Monday Morning Insights

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    I Dream of a Church Where…

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    This morning, I've been doing some dreaming/visioning for Center Chapel. The summer is a great time for a church staff to dream & plan for the future. I believe this summer is a crucial planning/dreaming/visioning time for our church. As we look to what the future holds, the decisions we make today will have a great impact on how effective we are at bringing the Gospel to those in our community.

    So, I'd love to hear how some of you would complete the sentence, "I dream of a church..."

    It could be anything. One of the thoughts I had this morning had to do with our worship services. Currently, our main service is a blended worship service. If you know me, then you know that I think blended worship is of the devil. It's one of those things where we try to become all things to all people, offering something for everyone to keep the masses happy in one service time. What ends up happening is that no one ends up being happy. And, we end up having lengthy worship services.

    I dream of a church where we offer multiple worship styles in different and unique worship services. In attempting to become all things to all people, we could have different worship services of different styles rather than trying to cram everything into one service. We could have a traditional service, contemporary service, and even a blended service (though I don't think it would be necessary if we clearly defined our services.

    So, what do you dream of?

    Good question, Jason... what are you dreaming of for your church?  How does visioncasting play a role in your ministry?  And how do you go from dream/vision to reality?  I don't want to get all Robert Schullerish on you, but how big do you dream?

    Jason Morris has a great discussion starter on his "Tuesdays with Morris" site about dreaming… Jason writes…

    Comments

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    1. Ellen on Wed, June 22, 2005

      I dream of a church where gifts are truly being used.  Where teachers teach (not “facilitate”).  Where discernment is not hated for being “judgemental”. 

      I dream of a church where blended services or separate services are not needed because the worship is for God, not us.  Where the children are given an appreciation for the old hymns of the faith, and the old people are taught an appreciation for spirited (lower case “s”) worship.


      I dream of a church where multiple worship services don’t segregate old, middle and young…


      http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/wink.gif

       

    2. Pastor Chris on Wed, June 22, 2005

      I dream of a church where all of the “other people” are welcomed and embraced. Those who are poor, homeless, rich, ugly, beautiful, pleasant, unlpleasent, stinky, fragrant… I dream of a church where the body is united and committed to the gospel of truth, not the gospel of self…

    3. BeHim on Wed, June 22, 2005

      I dream of The True Church neither worshiping in this building or in that building but worshiping in Truth and Spirit.

    4. IAMTOO7 on Wed, June 22, 2005

      I dream of church…


      Where their is absolutely no prejudice…


      Where all of God’s children love one another and forget about all the small things of religious organization.

    5. bernie dehler on Wed, June 22, 2005

      I dream of church…

      that is focused firstly on ministering to the world (being salt and light) and not primarily on their building and expansion plans.


      ...Bernie


      http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247

       

    6. kd on Wed, June 22, 2005

      I dream of a church where people are loved like Jesus loves us.

    7. Ricky on Wed, June 22, 2005

      I dream of a church that resembles the First Century Church, where there are no worldly structures of control/organization and where the Spirit of God is truly trusted to lead.

    8. Gary Sellars on Wed, June 22, 2005

      ... the tares all sleep in on Sunday!

    9. kd on Thu, June 23, 2005

      We all sleep because there is nothing to keep us awake!

    10. Michael on Thu, June 23, 2005

      I dream of a church . . . where Jesus is the only focus and only reason we are there.  A worship which is filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit because we are awed at God’s blessings and presence in our lives over the past week.  A worship in which Jesus is actively sought and exalted, not ourselves.

    11. drbob on Thu, June 23, 2005

      I dream of a church where worship is not about music, but where worship is about serving God and being Jesus to the community around you, and around the world.

    12. Pete King on Thu, June 23, 2005

      I dream of a church where woship is a lifestyle not a music style. Where people can be everything God wants them to be and not be judged for their uniqueness. Where the presence of God matters more than Sunday socials and friendly gatherings. Where having an experience with God is manifested in a real and tangible way and expressed when the people gather together to worship. Where people run not walk to find there seats. Where the love of God is sincere from the leadership. Where people can truly set aside differences in order to fulfill the great commission. Where men and women of every race and culture can universally join together and give God praise for the good things He has done. Where humility stems from the understanding that God has saved us by grace. Where hurting worriors(church leaders) who have fought countless battles and are wounded from Satan’s attacks can find refuge, strength, and courage again. Thus empowering them to once again believe that God’s not dead. Where sinners aren’t judged for their sins but loved and embrassed that they might see Jesus as someone who loves and cares for them. Where the sick are healed and lame made to walk. Where the lost and homeless find shelter from the storms of life. Where people are equal and valued for who they are and not for what they have or can give. Lastly and certainly not least I dream of a Church that functions in one mind and one accord as God guides and leads his people that in all things done for the glory of God. Praise His Holy Name! Someday, I will see this dream come to pass. If not in this lifetime then in the next. I don’t know about you but I’m so ready for it.

    13. Daniel Zepeda on Thu, June 23, 2005

      We are the church so lets make our dreams a reality. One by one let us so KNOW our Lord that when we come together the presence of God that inhabits the praises of his people will be present to fulfill all our dreams.

    14. JAMES on Fri, June 24, 2005

      I’ve enjoyed reading your dreams, they are refreshing and encouraging. I dream of a church that doesn’t argue over worship style, it just loves to worship whether contemporary or traditional. God is honored in all that we do, and He is our focus. I dream where freedom to see Deliverance ministry as not a penecostal or charismatic term, but ministry embraced for all who are oppressed by hurts and damage of the past or demonic influence. I dream of a church where people really love and strive with each other, through thick and thin.

    15. Kenny on Mon, June 27, 2005

      How dare you refer to blended worship as being “of the devil”! The church I work in has blended worship, and, believe it or not, God continues to bless us each Sunday morning with 2,000 people. How about being careful what you refer to as being “of the devil”.

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