I'm leading a joint series this month in our Adult and Friendship Classes Sunday mornings before our worship services. We are focussing on Psalms and what they teach us about worship. As I was preparing this series it dawned on me that before studying the different aspects of worship, it would be good to know exactly what worship is. Is it simply "doing" things like singing songs, praying, giving our offereings, listening to the message? Or is it more?
In our first lesson we looked at the first seven verses of Psalm 95. In the first two verses we are called to sing joyfully, to shout out loud to the Rock of our salvation, and to come before God with thanksgiving. We agreed that there is a sense of excitement and emotion expected of us when we worship. But then in verses six and seven the tone changes. We are invited to bow down in worship and to kneel before our Maker. This is a different kind of emotion. Instead of singing and shouting praises, we are now kneeling and bowing in reverence.
I guess my question as a participant in worship is, am I being given the full oportunity to worship God as modeled in Psalm 95 within the context of corporate worship? As I prepare my lessons, I am being reminded that proper worship requires a proper attitude before I even enter the sanctuary. In many ways we have become rather hohum about where we are going on Sundays. Have we forgotten whose house we are entering? When we enter the sanctuary, do we enter with fear and trembling? Do we enter with excitement and anticipation as we prepare to "do" worship? Or do we enter thinking about other things like work, getting together with friends and family? When we enter His house and meet our fellow worshippers, what kinds of conversations do we have? This all may sound a little heavy, but maybe part of the job of the pastor as well as worship leaders is to remind those of us in the congregation what it really means when we come to worship.
Whether this is a true story or not, where was the church council? It is the responsibility of the council to oversee the committees and to make sure they are following their mandates. A committee does not decide on it's own to disband. That is the responsibility of the council.
Having said that, what is the attitude of churches in regards to missions today? Years ago there used to be rallies and missionary unions which helped the churches to keep in contact with the missionaries. Now it seems many churches are a lot more inwardly focused in their programs. We should be reaching out to our neighbors around us through youth programs, VBS, Bible studies, etc. How is World Missions encouraging the local councils and congregations to support the mission efforts around the globe? It's been a long time since I heard of a missionary home on furlough who was visiting our area. God has used the outreach efforts of the CRC through Worls Missions, Home Missions and CRWRC to reach many people over the years. Somehow the CRC has to start doing a better job of promoting these programs to the local congregations so that the support remains a priority.
One way to increase awareness of missions might be to do a better job of encouraging, even challenging our kids and young people to be open to be called by God as missionaries. Often times we hear that the best way to witness is through our actions. Actions are important, but ultimately the Good News needs to be shared vocally. Our kids need to hear the importance from the pulpit as well classrooms and homes about the need to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. If more young people accept that call then churches will become more excited about missions as they support sons and daughters of their congregations. I realize this may be somewhat simplistic but it's a start.
I don’t have a specific devotional, but you could share some thoughts based on Matthew 25:31-46. What are some of the ways we might see Jesus and how have others seen Jesus in us?
Thank you for your response and suggestions. I will check out the resources you mentioned. New situations like this require people to step out of their comfort zone. This includes existing members as well as the new people attending.
Currently in our Small Groups we are studying Under the Overpass written by Mike Yankoski. as part of the study, each group is encouraged to come up with various service projects in our community. So far, our group has made sandwiches and delivered them to a large group of homeless people. Another group has visited a senior citizen home. Our group has also talked about volunteering at one of the local group homes for people with disabilities.
I know what you mean. I hate to spend money too. You can search on their website for freebies. Might be a little out of date, but it's still good stuff.
It's interesting how when you post a comment, the responses can turn the direction of the original comment in a different path. I accept the fact that I am not presently serving in a decision making capacity as a ruling elder. At the same time, I believe that since I was ordained to this office, that my calling is more than a 3 year term. I am still looked up to as a leader and I am active as a teacher to our Friendship Class for adults with intellectual disabilities. I would challenge someone to find me a passage in the Bible that says that an elder's (and deacon's) term are limited to a set number of years. So, let me restate my original question. If I, as an "inactive" (for lack of a better term) elder happen to be in a worship service where there is a call for any elders to help serve communion or to participate in the laying on of hands, may I participate as an elder?
Hi, I'd like to bring a new perspective to this post. I just began the process in January of studying to become ordained as a ministry associate. I'm taking the classes through Classis Greater Los Angeles. I spent the first 50+ years of my life growing up, getting married and raising a family. Our youngest is now in her first year of college on the opposite side of the country. I've been working at the same job for almost 25 years. My wife and I started praying, asking God what He wants us to do in the second half of our lives and this is the answer we received. I hope to be done with my classes within 3 years.
