Mental Musings

True Christianity – Part 2 This is part 5 in a study on Romans 12. Begin with part 1: Sacrificial Lifestyle Reality TV is anything but reality. Yet millions of people tuned in each week to watch the show Survivors because they enjoyed the concept of dropping 12 people off in an inhospitable environment and watching what they would be willing to do in order to be the last one standing and win a million dollars. I have often found myself in survival mode. Not so I could win a cash prize, but just so I could make it to the next day. Focused on my own problems, difficulties or challenges, I blocked out everything else except the will to survive. But survival at the expense of everything else is not what God had in mind when He promised us we would thrive (John 10:10). If you want to do more than just survive in this world, you must shift your focus from an inward view to an outward view. You must begin to think of others. In Romans 12:14-21 Paul seems to start rambli...

New Beginnings: Part 3 Ethnomusicology and the Local Church This is the third and final part in a series on beginning a new ministry. While this series focuses on a music ministry, the information can also be translated into other ministry areas. Start with part one  here .      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 exciti...

New Beginnings: Part 2 Ethnomusicology and the Local Church This is part two in a series on beginning a new ministry. While this series focuses on a music ministry, the information can also be translated into other ministry areas. Start with part one  here .      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...

New Beginnings Ethnomusicology and the Local Church This is part one in a series on beginning a new ministry. While this series focuses on a music ministry, the information can also be translated into other ministry areas.      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...

Enjoying a nice day off from work today. Woke up at eight o'clock, haven't showered, haven't shaved, had a relaxing breakfast of cold cereal, and then sat down in my comfortable amish-made glider to do some studying. Wait, what? I know it sounds crazy, but taking a day off from my job is often the only way I can get any planning, studying, or prep-work done. This is a common occurrence for anyone in the ministry. Our ministries are centered around people and people have a tendency to need us at some of the most inconvenient times. However, taking time off of work in order to catch-up on work is not healthy. I know that some of the members at my church may think that this post is a complaint about ministers working long hours for little pay, but this post is actually intended for my pastor friends as some advice from my thirty plus years of ministry.  God never intended for ministry to be something that would destroy a family or even an individual, but I often...

Sermon from February 23, 2014. Oak Grove Baptist Church