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Pop Goes The Church

May 25, 2008 in change, church philosophy and methods with 3 Comments

Finished reading this book last week. It is absolutely a must read for any church or individual that is trying to use today’s culture to reach today’s culture. I grew up in a very conservative church background, so as I read this book, I recognized a lot of things that I grew up doing and thinking just because that it the way it had always been done, and that was what the “church” expected of those that attended.

Funny thing is, those are the things that are driving people away from the church today. Dan Kimball has written a book entitled, They Like Jesus But Not The Church in which he discusses the fact that people out there today are still seeking God and Jesus. They still are seeking for truth. They are just not seeking it in the church because most have become irrelevant, inward focused, and are seen as being disingenuous.

Pop Goes The Church boldly proclaims that churches need to not only be aware of the culture around them, but they need to utilize pop culture in their efforts to reach those outside of the church. Tim Stevens gives practical advice on how to do this in a Biblical and Christ honoring way, and also gives answers to the skeptics that will no doubt be critical of the concept. (Imagine that, Christians being critical!)

Anyways, that is enough for now. I will try to highlight some different things in the book that speak to me as I read it again. This is in my top three for the year so far. In no particular order, you need to read these three books:

1. Unchristian – Probably should be required reading for all Christians… after they start reading their Bibles of course

2. They Like Jesus But Not The Church – A lot of great stuff in this book. It is very similar to Unchristian, so read a book or two in between these two.

3. Pop Goes The Church – A great book to read between the other two. Also a great book to help start you thinking about how to break out of the mold that churches have been in that keeps them ineffective.

Ok, so there is my list. What have you been reading lately?

Sorry for the lapse…

May 25, 2008 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

In posts.  Lot’s of things going on in life, and the blogging sometimes just does not get done depending on the mood I am in and the time I have.  Hopefully I can be a little more consistant with it.  if nothing else, I will just review what I am reading and post about my process of finding a new church to minister in.

A Good Reminder

April 15, 2008 in contentment, joy, suffering with 1 Comment

I read the book of Philippians today. It is probably my favorite book in the Bible. Every time I read it, I am reminded specifically of two things:

1. That Christ Jesus showed what true humility in coming to this earth, living a Holy life ( what an example for me), and then going to the cross on my behalf. (chapter 2:5-8)

2. My happiness is found is so many things out side of myself. I may go through rough spots here and there, but if I get my focus off of me, and on things that bring true joy I can then live life to the full.

Paul tells us in this book that he finds joy in several things: others (the Philippians themselves, chapter 1), sharing the the gospel (Chapter 2) and God Himself (Chapter 4). He then goes on to explain that he has learned to be content! WOW! Contentment, what is that? It is a foreign word to most of us in the good old USA. But Paul says rich or poor, sick or healthy, respected or not, he had learned to be content, because his sources of joy were outside of himself. What a great reminder for me today. Thanks God!

What HE intends

April 4, 2008 in God's will, sovereignty, suffering with 1 Comment

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Been reading the book of Job this week. For me, when I get a little discouraged, it has always helped to remember that I am hardly facing anything as bad as someone else is. Job is one of those guys who goes through a ton of awful events that God has allowed. God allows this even though Job is the most righteous man that is walking the planet at the time. Job did nothing to deserve this. He would not have wished his circumstances on his worst enemy. But though he did not deserve it, God allowed it, and Job makes some incredible statements throughout the ordeal. One that really got me today, and really helped me with my life at the moment, is what he says is Job 23:8-14:

Job 23:8-14 (Contemporary English Version)

8 I cannot find God anywhere–

in front or back of me,

9 to my left or my right.

God is always at work,

though I never see him.

10 But he knows what I am doing,

and when he tests me,

I will be pure as gold.

11 I have never refused to follow

any of his commands,

12 and I have always treasured

his teachings. 13 But he alone is God,

and who can oppose him?

God does as he pleases,

14 and he will do exactly

what he intends with me.

That last part really got me today. I could sit and be nervous and feel useless and unwanted as I wait for God’s leading in our ministry, but guess what? No matter how I feel, God will do exactly wht HE intends with me. That is heavy stuff! He is God alone, He will do as He pleases and it does not matter who would try to oppose Him! WOW! Thanks for that one today God. It has been a long week, and that is just what I needed!

Monday Morning Musing

March 31, 2008 in monday with 4 Comments

tired.jpgWell, another Monday! Have you ever seen that commercial for Monster.com where it is a Monday morning and everyone realizes the sun is about to come up, and they rush around finding things to hold up to try and block the sun from the inevitable? That is kind of how I feel today… rainy and dreary here, so that does not help. It is another day to wake up and see what God has in store for us though. I an anxious to see what contacts I am able to make this week as far as finding a new position goes. Our people here have been so kind to encourage us in our journey. Many seem to be just as excited as we are to see where God leads us.

How were your services yesterday? Ours went well musically speaking. Last night is choir we actually started on Hillsong’s “From The Inside Out.” That is probably one of my favorite songs they do. The choir seemed to enjoy it, and the band was rockin… sounded real good, especially since we had a new electric guitar playing with us. He nailed the intro though and that just set the tone for the whole thing. Another weeks practice and we should be good on that one.

Well, I hope everyone has a good week. My plans for this blog are to focus more on worship than on my personal life. I will get to that, but until I get the whole blogging thing down.

I will leave you with one thing, get the book “Unchristian.” It will rock your world. I will post more on that later…

Waiting on God

March 27, 2008 in Uncategorized, waiting with 3 Comments

prayer-hands.jpgToday is just one of those days that I wish I could sleep through. Why? Well, some of you may already know that I am leaving my position as Worship leader at the church I serve in. My wife and I have prayed about it for awhile now, and we really feel that God wants us to go into a more contemporary type ministry to serve in. I am not talking about music, we already do some really good stuff where I am at. I am talking about philosophy and practice. I have a real burden to reach out to younger generations with the true Gospel of Jesus. I say true Gospel because I want to distinguish it from the “Gospel” that some preach that is nothing more than conforming to a certain image and going through the motions and you will be a spiritual person. I am not talking about the “Gospel” that says, accept Jesus and you can go to heaven and escape hell. I am all for the going to heaven and escaping hell thing, but there is so much more to being a Christ follower than that. The Gospel I am talking about is one that is centered around a day to day relationship that we can have with Jesus Christ. That is what Jesus longs for, and that is what will change your life. Not some fire insurance policy that a slick preacher sells you from the pulpit. There is nothing in a fire insurance policy that will help you with the day to day stuff of life.

So, what about this waiting on God stuff? Well, I really thought that we had a position in a great church ready to go. I had not really counted my chickens before they hatched so to say. But the visit we had with the church and the pastor was awesome, and it just seemed to click. But the call came yesterday that he could not say yes yet and that we should keep looking. Not a total closed door, but still not what was expected.

What I know: God knew all this and has a great plan for me and my family.

What is hard: Waiting on God to reveal that. If you know me, you know I am not the most patient person on the face of the planet.

I expect to see God do great things in the coming days. And I am sure He has a great place for us to go and serve, but sleeping this day away would have been a great idea as I wait on Him…

Well here we go!

March 25, 2008 in Introduction, Uncategorized with 3 Comments

Jason Petermann here! I never thought I would get into the world of blogging! I have friends that do, and though I have enjoyed reading their blogs, it just never struck me as something I would do. But here I am! Once I get this all set up, I plan on posting regularly (whatever that means!). Well, time for some more editing, so see ya later!

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