I had the weekend off. Nice little breather. Gotta say that I love going to church with my family without any responsibilities every once in a while!
Heather continued the How series with How to Study the Bible. The message was so inspirational and so practical. And we added a little twist to worship that was so cool. It really primed me for worship. We started and ended worship with Scripture meditations on the screen. We used them to frame the songs and put them in biblical context. It's a small thing, but I felt like I had a greater appreciation for what I was singing. And I was ready to worship on the first note.
One of my definitions of spiritual leadership is this: keeping what is sacred from becoming routine. I feel like we accomplished that this weekend with worship. Every once in a while you have to throw a change-up or curve ball to mix things up.
Great message. Great worship. Great weekend.
Heather continued the How series with How to Study the Bible. The message was so inspirational and so practical. And we added a little twist to worship that was so cool. It really primed me for worship. We started and ended worship with Scripture meditations on the screen. We used them to frame the songs and put them in biblical context. It's a small thing, but I felt like I had a greater appreciation for what I was singing. And I was ready to worship on the first note.
One of my definitions of spiritual leadership is this: keeping what is sacred from becoming routine. I feel like we accomplished that this weekend with worship. Every once in a while you have to throw a change-up or curve ball to mix things up.
Great message. Great worship. Great weekend.
8 Comments:
Thanks for keeping it real Mark. I love your humilty, thougts and sharing of God's words.
I really loved the scripture verses on the screen during worship. It just helped me focus on why and to whom I was singing.
Novel idea...scripture meditations. Thanks for the reminder of how important integration of scripture can add to the overall "routine" of things.
I liked the scriptures and hope they'll be brought backmore often, or even permanently.
Hey Mark! I am a youth pastor at a great church in Oklahoma. I haven't attended my church in a few weeks due to vacation/travel with my wife and had the opportunity to attend Fellowship in Dallas and Willowcreek.
I agree... breaking the routine is a great way to refresh yourself. I love being able to experience other congregations, styles of worship, and hear other pastors share from the Word.
Glad your Sunday off was a great one!
AdamBarnett.typepad.com
New to your blog so don't fry me here but your mention of "Heather" teaching in your absence raised my eyebrow.
I tracked through old posts to confirm Heather is indeed a gal.
Can you give me your take on the "traditional" evangelical stance that women should not preach from the pulpit to a mixed gender crowd?
Anonymous,
Fair question. I know there are two sides to this one :)
Heather is our pastor of discipleship and part of our teaching team. She is a phenomenal communicator with an incredible teaching gift.
Practically speaking, NCC would be devalued if we missed her teaching voice. She brings a wonderful perspective as a woman and Christ follower.
Theologically, while there are passages that limit the leadership of women we believe they need to be interpreted within the context of that culture--like the rest of Scripture. And we believe those limitations are superceeded by the simple fact that there is no longer "jew nor greek, slave nor free, male nor female" once we are in Christ. We also believe there are examples, both Old and New Testament, of women playing leadership roles. So we have made the decision not to limit where women can serve at NCC.
We could not be who we are or where we are if it weren't for some of the women staff members and leaders at NCC.
Not sure a comment box is the best place for a thorough theological explanation, but I hope that helps explain our view.
Blessings,
Mark
Mark, loved the " keeping what is sacred from becoming routine" comment.
That's the challenge stop spirituality from becoming religion and help religious people become spiritual.
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