Monthly Archives: March 2012

Preaching in the Mirror: It’s Not Me

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I know I’m not alone in this one.

When I look in the mirror I sometimes see someone who thinks the weight of the world is on my shoulders.  Easter is coming and this might be one of the most likely times of the year for anxiety to set in for worship pastors.  We plan for months to create the best worship experience we can.  Sometimes there’s fear every step of the way in the planning and preparation.  The night before is often a sleepless one for me.

“I hope nothing goes wrong”

“I hope “they” like it”

“I hope we don’t make christianity look too weird to unchurched people”

“I hope everyone shows up”

I hope I hope I hope I hope…..

Ugh, it’s painful for me to think about how often that scenario has played out in my life.

But it’s not me.

It’s not me that changes lives.  It’s Jesus!

God has given me gifts, tools, experience, influence, and resources to point people to Him, so that HE can change lives.  I can serve Jesus by using those well to glorify Him, but then I need to release the work to Him.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Jesus wants a relationship with every single person.  I believe that with all my heart.  Jesus is going to pursue the lost just as much on Easter Sunday in the middle of all the celebration as He is on the Monday after.  He’s going to keep chasing after us whether we’ve planned a service or not.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:10

It’s not me

It’s not you

It’s Jesus

rest in that

Transition Time

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That’s a snap shot that was texted to me by my little brother from this weekend’s bulletin at First Alliance Church in Calgary, AB.

Yes, it’s true.  I’m excited to be re-joining the staff at this fantastic church.  I got my start in ministry at FAC back in 2005 and my wife and I have some deep roots there.  We love the church, we love Calgary, and we’re excited to see how God will use us there.

My role will be primarily focused on leading worship and providing direction to a new worship service on Sunday nights.  I’m excited about this new opportunity.  My heart beat will be the same as it has been for the past number of years.  1 Corinthians 14 inspires my desire to create powerful and intentional worship environments where the Holy Spirit is invited to transform lives and draw us into a deeper relationship with Jesus.  I want to encourage, equip, and empower everyone to be on mission for Jesus through creative communication methods that break us out of the mundane and remind us of our true purpose.

I’m stoked!

Over the next 2 months my focus is on having my best 2 months of ministry ever at Saanich Baptist Church.  God is doing amazing things there right now and I’m so grateful that I’ve been a part of it in this season.  I love SBC and the people I’ve had the chance to serve with.  God has used this church to build into me in a lasting way.  My last Sunday at SBC will be May 20th.  Until then there are a lot of exciting things coming including Easter weekend, Serve the City in May and the release of our Worship Victoria project  in April.

God is building His church.  I’m humbled and thankful that I get a front row seat.

Preaching in the Mirror: Egos and Insecurities

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Chris Synesael ‏ @chris_synesael

One of the things I hate about preaching – is preaching the sermon to myself first.

This tweet by a friend of mine this past week has inspired a series that I’m going to call “Preaching in the Mirror”.  Taking time to examine where you’re at is a great way to grow as a leader, especially when you’re examining yourself through the lens of scripture.

By the way, my friend Chris is a fantastic preacher.  He pastors a church in Victoria, BC called West Village.  You can check them out at www.westvillagechurch.com

___________________________________________

Part 1: “Egos and Insecurities”

(I would suggest reading Colossians 3 and then read the rest of the post.)

If you were born destined to become a musician you were also born with an extra helping of insecurities.  Insecurities morph over time into a mask called an “ego”.  Egos make ugly masks.

Many of us struggle with these things.  It’s rampant for artists as we put so much of ourselves into our work but most of the world knows what it’s like to deal with these nagging companions.

I struggle with insecurities.  There have been times where that translates into an ego, usually if I feel threatened…and insecure.  Such a vicious cycle.  I want to be seen as someone who has the answer.  I want to be seen as someone who knows what they’re doing.

Here’s the truth.  Get ready for it because it flips all of the above thoughts upside down.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (insecurities). 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God….you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:1-3, 9b-10

Insecurities are part of our human nature, but we died to that old nature and we are now alive in Christ.  His peace can fill us, His character can shape us, His reflection can be seen in us.

