I believe God is doing amazing things in Charlotte, NC. Check out this website before I get into all this. www.elevationchurch.org
Elevation church has a mission. A mission to captivate a whole city for Christ, in bunches. Transforming and leading them to a passionate relationship with Jesus, and stripping all the excess to allow a person to know Him personally. The music is dynamic, the vision is obvious and contagious, the marketing is excellent and the power of the Gospel is present. I certainly believe the latter is making this church grow. No watered down Gospel here. They say that it's all about Jesus and if you don't like it, get up from your seat and let someone else have it.
Elevation has grown very quickly. It started 18 months ago with 19 people; now it's a mega church with 2400 attending last weekend! But they don't care that they're a "mega church". They're growing; that's obvious. They're growing because they're a living organism; there is no time to take breathers. They grow because they are always making room for more. This church's biggest worry is having someone get back in their car and drive away because there were no open seats.
Three key things a church plant needs to succeed, according to lead pastor, Steven Furtick:
1. the power of the Gospel
2. empty seats
3. to have both 1 and 2 provided at an optimal time
It's all about the numbers.
What? Did I just say that? If you think about it, it really should be about the numbers. As it says in Acts 2, "3000 were added by the Lord and others were added daily." We're not talking about numbers showing how well a program succeeds. We are about the number of marriages being saved, the number of drunks finding Christ and the number of people being transformed daily by the Gospel of Christ.
Church planting is great, but we ought to let the power of Christ overshadow all of the things that we as humans can do. It's not about how well we market, how great (or how loud) our music is, or how cool the Pastor dresses and speaks. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE POWER OF CHRIST EXPOSED IN A RELEVANT WAY TO SEE LIVES TRANSFORMED by THE LORD. The gospel is God giving His spotless Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins so that we can rise again as He did and live with Him forever. Let's get the Word out there.
May God continue blessing Elevation church!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Non-believing musicians on Stage???
Non-christian musicians on stage??? It's amazing how contradictory this issue can be. When I first heard the concept of inviting musicians from the secular world, to tell you the truth, I was not all on board. It seemed so strange having "worship leaders" on stage that weren't Christian. It's pretty simple actually. If you believe in the philosophy of "everyone on stage is a worship leader", you might as well stop reading now. But keep reading if you're curious.
I first heard this concept in California. You guessed it, Saddleback. I was able to see an enthusiastic born again Christian talking of his journey with Christ. If it wasn't for someone who invited him to play trumpet for Easter, he would of still been playing at bars. But there he stood, before other music leaders and musicians training, building and encouraging them. He had an awesome testimony. This gave me a new perspective. That one person, being saved by embracing his musical gifts and by offering relationships and acceptance. He ended up being the horn section leader at Saddleback.
In order for this concept to work you should break away from the philosophy of 'everyone on stage is a worship leader.' I do agree that there should always be a 'lead worshiper' who leads not only the congregation but also the accompanist in a time of worship. It is during that time that everyone around is impacted by God's presence, even the 'non-believing' musician. I believe environments influence people. Why not bring your unbelieving friend to this environment? That's if you can stay strong and able to influence them, not the other way around. Allow them in the door, let them use their gifts and lead them towards intimate relationship with Christ through acceptance and witness.
Ask God for discernment and strength. Of course there will be those who you might have to turn away (no Satan worshipers on stage). Get me right, it is those who are seeking, those who've had a bad break or a bad experience that you want to bring back to Him.
We were all wired in a unique way. Your gift might be something else, like technology, website design, graphics, hospitality. Why is it ok to hire these things out and allow non-christians to handle these areas, yet not able to use gifted musicians non-believers on stage? Musicians need acceptance and good influences too. I encourage you to move politics and tradition aside and let God's craftsmanship be used for what it was created for. Guide them and thank them for their time and gifts. Usually, if a non-believer agrees to play at a church, they know what they are getting into and it might be safe to say that they are certainly seeking for something. It will be a new experience for them in their journey of faith.
Remember the curtain is broken when Christ laid on the cross. Not only the priest are allowed in His Holy Temple. No more rituals or man made cleansing is needed.
Let's bring people to His presence, for it is by being in His presences and through Christ's blood that we are all cleansed. The barrier was torn away! Let's lead those who are seeking in the right direction, just a step at a time. Remove any man made barriers. Let's use God's given gifts to bring Him glory. He didn't ask us to screen or filter, He asked us to lead and make disciples. Music is a great tool for both believers to worship and non-believers to experience. Stay strong and break away barriers!
Don't limit your music ministry. Believe it or not, this might bring your music ministry up a notch in musicianship.
What are your thoughts on all this? I'm just throwing it out there....
I first heard this concept in California. You guessed it, Saddleback. I was able to see an enthusiastic born again Christian talking of his journey with Christ. If it wasn't for someone who invited him to play trumpet for Easter, he would of still been playing at bars. But there he stood, before other music leaders and musicians training, building and encouraging them. He had an awesome testimony. This gave me a new perspective. That one person, being saved by embracing his musical gifts and by offering relationships and acceptance. He ended up being the horn section leader at Saddleback.
In order for this concept to work you should break away from the philosophy of 'everyone on stage is a worship leader.' I do agree that there should always be a 'lead worshiper' who leads not only the congregation but also the accompanist in a time of worship. It is during that time that everyone around is impacted by God's presence, even the 'non-believing' musician. I believe environments influence people. Why not bring your unbelieving friend to this environment? That's if you can stay strong and able to influence them, not the other way around. Allow them in the door, let them use their gifts and lead them towards intimate relationship with Christ through acceptance and witness.
Ask God for discernment and strength. Of course there will be those who you might have to turn away (no Satan worshipers on stage). Get me right, it is those who are seeking, those who've had a bad break or a bad experience that you want to bring back to Him.
We were all wired in a unique way. Your gift might be something else, like technology, website design, graphics, hospitality. Why is it ok to hire these things out and allow non-christians to handle these areas, yet not able to use gifted musicians non-believers on stage? Musicians need acceptance and good influences too. I encourage you to move politics and tradition aside and let God's craftsmanship be used for what it was created for. Guide them and thank them for their time and gifts. Usually, if a non-believer agrees to play at a church, they know what they are getting into and it might be safe to say that they are certainly seeking for something. It will be a new experience for them in their journey of faith.
Remember the curtain is broken when Christ laid on the cross. Not only the priest are allowed in His Holy Temple. No more rituals or man made cleansing is needed.
Let's bring people to His presence, for it is by being in His presences and through Christ's blood that we are all cleansed. The barrier was torn away! Let's lead those who are seeking in the right direction, just a step at a time. Remove any man made barriers. Let's use God's given gifts to bring Him glory. He didn't ask us to screen or filter, He asked us to lead and make disciples. Music is a great tool for both believers to worship and non-believers to experience. Stay strong and break away barriers!
Don't limit your music ministry. Believe it or not, this might bring your music ministry up a notch in musicianship.
What are your thoughts on all this? I'm just throwing it out there....
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