Containers and Content

Bob Kauflin posted this on his blog Worship Matters yesterday.  It is a great reminder of where our focus should be in worship.

Discerning The Difference Between Containers and Content

A few months ago I had the privilege of speaking to a few classes at Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. During a Q&A, someone asked me what things we can do to keep our meetings from becoming dull, rote, and routine.

Although there are probably a number of ways to answer that question, what came to my mind was the difference between containers and content in our meetings. “Container” describes what’s going on during a particular portion of the meeting. In a more formal church the containers might be listed out in a bulletin and include things like Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession, Assurance of Pardon, Worship in Song, Pastoral Prayer, Giving of Tithes and Offerings, Lord’s Prayer, Sermon, the Lord’s Supper, and Benediction. In a less formal church containers still exist, but are generally assumed. They could include the “worship time,” “ministry time,” announcements, sermon, testimony time, special song, prayer for the sick, welcoming of guests, communion, and the closing song.

In either case, we can get caught up in focusing on the “containers.” How they fit together, how much time each one requires, whether or not we’re approaching them with creativity, and other administrative and aesthetic questions. We think the meeting has gone well when we fit all the “containers” in to the allotted box of time, or when things flow smoothly. “Worship didn’t take too long.” “Smooth transition from announcements to the special song.” If we’re really on top of things, we assign a theme to the containers so that they all relate to the same topic or have a similar focus.

The problem with this thinking, as helpful as it may be in some ways, is that we can neglect what actually fills those containers. In other words, the content. No liturgy in itself – traditional, contemporary, emerging, orthodox, or otherwise – has the power to change a person’s life. Yes, God instructs us to do everything “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40), and liturgies and forms make a difference, but our greatest concern should be using every opportunity in our meetings to magnify the greatness of God in Jesus Christ in people’s minds and hearts. To rehearse, celebrate, and be changed by the gospel. (For an in depth treatment of this topic, check out Bryan Chappell’s Christ-Centered Worship.)

When we focus on content more than containers, no part of the meeting has to be “routine.” Each container becomes an opportunity to experience the glory of Christ in a unique way. Here’s what I mean.

The “call to worship” becomes more than a perfunctory few words to start the meeting. It’s a personal invitation from God himself to encounter his presence in the midst of his people, to dwell on his greatness and goodness, and to remind ourselves that we have been called out of darkness to proclaim his excellencies.

“Worship in song” becomes more than a set list, a pre-sermon filler, or a time to try out a new song or arrangement. It’s an opportunity to revel in the glorious gospel, to display the unity Jesus has made possible through his substitutionary death, to watch the Holy Spirit stir up deeper affections for God’s worth and works, and to teach and admonish one another.

“Tithes and Offerings” becomes more than an awkward moment where we make sure the church has enough money to make it through the week. It’s a time to remember that God always does more than we could ask or think (Eph. 3:20), that our giving is always a response to his overwhelming generosity toward us, and that we have experienced the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who though he was rich, yet for our sake became poor, so that we by his poverty might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9).

The “sermon” becomes more than a pastor proving his relevance or persuading people they should come back next week. It’s a transcendent, sacred moment when God addresses his people God’s eternal and unchanging Word, when hearts are opened before the living God, Holy Spirit surgery is done, and life-changing gospel hope is imparted. It’s also a time to educate people on how to read, study, interpret, and apply Scripture.

The Lord’s Supper becomes more than an interruption to the meeting or a dutiful, uninformed response to Jesus’ command. It’s seeing the gospel in visible form, experiencing real spiritual union with Christ and each other, and declaring to ourselves and each other that the Lord really is coming again.

Prayer provides more than an opportunity for the tech crew and musicians to move things around and get in place. It’s conversing with our heavenly Father, expressing our desperate need, expecting him to do abundantly more than we could ask or think (Eph. 3:20), asking him to conform our hearts and wills to his own, and teaching the church how to pray.

