I wonder where I’ll be in 14 years….what New Passion will look like?
Comments
Gregsays
While it’s amazing to see how their worship has changed, but as I watch the new video, is God really glorified from all of the lights and awesome camera angles? Does God care what the drummer or guitar player look like or is it ultimately for ourselves to draw more people in to our services?
Your Dad talked about it two weeks ago and you touched on it last week, in America we have it so easy. Stepping out and not signing the Martyr’s Oath, but actually living it? Well, you’re just asking entirely too much from ME……. What has happened to the belief that this life is not my own?
Now this may appear that I’m throwing stones, but I understand how finnicky the American Christian is and catching one is a difficult proposition, we must use all of the ideas available to us to draw them in. But one thing still bugs me, did Jesus sit there and wait for them to come to Him or did He go out to the people? As my wife says, ‘Dare to be different’!
Greg, Thanks for the comment 🙂
You could probably ask 100 people the same question, 50 from North Point and 50 who refuse to go to North Point and I’m sure those who go to North Point would answer you one way while those who refuse to attend there may answer another. Only God can determine if he is glorified from their service & style since only he knows their motives. I know its easy for us based on our opinion of how church should be to make that determination for God, however, Paul said in Philippians 1 that there were many who were preaching Jesus solely for selfish-ambition and to even make his imprisonment more difficult, but Paul said he could not complain, because even if out of selfish ambition, Jesus was being preached, so he would rejoice.
I know the stigma is that “Mega Churches” do what they do to draw more people in and that they are lax on going to the people. This is true for some churches, however, it is also a misconception and outright false identification for many churches. I know for a fact that North Point has many avenues they use to go after people versus waiting for them to come in the doors of the church.
I too love the saying “Dare to be different.” I think I am much like my dad in that we are non-conformists. However, daring to be different for those who do not like North Point’s style is typically to be “their” style (whether traditional or another way), while people who like North Point’s style’s idea of being different is to do it “North Point’s Style” (or insert your favorite church). This is why discussions on “style” and “method” never end in 100% agreement with anyone. That’s also why one of the biggest reasons churches split is over music style.
I know that God is definitely NOT glorified when his body is divided, as well, I know he IS glorified in a song that proclaims “Jesus Saves”
As I’ll be preaching tomorrow…Philippians 2 says to be unified under 1 affection and purpose, though we differ in opinion(s), that unified affection is the gospel. No matter style, we should all agree on that.
– Just my two cents worth 🙂
Gregsays
You are very correct that style is a personal thing and many people decide to leave the church because “I don’t like the (insert anything from carpet to youth leader)”. When those people choose to leave over something such as style, it shows how their own selfishness which may lead to them missing an awesome blessing from God.
I totally agree that there are many Mega churches out there doing it right and there are just as many doing it potentially wrong. Just as many medium and small churches fall into both camps as well. I have nothing against North Point, I do not know them or do I think they are doing it wrong. I was just comparing the images that I saw, which shows my own shallowness because I was not listening to the message being presented.
Getting the message of the Gospel out is the most important thing whether it is through a Mega church with lights and cameras or the corner church with hymnals and an organ. I just would like to see more Americans get off the sidelines and get involved. The church is trying to get these people involved, but when will we begin to take responsibility for our actions and stop expecting others to do it for us? Just like the old saying goes ‘90% of the work is done by 10% of the people’. Chicago insurance broker Bob Muzikowski said, “Jesus didn’t say, ‘When you’ve paid someone to do it unto the least of these. …’ What he said was, ‘when you have done it. …'” I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.—Henry Ward Beecher(preacher, orator, writer)
I cannot wait to hear the message tomorrow, this has been one of the best series I have sat through in a long time! God has blessed you with an excellent ability to speak and keep it coming!
While it’s amazing to see how their worship has changed, but as I watch the new video, is God really glorified from all of the lights and awesome camera angles? Does God care what the drummer or guitar player look like or is it ultimately for ourselves to draw more people in to our services?
Your Dad talked about it two weeks ago and you touched on it last week, in America we have it so easy. Stepping out and not signing the Martyr’s Oath, but actually living it? Well, you’re just asking entirely too much from ME……. What has happened to the belief that this life is not my own?
Now this may appear that I’m throwing stones, but I understand how finnicky the American Christian is and catching one is a difficult proposition, we must use all of the ideas available to us to draw them in. But one thing still bugs me, did Jesus sit there and wait for them to come to Him or did He go out to the people? As my wife says, ‘Dare to be different’!
HE>i
Greg
Greg, Thanks for the comment 🙂
You could probably ask 100 people the same question, 50 from North Point and 50 who refuse to go to North Point and I’m sure those who go to North Point would answer you one way while those who refuse to attend there may answer another. Only God can determine if he is glorified from their service & style since only he knows their motives. I know its easy for us based on our opinion of how church should be to make that determination for God, however, Paul said in Philippians 1 that there were many who were preaching Jesus solely for selfish-ambition and to even make his imprisonment more difficult, but Paul said he could not complain, because even if out of selfish ambition, Jesus was being preached, so he would rejoice.
I know the stigma is that “Mega Churches” do what they do to draw more people in and that they are lax on going to the people. This is true for some churches, however, it is also a misconception and outright false identification for many churches. I know for a fact that North Point has many avenues they use to go after people versus waiting for them to come in the doors of the church.
I too love the saying “Dare to be different.” I think I am much like my dad in that we are non-conformists. However, daring to be different for those who do not like North Point’s style is typically to be “their” style (whether traditional or another way), while people who like North Point’s style’s idea of being different is to do it “North Point’s Style” (or insert your favorite church). This is why discussions on “style” and “method” never end in 100% agreement with anyone. That’s also why one of the biggest reasons churches split is over music style.
I know that God is definitely NOT glorified when his body is divided, as well, I know he IS glorified in a song that proclaims “Jesus Saves”
As I’ll be preaching tomorrow…Philippians 2 says to be unified under 1 affection and purpose, though we differ in opinion(s), that unified affection is the gospel. No matter style, we should all agree on that.
– Just my two cents worth 🙂
You are very correct that style is a personal thing and many people decide to leave the church because “I don’t like the (insert anything from carpet to youth leader)”. When those people choose to leave over something such as style, it shows how their own selfishness which may lead to them missing an awesome blessing from God.
I totally agree that there are many Mega churches out there doing it right and there are just as many doing it potentially wrong. Just as many medium and small churches fall into both camps as well. I have nothing against North Point, I do not know them or do I think they are doing it wrong. I was just comparing the images that I saw, which shows my own shallowness because I was not listening to the message being presented.
Getting the message of the Gospel out is the most important thing whether it is through a Mega church with lights and cameras or the corner church with hymnals and an organ. I just would like to see more Americans get off the sidelines and get involved. The church is trying to get these people involved, but when will we begin to take responsibility for our actions and stop expecting others to do it for us? Just like the old saying goes ‘90% of the work is done by 10% of the people’. Chicago insurance broker Bob Muzikowski said, “Jesus didn’t say, ‘When you’ve paid someone to do it unto the least of these. …’ What he said was, ‘when you have done it. …'” I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.—Henry Ward Beecher(preacher, orator, writer)
I cannot wait to hear the message tomorrow, this has been one of the best series I have sat through in a long time! God has blessed you with an excellent ability to speak and keep it coming!