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Consuming... but not Consumed PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Wednesday, 28 July 2010 01:58

 

Consuming... but not consumed


Sign recently seen on a street corner in Macon, GA:
Gospel Idol Auditions: Call 1-800-hot-shot.” (OK, I made up the phone number, but the rest is real.

Whatever happened to “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me? Has that become blasé in our culture today?

It seems that everywhere you look our culture is embracing celebrity Christianity. You can’t drive through any major metropolitan area without being confronted by Pastor and First Lady Smiles Alot gazing down upon you from 25-foot-high billboards. You can’t turn on cable or satellite television without the anointed man or woman of God rehearsing what God is doing THROUGH them. Or how about this one? God has given us a vision for a World-Wide Center of Gospel Propagation and Falling Glory Ministries. Never mind that there is another “World-Wide Center” on the next block. Or that there’s a homeless person outside the front door with nothing to eat. (Yeah, I’m a little cynical.) And to go with the World-Wide Center of Gospel Propagation and Falling Glory Ministries, there is the anointed Praise and Worship show (excuse me)… Team.

It seems that just about every church now offers some form of “contemporary or modern worship” in their weekend services. Even mainstream bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Borders carry a selection of Contemporary Worship. In fact, in recent years, the demand for contemporary worship music, worldwide, has grown at such an exponential rate that the Time-Life Warner Worship Series (sold through TV ads) has become their number one selling series of all time; surpassing Elvis and the Beatles.

You might be saying to yourself, “Well, isn’t that a good thing?” And, in fact, the Church’s active embracing of “Contemporary Worship” has brought a great amount of new found spiritual life into many congregations and fueled resurgence in the Arts as an acceptable and desirable form of worship. However, this new found acceptance of contemporary/modern worship has not come without its dangers and distractions.

One of the most prevalent dangers within modern/contemporary worship is a growing attitude of “consumer worship” among church attendees. Simply stated, “Consumer Worship” occurs when members of the congregation get caught up in the “show” of the worship band and begin to view the worship time as an event, much the same way music fans view a concert of their favorite artist or band. When this happens, the congregation steps away from actively participating in connecting with God and instead moves toward a spectating and evaluating mindset.

Many church-goers, I fear, are seeking an experience. For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts, they will heap up to themselves teachers tickling the ear; and they will turn away the ear from the truth and will be turned aside to myths" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

We have been leading worship for more than 20 years, but what many now call Praise and Worship has become top-40 radio tickle-my-ears!  Internet ads for worship leaders now read "Your worship style includes artists such as Israel Houghton, Darlene Zschech, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and Paul Baloche" (an actual ad!).  We have become consuming instead of consumed.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines worship as "the reverent love and allegiance accorded a deity, idol, or sacred object." The Greek words for worship combine the ideas of "falling down before," "paying homage to," and "serving." From these definitions it is obvious that worship involves recognition of worth in God, and the offering of our honor, praise, and adoration to the One who is altogether worthy.

To worship genuinely is to know God. To know God genuinely is to be in a king/subject relationship with Him. In worship we acknowledge God's kingship in our lives and His right to rule over us. Worship is for God's benefit. He has the center stage. During worship we yield ourselves to God's rule and dominion.

Many Christians misunderstand the purpose of congregational worship. Many times our congregational worship has become an experience in which man is the focus. Worship has deteriorated into an "I didn't get anything out of that sermon" experience. Man has become the object of his own worship. He is there to be entertained and spiritually massaged. It hardly occurs to some that worship is primarily a matter of God receiving something FROM us: our praise, adoration, and confession of dependence on Him as our Sovereign.

Soare we consuming? Do we worship because it makes us feel good? Puts us in the mood? Prepares us for the Word? (Ouch!)