Even though I'm confident God is calling me into ministry I'm not sure what specifically he's calling me to do yet. It would help me if those of you who are already ordained can share your stories of how you developed your ministries. Did you know from the beginning what you would be doing or were you like me, not knowing right away. What are your age ranges? If you're older like me what has it been like for you to enter the ministry later in life? Did you keep your first job, work part time at both jobs, or did you quit and go full time into ministry? What has it been like getting funding for your ministry? Are you on staff at your church, does your Classis or Home Missions chip in financially, or have you gone after other sources? What has been the general reaction from friends and others to your ministry associate ordination? What about traditional ministers of the Word?
As you can tell, I have lots of questions. I'm sure in due time God will give me the answers I need. I do know that I am excited and nervous about the future. I also know I have a lot of learning to do. This forum is a good way for us to share and express what's on our minds. I look forward to hearing from you seasoned ministry associates. May God bless you in whatever your ministry is. Steve Nyenhuis
As Friendship Ministry leader, I've tried to incorporate members of my adult class into different areas of ministry in our church. We've participated in worship services by singing songs and reading Scripture passages. Our class has been involved in greeting and ushering before the service. Several of them have helped in our monthly Hot Meals ministry to the needy in the neighborhood. One person has signed up to be included in our new small group program. Finally, recently our elders conducted family visiting. We included the group homes where several of the class members, who are members of our church, live. Even though they might be at different functioning levels, they are like the other members of the church in that they love to participate. Their favorite way to participate is by coming to the church potlucks!
The more they participate, the more they are accepted and included by the rest of the congregation. Steve
Posted in: Understanding and Participating in Worship
Kevin,
I'm leading a joint series this month in our Adult and Friendship Classes Sunday mornings before our worship services. We are focussing on Psalms and what they teach us about worship. As I was preparing this series it dawned on me that before studying the different aspects of worship, it would be good to know exactly what worship is. Is it simply "doing" things like singing songs, praying, giving our offereings, listening to the message? Or is it more?
In our first lesson we looked at the first seven verses of Psalm 95. In the first two verses we are called to sing joyfully, to shout out loud to the Rock of our salvation, and to come before God with thanksgiving. We agreed that there is a sense of excitement and emotion expected of us when we worship. But then in verses six and seven the tone changes. We are invited to bow down in worship and to kneel before our Maker. This is a different kind of emotion. Instead of singing and shouting praises, we are now kneeling and bowing in reverence.
I guess my question as a participant in worship is, am I being given the full oportunity to worship God as modeled in Psalm 95 within the context of corporate worship? As I prepare my lessons, I am being reminded that proper worship requires a proper attitude before I even enter the sanctuary. In many ways we have become rather hohum about where we are going on Sundays. Have we forgotten whose house we are entering? When we enter the sanctuary, do we enter with fear and trembling? Do we enter with excitement and anticipation as we prepare to "do" worship? Or do we enter thinking about other things like work, getting together with friends and family? When we enter His house and meet our fellow worshippers, what kinds of conversations do we have? This all may sound a little heavy, but maybe part of the job of the pastor as well as worship leaders is to remind those of us in the congregation what it really means when we come to worship.
Steve
Posted in: The End of Missions
Whether this is a true story or not, where was the church council? It is the responsibility of the council to oversee the committees and to make sure they are following their mandates. A committee does not decide on it's own to disband. That is the responsibility of the council.
Having said that, what is the attitude of churches in regards to missions today? Years ago there used to be rallies and missionary unions which helped the churches to keep in contact with the missionaries. Now it seems many churches are a lot more inwardly focused in their programs. We should be reaching out to our neighbors around us through youth programs, VBS, Bible studies, etc. How is World Missions encouraging the local councils and congregations to support the mission efforts around the globe? It's been a long time since I heard of a missionary home on furlough who was visiting our area. God has used the outreach efforts of the CRC through Worls Missions, Home Missions and CRWRC to reach many people over the years. Somehow the CRC has to start doing a better job of promoting these programs to the local congregations so that the support remains a priority.
