So I am in a class at Baker right now called "Listening to Your Inner Voice." We have been exploring God's call in our life and our vocation. Today we went to Valley View United Methodist Church in Overland Park for a panel discussion.
When we stepped into the sanctuary, a lot of things hit me all at once. I looked around at what I thought was a very impressive sanctuary. I could see myself greeting people as they sat down. I could see myself giving the latest message.
Once our panel discussion was over I wanted to look around the church, mostly out of curiosity. So Ben, Becky, Alyssa and I all went to investigate the church. Pretty soon we ran into Ira who showed us around (he had been a pastor there before.) Then the visions came back, I saw myself walking around the hallways during Sunday school, peering into the classrooms, visiting with people as they tried to find their class. Then Ira took us down in the basement to the fellowship hall. I saw myself giving a blessing over the meal that the congregation would partake in soon afterwards. We went into their gymnasium and I saw myself partaking in some pick=up basketball with youth and younger adults in our Sunday best.
Mind you, I wasn't trying to picture all of these things, I just saw them happen. I can't explain why I saw them, I just did. Then I started wondering, "was God calling me to minister in THIS church?" That couldn't be possible, I was a United Methodist, our preachers moved around a lot. While its possible that someday I would work in this church, it was highly unlikely.
That is when my inner voice screamed at me. It said "but don't you see? This is what being a pastor is about. The people! You can do all that stuff, ANYWHERE! However, it is what you're meant to do. Minister to people as an elder."
I have to say I smiled rather large on that one. Thank you inner voice! Thank you for reminding me, this is what I'm called to do, any boy am I excited about it!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Old Meets New
Anyone that has ever worked with me in a worship capacity knows that I am a very contemporary guy. I like new music, rockin guitars, drums, technology in service, really new-age stuff. However, that is not everyone's view. A lot of times people like the traditional way of doing service. Give them an organ and old fahioned hymns.
Alot of times it seems to be a debate of "old vs new" "hymns vs contemporary music" "tradiontional vs new-style." However, what if we do something different. What if we meet toghether, work toghether, put aside all differences. Yes, we may have different perspectives and different tastes in worship. But is that really what matters? Here is another example, I have two songs, please take some time and listen to them both (I wish I could post clips, don't feel like you have to listen to all of it, you'll get the point by the time they hit the chorus):
If you listened to them both, even for a little bit, you got that they are the same song, done two COMPLETLY different ways. I know, I know, David Crowder is a contemporary artist, but the style of this song is done in a very traditional style. Chances are, you liked one way better than the other. But guess what? It was the same message. God is all around us, and we need him.
That comes to my point, why can't we work toghether? Both styles are very legitmate, and people can be reached both ways. Ok fine, you might be saying, "but Bryce, those are still two contemporary artists, so, aren't you just making the point that contemporary is better?" Well how bout another example (same rules apply):
(this next one takes a little longer to get to by point, make sure you listen til at least 1:40)
Same song. A very beloved hymn "It Is Well" done two COMPLETLTY different ways. But the message. A lot of people might think it is a disaster that they are redoing one of the most beloved hymns of all time, and some people might think the old way is just outdated. However, its the MESSAGE that matters.
So what do I propose we do to settle this debate which one is better? How bout this, why don't we work toghether? Traditional recognizes the merit that contemporary worship style of reaching people for God, and contemporary sees the history and tradition and the value that traditional style has. And who's not to say that some people can enjoy both? So instead of trying to force one into oblivion, and the other to not grow, why don't we work toghether, cause the message is the same, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and we need him. I think if both work toghether, we will find, where old meets new, thats when the spirit moves.
Alot of times it seems to be a debate of "old vs new" "hymns vs contemporary music" "tradiontional vs new-style." However, what if we do something different. What if we meet toghether, work toghether, put aside all differences. Yes, we may have different perspectives and different tastes in worship. But is that really what matters? Here is another example, I have two songs, please take some time and listen to them both (I wish I could post clips, don't feel like you have to listen to all of it, you'll get the point by the time they hit the chorus):
If you listened to them both, even for a little bit, you got that they are the same song, done two COMPLETLY different ways. I know, I know, David Crowder is a contemporary artist, but the style of this song is done in a very traditional style. Chances are, you liked one way better than the other. But guess what? It was the same message. God is all around us, and we need him.
That comes to my point, why can't we work toghether? Both styles are very legitmate, and people can be reached both ways. Ok fine, you might be saying, "but Bryce, those are still two contemporary artists, so, aren't you just making the point that contemporary is better?" Well how bout another example (same rules apply):
(this next one takes a little longer to get to by point, make sure you listen til at least 1:40)
Same song. A very beloved hymn "It Is Well" done two COMPLETLTY different ways. But the message. A lot of people might think it is a disaster that they are redoing one of the most beloved hymns of all time, and some people might think the old way is just outdated. However, its the MESSAGE that matters.
So what do I propose we do to settle this debate which one is better? How bout this, why don't we work toghether? Traditional recognizes the merit that contemporary worship style of reaching people for God, and contemporary sees the history and tradition and the value that traditional style has. And who's not to say that some people can enjoy both? So instead of trying to force one into oblivion, and the other to not grow, why don't we work toghether, cause the message is the same, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and we need him. I think if both work toghether, we will find, where old meets new, thats when the spirit moves.
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