"When Life Gives You Lemons..."

All of us want to work with and around "high caliber" people… whatever that means. We often have an idea of what a perfect environment look like in our own minds, whether it pertains to worship, work, friends, sports, music, etc.. What it really comes down to is that we often want to work with people who don’t require us to exert a lot of energy because they are similar to us. Is that really what we should be doing and desiring? Is that what Jesus did? 

Check out this Scripture passage and then watch the video blog linked below it:

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village. Luke 9:51–56 (NLT)

Here are some of my thoughts on this topic on this week's video blog: http://youtu.be/SKqU3HV4Leg.

Now, take some time to really think about these questions:

• How quick are we to sometimes judge someone?
• What do we typically look for in the people that we want to work with?
• What made Jesus pick the disciples that He did?
• How can we better serve the people we do worship with here at ORBC

Announcements

• Summer Schedules
• Please take a chance, if you haven’t already, to mark off times you will be out for the summer. It is really helpful to be able to know peoples schedules when doing summer and advanced planning.
• Check In
• Please continue to check in when you serve! It is imperative that you check in when you are serving. If you have any question about that see Doug DeWitt.
• Out of Town Next Week
• I will be out of town from June 22 through 29^th… If need anything you can ask Anna Moss or Tim D.

Too Thick In The Head

One of the ways that we honor God is our growth. Through both personal growth and how we integrate with a team. We, as a ministry, have discussed in the past what part both formal and informal education play in this process of personal growth. To me, one interesting dynamic about wisdom is that there are those who believe you can be too educated for your own good.

Based on some of my course work in ethics and moral theory, I really felt moved recently to do a study of the book of Ecclesiastes over the summer. Take a look at these passages out of the first chapter:

"Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief." Ecclesiastes 1:17–18 (NIV)

Here are some of my thoughts on this topic in the video blog: http://youtu.be/PbxvLzyUynE.

After you read the passage and blog for this week, think about these questions:

• Why does it appear that Solomon is saying that the wiser I get the more miserable I become?
• Does the kind of wisdom we pursue make a difference as to its effect on our joy and growth?
• What areas of wisdom are the best to create growth in me as a worship leader, technical leader, or servant?
• If I could grow in one area, what would it be, and why?

Announcements:

• Summer Schedules
• Please take a chance, if you haven’t already, to mark off times you will be out for the summer. It is really helpful to be able to know peoples schedules when doing summer and advanced planning.
• Summer Interns
• ORBC Worship Arts is taking on interns who want to gain experience for the summer. If you know of someone that would like to serve in a greater capacity over the summer and wants exposure to some of our greatest leaders, tell them to let me know.
• Check In
• Please continue to check in when you serve! It is imperative that you check in when you are serving. If you have any question about that see Doug DeWitt.

Eclectic Worship

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard or mediated disagreements around the style of music in the church! Country sucks, rap has no place in the church, that sounds too over-produced, why should we use loops lets keep it more organic, and so on…If I hit you with one of those phrases it is because many times we don’t truly know how to appreciate the diversity that we have. We are blessed with the diversity of music that we now have in the church and it has not always been this way.

This month, Worship Magazine has many articles about the diversity of music in the church. This is a great magazine and I would recommend a subscription for anyone who wants to be challenged in the area of worship leading.  As we prepare this week, let’s think about the issue of musical genre and how it affects us in worship arts. 

Please take some time to read this article: http://on.fb.me/1w7YI6c.

Check out my thoughts on this topic on this weeks video blog: http://youtu.be/j4kashQqIEM.

After you read the article this week, or watch the video, think about these questions:

• How has music in church changed, as far as its diversity, since you have been in church?
• Is there a certain style of music that you refuse to listen to? If so, what does that say about your diversity?
• What can I do to better appreciate different styles of music?
• If I could see ORBC launch a new Venue what style would I most like to see?
• If ORBC were to launch a new venue in the fall, what style of music do I think would have the greatest opportunity to reach more un-churched people?
• Other thoughts on the matter?

