Blog Archives

Church Ideas – Fun Church Activities

2/27/2011

Fellowship Should Be A Total Blast!

A friend of mine recently emailed a YouTube video to me that is as informative as it is entertaining. Kudos to Volkswagen for putting this together. It serves as the foundation of this post and a great reminder to us about life in general. Have a look:

The goal of this video project wasn't to get people to make noise or learn how to play the piano with their feet. They wanted to see if they could get more people to take the stairs by making it fun to do. As you saw in the video, they accomplished their mission. They concluded that, “Fun can obviously change behavior for the better.”

This idea should be applied to more areas of our life!

Not sure if taking out the trash will ever be fun...but I'll keep thinking about that one.

If you read the last post about An Interactive Church, then you had a chance to read 1 Cor. 14:26, which is what I like to use as the blueprint for what should happen when we come together as a church:

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Having fun isn't the goal of the church coming together, but isn't it a reasonable question to ask if there is room for more spice and variety when we gather as a church?

“Fun” is obviously going to vary from one person to another, but I think it's a worthy topic of discussion. Coming together shouldn't be a chore or something to get through. If we have an attitude of expectation and look forward to what God has in store for us, then the stage is set for wonderful things!

Thou Shalt Not Freak Out!

NOTE:
If you're freaking out reading this because all you
can see is one more thing to add to your already
overloaded schedule, then stop.
This isn't supposed to be more work to do.

In the latter part of Acts 2, here's what we read:

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

I don't know about you, but that sounds like a good time to me!

Allow me to throw some ideas out there to make a church gathering more fun:

Have a potluck or meet at a restaurant (church should be a spiritual potluck!)
Fellowship at the park, beach, top of a mountain, etc.,
Join forces on needs within the church
Church Fellowship Road Trip to some neat location (everyone in an RV?)
Progressive lunch or dinner with a spiritual topic
Prayer hike
Creative short story writing and sharing
Make a short movie and put it on YouTube

Okay, some of those are more like group projects rather than fellowship enhancements, but a little out of the box thinking now and then doesn't hurt. I'm sure you've got better ideas!

So, enough of me. I'd love to hear your comments. What church ideas have you come up with to make things more exciting and interesting? What works for you just might be exactly what another home church group is looking for!

Fun shouldn't just be limited to childhood, should it? Solomon wrote,

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance... (Ecc. 3:1-4)

So long as we're living according to the Word, let's really enjoy our moments with each other. In between our time of weeping and mourning, let's be sure to take time to laugh and to dance!

I think we could all use more wholesome excitement in our lives. Please take a moment to share your comments below on how you creatively season your fellowship with fun!

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An Interactive Church

2/22/2011

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Let's imagine we're going to the movies or a concert. What usually takes place? We drive to a particular location, pay to get in, find our seats, perhaps say hello to those around us, then, we'll watch the visuals or listen to the performance. Afterward, we'll head for the exit and go home.

Is that an accurate summary - minus the popcorn? That's what is expected for those kinds of activities, right? We're supposed to be quiet spectators.

Now, let's take a look at our church experience. Notice any similarities? Is it so similar, that one could conclude that, in practice, church appears to be something we observe?

Over the years, I've found that most of us do what we've been taught to do - especially when it comes to church. We've been taught that church is a weekly event centered around listening to a pastor. Outside of singing a few songs, there's very little participation.

Now contrast this experience with how the Bible describes the gathering of the church:

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Is that verse way different then what you're used to? Let me put it this way: If you're a mature saint of God, when was the last time you taught, spoke in tongues or interpreted? Shared a word of wisdom with the church lately?

Look at Paul's words again. How many people should participate? A few or every one? Does Paul describe a spectator church or a participatory church?

Since the church is the body of Christ, let's consider our own bodies for a moment. We have eyes, ears, hands, legs, feet, etc., Do we enjoy having all of our members? Do we like using all of our members? I'll bet we do.

Is it possible that Jesus Christ – as head of his body, the church – likes to have and wants to use all of his members too? I think so. Not only does he want to use each of us, he has gifted each of us to edify (instruct, benefit, uplift) each other. The whole church is to minister to itself.

