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Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Business vs Ministry
I think I'll take on the area of churches operating as businesses. I've seen a lot of things that even my own church has done that, while making perfect sense as a business practice, have absolutely no logic to it ministry-wise. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we should be bad stewards of what we have been given, or that we shouldn't try to bring money in. I'm saying that the money we bring in as a church, should go back out and invested in the eternal lives of people.
When we look at our church finances and begin to make cuts because we are worried that the money may not come, we have essentially taken God out of the picture. There isn't any faith in that, so what are we teaching our congregations? Again, great business decision and a poor ministry decision.
I recently read an article about a band who were beginning to set up a live recording of one of their concerts live. I love live recordings, they are artistry at their best. However, when creating a set list they were faced with omitting a song that their church worshipped to in a remarkable way because it wasn't really a record selling song. They had to ask themselves if their purpose was to sell records or facilitate worship. They chose to worship, but how easy would it have been to sell more and essentially make more abandoning their call and purpose? How easy is it for us as believers to forget our call and purpose?
I was taught as a child to never question your elders, pastors, or church staff. I didn't listen very well and I will do my best to never teach that. Even in the Bible we are told to have discernment, and to test spirits. So, I encourage you to test everything. Your pastor, Sunday school teacher, myself, the bands you listen to, everything. If nothing else, you will learn more about God's word and additionally, your own faith.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A Bedtime Snack
Hey everyone! I hope it's been a great week.
I'be talked to a lot of people recently about culture and how it relates to the church. Some believe cultural relevancy does not belong in the church. Some believe it has everything to do with the church. What do you think? Here's Nate's opinion....
I believe that the church must be culturally relevant to be effective. Jesus talked to people in their culture and in a way they understood. Don't believe me? Read the stories of Jesus ministering and see how He presented Himself in regards to where He was. Do I think most churches are effective? No. We've become fat sheep that will either fall over or be eaten by the wolves. After studying Acts and the early church and studying the ministry of Jesus, I see that we're doing things pretty opposite. Church today is referred to as an empty building most of the time. In Acts, the church was the people, regardless of their location. The early church moved and didn't wait for people to come to them while they were getting fat. They went out looking for people to bring in, give their story to, build a relationship with and lead to Christ. Then they discipled them and send them out. We do that as a church body maybe twice a year. Look at the Great Commission. It says "go" there isn't a maybe or wait, but it says for us to go. When was the last time you went and followed God? When the disciples were called, they had to drop everything right then and there and follow Christ no knowing where they were going, what would happen to them, or when and if they would come back. The church should follow Christ in the same way. We should sit around and constantly be fed. We should be going out into our communities and seek out the lost. We should meet for discipleship, but that's it! The Bible says we should watch for the Lord's return and when we watch, there's an urgent sense and so we should be urgently trying to get all the people we can to go to paradise with us forever. I know this isn't popular, mostly because we are comfortable, but Jesus was anything but comfortable here on earth. Also, we should be building relationships with lost people and eating and hanging out with then. The pharisees criticized Jesus for doing that, but He is our example. Jesus did this so they would listen to Him as a teacher and friend. He didn't come in and yell at them and tell them they were condemned. He instead talked to them and then shared the Good News that He was the Messiah.
My question is are we fat sheep or are we sheep that are ready to travel?
I'be talked to a lot of people recently about culture and how it relates to the church. Some believe cultural relevancy does not belong in the church. Some believe it has everything to do with the church. What do you think? Here's Nate's opinion....
I believe that the church must be culturally relevant to be effective. Jesus talked to people in their culture and in a way they understood. Don't believe me? Read the stories of Jesus ministering and see how He presented Himself in regards to where He was. Do I think most churches are effective? No. We've become fat sheep that will either fall over or be eaten by the wolves. After studying Acts and the early church and studying the ministry of Jesus, I see that we're doing things pretty opposite. Church today is referred to as an empty building most of the time. In Acts, the church was the people, regardless of their location. The early church moved and didn't wait for people to come to them while they were getting fat. They went out looking for people to bring in, give their story to, build a relationship with and lead to Christ. Then they discipled them and send them out. We do that as a church body maybe twice a year. Look at the Great Commission. It says "go" there isn't a maybe or wait, but it says for us to go. When was the last time you went and followed God? When the disciples were called, they had to drop everything right then and there and follow Christ no knowing where they were going, what would happen to them, or when and if they would come back. The church should follow Christ in the same way. We should sit around and constantly be fed. We should be going out into our communities and seek out the lost. We should meet for discipleship, but that's it! The Bible says we should watch for the Lord's return and when we watch, there's an urgent sense and so we should be urgently trying to get all the people we can to go to paradise with us forever. I know this isn't popular, mostly because we are comfortable, but Jesus was anything but comfortable here on earth. Also, we should be building relationships with lost people and eating and hanging out with then. The pharisees criticized Jesus for doing that, but He is our example. Jesus did this so they would listen to Him as a teacher and friend. He didn't come in and yell at them and tell them they were condemned. He instead talked to them and then shared the Good News that He was the Messiah.
My question is are we fat sheep or are we sheep that are ready to travel?