Even the announcements are an opportunity to demonstrate how the gospel motivates us to do what we do, provide testimonies of how individuals are joyfully laying down their lives, make known what God’s grace is accomplishing, and highlight ways people can live out their faith before a watching world.

Whenever we do something repeatedly, week after week, we have two tendencies. One is to revert to a formalism that requires no faith or Spirit-given power. It’s easier. It’s more efficient. And it’s deadening.

The other tendency is to become more creative with the containers at the expense of what’s being said. That too is deadening. Focusing on content over containers doesn’t negate creativity. It just gives it the right focus, direction, and purpose.

As we think about, plan for, and lead our meetings, let’s never lose sight of the fact that gathering as the church is one of the most significant events on earth. More dramatic than any movie, more exciting than any sporting event, and more life-changing than any political rally. We are the people of God, met together in his presence, joining with innumerable saints and angels in heaven, proclaiming the greatness of the Lamb who was slain, edifying each other through the use of spiritual gifts, and being transformed into his image as we feed on his Word and behold his glory (1 Pet. 2:9-10; Mt. 18:20; Heb. 12:22-24; Rev. 5:9-10; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Cor. 3:18).

How can that ever be dull or routine?

Music Monday – Holy is the Lord

Here is another great song by Andrew Peterson, “Holy is the Lord.”

HT: DJ

Outrage, context and jumping to conclusions

Imagine you are going shopping.  On a hot, muggy late August day you pull into the parking lot and stroll into the mall breathing a sigh of relief as you feel the rush of cool air hit you.  But that sigh gets caught in your throat as you glance over to the first store window and see the following notice:

“We will be closed on Friday, September 11, 2009 to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Ali.”

Did you read that right?  The store will be closing to commemorate a Muslim who died on September 11?  The immediate conclusion you might reach is that here was a store whose owners are CELEBRATING the tragic events of 9/11/01 and COMMEMORATING as a martyr one of the terrorists responsible.  What an outrage, right?!!  Why, you ought to march right into that store and give that Muslim a piece of your mind!!  Or better yet, tell everyone you know to boycott the store.  This is America!!  Capitalism at work!!  Drive these guys out of the country!!

Stop.  Breathe.

Go back and read the title of this post.  Got it?  Okay, let’s proceed.

First, yes, this really happened in Houston, Texas.  Imagine the surprise and shock Imran Chunawala, manager of The Perfume Planet, received when he and his store were the targets of such outrage.  Why would he be outraged? you might ask.  Did he really think people would be fine with him commemorating one of the most tragic events on American soil?

Stop.  Breathe.

So why would the store manager be surprised?  Perhaps it’s because Imam Ali was not one of the 9/11/01 terrorists.  Imam (a religious title) Ali was a Muslim who was attacked and killed while praying in a mosque on the 19^th day of Ramadan – in the 7^th century.  He died two days later, the 21^st day of Ramadan.  According to Wikipedia, he was the guy responsible for splitting the Muslim community into the Sunni and Shi’a branches.  He also happened to be the cousin and son-in-law to the prophet Muhammed.

According to Snopes, “Since the Islamic calendar is based on lunar months with years of 354 or 355 days, the months of the Islamic calendar move around from year to year with respect to the Gregorian calendar [the one used by most of the Western world].”  Every year during Ramadan, the Islamic community honors Imam Ali on the 21^st day of Ramadan, the day of his death.  In 2009, Ramadan began on August 22 which put the 21^st day of Ramadan on, you guessed it — September 11.

Even though the store owner has put up a new sign in an attempt to explain who it was they were honoring, the employees and owner of the store still remain the targets of hostility.

Hopefully, the point of all this is obvious.  For some odd reason, it’s easy to believe every little negative tale about our public enemy of the moment – whether it’s Muslims (who seem to bear the brunt of many such tales), Democrats, Obama, illegal immigrants, big shot corporate CEOs, or a myriad other choices that can change with the wind.  However, more often than not a little knowledge is, in many cases, a safe thing.  Let’s not be so quick to accept the latest tale of dastardly deeds or malicious motives.