We've been taught for generations to sit and listen to a singular person preach week after week. But according to the scriptures, all of us should be participating in each other's growth, encouraging and edifying one another.

Unfortunately, the church has become more like a program to watch. Many great teachers have been sidelined by denominational rules. Hundreds of prophets have never been encouraged to speak out what they hear from God. Exhorters have been silenced because they "didn't go to Bible school," and the Holy Ghost has been barred from entrance so there won't be any tongues and therefore no interpretation of tongues.

May I be so bold as to say that part of the reason why America is in the condition it's in spiritually is because of an atrophied church that's become a collection of spectators listening to sermons, rather than the vibrant, interactive body of Christ? Teachers should teach; Evangelists should preach; Exhorters should exhort; Words of wisdom should flow from the wise, workers of miracles should work, tongues should be spoken and interpreters should interpret!

Does that sound like a foreign language? It shouldn't; it's in the Bible. Have a look for yourself in the book of Acts, Rom. 12, I Cor. 12-14, and Eph. 4.

“But Pat, participation like that would never work in our church of over 300 people!”

You're probably right. So, what we need to to is repent and return to scriptures. Did you know that churches meeting in houses is spoken of no less than four times in the New Testament? Believers meeting in small groups was the primary way the church came together, and everyone took part under the oversight of multiple elders.

“Fellowship” has a two-part meaning: Partnership and Participation. Every one of us should be actively involved - not passively listening week and week. But we keep doing it because that's what we've been taught...by people who were taught the same thing. Many leaders today were taught that church is something to run rather than a family to be a part of.

The church Jesus came to build is more exciting than a movie, and more instrumental to society than a concert! It's supposed to be the interactive and dynamic body of Christ the gates of hell won't prevail against! More than ever before, we should act like it.

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Women In The Ministry

2/20/2011

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Wives Submitting To Husbands and The Role of Women In The Ministry...

Won't this be an interesting post!

I was asked recently on whether woman can teach in church or not, so I decided to write out my thoughts. As with all my writings, thank you for reading, but I hope you'll do your own research with an open heart and mind. We should all be searching for the truth – not just the validation of our opinions.

From my perspective, I believe we have multiple topics here that should be addressed individually:

Ministry – This isn't some lofty position, but rather, any act of service to another. Giving a glass of water to someone who's thirsty is ministry at that moment.

Culture and Society – Some believe that certain parts of the Bible aren't relevant to us because of cultural differences. Is that what God said? Or did he say, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35) His Word trumps culture everywhere, every time.

Wives Submitting To Husbands – Back in Genesis, God made man from the dust of the earth. Then he saw that it wasn't good idea for man to be alone, so he made women from the man and for the man. Whether you like how God did things isn't the point; That's how he did it. If you have a problem with that, you have a problem with God.

Now, before you ladies roll your eyes and leave, please hear me out and read this entire post because you may not have heard what I'm about to say before.

Because of disobedience back in the garden of Eden, God cursed the ground, the serpent, women and men. Here's what every woman has Eve to thank for:

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Genesis 3:16)

You've probably noticed that the pain in childbearing hasn't changed...well...neither has that other pain. Now here are the specific verses dealing with women teaching in the church:

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Timothy 2:11-14 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Remember, culture isn't the point. The curses fell upon men and women long before our unique cultures developed. So what are the real issues here in these verses?

Obedience. Learning. Subjection. Usurping Authority.

Notice how Paul puts it in the second verse. He says, “But I suffer not a woman to teach...” He didn't allow it. That's not the same as “Thus saith the Lord...”

Anyway, here's my take on things: According to the scriptures woman are to be subject to their husbands. If a husband doesn't want their wife to speak or teach in church, they shouldn't. Period. But what does that say about the husband...?

Some of the greatest spiritual truths I've learned have come from women. God has used wonderful women to pray with me, give me godly advice, and to tell me what I've needed to hear - not just in private conversation, but in the church.

Treating others the way I want to be treated should start with my marriage. If I want to be used of God, shouldn't I allow for my wife be used of God too? If obedience and subjection are the key issues, how does that change if a husband gives all the liberty to his wife he allows for himself and others? It changes everything. I'm not talking about asking endless questions - like some of us men can do - but if a woman has the gift of prophecy, teaching or exhortation, why not give her room to edify the church?