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A few minutes to talk
Hello all, I hope you are having a fantastic week. I had a great father's day this past Sunday as I spent all day with my wife and kids and after church, just enjoyed them. My band Restored just finished a fundraiser concert with some local and not so local artists and it was great, but I am very glad it is over. Along with us was Sarah McCoy, Winston Holder, and Katy Kinard. Katy came from Nashville, Winston from Charlotte and Sarah is a hometown girl. I want to talk about some local options for hearing and being exposed to local bands and venues to see such bands within the contemporary Christian genre. First, is probably my favorite place to spend a Friday or Saturday evening in downtown Asheville, strategically situated between two bars and that is Creature's Cafe. It's a great and family friendly place to go hang out, meet people and listen to some great music. Bands from all over the area come and play there, and their windows are huge and swing open so anyone walking between bars are likely to hear some great Christian music. They offer "mocktails" which are non-alcoholic drinks, coffee and the likes as well as some amazing cheesecake. Go check them out, they are right off of Patton Ave. in downtown Asheville beside Tupelo Honey Cafe. Also in the area is Rodney's Auto on Main St. in Weaverville. While it is not a typical concert venue as through the week it is a functioning auto repair shop, it is great for the family to enjoy some outdoor music while cruising along Main St. in Weaverville. Every third Thursday night is bike night I believe, and so you can hang out, look at cool bikes and hear great music! I might add that Restored and Relentless Flood will be playing there August 13th!
Now for some local musicians/bands that I love. Mainly because I know them and I know their heart, but also because they have some great music! First of course, is my band Restored. We play mostly praise and worship music with some southern classic rock influenced in there. You can check us out at www.reverbnation.com/restoredband Second, is a band called Relentless Flood, they are from the Spruce Pine/Newland area and are some great friends of mine. They tend to play more rock music, so if that isn't your thing, I have told you. You can check them out at www.reverbnation.com/relentlessflood Third is the lovely yet hard rocking band Bestowed. They are a little more heavy than the previous, but their message is awesome. You can check them out at www.reverbnation.com/bestowed
There are tons more that I could talk about, but it is that time yet again...time to get the kids ready for bed. Maybe I'll make a part 2 soon!
Nate
Now for some local musicians/bands that I love. Mainly because I know them and I know their heart, but also because they have some great music! First of course, is my band Restored. We play mostly praise and worship music with some southern classic rock influenced in there. You can check us out at www.reverbnation.com/restoredband Second, is a band called Relentless Flood, they are from the Spruce Pine/Newland area and are some great friends of mine. They tend to play more rock music, so if that isn't your thing, I have told you. You can check them out at www.reverbnation.com/relentlessflood Third is the lovely yet hard rocking band Bestowed. They are a little more heavy than the previous, but their message is awesome. You can check them out at www.reverbnation.com/bestowed
There are tons more that I could talk about, but it is that time yet again...time to get the kids ready for bed. Maybe I'll make a part 2 soon!
Nate
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
In case it doesn't show up.
Greetings to all!
Hey everyone, Happy Easter!!! He's alive! So I got a new phone and now I can blog from the phone. Before I talk about music, I have a couple of things I would love for you all to pray about with me. First, I have surgery tomorrow to fix my rotator cuff and that will be a long process of recovery. Second, I am trying to save up to go to Honduras this July on a medical mission trip.
I am excited about what's going on in music right now, particularly. Contemporary Christian music. The Dove Awards were last week as well and I can't wait to see it. I was able to see Tobymac at Biltmore Baptist a few weeks ago and see the side projects his band are involved with. I am impressed at their testimonies and their lives. I even got to see some friends from back home which was nice as well!
I want to invite everyone of you to listen to all kinds of Christian music and not limit yourself to one kind. I have an oarray from bluegrass to Christian hip hop (lecrae is my favorite). But let God lead you to the music you like. If you don't think that God would approve of the music, challenge the words of the song to the words of God. If you don't think the beat is appropriate, David danced naked because of God's greatness, don't become self righteous and see what moves your heart. One piece of advice though, I see a lot of people disapprove what they think God will not like. Just a friendly reminder that we are not God and "our thoughts are not His thoughts, our ways are not His ways". I know God uses all kinds of music with a gospel message to reach people that may not hear it otherwise. People will go to a Christian rock or rap concert before they'll go to church. That's why I am passionate for any kind of music that portrays the Gospel in a great way.
That's all for now! See you when the anesthesia wears off!
In Christ,
Nate
I am excited about what's going on in music right now, particularly. Contemporary Christian music. The Dove Awards were last week as well and I can't wait to see it. I was able to see Tobymac at Biltmore Baptist a few weeks ago and see the side projects his band are involved with. I am impressed at their testimonies and their lives. I even got to see some friends from back home which was nice as well!
I want to invite everyone of you to listen to all kinds of Christian music and not limit yourself to one kind. I have an oarray from bluegrass to Christian hip hop (lecrae is my favorite). But let God lead you to the music you like. If you don't think that God would approve of the music, challenge the words of the song to the words of God. If you don't think the beat is appropriate, David danced naked because of God's greatness, don't become self righteous and see what moves your heart. One piece of advice though, I see a lot of people disapprove what they think God will not like. Just a friendly reminder that we are not God and "our thoughts are not His thoughts, our ways are not His ways". I know God uses all kinds of music with a gospel message to reach people that may not hear it otherwise. People will go to a Christian rock or rap concert before they'll go to church. That's why I am passionate for any kind of music that portrays the Gospel in a great way.
That's all for now! See you when the anesthesia wears off!
In Christ,
Nate
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Monday, April 25, 2011
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