Orare we consumed by the Presence of God? Listen to this eye-witness testimony of the Azusa Street Revival:

Friday, June 15, at “Azusa,” the Spirit dropped the “heavenly chorus” into my soul. I found myself suddenly joining the rest who had received this supernatural “gift.” It was a spontaneous manifestation and rapture no earthly tongue can describe. In the beginning this manifestation was wonderfully pure and powerful. We feared to try to reproduce it, as with the “tongues” also. Now many seemingly have no hesitation in imitating all the “gifts.” No one could understand this “gift of song” but those who had it. It was indeed a “new song” in the Spirit. When I first heard it in the meeting a great hunger entered my soul to receive it. I felt it would exactly express my pent up feelings. I had not yet spoken in “tongues.” But the “new song” captured me. It was a gift from God of high order, and appeared among us soon after the “Azusa” work began. No one had preached it. The Lord had sovereignly bestowed it, with the outpouring of the “residue of oil,” the “Latter Rain” baptism of the Spirit. It was exercised, as the Spirit moved the possessors, either in solo fashion, or by the company. It was sometimes without words, other times in “tongues.” The effect was wonderful on the people. It brought a heavenly atmosphere, as though the angels themselves were present and joining with us. And possibly they were. It seemed to still criticism and opposition, and was hard for even wicked men to gainsay or ridicule.

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart


I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart


I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You 
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You 
It's all about You Jesus

From "The Heart of Worship
Words & Music by Matt Redman
Copyright © 1999 Kingsway's Thankyou Music/
ASCAP/Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing

 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 July 2010 02:19
 
Connecting the Dots... PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Tuesday, 29 June 2010 19:33

Connecting the Dots...

On April 19th, Israel celebrated her Independence Day. “Now wait a minute,” I can hear someone say. “I thought Israel became a nation on May 14th, 1948. That is true. However, Israel celebrates her independence according to the Hebrew calendar which is a lunar calendar. Thus, on April 19, 2010, Israel turned 62.

In recognition of that day, heads of state around the world sent formal messages of congratulations and recognition. Some even used that opportunity to make political statements. In his statement, President Barak Obama said in part, “I look forward to continuing our efforts with Israel to achieve comprehensive peace and security in the region, including a two-state solution [emphasis added], and to working together to counter the forces that threaten Israel, the United States, and the world.” Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton added in part, “That is why pursuing peace and recognized borders for Israel [emphasis added] is one of our top priorities.” On that same day, marking Israel’s independence, the following story appeared on Fox News:

OBAMA AND ISRAEL: SHOWDOWN AT THE UN?

“The Obama administration is reportedly signaling another major shift in policy towards one of its staunchest allies, Israel, and this shift could change the way it votes at the Security Council. The change would mean an end to the US' use of its veto power in the United Nations Security Council when certain anti-Israel resolutions are introduced for a vote.”

The very next day, April 20th, 2010, the BP drilling platform, the Deepwater Horizon, exploded in fire and collapsed beneath the sea. According to a report prepared by Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources, the resulting leak from the well “is about to become the worst environmental catastrophe in all of human history threatening the entire eastern half of the North American continent with ‘total destruction.’ 1. If you think this comment is outrageous and reactionary, type ‘corexit 9500’ into your favorite search engine and see what comes up. (Corexit 9500 is the cleanup agent used in the Gulf by BP.)

Now here is where it starts to get interesting!

Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 July 2010 02:32
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FAQ - About Prison Ministry PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Friday, 28 May 2010 12:29

FAQ 

About Prison Ministry

Doesn’t it ever frighten you to be among murderers and rapists?

    To be honest, the first time that we ever ministered in a prison, we were scared stiff! But that was really the only time. We have learned several things over the years. First of all, the murderers, rapists, etc., even though they are the most highly publicized in the media, really make up a minority of all of those in prison. Secondly, in all of the prisons to which we have gone, chapel services are strictly voluntary. Usually only those that are seeking an answer for change attend chapel services (unless word gets around there are cute young women ministering). Thirdly, if they do attend, the power and grace of God are sufficient for us. Fourthly, we really believe that there are inmates who would give up their own lives for us if necessary. An incident happened to a group of Prison Fellowship volunteers who, through unfortunate circumstances, found themselves in the middle of a riot. A group of Christian inmates herded them into an office and watched over them until the danger had passed.

