Mental Musings

Communion: The Lord’s Supper. Along with baptism, it is one of the two ordinances of the Southern Baptist Church. Our own church observes the Lord’s Supper once per month, some churches observe it once per quarter and some churches observe it every week. But what exactly is communion and how should we observe it? 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 gives us the basics. “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Jesus took the occasion of a special feast, the Passover, to share His last meal with His inner circle group. Sometime during this meal, Jesus to...

This is part 4 of an article on Ethnomusicology and the local church. Click here to begin with part 1. THE FUTURE Where does the church want to be musically? Regardless of where you believe God is leading the church, the members have their own thoughts and desires for the music ministry. It is likely that the church will have very diverse opinions on their musical tastes and desires. Determining where they would like to be in five, ten, or even twenty years may be a daunting task. The process could create undo stress on the church if they believe that change will be forced on them. However, if due diligence has been paid by long term studies and analyses coupled with data taken directly from a cross section of the church membership, this could be one of the most exciting times for your church. This process must begin with historical data showing the process of past musical patterns. Your local church may have a long tradition of worship that includes a choral ensemb...

This is part 3 of an article on Ethnomusicology and the local church. Click here to begin with part 1. THE BACKGROUND - continued How did they reach this level? For many churches, it will be tempting for the new minister to respond, "They did nothing." That is how we often feel about new people groups. It does not matter if they are far advanced when compared to other local groups. We look at where they are and immediately want to pronounce them dead on arrival, and we decide that the previous minister is to blame. As you investigate their past, you may soon discover that they only did what they were told to do. If the team is not up to par, then the leader failed to direct sufficiently. You may also discover that the past ministers took their new church body and threw them headlong into new programs, ministries, styles, etc. Some crazy foreigner came into their midst and tried to convert the heathens . . .and failed. The heathens choose to revert to what was know...

This is part 2 of an article on Ethnomusicology and the local church. Click here to begin with part 1. THE BACKGROUND Introduction Before you begin to make any changes, you need to be fully aware of the musical background of the church: where the people are musically. You should also determine why you are making these changes. Change for the sake of change may bring about temporary excitement, but it may also be the finale of your ministry among that local body. Church Growth Evangelism courses often teach aspiring ministers to avoid the desire to make changes to what they perceive as a needy area of the church until they have ministered in that church for at least two years. The first two years should be a time of building relationships and trust, as well as learning from the people what they have to offer. It is also an excellent time to learn what they consider to be the real needs of the church. Unfortunately, the average minister feels God suddenly calling him t...

This is part 1 of a 4 part article. THE DREAM A new beginning, a new church, new programs, new people! Now is the time for changes. Now is the perfect opportunity to shape this new, fresh, spotless group into the perfect instrument for worship. They are putty in my hands. I have absolute power to mold them into any musical image I desire. I can teach them to like what I like, to want what I want, to sing and play exactly the way I tell them. The possibilities are limitless. [cue evil laugh] THE REALITY Unless you have been at the same church for fifty years, you will understand the desire to mold and shape the music program of your local church in a way that meets your own criteria for worship and education. This is not something that is reserved only for ministers of music. It is a normal process seen in virtually every aspect of life. We feel most comfortable when things are designed according to our personal insight and understanding of just how things should be. But...

I do not strive to be popular with what I say. I do not wish to be lauded for speaking the truth. I share the things that I do through my blog, Facebook, and twitter because I am nothing without Christ. It is through His guidance, His grace, and His love that I am where I am today. I will not apologize for believing the Word of God. I will not cower in the face of immorality. I will not change my opinion to prevent confrontation with those living in darkness. I will speak out for those who cannot speak. I will continue to proclaim God's Word and His truth to a world which hates what is good and right. I will encourage those who have fallen on the sidelines. I will love those who hate me. I do this because I have been called by God to share His story to the ends of the world, and sometimes that is right here in America. I will fight to protect the religious freedoms that we have in America. I will seek to protect the morality upon which this nation was founded even when i...

There is no doubt among most Christians that God created the world. Many simply hold to this belief out of their faith in God. Others have investigated the scientific evidence and are convinced that creation is the only possible method for such an intricate design to have come about. While they will not go so far as to admit that God had anything to do with it, the science community is beginning to agree that there does appear to be an intelligent design to the universe: meaning that things did not just happen by chance. The big bang theory, once the darling of the science community, is now believed to require even more faith than the creation story of Genesis. In the February 4, 1996, Parade magazine, Marilyn vos Savant wrote, “I think that if it had been a religion that first maintained the notion that all matter in the entire universe had once been contained in an area smaller than the point of a pin, scientists probably would have laughed at the idea.” She concluded that...