Posted in: The End of Missions
One way to increase awareness of missions might be to do a better job of encouraging, even challenging our kids and young people to be open to be called by God as missionaries. Often times we hear that the best way to witness is through our actions. Actions are important, but ultimately the Good News needs to be shared vocally. Our kids need to hear the importance from the pulpit as well classrooms and homes about the need to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. If more young people accept that call then churches will become more excited about missions as they support sons and daughters of their congregations. I realize this may be somewhat simplistic but it's a start.
Posted in: Devotion Ideas?
I don’t have a specific devotional, but you could share some thoughts based on Matthew 25:31-46. What are some of the ways we might see Jesus and how have others seen Jesus in us?
Posted in: Helping People With Intellectual Disabilities Feel Included in Worship
Katie
Thank you for your response and suggestions. I will check out the resources you mentioned. New situations like this require people to step out of their comfort zone. This includes existing members as well as the new people attending.
Posted in: What kind of ministry activities are churches doing in their local communities?
Currently in our Small Groups we are studying Under the Overpass written by Mike Yankoski. as part of the study, each group is encouraged to come up with various service projects in our community. So far, our group has made sandwiches and delivered them to a large group of homeless people. Another group has visited a senior citizen home. Our group has also talked about volunteering at one of the local group homes for people with disabilities.
Posted in: Anyone have a well thought out job description for a Small Groups Coordinator?
Check out smallgroups.com put out by Christianity Today. Lots of articles on line as well as materials to download.
Steve
Posted in: Anyone have a well thought out job description for a Small Groups Coordinator?
I know what you mean. I hate to spend money too. You can search on their website for freebies. Might be a little out of date, but it's still good stuff.
Posted in: Once an elder, always an elder?
It's interesting how when you post a comment, the responses can turn the direction of the original comment in a different path. I accept the fact that I am not presently serving in a decision making capacity as a ruling elder. At the same time, I believe that since I was ordained to this office, that my calling is more than a 3 year term. I am still looked up to as a leader and I am active as a teacher to our Friendship Class for adults with intellectual disabilities. I would challenge someone to find me a passage in the Bible that says that an elder's (and deacon's) term are limited to a set number of years. So, let me restate my original question. If I, as an "inactive" (for lack of a better term) elder happen to be in a worship service where there is a call for any elders to help serve communion or to participate in the laying on of hands, may I participate as an elder?
Posted in: What types of ministry are people doing as a Ministry Associate?
Hi, I'd like to bring a new perspective to this post. I just began the process in January of studying to become ordained as a ministry associate. I'm taking the classes through Classis Greater Los Angeles. I spent the first 50+ years of my life growing up, getting married and raising a family. Our youngest is now in her first year of college on the opposite side of the country. I've been working at the same job for almost 25 years. My wife and I started praying, asking God what He wants us to do in the second half of our lives and this is the answer we received. I hope to be done with my classes within 3 years.
Even though I'm confident God is calling me into ministry I'm not sure what specifically he's calling me to do yet. It would help me if those of you who are already ordained can share your stories of how you developed your ministries. Did you know from the beginning what you would be doing or were you like me, not knowing right away. What are your age ranges? If you're older like me what has it been like for you to enter the ministry later in life? Did you keep your first job, work part time at both jobs, or did you quit and go full time into ministry? What has it been like getting funding for your ministry? Are you on staff at your church, does your Classis or Home Missions chip in financially, or have you gone after other sources? What has been the general reaction from friends and others to your ministry associate ordination? What about traditional ministers of the Word?
As you can tell, I have lots of questions. I'm sure in due time God will give me the answers I need. I do know that I am excited and nervous about the future. I also know I have a lot of learning to do. This forum is a good way for us to share and express what's on our minds. I look forward to hearing from you seasoned ministry associates. May God bless you in whatever your ministry is. Steve Nyenhuis
Posted in: What's the best way to include people with disabilities in the full life and ministry of the congregation?
As Friendship Ministry leader, I've tried to incorporate members of my adult class into different areas of ministry in our church. We've participated in worship services by singing songs and reading Scripture passages. Our class has been involved in greeting and ushering before the service. Several of them have helped in our monthly Hot Meals ministry to the needy in the neighborhood. One person has signed up to be included in our new small group program. Finally, recently our elders conducted family visiting. We included the group homes where several of the class members, who are members of our church, live. Even though they might be at different functioning levels, they are like the other members of the church in that they love to participate. Their favorite way to participate is by coming to the church potlucks!
The more they participate, the more they are accepted and included by the rest of the congregation. Steve
Posted in: What are the guidelines for serving communion at weddings?
What about the pastor and an elder going to someone's home who, because of health reasons, cannot attend public worship services?