need to appreciate the people in our lives. Finally, we must remember that we need to be there for one another, providing strength, comfort, joy, and hope. These are the things that Christ has brought to us.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Back To School
Well, this week marked back to school time, not only for kids in the St. Louis area, but in many others as well. It still seems so early to me. I remember when school started back up after Labor Day. Of course, the kids all think it starts too soon! I had fun giving my kids a countdown of when the first day of school was; first it was the number of weeks and then the number of days. With every update, I was greeted with moans and groans and a loud NOOOOOOO! Aw, good times.
While kids tend dread going to school, it is such an important time of learning. But it's not just about what they learn from their textbooks, but learning what it means to interact with others. I try to remind my kids to make the most of these times because these memories will be with them for years and years to come.
For those of us who are past the school age, I think that back to school time should serve as a reminder for us as well. No matter how old we get or how much we think we know, we should strive to always be learning AND always teaching. Just as there is much that we can learn about ourselves, the world we live in, and life in general, we also have much to share and teach those that follow us in life. Life is full of lessons. May we be ready to learn them and in turn share them.
While kids tend dread going to school, it is such an important time of learning. But it's not just about what they learn from their textbooks, but learning what it means to interact with others. I try to remind my kids to make the most of these times because these memories will be with them for years and years to come.
For those of us who are past the school age, I think that back to school time should serve as a reminder for us as well. No matter how old we get or how much we think we know, we should strive to always be learning AND always teaching. Just as there is much that we can learn about ourselves, the world we live in, and life in general, we also have much to share and teach those that follow us in life. Life is full of lessons. May we be ready to learn them and in turn share them.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
What We Take For Granted
Well, I have now just passed 1 week since my back fusion surgery. Nothing I'd recommend for the fun of it, but if it has to be done, it has to be done. My recovery is going well I guess, but not nearly as fast as I would like! I have certainly been moved by the outpouring of care and support from folks. Thanks to all!
This time has definitely reminded me of a very important fact: we take so much for granted! I simply cannot state that strongly enough. Where do I start? If you are living pain free, count yourself blessed. Not everyone does. How about the many ways we move with our bodies such as bending over, putting on a pair of socks, standing up from a chair, picking up a child, walking, running; I could go on and on. These are things that we just never think about. But we need to be so thankful for every little thing. It has been so tough on me having to depend on others so much. How blessed I am that I have my wife and others that I can depend on, who go out of their way to help me. It's not because of some reward, but out of love. Love... yet another thing we take for granted.
I truly believe that it is times like mine that should remind us of how much we should be in awe of and thankful to God. God places so much in our lives that we just take for granted. We like to complain about so many things, blame God for others, or even deny God's very existence. But here is a radical idea. While we make an effort to not take so much for granted, how about we try to not take God for granted?
Rev Chris
This time has definitely reminded me of a very important fact: we take so much for granted! I simply cannot state that strongly enough. Where do I start? If you are living pain free, count yourself blessed. Not everyone does. How about the many ways we move with our bodies such as bending over, putting on a pair of socks, standing up from a chair, picking up a child, walking, running; I could go on and on. These are things that we just never think about. But we need to be so thankful for every little thing. It has been so tough on me having to depend on others so much. How blessed I am that I have my wife and others that I can depend on, who go out of their way to help me. It's not because of some reward, but out of love. Love... yet another thing we take for granted.
I truly believe that it is times like mine that should remind us of how much we should be in awe of and thankful to God. God places so much in our lives that we just take for granted. We like to complain about so many things, blame God for others, or even deny God's very existence. But here is a radical idea. While we make an effort to not take so much for granted, how about we try to not take God for granted?
Rev Chris
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Prayer Support
Today marks one week from my pending back surgery. On the one hand, I am looking forward to it for the pain relief, but at the same time it is unsettling because it is a pretty big procedure. As the day draws closer, I continue to hear from friends and family offering their prayers. They are much appreciated!
I'm not sure that we always realize how meaningful and powerful prayers are. I have often heard from folks that I have prayed with in a hospital or in a difficult circumstance. Time and again they let me know how much it meant to them. But I think we sometimes have to find ourselves in the position of needing the prayers to grasp how much they mean.
I guess what I am trying to say is to not underestimate the importance and impact of praying for one another in all circumstances. We should all be ready to offer our prayers to others and equally as ready to receive them.
Chris
I'm not sure that we always realize how meaningful and powerful prayers are. I have often heard from folks that I have prayed with in a hospital or in a difficult circumstance. Time and again they let me know how much it meant to them. But I think we sometimes have to find ourselves in the position of needing the prayers to grasp how much they mean.
I guess what I am trying to say is to not underestimate the importance and impact of praying for one another in all circumstances. We should all be ready to offer our prayers to others and equally as ready to receive them.
Chris
Monday, June 15, 2009
Little Moments
Last night, I was able to enjoy one of those little moments that we often take for granted, but mean so much. My wife and I stepped out for maybe an hour and went for coffee. After getting it, we went out on the patio area and sat down to enjoy it. It was such a nice evening out. There was no heavy issues to discuss, just a little time together with some chit chat. It was exactly what I needed after a long day.
Moments like that are so important. You know, moments when there are no real demands on us, no pressure, no stress. Just little reprieves from the craziness of our lives. We need these times. Even Jesus would from time to time step away from the crowds, the questions, and the demands. Sometimes, I don't think we do enough of this. And when we get them, do we really appreciate them?
May we all make room for the "little moments" in our lives. And may we not forget to treasure them.
Chris
Moments like that are so important. You know, moments when there are no real demands on us, no pressure, no stress. Just little reprieves from the craziness of our lives. We need these times. Even Jesus would from time to time step away from the crowds, the questions, and the demands. Sometimes, I don't think we do enough of this. And when we get them, do we really appreciate them?
May we all make room for the "little moments" in our lives. And may we not forget to treasure them.
Chris
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Worship Arts
This morning we had some wonderful worship. It was full of special features. We had the contemporary band, One voice, joining with the choir. We had a guest saxophonist. And, we had an amazing dance to go along with with the choir's rendition of "Baba Yetu." As I said, it was a great, inspiring celebration of Pentecost.
While there was much that made the services wonderful this morning, but I want to talk about the dance in particular. What an addition to worship! It only showed once more how much the worship arts, such as dance and drama, can help to bring the Gospel to life in even more creative ways. It is always interesting to see how a dance might be used to interpret a scripture or a song. Once again, God shows how God can move and inspire in numerous ways.
I guess it's a good thing for me that my wife is a dancer!
Chris
While there was much that made the services wonderful this morning, but I want to talk about the dance in particular. What an addition to worship! It only showed once more how much the worship arts, such as dance and drama, can help to bring the Gospel to life in even more creative ways. It is always interesting to see how a dance might be used to interpret a scripture or a song. Once again, God shows how God can move and inspire in numerous ways.
I guess it's a good thing for me that my wife is a dancer!
Chris
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