Last Fall at the annual Sing! Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, author and minister Alistair Begg sounded a warning against the “consumer worship” mindset in many churches.
Begg challenged attendees, including preachers, pastors, and church leaders to return to a “serious engagement with the Bible.” Continue reading
Yesterday, Norma Jean and I worshiped with the brethren on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kona. Two weeks ago we were with the Leeward church in Waipahu on the island of Oahu.
In addition to the opportunity to engage in Lord’s Day worship, we thoroughly enjoyed meeting the local brethren, as well as other guests from the mainland.
I figured that I’ve attended over 10,000 worship services and Bible studies in my life time. If I factored in Gospel meetings, special classes and personal in-home studies it would be many more. Continue reading
Filed under Worship
The “new normal” is an expression we’ve heard a good bit this past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. And it was not a phrase I particularly liked or embraced.
The “new normal” has been characterized by masks, social distancing, and no handshakes or hugs.
In terms of the church’s work and mission, it has for a time suspended public gatherings, and then limited their frequency and/or the number attending. It has kept brethren apart. Canceled gospel meetings. Limited fellowship. Put plans on hold. Hampered ministry projects. And to a large extent social-distanced us from the brotherhood. Continue reading
Filed under Fellowship, Worship
Since we have been traveling for the past 28 months we have visited over 40 congregations.
While in most cases I’ve preached for the churches we visited, sometimes we were just passing through and stopped to worship. Being a visitor, as opposed to being a member of that congregation, seems to have heightened my sense of observation about the worship services, Bible classes, preaching, and our reception by the members.
Today’s Bible reading in 1 Corinthians 14, reminds me that we have a responsibility in our worship toward outsiders and non-Christians. Continue reading
Earlier this week, we asked the question, “Is it wrong for churches to cancel worship services?” I appreciate the many positive comments regarding the post.
However, as one of our readers responded, “This brings up another question. Is it scriptural to partake of the Lord’s Supper individually at home?”
Others have asked and commented on this issue as well. Here are a few thoughts for your serious and prayerful consideration. Continue reading
This question raised today reminds me of the old joke about the politician who was asked by a reporter his position on a particular issue.
“Well, there are two ways to look at it,” he responded. Then launched into a lengthy explanation of both views, giving both the pros and cons of the respective positions. He concluded by saying he had friends on both sides of the question.
“But what’s your position?” the reporter pressed. Continue reading
A husband and wife were on the way home from worship one Sunday morning. As they rode along, the wife asked her husband, “Did you see that woman in the front row showing off her Liz Claiborne suit?”
“No, I didn’t,” her husband replied.
“Well, did you see that man on our left–the one wearing that gaudy sport jacket that clashed with his slacks?” Continue reading
Filed under Worship
In recent days there has been some discussion on facebook about a quote from the Christian hip hop artist Toby McKeehan, better known by his stage name TobyMac.
Some have suggested his quote as posted above implies that the only reason we attend church is to worship God. Others have opined that we are also there for fellowship. And so the discourse ensued, debating and discussing the purpose of our worship assembly.
The Bible reveals at least 4 valid reasons for attending church services. Continue reading
Filed under Worship
“During our years of church planting, we tried to change people’s perceptions about what the Sunday worship would look like,” wrote Michelle Lazurek, in a recent Crosswalk.com article.
“We took out pews and replaced them with pub tables and chairs, added lights and a stage and most importantly,” the award-winning author and preacher’s wife said, “(we) added a breakfast bar where people could grab bagels and other breakfast foods and coffee during the service.”
Lazurek admitted, “Not everyone loved these changes.” Continue reading
Filed under Worship
Robert Ingersoll was a 19th century agnostic and a follower of naturalism; he had no belief in the eternal, but stressed the importance of living only in the here and now.
Ingersoll made light of the Bible, stating that “free thought will give us truth.” He called the Bible “a fable, an obscenity, a sham and a lie.” He claimed that the Christian “creed [was] the ignorant past, bullying the enlightened present.” Continue reading
Filed under Worship
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