Remember, look before you leap.

Book Giveaway – Devoted

Congratulations to Nancy , winner of last week’s book giveaway for Voddie Baucham’s Family Driven Faith.

This week, I’m giving away a copy of Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love for His Son, by Dick Hoyt.  You may have seen the incredibly stirring video of Team Hoyt, set to the song “My Redeemer Lives” or “I Can Only Imagine.”  If you’re unfamiliar with their story, watch the 10-minute video below.  Born with cerebral palsy, Rick was written off by doctors who encouraged his parents to do the same.  One day, Rick asked Dick to participate in a charity run for a fellow student – except Rick wanted to run too.  Dick raced pushing Rick in his wheelchair.  Afterward, Rick, through his computer, said “Dad, when I’m running, I don’t feel like I’m disabled anymore.”  “Now, over one thousand races later, including numerous marathons and triathlons [including the Iron Man competition], Dick Hoyt continues to push Rick’s wheelchair….continuing to inspire millions and embodying their trademark motto of ‘Yes, you can.’” (from the book cover)  Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love for His Son is their story.

To enter the drawing, you can do one or more of the following:

1. Leave a comment below.
2. Post a link to the drawing on your blog
3. On Twitter, retweet the following: @Eskypades: Book Giveaway!  Enter to win Team Hoyt’s “Devoted” at http://wp.me/pzfPF-et

You can earn up to three entries for the drawing, one for each option above.  I’ll randomly select the winner sometime Friday afternoon, July 23, 2010 and post another book giveaway.  (Giveaway is open to US residents only.)

WW II: A review

(Just came across this incredibly funny and well written “review.”)

There are some shows that go completely beyond the pale of enjoyability, until they become nothing more than overwritten collections of tropes impossible to watch without groaning. I think the worst offender here is the History Channel and all their programs on the so-called “World War II”.

Let’s start with the bad guys. Battalions of stormtroopers dressed in all black, check. Secret police, check. Determination to brutally kill everyone who doesn’t look like them, check. Leader with a tiny villain mustache and a tendency to go into apopleptic rage when he doesn’t get his way, check. All this from a country that was ordinary, believable, and dare I say it sometimes even sympathetic in previous seasons.

I wouldn’t even mind the lack of originality if they weren’t so heavy-handed about it. Apparently we’re supposed to believe that in the middle of the war the Germans attacked their allies the Russians, starting an unwinnable conflict on two fronts, just to show how sneaky and untrustworthy they could be? And that they diverted all their resources to use in making ever bigger and scarier death camps, even in the middle of a huge war? Real people just aren’t that evil. And that’s not even counting the part where as soon as the plot requires it, they instantly forget about all the racism nonsense and become best buddies with the definitely non-Aryan Japanese.

Not that the good guys are much better. Their leader, Churchill, appeared in a grand total of one episode before, where he was a bumbling general who suffered an embarrassing defeat to the Ottomans of all people in the Battle of Gallipoli. Now, all of a sudden, he’s not only Prime Minister, he’s not only a brilliant military commander, he’s not only the greatest orator of the twentieth century who can convince the British to keep going against all odds, he’s also a natural wit who is able to pull out hilarious one-liners practically on demand. I know he’s supposed to be the hero, but it’s not realistic unless you keep the guy at least vaguely human.

So it’s pretty standard “shining amazing good guys who can do no wrong” versus “evil legions of darkness bent on torture and genocide” stuff, totally ignoring the nuances and realities of politics. The actual strategy of the war is barely any better. Just to give one example, in the Battle of the Bulge, a vastly larger force of Germans surround a small Allied battalion and demand they surrender or be killed. The Allied general sends back a single-word reply: “Nuts!”. The Germans attack, and, miraculously, the tiny Allied force holds them off long enough for reinforcements to arrive and turn the tide of battle. Whoever wrote this episode obviously had never been within a thousand miles of an actual military.

