Church Visit - Baptist

Since leaving the pastorate earlier this year, we will be visiting various churches as we have opportunity and will, once again, blog about our experience. I did this one other time before getting involved in another church. 

This is my seventh blog post in a series I am doing on our experience visiting churches of various denominational labels, sizes and different styles of services. It is not my intent to be critical, but rather to be real and honest in our experiences. We have established criteria we are looking for at all of the institutional churches we are visiting. I do not intend to mention the church specifically by name.

I have blogged in the past about Christians who have left and are leaving the institutional church in large numbers. They are leaving for their own spiritual welfare. Most still love God but have become disillusioned or fed up with the institutional church today. I believe this is a timely series. May it open our eyes and our hearts to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus.

CHURCH CRITERIA

~DENOMINATIONAL LABEL - American Baptist south of Springfield

~TYPE OF SERVICE

*Traditional XXX 

*Contemporary

*Blended 

~SIZE OF CHURCH - There were 15-20 people in this particular service.

~FRIENDLINESS - We were greeting upon entering and given a bulletin. We found a seat and sat down. Another lady came and chatted with us for a bit. She was the song leader for the service.  We didn't find the church all that friendly before service.  However, after the service we were greeted by most of the people in attendance. They were very friendly. 

~AVERAGE AGE OF CONGREGATION - This was an older congregation with an average age of 68-70

~DRESS ATTIRE - Casual to dress/casual

~GREETING - There was no formal greeting time during the service

~MUSIC - The music was traditional and out of a hymnal. Pastor told us when she greeted us that one of the musicians passed away in February and one remaining one gets one day off a month and this was that Sunday. They utilized piano by track.  

~BALANCE OF MUSIC VS WORD - It was about a 55 minute service. Sang two congregational songs, offering, time of praise reports and prayer requests, reflection and prayer led by pastor, special song, then a 40 minute sermon. There was another hymn sang after the message.  

~TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED - They utilized PowerPoint. 

ALTAR CALL/INVITATION - None

~ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS OFFERED - Sunday School. Additionally, they are taking donations for back to school items as well as nonperishable items for the food pantry that can be used in school lunches.

~BIBLE VERSION USED- NIV

~PREACHING STYLE- Very much conversational. Topical sermon

~USE OF SCRIPTURE - Very good. Utilized Scripture to go with each point of the sermon.

~RELEVANT MESSAGE - Very relevant message for the Christian life

~LENGTH OF SERVICE - 55 minutes

~OBSERVATIONS/COMMENTS - The first thing I noticed was the congregation had a genuine "family" atmosphere. They were genuinely concerned for those on the prayer list and the situations that needed prayer. 

This is an older congregation. Pastor is a very pleasant lady.

We will most likely return to visit this church at a later time. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Church Visit - Non-Denominational

Since leaving the pastorate earlier this year, we will be visiting various churches as we have opportunity and will, once again, blog about our experience. I did this one other time before getting involved in another church. 

This is my sixth blog post in a series I am doing on our experience visiting churches of various denominational labels, sizes and different styles of services. It is not my intent to be critical, but rather to be real and honest in our experiences. We have established criteria we are looking for at all of the institutional churches we are visiting. I do not intend to mention the church specifically by name.

I have blogged in the past about Christians who have left and are leaving the institutional church in large numbers. They are leaving for their own spiritual welfare. Most still love God but have become disillusioned or fed up with the institutional church today. I believe this is a timely series. May it open our eyes and our hearts to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus.

CHURCH CRITERIA

~DENOMINATIONAL LABEL - Non-Denominational

~TYPE OF SERVICE

*Traditional 

*ContemporaryXXX

*Blended 

~SIZE OF CHURCH - There were 25-30 in this particular service. The pastor told us upon greeting us that many were out of town on vacation. He said they usually run around 40-50.

~FRIENDLINESS - Pastor was very friendly as was a lady who sat and visited with us before service. They offered coffee. You were welcome to take your drinks with you to your seat.

~AVERAGE AGE OF CONGREGATION - They had both young as well as older folks in attendance. I would say an average age was 40's,

~DRESS ATTIRE - Very casual

~GREETING - Yes. We were greeted by several during the greeting time.

