Core Living
I believe that people really at their core – want to be significant. I believe we want to be fulfilled. We want our lives to count for something, to make an impact even if only on just the handful of people around us – friends, family. I think we want to live radical lives and we want the power of the Spirit of God to use us in a dynamic way. For all of us I believe that means change.. for some little bits of change, for others we need drastic change.
But you know what? God is in the “changing people” business. There are some people who say “I just don’t think a person can really change.” Yet the truth is all Christians are in the change business. We serve a God who changes people ALL the time! He can reach down from heaven and touch us when we call upon His name.
What is the heart of worship?
What is the heart of worship?
"Worship is not just about coming together to sing a few songs until we get to the sermon, but about dealing with the issues of our life in which we need God enthroned, as well as those places in ourselves that need transformation." Pastor Jack Hayford.
What is the heart of worship?
I will say this... my momma ... well ever since I can remember when you go to her house for Thanksgiving... she always finds out who all from the family is coming... and she knows our favorite dishes... and my entire life I've known... that as well and she makes sure those get fixed. If Ricky and Heidi are there we get ham because the can't get enough. Ronnie and Lance get sweet potatoe pie. For me there are mounds of fresh whipppped fluffy potatoes. My brother - deviled eggs in abundance. Uncle Eddie dark turkey. My daddy - sugar free cranberry sauce. And on and on... we have alot of people and there's always tons of food. We gather and make our "pass" through the kitchen filling up our plates. And of course there some that have this and that and a whole MESS of their favorite. But we all come back to the big room to pray and to eat together. That's family. That's what being at my church First Baptist Church of Arlington is like ... and I love that.... we all come to the big room to pray and to eat together no matter what did or didn't make it onto the plate.
God loves us and he wants to meet us where we are and he will but he's got a much bigger picture... and it includes the entire family of God. And he wants to bring us beyond so much more than tastes, musical styles and our own self interests.
Some people in our church talk about "offering" different styles of worship during our 2 or 3 services. There are those that want the OLD songs sung out of the hymnal alone. There are other who think newer more modern day songs are the way to go. They tell us that is the only thing that will bring young adults and non-christians into the church, but you don't win the lost with music, you don't gear worship to the lost so they'll get it easier. Worship isn't about bringing in a certain age population.
What will win those people we love? Our lives being lived out as authentic Christians.
Us living out of our souls with our focus on Jesus, knowing him and making him known. What will draw them to Christ is the love our family here at church and our Christian brothers and sisters share. And when they are accepted into God's family, when they come to know Jesus - they'll step into a family - multi-generational and loving and diverse and opinionated. But it will be a family at least at First Baptist, unless we decide to change that. And it will stretch them, but they'll stay because of small groups, Bible teaching, deep preaching and people who's heart it is to worship God, lead by leaders who lead.
The truth is... what I've seen lived out in other churches... when you talk about "different service" offerings.... you're not talking about style. You are talking about generational splits. You're talking about breaking a bond and stagnating growth within generational segments. (because well that's obvious if I'm not stretched in worship or there's no tranformation and I'm allowed to be prideful and selfcentered and 'comfort' with to tickle our ears with things we like to hear, what we've always "been used to" or "like best".. well that's stagnating.) There is some health in having some generational segmentation to it, but there is alot to say about the health of a church being holistic. And the broad embracing path of linking arms and walking together.
Worship is not about style.
"I understand that music and style and taste are all important but this is what I want you to also understand along with me and I’m happy to talk to any of you anytime about any of those issues as long as you and I understand this. Anytime we are talking about those things, those are all superficial things and that means when we talk about worship in that perspective and in that context we are talking right here. (surface level)" "What you need to understand about this church is this church has chosen a very broad path. That means that it embraces numbers of people. Right now I’m looking at some of you and some of you I’ve gotten to know you well enough to know what kind of worship you like and that’s OK. We are all holding hands. We are all on this road together and we are going to make an impact in this town because we are going to have a broad perspective in worship. We are not going to choose one little path. That’s the most difficult choice we could ever make. I want you to know that. I’ve got that much sense. But I believe it with all my heart that that’s what we need to do." Dr. Dennis R Wiles
Worship is not about the music, the song selection, about me getting what I think I want out of a service. I would hope to come and meet with God.. and that should transform me, it should make me not so self-centered. And being with people who like other types of music, have other interests and who don't think the same about things as I do is good for me - it's healthy.... it can stretch me, challenge me and I believe strengthen me.
That's what our church does. I praise God for that. And I'm truly thankful for the leadership we have - specifically for Dennis Wiles and Barry Rock but also for the countless others who pray and plan and lead as God gifts and directs them here, so that together we become the people and the church God desires us to be.
Hallelujah!!!!