Probably the worst part was the ending. The British/German story arc gets boring, so they tie it up quickly, have the villain kill himself (on Walpurgisnacht of all days, not exactly subtle) and then totally switch gears to a battle between the Americans and the Japanese in the Pacific. Pretty much the same dichotomy – the Japanese kill, torture, perform medical experiments on prisoners, and frickin’ play football with the heads of murdered children, and the Americans are led by a kindly old man in a wheelchair.

Anyway, they spend the whole season building up how the Japanese home islands are a fortress, and the Japanese will never surrender, and there’s no way to take the Japanese home islands because they’re invincible…and then they realize they totally can’t have the Americans take the Japanese home islands so they have no way to wrap up the season.

So they invent a completely implausible superweapon that they’ve never mentioned until now. Apparently the Americans got some scientists together to invent it, only we never heard anything about it because it was “classified”. In two years, the scientists manage to invent a weapon a thousand times more powerful than anything anyone’s ever seen before – drawing from, of course, ancient mystical texts. Then they use the superweapon, blow up several Japanese cities easily, and the Japanese surrender. Convenient, isn’t it?

…and then, in the entire rest of the show, over five or six different big wars, they never use the superweapon again. Seriously. They have this whole thing about a war in Vietnam that lasts decades and kills tens of thousands of people, and they never wonder if maybe they should consider using the frickin’ unstoppable mystical superweapon that they won the last war with. At this point, you’re starting to wonder if any of the show’s writers have even watched the episodes the other writers made.

I’m not even going to get into the whole subplot about breaking a secret code (cleverly named “Enigma”, because the writers couldn’t spend more than two seconds thinking up a name for an enigmatic code), the giant superintelligent computer called Colossus (despite this being years before the transistor was even invented), the Soviet strongman whose name means “Man of Steel” in Russian (seriously, between calling the strongman “Man of Steel” and the Frenchman “de Gaulle”, whoever came up with the names for this thing ought to be shot).

So yeah. Stay away from the History Channel. Unlike most of the other networks, they don’t even try to make their stuff believable.

HT: James

Turn in your hymn books to…

All my children love to sing, dance and listen to music.  They also love to “play church.”  I remember doing the very same thing when I was their age.  My sister, brother and I would line up all our stuffed animals in a row, play some music of some sort or just make up our own, then someone would “preach.”  The “preacher was usually me since Michael was too young and Sharon, well, no women preachers and all that.  Occasionally a bear would get converted or a dog might “rededicate his life.”  But the outpouring of the Spirit was rare.  But I digress.

So it is often with fond memories when I watch my kids doing the same thing.  This morning, we were busy get ready for church.  As I walked past the living room, I noticed Jeremiah, Natalie and Ben holding pieces of paper and were singing “Holy! Holy! Holy!” — or what they could remember of it — with great gusto.  Jeremiah, apparently the designated song leader, then said “Now turn to #136.”  As they started singing “My Soul finds rest in God alone“  my heart swelled with love and pride for them.  Here they were singing two great songs praising our God.  Alas, the moment was short-lived.  Next on the kindergarten liturgy:  Jeremiah launched into the final song with just as much gusto – “Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, looking like a fool with your pants on the ground!“  Sigh.  Back to the drawing board.

All together now on the last verse.

Book Giveaway – Family Driven Faith

First, congrats to Michelle, winner of last week’s giveaway of Woody Holton’s Abigail Adams.  Enjoy the book, Michelle – it’s a great read.

Up for grabs this week is Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr.  Here’s a blurb from the cover:

Family Driven Faith equips Christian parents with the tools they need to raise children biblically in a post-Christian, anti-family soceity.  Voddie Baucham…shows that God has not left us alone in raising godly children.  He has given us timeless precepts and principles for multi-generational faithfulness, especially in Deuteronomy 6.  God’s simple command to Moses to teach the Word diligently to the children of Israel serves as the foundation of Family Driven Faith.  This bold new book is an urgent call to parents–and the church–to return to biblical discipleship in and through the home.

