World Renewal International
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Church Yard Sales?
Last night's service was fun. It is wonderful how God can uses such different people and different kinds of ministry. Frank Penna made it home safely last night. He did a great job of ministry these last 2 weeks. He plays the keyboard and guitar and leads worship. His musical taste are quite diverse. He has ministered at many youth camps over the years and it pops of in worship in the churches as well. People love his leadership and have a good time and more importantly they worship the Lord. Thanks Frank and Janet, and their supporters for freeing Frank to work with us.
(Mike Cruse of Renewal is pictured today. Many people have commented at the back door this week asking, "That Mike Cruse you said is coming, is he the one who used to play in the taverns and nightclubs?" When I say, "Yes," they often say they heard he was a drinker and and a drugger. I say, "That's him, he will give his testimony of a changed life Saturday night.)
(Mike Cruse of Renewal is pictured today. Many people have commented at the back door this week asking, "That Mike Cruse you said is coming, is he the one who used to play in the taverns and nightclubs?" When I say, "Yes," they often say they heard he was a drinker and and a drugger. I say, "That's him, he will give his testimony of a changed life Saturday night.)
Last night a combination of Renewal and Rush Creek Friends worship team rolled in to the little country church of Liberty, near Georgetown,Il. Two keyboards, drums, bass and an acoustic guitars. No room to stand on that stage even with a tiny speaker system we brought. God was there, it was good. It was different than the previous services. Like with Frank, people worshiped the Lord. Many churches were represented last night, it was good to have folks from Rush Creek Friends. Thanks to those of you who are praying.
I am reminded of how hard it is for small churches who have started the regressing of attendance to turn things around. It is not easy, but many churches do it. I can give names of those who have turned it around. It requires the acceptance of new methods, putting the likes of believers second and the needs of the lost first. I cling to the words of Jesus when he stated that he did not come to minister to those who are well but to the sick. Religious people never like that. I get religious once and a while and start depending on that which has worked in the past. Instead I need to trust the Lord who stretches me and asks me to do new things that require me to depend on him and learn something new.
I saw a yard sale today. People were getting rid of things they once used and needed or thought they needed. We church people need to have a yard sale once and a while and get rid of our religious stuff that once worked but no longer is effective. Why do we have to be collectors of created things, like methods, and not the Creator Himself?
Thanks for Stopping by.
:: posted by Gary Wright, 2:05 PM
2 Comments:
Gary-
How are you? Just out of curiousity what "methods" do you think we should discard? Maybe that's not what you meant by the post but it is a subject that I have been thinking about a lot lately.
Dan
How are you? Just out of curiousity what "methods" do you think we should discard? Maybe that's not what you meant by the post but it is a subject that I have been thinking about a lot lately.
Dan
I agree also that we need to have "spiritual yard sales". Get rid of the clutter so God can pour in the new wine!
You are a bleesing!
You are a bleesing!