~MUSIC - The church had a two piece combo with worship leader playing guitar and pastor's son played a cajon box drum. The music was all contemporary. They played and sang songs that we didn't know. In this case, there was a lot of repetition and some, in reality, didn't make a whole lot of sense. 

~BALANCE OF MUSIC VS WORD - It was about a 50 minute service. The worship time lasted less than 10 minutes. 

~TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED - They utilized video PowerPoint. They also offer you an online giving option. In regards to the message, you can follow along on the screen, on your phone or with the paper notes that are provided. 

ALTAR CALL/INVITATION - None. Not even a dismissal prayer.

~ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS OFFERED - We was informed they have cell groups.

~BIBLE VERSION USED- NLT

~PREACHING STYLE- Conversational. It was an expository sermon

~USE OF SCRIPTURE - Good

~RELEVANT MESSAGE - It was somewhat relevant

~LENGTH OF SERVICE - 50 minutes

~OBSERVATIONS/COMMENTS - We went to this church expecting to hear the pastor preach. Instead, they provided a video sermon from one of the 3 church elders who pastor churches around the country. This particular pastor was from Colorado. Quite honestly, it was rather boring (not only for me, but for my wife and the two friends who were with us). My wife noticed one guy sleeping. The pastor told us before service he takes off one Sunday about every six weeks to be "spiritually recharged". Sometimes he will attend somewhere else, while at other times he is at the service but has someone else preach.

This is a rented community center and was somewhat echoey.

We knew none of the songs. We stood the entire time of worship.

The kids are in a separate part of the building. We never seen them.

They do not "pass the plate" to receive an offering. They have a can you can put your offering and "Connection Card" in as you leave. 

This most likely not a place we will return to visit. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Church Visit - Non-Denominational

Church Visits

Since leaving the pastorate two weeks ago we will be visiting various churches and will, once again, blog about our experience. I did this one other time before getting involved in another church. 

This is my fifth blog post in a series I am doing on our experience visiting churches of various denominational labels, sizes and different styles of services. It is not my intent to be critical, but rather to be real and honest in our experiences. We have established criteria we are looking for at all of the institutional churches we are visiting. I do not intend to mention the church specifically by name.

I have blogged in the past about Christians who have left and are leaving the institutional church in large numbers. They are leaving for their own spiritual welfare. Most still love God but have become disillusioned or fed up with the institutional church today. I believe this is a timely series. May it open our eyes and our hearts to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus.

CHURCH CRITERIA

~DENOMINATIONAL LABEL - Non-Denominational

~TYPE OF SERVICE

*Traditional 

*Contemporary

*Blended xxxxx

~SIZE OF CHURCH - 50 in this particular service. We attended the second of two services on this Sunday morning

~FRIENDLINESS - We were greeting by a few people in the church - not a lot of people, but a few people.

~AVERAGE AGE OF CONGREGATION - Late 30's - Early 40's

~DRESS ATTIRE - Definitely casual

~GREETING - There was a brief greeting time. I'm not certain if this was a planned thing as they were having some confusion at this point of the service regarding announcements, etc

~MUSIC - The church had a five piece band consisting of drums, bass, rhythm guitar, lead guitar and piano. Music was a bit loud for my taste so I turned down my hearing aid (yes, I do wear hearing aids). I do like that in addition to contemporary praise and worship they included a hymn at the onset of the service as well as at the conclusion. 

~BALANCE OF MUSIC VS WORD - I would say the balance was good. 

~TECHNOLOGY UTILIZED - I loved the technology utilized. They had two screens in the front and utilized Power Point. That's always a plus for me. They even put the Scripture on the screen. They also have a website you are encouraged to go to where you can follow the outline of the pastor's sermon. Yes, they actually encouraged you to utilize your cell phone during the service! I always thought that would be a great idea. You can also give online. Guests (visitors) can complete a hardcopy visitor card or complete a card online, which is what I opted to do. 

ALTAR CALL/INVITATION - There was no formal altar call given but music was played at the end that would encourage you to pray. 

~ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS OFFERED - They have a medical mission trip coming up, Men's Bible study as well as Connect Groups (cell groups). They do have a youth pastor coming on staff soon.