Do not allow your insecurities to take root.  You belong to Jesus.  Your identity is in Him.  At the end of this life it won’t matter what someone else thought of your style, skills, wit, or knowledge.  What will matter is if you set your mind on Jesus.  What will matter is how people saw Jesus alive inside of you.

I want to be seen as someone who loves Jesus.  I want to be seen as someone who has found peace in the knowledge that my identity rests in who He is.

 

For me it was time to preach at myself.  Is it time you do the same?

To Magnify

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photo credit: Emmanuel Dyan

This week I was asked a question that has caused me to reflect.

I was prepping for Easter, doing some budget planning, and making sure we had everything lined up for our Easter Celebration service plans.  We try to communicate to our congregation that Easter is a big deal.  We want them to understand that this celebration of the resurrection of Jesus is foundational to our faith and worth having a party for and we want to invite them into that celebration.  This means we usually do a little more in the way of lighting, and “production” if you’d like to call it that.

So I was asked, “why”?

and I’ve reflected on that a bit this week

As I mentioned we think Easter Sunday is a big deal, but this person already knew that.  But how does lighting, or projection, or video communicate that Easter is a big deal?  Because it’s certainly not about throwing an elaborate, expensive looking party.  I like to honour our congregation’s stewardship by being careful with how we spend money for the weekend services.

And it’s not about matching what the bigger church down the street can do so people decide to come to your church on Easter Sunday instead of theirs.  Oh please agree with me that it’s not about THAT!

It’s about worship.  Ascribing worth to our God, our Saviour, and our King.

Our desire is to Magnify the name of Jesus.

I grew up in Europe where I developed a love for medieval cathedrals and churches.  I loved staring at the stained glass images of bible stories and climbing the steps to the top of the spire to find myself at the highest point of the city.  Those buildings were built to magnify our God and to direct our gaze heavenward.

I’m inspired by those buildings to use more than just words on Easter Sunday, and every Sunday for that matter to magnify my God, the one and only true God who I hope and pray everyone will come to know personally.  We live in a world where so much attention is focused inward.  As worship leaders we choose songs that express our worship to God and teach truth about who He is and what He’s done for us.  Our worship spaces can also be set up in a way that reflects the beauty, creativity, and majesty of the creator.

So as a worship leader I encourage you to look beyond just the words.  Direct hearts to God, in any way you can, with all the creativity the Holy Spirit has given you.

 

for more resources on worship spaces and art used in worship check out…

http://www.visualworshiper.com/

http://www.davidsantistevan.com/2012/03/art-and-the-church/

Reason to Sing

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click the image to view the album on iTunes

Today I’m not trying to teach.  Today I’m just giving you a glimpse of what’s rattling around in my head and heart.

Sometimes I’m expected to be the trendy worship leader.  Sometimes it’s assumed that I care more about lighting, staging, arrangements, gear, v-necks, and delay settings than I care about connecting people to God.  Sometimes (like now) I make too many assumptions.

I love Jesus.  Everything else is just peripheral.  For the few of you reading this who don’t have a relationship with Jesus yet, I hope and pray you soon will and that you’ll see Him in me.  For those of you who know Jesus, but you’ve forgotten about His goodness, or you’ve forgotten your identity in Him, or you’ve left Him in the corner while you live life on your own strength…I pray you feel an unquenchable thirst for His words and dive deep into His all sufficient love and faithfulness.  For those of you who are walking with Jesus daily…worship.  Worship Jesus. Whatever that looks like for you.

Do it.

All out.

Set the time aside.

I’m sitting in Starbucks, listening to the new album from All Sons and Daughters titled “Season 1″.  These songs are resonating in my heart.  There’s an honesty in their delivery that invites me to join in with them.  ”Reason to Sing” is particularly grabbing me.  This song   echoes the honesty and seeking of the Psalms of the Old Testament.

When I’m overcome by fear, and I hate everything I know

When this waiting lasts forever, I’m afraid I might let go

I need a reason to sing, I need to know that You’re still holding the whole world in Your hands

Will there be a victory
Will You sing it over me now
Your peace is the melody
You sing it over me now

To worship God is to let go of our un-knowns, our fears, our pressures, our anxiety, our sleepless nights.  That’s what you need, that’s what I need, and that’s what everyone needs.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-7

Come, let us bow down in worship, 
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 
for he is our God 
and we are the people…under his care.          - Psalm 95:6-7