For an in-depth review of this book, check out my earlier blog posting (in which I gave the book 3 out of 5 stars).

To enter the drawing for Family Driven Faith, you can do one or more of the following options:

1. Leave a comment below.
2. Post a link to the drawing on your blog
3. On Twitter, retweet the following: @Eskypades: Book Giveaway!  Enter to win Family Driven Faith at http://wp.me/pzfPF-eg

You can earn up to three entries for the drawing, one for each option above.  I’ll randomly select the winner sometime Friday afternoon, July 16, 2010 and post another book giveaway.  (Giveaway is open to US residents only.)

Thanks to Amy at Crossway for providing this copy of Family Driven Faith.

Free books!

Here are several opportunities to get some great free books during the month of July.

Christianaudio.com gives away a free audio book each month and this month’s book is A.W. Tozer’s classic The Pursuit of God.  Summary of the book from christianaudio: “During a train trip from Chicago to Texas in the late 1940′s, A.W. Tozer began to write The Pursuit Of God. He wrote all night, the words coming to him as fast as he could put them down. When the train pulled into McAllen, the rough draft was done. Although written in such a remarkably short period of time, Tozer’s passionate classic offers not only a deeper understanding of Biblical Truth, but a personal encounter with the very Source of that Truth.”  Enter coupon code JUL2010 when checking out.

Next up, Crossway (who is in my opinion one of the best Christian book publishers) is giving away the Kindle version of Greg Gilbert’s What is the Gospel? In his review, James MacDonald says “Greg Gilbert contends that the current evangelical understanding of the gospel is lost in a fog of confusion. He burns away that fog by shining fresh light on an old subject. Gilbert writes in a clear, concise, and colloquial style that will especially appeal to young adults. What Is the Gospel? will sharpen your thinking about the gospel, etching it more deeply on your heart so you can share the good news of Jesus Christ with boldness. It will leave you pondering the extent to which the gospel has impacted your own life. It will cause you to cry out with thankfulness to God for what Christ has accomplished.”   If you don’t have a Kindle, not to worry.  Amazon has the free Kindle for PC application that is just as good (although not quite as portable).

Finally, don’t forget that each Friday during the month of July, I’ll be giving away a new book.  There’s still time to enter the drawing for this week’s book, Woody Holton’s biography Abigail Adams.  Check out the link for more details.

Happy reading!

Music Monday – Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration

In honor of Independence Day, here is a great video parody that is, in my opinion, much better than the original.  Those founding fathers sure knew how to rock!

Cast of Characters (in order of appearance, more or less):
King George
Thomas Jefferson
John Hancock
John Adams
Samuel Adams
Benjamin Franklin

Book giveaway – Abigail Adams: A Life

This weekend we’ll be celebrating July 4th, Independence Day.  And while there is abundant emphasis (and rightly so) on the founding fathers of our nation, we should also remember those women who contributed mightily to the fight for independence.  In Abigail Adams, Woody Holton introduces us to the complex woman who helped shaped America more than perhaps any other of the “founding mothers” through her influence on her husband.  Holton does an excellent job of highlighting Adams’ strengths as well as her weaknesses, giving us a well-rounded, quite readable biography of this great woman. He certainly does Adams justice in examining her life as a woman and not simply as the wife of a founding father.

To enter the drawing for Abigail Adams, you can do one or more of the following options:

1. Leave a comment below.
2. Post a link to the drawing on your blog
3. On Twitter, retweet the following: @Eskypades: Book Giveaway!  Enter to win Woody Holton’s Abigail Adams at http://wp.me/pzfPF-e2

You can earn up to three entries for the drawing, one for each option above.  I’ll randomly select the winner sometime Friday afternoon, July 9, 2010 and post another book giveaway.  (Giveaway is open to US residents only.)