"But Pat, you don't know my husband. He's a obstinate jerk."

Then why did you marry him?

If submission to your husband seems difficult, then consider how the Creator of the Universe took on the form of a servant, and humbled himself to his own creation. He submitted to Joseph and Mary, the laws of God and man and even the butchery of crucifixion. He's the example we need to follow.

Wives submitting to husbands is absolutely biblical. So is the command for men to love their wives. I think a man can show great love to both his wife and to the church by allowing her to teach and preach if he sees that God is with her.

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Praying In The Holy Ghost

2/10/2011

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My heart goes out to anyone who's ever been told that receiving the Holy Ghost as described in the Book of Acts is not for them today. Speaking in tongues or praying in tongues is a decisive topic today and it shouldn't be! The blessings that come with being filled and renewed with the Holy Ghost are so numerous it defies description. Speaking in tongues is not only biblical, it's encouraged for both personal edification and in specific situations when the church comes together. If you don't believe in the need to be filled with the Spirit, fine. This post isn't for you.

This post is for those who understand the power of the Holy Ghost, and more specifically, for those who know what “praying through” means. In my time of much needed prayer this morning, I was reminded of a few things about praying in the Holy Ghost I'd to share with you here. Perhaps you can relate.

First, if you haven't noticed, God's ways don't always make sense to our mind, do they? The Bible is filled with situations that defy the intellect. But when a person obeys the Lord, no matter how odd his ways seem, the Lord God blesses! If we try to live with our minds first, we are going to miss God. That's not to say that God's people shouldn't be thinkers – on the contrary! Rather, we should be smart enough to know that there's more to life than what we can see, hear or calculate. It's important to understand the limits of our natural minds...

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)

Praying in the Spirit transforms our thinking because it bypasses the mind and edifies the spirit. With a renewed spirit, our priorities change, our blurry vision is cleared and a whole new dimension to life is opened up.

But you already knew that.

Secondly, praying in the Holy Ghost isn't something we do for God – it's what we need for ourselves! The unburdening of the heart, the transforming of our mind, and the clearing of the soul are amazing. Yet, too often we'll forfeit this holy resource. We'll tightly pack our day with things to do and wonder what happened to the peace we used to have. Jesus cried way back when and still cries out to us today...

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive...) (John 7:37-39)

Couldn't we all use a drink of that?

Finally, praying in the Holy Ghost gives us something else: rest.

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:11-12)

If someone has told you that the Holy Ghost isn't for you, may I encourage you to talk directly to God about that yourself? I'll take the promises of God in the Bible over man's word any day! Paul prayed with the spirit (1 Cor. 14:15) and even commanded that we be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). He even boasted that he spoke with tongues more than others. He knew the value of spiritual refreshing and what it can do for us.

Jude put it this way: But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21)

Don't let another day slip away without praying in the Spirit. You'll find a clarity and a peace that you've been missing and wonder why in the world you've gone so long without it!

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Update On The Book...

2/6/2011

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Some have asked me how my book is progressing. If you don't know, I'm writing a fictional story about a young man's pursuit of God that leads to making a difficult choice between mega-church glory or truth and righteousness far away from the spot light. I just finished writing out the high point of the story, and now I'm starting to wrap everything up. It's been an interesting journey so far, and there's plenty more to come.

Some might argue whether we have to make a choice like this or not. Are mega-churches bad and something to shy away from? My answer is the same no matter what the church size is: Is truth according to the scriptures taught? Is the same gospel the apostles taught in Acts preached? And is the church encouraged to edify itself according to the outline given to us in 1 Corinthians 14? If these key elements are in place, things are probably good. If not...well...that's between you and God. Paul wrote to the church at Philppi...
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)
That's not me being wishy-washy; that's me not being your conscience. When I started on this lengthy journey toward church in my home, the Lord didn't just flash me sign telling me what to do. In fact, he said, "I'm not going to just give the answers. I want you to look it up. I want you to be able to show others why you're doing what you're doing." Whatever your church direction, can you find where you are on the map of the scriptures? Are you in the Word or are you doing your own thing? By the way, you can be doing your own thing surrounded by hundreds of others...I'll keep you posted to the progress of the book!

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