Category Archives: Church Business
Rapid Fire Scriptures
We answered around 17 questions on our final Sunday of “You Chose the Sermon”. There were a ton of scriptures to write down. Here is a list of the ones we covered: (this does not cover the full answer to the question. To get the full answer, watch our service dated: 7/8/2012)
Why did we vote on sermons?
Proverbs 15:22, 2 Corinthians 13:1, Acts 1
What happens immediately after you die? you go immediately to the temporary version of your eternal home and then after the resurrection of the dead (at the end of the age) we all will be judged and sentenced to an eternal reward/punishment.
Matthew 17:1-9 (The Mount of Transfiguration), Matthew 22:23-32 (God is the God of the living), Luke 16:19-31 (Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom), Luke 23:39-43 (Paradise today), 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 (Absent from the body, present with the Lord), Philippians 1:21 (To die is gain), Revelation 6:9-11 (The souls of them that were slain), Revelation 20:11-15 (Great white throne judgment), 1 Corinthians 15:12-58 (The resurrection), Mark 12:18-27 (Like the angels)
If God forgets our sin, how can he judge us after we die? Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Luke 16:26
If I am not an elder, can I pray for others? What is required for me to pray for others? Is there anything I need to do before I pray for others? James 5:13-16
How do we know if we are doing the will of God? Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119: 11, 2 Tim 3: 16, John 16:13, Proverbs 15:22, Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 20:5, 1 Peter 4:12
Should I feel condemned if I don’t participate in church activities? Hebrews 10:24-35
What does it take to be removed from the church or leadership? Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Timothy 5:17-20
What about alcohol? Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 23:29-35
You Pick The Sermon
On June 17th, we launch a new series where we find the answers in the Bible to Frequently Avoided Questions. When the congregation gets to the service, they will be given several options. When the speaker gets to the pulpit a vote will be taken and the FAQ(s) with the most votes will be the sermon for that service.
We are getting questions submitted from our PromiseGroups.
Here are some of the questions we have had asked in the last few days:
- Can I lose my salvation?
- What does the Bible say about my divorce?
- Is homosexuality a sin?How do we treat someone? Do we act differently towards people that are homosexual vs other sinners?
- How is it fair that people are born gay? It doesn’t matter. We are all born in sin.
- What does the Bible say about masturbation?
- What does the Bible say about tattoos?
- What does the Bible Say about what we wear (clothing)?
- What does the Bible say about how we talk (profanity)?
- Is it ok to be cremated?
- Can people in heaven watch us?
- Do pets go to heaven?
- Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?
- Do you really believe all of the Bible?
- Did creation really happen in 7 days?
- What does archeology say about creation?
- If God forgets our sin, how can he judge us after we die?
- How can a loving God send anyone to hell?
- If i am not an elder, can I pray for others?
- What is required for me to pray for others? Is there anything I need to do before I pray.
- How do I know that I am not just spinning my wheels? How do we know if we are doing the will of God?
If you have a question, please submit it as a comment here.
2012 Summer Guest Contest
“BUILDING THE PROMISELAND”
We have a summer tradition. A little competition to get the blood pumping and excitement in the air. We are going to see who can bring the most guests over the next 7 weeks. We have prizes for the individual and team prizes for those who bring the most. Let’s get going! Check out the details here:
Sundays: June 17th – July 29th (7 Sundays)
Team: Carpenters
Captain: Michael Higgins
If your last name begins with: H J L N Q S
Team: Plumbers
Captain: Harry Fleming
If your last name begins with: C D F W U Y
Team: Painters
Captain: James Branham
If your last name begins with: A B E G T V X Z
Team: Electricians
Captain: Will Krauss
If your last name begins with: I K M O P R
Team: Architects
Captain: Rudy Rodriguez
WACO
PRIZES
Grand Prize: iPad
First place on each team: $100 gas card
Winning Captain gets a weekend on San Antonio.
RULES:
Guest must be 13 years old and older to participate.
Guest may be counted up to 3 times.
May count guest on Sundays only.
May not grab random guests out of the foyer.
Preach Specifically
A prevalent preaching philosophy is that the Sunday message must appeal or relate to everyone in the congregation. So, we go through a laundry list of applications to include everyone or applications are watered down.
What about preaching scripture that hits one group directly and deeply? If we do that, what will happen to all the folks that fall outside of that direct application? We are scared that they will be bored and disengage.
For example, if we preach a specific message to men, what will the woman do? If we preach on marriage, what will the singles think? If we preach on money, what will the unemployed think?
Here are my 3 reasons that it is ok to Preach Specifically.
- Every sermon should reveal God – If our sermons do not reveal the image and at least one attribute of God, then we have failed. No matter what the application, our congregants should be shown what God looks like and how he acts and reacts to humanity. That in and of itself should be a meaty morsel for anyone.
- He/She might be in this situation in the future – one the best messages a single person can hear is one on how God created marriage and what He expects. We need to GO into situations prepared. Instead of preachers bailing people out with sermon messages, we should be preparing and preventing sin and difficulty. When we preach specifically about life situations in the future, we are setting people up for success. (Remind them to thank you later)
- He/She needs to know to relate to and minister to others – Women need to know what God thinks and expects of Men. Men need to hear about God’s role in women’s lives. I may not be going through divorce, but my neighbor might. I need to know how to listen, minister, counsel people in other life situations. This shows people the responsibility we have in the lives of others.
We are cultivating selfish/self-centered congregations when we try to cater to every current situation going on their life. We are telling them that the church service is all about them personally.
Broad strokes painted in sermons are often bland strokes. Scripture is so rich and deep in flavor and power. Let’s not be afraid to go strong. I believe it will lead to quicker life change.
+
Robin
Questions For Building
Lately, I have had several pastors ask me what our process looked like when we borrowed money for a church project. I thought I should write my thoughts down so that anyone else could take a look. Here is the disclaimer: I am not a financing expert and this is only our process. Yours might look a lot different.
The problem with talking to ‘experts’ is that most of them have an agenda. They will either make or lose money on your church’s decision, so it is difficult to know when they are shooting straight with you.
In the last 7 years we have had 2 major building changes and 2 property purchases. We have borrowed money 3 different times from the same bank. Here are the questions we answered:
Is God leading us to make this change? This seems obvious, but sometimes our own personal agendas get in the way. We think we should build or buy in order to stay up with the other churches.
Robin Steele 