~BIBLE VERSION USED- NLT

~PREACHING STYLE- Conversational

~USE OF SCRIPTURE - Good

~RELEVANT MESSAGE - It was Palm Sunday when we visited. Pastor was concluding a sermon series "Words From The Cross". Good solid message. 

~LENGTH OF SERVICE - 1 hour 15 minutes or so.

~OBSERVATIONS/ I enjoy the use of technology. I heard some praise and worship choruses that are new to us. That doesn't make them wrong it just means there was a learning curve for us. The words of these songs were very biblically solid and encouraging. 

For first time guests (visitors) they offered a gift bag at their visitor center. This bag contained a travel cup, mints & chocolate, a resource book for the Christian life, an invitation card to invite someone else to church, a welcome brochure along with a page of their core doctrine and beliefs. 

We also received an email from the pastor Monday afternoon acknowledging our visit and inviting us back. He also asked to let him know if we had any specific prayer requests. 

Overall, attending this church was a good experience and we would visit again. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

A New Day Is Dawning

It's an exciting time for Cindy and me. It truly is a dawning of a new day! Out ministry is changing and God is opening new doors for us. 

First, we left the pastorate of the church we were pastoring. Our last Sunday as pastor was this past Sunday. We love the people and wish them the best. God brought us back there just over three years ago to help with a transition. We accomplished what God brought us there to accomplish and now its time to move on to the next phase of ministry.

God really began preparing us for this transition last year as He opened doors for our music ministry, New Jerusalem Singers, more than ever before. Last year was the busiest year of music ministry we have ever had. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart last year letting me know He was going to be leading us out of the pastorate, once again. 

It's an exciting time as well as a big step of faith for us. We are excited that God continues to open more and more doors for us. I have no doubt we will be singing more this year than even last year. We praise God for His faithfulness and His leading. We know if we follow the plan He has laid out before us we will be blessed tremendously - or as I like to say, "He will bless our sox off!"

We ask for your prayers as we walk this new journey God has called us to. Prayers that doors will continue to open, new doors will open that have never opened before, doors will reopen that have been closed in recent years, for our health needs as well as our financial needs. I have no doubt God will meet every need we have - He always has. Above all, we ask for prayers that Jesus would be lifted up in what we say and do and that others would be won to Him and Christians would be encouraged through this ministry.

We invite you to come and join us whenever we are in your area. You may check out our schedule by going to our website at www.newjerusalemsingers.org and clicking on "Schedule".

If you would like to have us come and sing at your event, group or church please contact Cindy at 217 652-0423 or email us at newjerusalemsingers@gmail. com and let us know what date and time you are looking at. 

We also have a Facebook page. Just search for New Jerusalem Singers (it will have a picture and Cindy and me for the profile picture). Be sure to go to our Facebook page and "Like" us to stay in the know. 

We look forward to seeing our many friends in our travels. Between now and the next time our paths cross...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

What's Holding The Church Back?

In my last blog post I addressed the question to individual Christians, "What's holding your back?" As promised, in this post I will address the question, "What's holding the church back?"

As individual believers lack spiritual growth, so does the church since the church is comprised of individual believers. Therefore, it is not wrong to say it is individual Christians that are holding back the church. 

I want to look at a few things that we, as Christians do (or don't do),  that come to mind that affects the church in a great way. 

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our traditions. How many times have we said or heard, "But we've always done it this way"? Jesus told the Pharisees they've made the Word of God on non affect through their traditions. Traditions can kill a church. Traditions can suck the life right out of a church. Maybe its time to do something different!

We tend to put limits on God. Of course, we would never admit this but our actions prove it. Israel had a history of limiting God (Psalm 78:41). We limit what we allow God to do in our lives, in our families and in our churches. God desires to do so much but we, by our thoughts and our actions say "no" to God. How foolish we are  at times. 

We sometimes think we have to figure it all out. We want to live a practical "Christian" life. There is no such thing. You see, the Bible plainly tells us "Without faith it is impossible to please Him..." (Hebrews 11:6). We try to walk a spiritual journey in our own strength attempting to figure things out for ourselves. Where's the faith? If there is a lack of faith in or personal walk with the Lord that carries over to the church. There will be a lack of faith in the church. 

Maybe some are guilty of the things mentioned in my last blog post. If you are guilty of backbiting, complaining/griping, gossiping, bad language (profanity as well as negative talk), hypocrisy, causing division in the church, lack of character and integrity these things spill over into the church. It affects the church body. This needs  to stop now!

