Back Porch Confessions

Now, more than ever

I've come to expect a few phrases in the offertory prayer each week, like "troubled economy," and "changed circumstances," and "hard times." They're all valid. It's true, we are living in a troubled economy, many of us with changed circumstances, and it certainly feels like hard times, compared to what we're accustomed. And I am certain that these phrases are indicative of what's landing in the offering plate, also. I get that.

This week, however, another phrase stood out to me. It's also a familiar one, frequently tossed around with the ones above: "Now, more than ever." As in, "now, more than ever," we need to be wise with our finances. Or "now, more than ever," we are grateful to be employed or healthy or living in a country still sitting on half the world's wealth or whatever.

But that's not how it was used in the offertory prayer on Sunday. It was used (something) like this:

"And Lord, in these troubled economic times, we need you now more than ever."

Really?

We need Him more now that our retirement plan is cut in half than we did when sin entered the world? Now, that we may face unemployment while still receiving benefits from the government, we need Him more than we did when The Word became flesh and dwelt among us? Now that we might lose the house we bought with money we didn't have...NOW, now that the economy and government are failing us, we need Jesus more than we did when he came to take the government upon his shoulders? We need Him more now than we did when He went to the cross? Really?

Do we ever need Him more than we did yesterday? Will we ever need Him more than we do right now?

I don't think the pray-er on Sunday gave it that much thought, or he might have said something like "we recognize our need for you now more than ever..." Or maybe that's what he meant to say. But then I wouldn't have had a blog to post. :)

Posted by: Amy

VBS 08

A preview of me in church tomorrow.

posted by Brad

Patience

Last week at the back porch, we were talking about "waiting on the Lord."  My emphasis was about prayer and seeking the favor of the Lord as we look for Him to enliven us and cause change in our community.  I felt that I wasn't clear on some things that I was thinking and it turns out that God was using my friends to guide my heart in how we must seek the favor of the Lord, yet we must be obedient to what we know to do.

I came across a post from Desiring God and posted it on my blog.

posted by Brad

Positioning

In an church, why does ego, longevity and strong personality tend to override good ideas?

Attractional and Incarnational

Some thoughts on attractional and incarnational ministry.

posted by Brad

Story

So I am now the host pastor for my churches Monday night service. And last monday night a woman walked into the church at about 6pm. She looked a little out there but i welcomed her and she said it was her first time so i gave her a welcome packet. She sat at a table reading everything in the packet for like 15 minuets. she then gets up and tells me "Thanks you for everything, but i think i'm at the wrong place. I was looking for TBN".

I figured this could be a good thing for a bad thing.

a Good thing because to her, my church looked as professional as TBN.

Bad thing because that means my church looks like TBN.

posted by: Jimmy

Our "Dunkin" baptism

Dunkin' Baptism

This is a really cool video of our Beach Baptism my Church did in August, all together we baptised over 140 people and 100 or so more showed up to watch the event. It was awesome! if you see our shirts we took the logo from Dunkin Donuts and made it our logo. It looked so real, one of our teaching pastors overheard someone talking on their cell phone saying, "You have to come down here, Dunkin Donuts is here and they are baptising people".

posted by: Jimmy

Thank you first baptist pompano...

Erin and I were in my pool today and we were talking about how we need to start tithing, and I told her that I don't tithe at all, and she asks why and I said, "because the way I was taught to look at tithing I now firmly believe is sin, and I don’t know how to change my mind-set."

I know my scriptures and I know why we should tithe and I understand that me being a Pastor, my church's tithes pay my salary and allow me to live the way I do. I understand my money is God's money and I understand Jesus tells us to do it, I was never taught that we need to tithe because God told us to, its always been, "Why not, you'll get BLESSED" like we give to receive. As if we give God money, now God owes us something.

I need to tithe, I know I need to tithe. But every time I write my 10% check I always think, "Wow maybe my church will see I’m being faithful and giving money, maybe they will give me a better salary, maybe then I can get married to Erin..." and so much more. That is when I rip up my check! I will not give God my dirty selfish money!!! Why should I tithe if it is for the wrong reason? I remember before I left Pompano for good they handed out those awesome double mint gum cards that said, "Double your Giving, Double your Blessing"

If I only give to get, should I give at all? I don’t think so, I don’t think God would want money from someone who thinks about all the ways God is going to bless him for writing his check. I think we all can agree that we receive to give, not give to receive.

Now this is not an excuse to save my money haha.

I know I need to tithe, but I need to change my mindset, I need to give to God without the hope for something in return. Any idea how?

Confessed by: Jimmy

Worship

Everyone's comments on the Church Musings post got me thinking, and I am always trying to find new ideas and ways to do my job better (For those who do not know me, I am a Worship Pastor at the Church of Pembroke Pines).       

Along with building parking lots, committees, and the mind set of paying people to do the mission work we are supposed to do ourselves, i noticed that anther problem we all (or maybe just Amy and I) share with First Baptist Pompano is the music. I haven't really asked why..... so i am now.

So really, whats wrong with it and what should we change/add?

and to the other people who do not go to First Baptist Pompano and who blog on this blog, what are the things you don't like about your worship music at your church, or what are some ideas or thoughts on what you would like to see in the music?

Posted by: Jimmy

Church Musings

Just a couple of thoughts that I want some feedback on...

1. Do we value corporate worship in a local church setting?  Is it something that is necessary? 

2. If it IS necessary and good, then is a WORSHIP service for the believer or the non-believer? (I have opinions about this...I am hoping are rooted in scripture, but I will wait). ****UPDATE**** - In this question, I am assuming that "worship" is for and directed toward, God.  So is the gathering one for believers or non-believing seekers?

3. Why is style of worship important or not important?

4. In light of seeing the Church as a missional community that is redeemed for the purpose of restoration...what is our purpose of the larger gathering?

Fire away...

posted by:Brad