I know join pastors and church members all over in celebrating the great Easter worship yesterday. At Christ UMC, there was some incredible music, special participation from some retired clergy, and from what I've heard a powerful message. I know that outstanding worship was the norm, as it is every year at Easter. Not only is the worship great, but the seats are full! At Christ UMC, our attendance was about 350 above our average. Certainly there are even more dramatic examples of this. It would be hard to not come away uplifted.
All this leads me to ask the question: what happens? Every year there is great worship and packed churches, but the very next Sunday the attendance usually plummets. Why? Was Easter worship just too much and now we need a break from church? I just don't get it.
It would be easy to ask the question, "Why bother?" I'll tell you why; worship is about God. Easter worship is about our resurrected Savior. That more than enough of a reason for special music and packed churches. God is worth more than all of the planning and effort. I believe that the power of the resurrection can and still does change lives.
Like I said, great Easter worship.
Chris
Monday, April 25, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Palm vs. Passion
As most church folks know, this coming Sunday at church is known as Palm Sunday, excuse me, Passion/Palm Sunday in some churches. This is what I want to rant a bit about today. I know not everyone will agree with me, but its my blog.
Let me say it up front: I am not a fan of combining Palm Sunday with the Passion story. This especially holds true for churches that also hold Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. What's the primary reason for combining Palm and Passion: convenience. It's a given that many of the folks who attend our churches won't come to a weekday service. The Passion story is very important and needs to be heard. So, let's make it easy and mash it up with another service. Never mind that these were two very distinct events.
What message are we sending about discipleship when we continue to make things easier and convenient? Maybe as pastors we need to do a better job educating the congregation. Perhaps we can find ways to make these special services more meaningful. And, as worshippers, is it too much to ask that one week a year our faith becomes a priority? It's called Holy Week for a reason.
Here is an alternative for you. If we are going to put everything on Sundays, I would back things up a week. Celebrate Palm Sunday two weeks prior to Easter. The Sunday before: the Passion story. What about Maundy Thursday you ask? The primary focus of this service is the last supper and communion. In most United Methodist churches, communion is celebrated monthly and we tell the story each time.
Maybe I'm wrong. But this is how I feel about it. Now, I've got to get back to work on the upcoming Holy Week services, starting with Palm Sunday this weekend.
Chris
Let me say it up front: I am not a fan of combining Palm Sunday with the Passion story. This especially holds true for churches that also hold Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. What's the primary reason for combining Palm and Passion: convenience. It's a given that many of the folks who attend our churches won't come to a weekday service. The Passion story is very important and needs to be heard. So, let's make it easy and mash it up with another service. Never mind that these were two very distinct events.
What message are we sending about discipleship when we continue to make things easier and convenient? Maybe as pastors we need to do a better job educating the congregation. Perhaps we can find ways to make these special services more meaningful. And, as worshippers, is it too much to ask that one week a year our faith becomes a priority? It's called Holy Week for a reason.
Here is an alternative for you. If we are going to put everything on Sundays, I would back things up a week. Celebrate Palm Sunday two weeks prior to Easter. The Sunday before: the Passion story. What about Maundy Thursday you ask? The primary focus of this service is the last supper and communion. In most United Methodist churches, communion is celebrated monthly and we tell the story each time.
Maybe I'm wrong. But this is how I feel about it. Now, I've got to get back to work on the upcoming Holy Week services, starting with Palm Sunday this weekend.
Chris
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Beautiful Day
Today looks to be one of those picture perfect days. The forecast is for sunshine, blue skies, and a high in the low 70's........ sorry, my mind was drifting to the golf course. This is one of those days where you often hear comments like, "Get out and make the most of it" or "You'll want to take advantage of this day." Both statements are true, but couldn't that be said, or maybe shouldn't that be said, about every day?
I'm not sure we realize what a gift from God each day is, mostly because one comes after the next and so on. We just take each day for granted because there is always tomorrow, right? The truth is, regardless if it is sunny and warm, rainy, or cold and gray, it is a day we should treasure. It is still a day that we can get something accomplished. It is still a day that we can share the love that God has placed in us. It is still a day in which we might experience God's presence. Does that still sound like just another day?
Finally, as much as we try to avoid thinking about it, there will come a time when tomorrow doesn't come, at least not in this life. Hmmm, do you think that will be just another day?
Today, remember to hug your loved ones and tell them that you love them. Those words can never be said enough. Give God thanks and praise for the many blessings this day holds, especially the ones that you usually take for granted. Be sure to smile. Try to make a new friend. You know the saying, "Make the most of this day (and every day)."
Chris
I'm not sure we realize what a gift from God each day is, mostly because one comes after the next and so on. We just take each day for granted because there is always tomorrow, right? The truth is, regardless if it is sunny and warm, rainy, or cold and gray, it is a day we should treasure. It is still a day that we can get something accomplished. It is still a day that we can share the love that God has placed in us. It is still a day in which we might experience God's presence. Does that still sound like just another day?
