In one of the churches I served as pastor, I had the privilege of leading the church through the construction of a new sanctuary. Before the new carpet was placed in the sanctuary, we invited the members of the church to bring permanent markers to write some of their favorite Bible verses on the floor. Many of the members took advantage of this opportunity and wrote numerous verses throughout the sanctuary. We did this at the suggestion of a friend who indicated that when we gathered for worship we would be "standing on the promises."
I chose to write several verses in different locations. I cannot remember most of the verses I wrote or where I wrote them. But I do remember one verse in particular. I wrote this verse on the floor underneath the spot where I would be standing when I was preaching. The verse is 1 Corinthians 2:2: For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified (ESV). I thought of this verse often as I stood preaching.
As we prepare and plan for the planting of Hope Community Church, we must also determine what our worship services will be like. The verse above is a tremendous reminder of what we are to be about as a church and what our focus should be in worship. We are to be a Christ centered, Gospel focused church. The good news of the Son of God who was crucified, dead, and raised from the dead is to be the message of the church as we worship and glorify our Lord.
I listened last month to a pastor speak about the philosophy of ministry for the church. He told about a conversation he had experienced with a lady who called to ask what his church had to offer her and her family. His answer was very clear and to the point. He replied that he would preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments, and offer the discipline of the church to her and her family.
As we plant the church in Jacksonville, this will be our focus. We will not seek to build the church around programs, a particular style of music, the latest fad of the church growth movement, or any gimmicks which promise to draw a crowd. Our focus will be to teach and preach and sing and declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is in keeping with our purpose statement:
I chose to write several verses in different locations. I cannot remember most of the verses I wrote or where I wrote them. But I do remember one verse in particular. I wrote this verse on the floor underneath the spot where I would be standing when I was preaching. The verse is 1 Corinthians 2:2: For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified (ESV). I thought of this verse often as I stood preaching.
As we prepare and plan for the planting of Hope Community Church, we must also determine what our worship services will be like. The verse above is a tremendous reminder of what we are to be about as a church and what our focus should be in worship. We are to be a Christ centered, Gospel focused church. The good news of the Son of God who was crucified, dead, and raised from the dead is to be the message of the church as we worship and glorify our Lord.
I listened last month to a pastor speak about the philosophy of ministry for the church. He told about a conversation he had experienced with a lady who called to ask what his church had to offer her and her family. His answer was very clear and to the point. He replied that he would preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments, and offer the discipline of the church to her and her family.
As we plant the church in Jacksonville, this will be our focus. We will not seek to build the church around programs, a particular style of music, the latest fad of the church growth movement, or any gimmicks which promise to draw a crowd. Our focus will be to teach and preach and sing and declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is in keeping with our purpose statement:
The purpose of the Hope Community Church is
to know Christ and make Him known
through the planting of a PCA church in Jacksonville, Alabama.
to know Christ and make Him known
through the planting of a PCA church in Jacksonville, Alabama.
1 comments:
What? No dancing bears? No clown costume Lord's Supper? No raffles to give away motorcycles? Who do you think you are giving them the Word, sacraments and discipline? You better watch out, they may start calling you preacher or pastor instead of director or CEO.
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