Announcements

• Vacation
• I will be out of town and out of communication starting this Friday through June 1. Anna will help you with any scheduling issues in performing arts (amoss@orbc.net).
• Live Venue Devotions
• I have asked Tim Dennis to lead this week in the Live Venue through the devotions.
• Check In
• Please continue to check in when you serve! It is imperative that you check in when you are serving. If you have any question about that see Doug DeWitt.

Virtuous Ambition

I believe that God likes to speak to us from multiple angles when He really wants to get our attention. I am currently taking a course in Ethical Formation and our assignment recently was to put together our personal virtues. I based many of mine off of Galatians 5:22, but was struggling whether I should add ambition to my list of personal virtues. 

I recently had a conversation with another pastor discussing how there are few awards handed out for pastors, yet so many people want to know what their accomplishments are.

If the idea of listing personal virtues seems a little foreign to you, it may help you to know that it isn't a new concept. Benjamin Franklin and others throughout history have completed similar exercises in an effort to help their lives have greater impact with regard to their morality and integrity. 

If you're curious, check out Ben Franklin's virtues: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/06/01/the-virtuous-life-wrap-up/

So, do you think ambition could be a virtue? In my personal search on this matter I came across this article: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2010/october-online-only/ambitiouslikejesus.html which offers some interesting perspectives.

Check out the video blog this week to hear some of my own thoughts of mine on this struggle: http://youtu.be/uYhx2Jaq3ZM.

After you read the article above, or watch the video blog, think about these questions:

• Am I an ambitious person? If so, toward what end?
• Is ambition a virtue or a sin? Why or why not? Is the context important for what ambition is aimed toward (work, spiritual life, relationships, etc.)?
• Have I ever taken the time to write out what virtues should guide my ministry or life?
• Is there a certain Scripture that could be a foundation for my virtues?

Announcements

• Vacation
• I will be out of town and out of communication starting this Friday through June 1. Anna will help you with any scheduling issues in performing arts (amoss@orbc.net).
• Worshipplanning
• With summer vacations beginning for many of us, please take the time to mark your schedule in worshipplanning as unavailable. If you need help on how to do this talk to any leader in your venue and they can help you.
• Check In
• Please continue to check in when you serve! It is imperative that you check in when you are serving. If you have any question about that see Doug DeWitt.

Illuminated

Have you ever really thought about Jesus’ claim that He is the light of the world?  This concept becomes an entirely new and powerful idea when you connect the fact that He has commissioned you and I to use our gifts to reach out to this world with His Light.

Have you ever considered how your gifts are being used by the Lord to reach out and touch others?  Take a moment to reflect on these questions, and then read the passage below this week:

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

Luke 8:16–18 (NIV)

Here are some thoughts of mine on the passage in this week’s video blog: http://youtu.be/voFTZ0l4ajc.

After you read the passage and watch the video think about these questions in light of your own specific gifts:

1. What does it mean for us to out our light on a stand vs. placing it under the bed?
2. What might someone conceal or hide that needs to be brought into the light?
3. What do we have that Jesus may want to give us more of?
4. What would be the reason he would give more or less to us?

Announcements:

• Vacation
• My family and I will be out of town and on vacation May 23rd through June 1st. I will be getting back to the office on June 2nd.  If you have a question regarding an assignment please contact Anna Moss. She will be able to help with any assignment issues you may encounter while I am out. If you have a venue-specific or flow question please contact your venue pastor.
• Check In
• Please continue to check in when you serve! It is imperative that you check in when you are serving. If you have any question about that see Doug DeWitt.

Cheap or Extravagant?

There were a lot of nuggets that came out of the worship retreat this past weekend! One of the concepts or phrases that really hit me was, “cheap worship is a contradiction in terms". When John Sarno said that, I sat back and just had to take in what it meant. Below is the Scriptural reference he was referencing. Take a few minutes to read the passage and check out the video blog for my thoughts on it.

Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” 

“To buy your threshing floor,” David answered, “so I can build an altar to the Lord, that the plague on the people may be stopped.”

Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. O king, Araunah gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.”

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:21–24 (NIV)

Here are some thoughts of mine on the passage: http://youtu.be/dF1aCyIQQDw

After you read the passage and watch the video and think about these questions:

1. What do I consider my current offering or offerings to be?
2. In what way have they remained the same and in what way have the changed?
3. What does it cost me to bring my offering of worship currently to the Lord?
4. What is one thing I could do to make sure that my worship is not cheap, is costing me more, and is becoming a greater sacrifice for His Glory?

Announcements: 

• ORBC Worship Retreat!
• I just want to thank everyone who was able to make the retreat this past week. My prayer is that Friday gave you a greater, intimate connection with Christ and that Saturday made you a better worship leader. If you have a few minutes, e-mail me what made the retreat great, what was ok, and what you would like to see improved or be added for the next one. Your feedback will help me to continue to improve the retreat and make it a better tool for our ministry!
• Vacation
• My family and I will be out of town and on vacation May 23^rd through June 1^st. I will be getting back to the office on June 2^nd.  If you have a question regarding an assignment please contact Anna Moss. She will be able to help with any assignment issues you may encounter while I am out. If you have a venue specific or flow question please contact your venue pastor.
• Check In
• Please continue to check in when you serve! It is imperative that you check in when you are serving. If you have any question about that see Doug DeWitt.

Responding to Doubt

As we go through ministry there will be seasons where we will face doubt. When this happens are first response is to think that this is abnormal. The fact is that it is a very normal part of being a person and for ministry.

This week let’s take a look a John the Baptist and look at a time when he faced doubt. Jesus said of Him that there was no man born among women who was greater than John. How would you like Jesus to say that about your life? To me that means that John had an incredible faith walk.

But even John doubted and struggled. This week take a look at Luke 7:18-28. There are lessons in this passage for those facing doubt and those that are called to encourage those through doubt.

Here are some thoughts of mine on the passage in this week's video blog: http://youtu.be/Gpx6cTqZ6wg.

After you read the passage and watch the video think about these questions:

1. Why didn't Jesus answer John’s question directly? (I am the one)
2. Why did Jesus respond by directing John and his disciples to the works being done by Jesus?
3. Why did Jesus speak highly of John after the His disciples had left?
4. Do I know of someone doubting their ministry role, their call, and what am I called to do to encourage them?

Announcements:

• ORBC Worship Retreat (THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY)
• We are gathering this week for our Retreat! From 7 to 8:30PM in the Live Venue and 9 to 4:30PM on Saturday (for Worship Leader Training) with John Sarno. An invite was send out last week through CCB. Please make sure that you respond by WED! If you are in the Ridge (Let Liz know) and in Seaford (Let Thomas know) which days you will be attending. Thanks and can’t wait to see you there!
• Some Role Changes
• Last Thursday we announced that Tim Dennis would be transitioning to the role of Global Technical Director for ORBC and that I would be transitioning to the Global Arts Director (Larry). This transition is now in process. That means that everything will currently operate the way that it has been, but that Tim will assume leadership over the technical areas and that I will concentrate my efforts to provide leadership to our performing arts areas. We have already begun the process of transitioning our venue pastors to a role to give leadership over the flow in their venues. As we make these transitions please exercise patience, refuse to gossip, and bring any concerns or suggestions to Tim, myself, or to your venue pastor.
• Bass and Guitar Players
• We are still short for both electric and bass guitar players right now. Be shoulder-tapping friends about the opportunity to serve in this way at the church.
• All Campuses and venues are currently short bass players.
• Check In
• Please continue to check in when you serve! It is imperative that you check in when you are serving. If you have any question about that see Doug DeWitt.