Finally, as much as we try to avoid thinking about it, there will come a time when tomorrow doesn't come, at least not in this life. Hmmm, do you think that will be just another day?
Today, remember to hug your loved ones and tell them that you love them. Those words can never be said enough. Give God thanks and praise for the many blessings this day holds, especially the ones that you usually take for granted. Be sure to smile. Try to make a new friend. You know the saying, "Make the most of this day (and every day)."
Chris
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Happy Birthday
Today I celebrate my wife's _____ birthday. I'm smart enough not to fill in that blank. Every year she talks about it's no big deal... Don't get any presents... just another day... blah blah blah. I beg to differ!
I remember reading a devotion from Henri Nouwen regarding birthdays. He wrote that birthdays are a way of celebrating you, not just the day you were born, but the very fact you exist. In other words, birthdays are a big deal! Whether you are 1 or 16 or ___ or 47 or 61 or 83, you are worth celebrating. Celebrating a birthday is say we rejoice that God has placed you here and we have the joy of knowing you.
So, today I thank God that my wife exists. I am glad that God breathed life into her and brought us together. Just another day... I think not! On another note, today also happens to my near life-long best friend's birthday. I'll say his age: 40, just like me! Today I also thank God and celebrate his life.
Do you have a birthday coming soon? Perhaps a loved one does? Make sure you know and they know that it is not just another day. Rejoice and give God thanks.
Chris
I remember reading a devotion from Henri Nouwen regarding birthdays. He wrote that birthdays are a way of celebrating you, not just the day you were born, but the very fact you exist. In other words, birthdays are a big deal! Whether you are 1 or 16 or ___ or 47 or 61 or 83, you are worth celebrating. Celebrating a birthday is say we rejoice that God has placed you here and we have the joy of knowing you.
So, today I thank God that my wife exists. I am glad that God breathed life into her and brought us together. Just another day... I think not! On another note, today also happens to my near life-long best friend's birthday. I'll say his age: 40, just like me! Today I also thank God and celebrate his life.
Do you have a birthday coming soon? Perhaps a loved one does? Make sure you know and they know that it is not just another day. Rejoice and give God thanks.
Chris
Monday, April 4, 2011
Forgiveness
Yesterday, I preached on the subject of forgiveness. In the Apostle's creed, we state that we believe in the forgiveness of sins. Do we? Maybe, but do we live like it. Do we live like we have been forgiven by God and are we forgiving of others?
In my sermon, I shared one definition of forgive as being "to free from penalty." But in the same dictionary the adjective Forgiving is defined as "allowing room for error or weakness." Does that definition impact how you think about forgiveness? Does it help you to be a more forgiving person?
Scripture is clear, in Jesus Christ God's forgiveness is not only possible, but a reality. How can our lives reflect that we are forgiven? After all, one of the foundational statements of our faith is that we believe in the forgiveness of sins. There should be some evidence of that.
Chris
In my sermon, I shared one definition of forgive as being "to free from penalty." But in the same dictionary the adjective Forgiving is defined as "allowing room for error or weakness." Does that definition impact how you think about forgiveness? Does it help you to be a more forgiving person?
Scripture is clear, in Jesus Christ God's forgiveness is not only possible, but a reality. How can our lives reflect that we are forgiven? After all, one of the foundational statements of our faith is that we believe in the forgiveness of sins. There should be some evidence of that.
Chris
Friday, April 1, 2011
Fridays
Ok, I love Fridays. Who doesn't? But for me, Friday is a lot like other people's Saturday. It's my day off and we all know how good it is to wake up in the morning and not have a deadline or agenda. However, there is something important to me that happens on Fridays.
I spend most Fridays with my wife Erica. We make a point of either going to breakfast or lunch. It doesn't matter which or where. What matters is that we have that time together. Just the two of us. Not because it's our anniversary or a birthday. It's just about spending time together. I truly believe it's one of the keys to our marriage. In fact, I believe this is a key to any relationship. There needs to be intentional time together, without an agenda or crisis.
If you agree with the above, then you can begin seeing why the same holds true with God. god seeks a relationship with us and we need to make time to just be with God. Not because we need something. Not because the lottery numbers are being posted. Not because we are facing a crisis. No, just because. When is the last time that you spent time with God just to be there? I believe it's one of the keys to a successful, fulfilling, and lasting relationship.
Chris
I spend most Fridays with my wife Erica. We make a point of either going to breakfast or lunch. It doesn't matter which or where. What matters is that we have that time together. Just the two of us. Not because it's our anniversary or a birthday. It's just about spending time together. I truly believe it's one of the keys to our marriage. In fact, I believe this is a key to any relationship. There needs to be intentional time together, without an agenda or crisis.
If you agree with the above, then you can begin seeing why the same holds true with God. god seeks a relationship with us and we need to make time to just be with God. Not because we need something. Not because the lottery numbers are being posted. Not because we are facing a crisis. No, just because. When is the last time that you spent time with God just to be there? I believe it's one of the keys to a successful, fulfilling, and lasting relationship.
Chris
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