Monday, July 28, 2008

Attitude + Action Required

NEWS:
  • Thanks for filling 4 backpacks. Good job.
  • Thank your friends who were in Music Man. They deserve it for a job well done.
  • Fun in the Son 2 at the Haywood's pool facility is Sat Aug 2. RSVP if you haven't already.
  • Jeff & Tracee are out on 8/10 and 8/17 need a substitute teacher.

Class Notes: Open Door 072708
Hi all, we had a great class yesterday as we explored "Hospitality to newcomers" and really got into some great discussion on our own expectations for church, our hang ups, and the never ending continuum of "rightness". "It is not enough to be right" was my statement and I stand by it. Christians and Christian leaders in particular have to find a way to include and embrace diversity of attitude and action while maintaining a spirit of compassion and consideration.

How good are we at this? not good enough would be my answer.
Where is our focus when we come to worship? on us(all about me) or on what we bring...(gifts)

Can we get better? Yes

How do we get better? Bring the right attitude and Transform it into action! We have to actually love those around us. WE have to care and sacrifice for people we may not know very well. This isn't easy, but it is the way.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40 (The Message)
26 -33 So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three's the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you're saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you're also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions.

34 -36Wives must not disrupt worship, talking when they should be listening, asking questions that could more appropriately be asked of their husbands at home. God's Book of the law guides our manners and customs here. Wives have no license to use the time of worship for unwarranted speaking. Do you—both women and men—imagine that you're a sacred oracle determining what's right and wrong? Do you think everything revolves around you?

37 -38If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I have written. This is the way the Master wants it. If you won't play by these rules, God can't use you. Sorry.

39 -40Three things, then, to sum this up: When you speak forth God's truth, speak your heart out. Don't tell people how they should or shouldn't pray when they're praying in tongues that you don't understand. Be courteous and considerate in everything.

1 comment:

Virginia Tenor said...

Good discussion framework on "Beyond the music wars", that is in line with some of my comments from Sunday.

http://www.theolog.org/blog/2008/07/beyond-the-musi.html