If you are guilty of these things then it is YOU that is holding the church back. What are you willing to do about it? 

If the necessary corrections are not made you may well see ICABOD - "The Glory Is Departed" written above the church doors. What a sad ending that would be. You see, it's a terrible thing to experience the loss of the glory of God. It makes you wonder how many churches have lost the glory of God, whether willingly or unknowingly. 

The same things that caused ICHABOD in Israel - sin, disobedience, idolatry - are present in many of today's churches. Christians must never take the glory of God in our midst for granted. If we do, we could very easily wake up one day and find out that ICABOD has become a reality among us.

Some have simply been playing church for far too long. You think you are a Christian when all you are is religious. Get a real relationship with Jesus.

It's time to sit up, stand up, step up, shut up (where applicable) and DO something. It's easy to sit back and complain about the church. What have you done lately to help the church? What is your life saying about the God you claim to serve as well as your church?

Some things to ponder...and fix.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

What's Holding You Back?

These thoughts I originally thought may be sermon. However, the Holy Spirit has led me to write it as a blogpost. I truly believe God desires us to grow in our faith. Yet some believers have little or even no spiritual growth in their lives even though many have been saved for many years. 

Therefore, the question comes to mind, What's holding you back? I believe there are any number of things holding Christians back in their spiritual growth. I want to touch on a few of these today. 

Let me preface this by saying if you find yourself in this list it is incumbent on you to do something about it. The ball is in your court. 

Let's look at some things that are holding many believers back in their spiritual lives. 

• Backbiting 
• Backbiting, by definition, is to say mean or spiteful things about a person - usually someone not present. 
• Complaining/Griping
• There are some people who are never happy no matter the circumstances. They gripe and complain about every situation or even other people. They don't do anything about what they are griping and complaining about - they just gripe and complain which tends to stir up strife. They are part of the problem as opposed to part of the solution
• Gossiping 
• Gossiping is habitually revealing personal, intimate or sensational facts about others. How many times have you said something to the effect "You didn't hear this from me but..." and then to go on to share a nice juicy tidbit of gossip - that may or may not be entirely true. Sometimes we even embellish the information to make it even more "juicy". 
• Language 
• This not only includes profanity but all the negative  and hypocritical talk that comes from one's mouth. As Christians we are supposed to be different from the world. 
• Hypocrisy 
• The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior doesn't conform. In a nutshell, to say one thing while doing another. To be a pretender.
• Causing Divisions 
• People who cause people to take sides against one another. This oftentimes turns very bitter. There is much in the Bible about those who cause divisions. 

Again, if you see yourself in any of these things you can change all this. As the old hymn says, "Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right". Do you want to make things right? Do you want to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem? Have that little talk with Jesus. Confess the areas that have affected you and ask Him to change you. Be sure to do your part. You will notice a huge difference in your life. 

My next blogpost will deal with "What's Holding The Church Back?" 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

IT'S A NEW YEAR

It's a new year but God's the same God! Praise God for His consistency. Even when our lives are up and down God remains stedfast, consistent and sure.

Many are glad to have 2018 behind them for any number of reasons. I encourage you to look forward to 2019 with a great anticipation of what God has in store for you. 

As for Cindy and I, we are excited about what God has laid out before us. 2018 was the busiest year we've ever had for New Jerusalem Singers. We praise God for all the doors He opened for us. We never take any opportunity to minister for Him for granted. 
We are approaching 2019 with great excitement. We anticipate even greater things. Doors are already opening up for us in our singing ministry. I will begin blogging again. I plan on doing "Something To Ponder" from time to time on Facebook.  I will start "tweeting". We are looking forward to encouraging God's people wherever they are and wherever they gather. 

2019 also brings a change in that I will be leaving the pastorate to pursue the calling God has placed on our lives. Just as sure as we know God brought us to the church, we are equally sure He is leading us out of the pastorate. We have no regrets as we know we have accomplished what God has called us to do while we have been here. We love our church family and are looking forward to seeing whom God calls to lead this congregation forward. 

We hope to see many of our friends and family as we travel the state lifting up Jesus. 

May God bless you and your 2019!

Enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.