Speaking of riots, what would you do if you found yourself in that situation?

    Trust in God and pray a lot! In some prisons to which we go, we have to sign a form saying that we realize that if a hostage situation arises, no one will negotiate for our release.

How do the inmates respond to your ministry?

    Overwhelmingly fantastic. We would rather conduct services in prison than in any church that we can imagine. The power and presence of God (in most services) are so prevalent that we are truly in awe that He lets us participate with Him. We recently had someone explain to us that we do not take God into the prisons, we visit Him there. (Matthew 25:36) We find that true!
Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 June 2010 19:39
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If God was Donald Trump... Would You be Fired? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Friday, 28 May 2010 12:11

If God was Donald Trump...Would you be fired? 


In 1989 the Lord spoke a “Word” into Les’ heart to get out of the four walls of the church and minister His Word.  Now we didn’t know what that meant, so we went to our pastor.  He confirmed that He thought that Les had heard from God, but he cautioned that we should not let any of our responsibilities in our home church suffer in our obedience to this “Word.”

Now let me explain.  At that time, we were the praise and worship leaders of our home church.  Sunday we ministered at three services; Monday was praise and worship practice; Tuesday was Men’s meeting/Women’s meeting/Leadership meeting, etc (as leaders, we were expected to attend all church functions); Wednesday  was mid-week service; Friday was prayer and Bible Study; and Saturday was usually  something special such as a breakfast or workday or something else.   Really that only left Thursdayoh yea, we still had a daughter at home, and Les was working  full-time as a computer analyst.  So, we took his counsel and did nothing.  Well, to make a long story short, God didn’t let it go, so we ended up getting fired.  Just like Jonah, God put us in a situation where we were miserable until we were obedient. Thus, after a period of healing,   our journey started! 

This was a prime example of a  church becoming self centered and self seeking.  It had lost the Big Picture of furthering God’s kingdom and was focused on reaching people primarily so they can further their own local body.  Am I hitting close to home?  In fact, I may be running in the wrong circles, but I don’t hear a lot of rejoicing when others are getting saved through another church or ministry.  It is usually about what God is doing through me, me, me!  It is time for the church to be about God’s kingdomnot building her own kingdom. 

I have started this article over and over through the years, but could never get it written.  I believe the reason is that I have tried to white-wash my wording when truth has to be spoken.  I was not willing to speak truth knowing that I may offend someone.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 June 2010 19:38
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Full Circle PDF Print E-mail
Written by Les and Des   
Thursday, 22 April 2010 19:51

After being home in Rocky Mount, NC for 8 months it was time to leave again. When we arrived home in August 2009, we couldn’t envision going back on the road.  It was so good to be with family, friends, and church family.  For about 6 months we were able to be in our home church at least 3 of the 4 Sundays each month.  It was good.   Then late in February, we both felt the signs and KNEW the Lord had another traveling assignment.  That is our prayerful cry: Lord we want to go where you want us to go and stay as long as you want us to stay.  Below you will find the direction in which He has led us. 

 

Full Circle

In July of 1996, in response to the direction of the Lord, we sold our condominium in Winston-Salem, NC and moved into a 1973 GMC Motor home.  At that time, our motivation was solely to go where God said to go and to do what God said to do.  I must confess that it was a time of high anxiety.  We believed with all of our hearts that we were obeying the voice of the Lord, and yet the uncertainty of the moment was almost overwhelming.  We truly understood what Abraham must have felt when God said “Go out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house into a land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1)!  At first we rented office space for Living Praise so that we could store some of the items from which we  just couldn’t bear to part plus it gave us a “physical anchor” so that we didn’t feel completely homeless.  Our agreement with one another was, “we will try this for one year and then evaluate.”  After six months, we sold the remaining items in the office and let the office go.  The first year came and went and we didn’t even realize that we missed the “evaluation” time!   
Last Updated on Friday, 28 May 2010 12:36
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