Adventure in Music Ministry

A.W. TOZER (pastor, writer, and evangelical "mystic" prophetic voice of the 20th century) wrote in his book Whatever Happened to Worship?       
  - that God "wants to cultivate within us the adoration and admiration of which HE is worthy.  He wants to reveal to each of us the blessed element of spiritual fascination in true worship."
- that God "wants us to be astonished at the inconceivable elevation and magnitude and splendor of Almighty God."

NOW, CAN WE really expect the typical 21st century church to cultivate adoration and admiration of God? To "cultivate" something implies hard work. Tozer believed that the spiritual shallowness of the church is due at least in part to our unwillingness to give sufficient time to the cultivation of the knowledge of GOD.

TOZER BELIEVED that part of such cultivation can be done through the use of a good hymnbook.
- "After the Bible, the next most valuable book is a good hymnbook. Let any Christian spend a year prayerfully meditating on the hymns and he or she will become a fine theologian."

JOHN WESLEY (18th century English evangelist and founder of the Methodist Church) asked regarding a good hymnbook.....   "In what other publication have you so distinct and full account of scriptural Christianity?  Such a declaration of the heights and depths of Christianity?"

PERHAPS MANY 21st Century CHRISTIANS may ask the question  - What is a hymnbook?

I HOPE NONE OF US will cheat ourselves spiritually by not cultivating (working at) our personal knowledge of God. 

What did you say you did with that hymnbook? 

Finding that hymnbook at home and in our churches may be the start of being absolutely ASTONISHED at the greatness of Almighty God - our Creator, Savior, and Comforter.

THE MORE we are astonished - the more GLORIOUS God's praises will be.

The Bronze Plaque and Other Trophies
By
Roger Wayne Hicks
(Appearing in The Clergy Journal - July/August 2011)
copyright 2011

There it was, displayed prominently on the trophy shelf in the church's reception area - a bronze plaque congratulating the church for being number one in attendance growth.  There also were several sports trophies on the shelf, commemorating winning seasons of the church's volleyball and softball teams.

At first glance, one could assume the attendance plaque and sports trophies indicated the church to be a vibrant center of activity and growth.  However, the attendance plaque was for the year 1985, and the sports trophies were from the 1990s.  It was now 2011.

While the trophy shelf was adorned with shiny symbols of past accomplishments, other areas of the church were not quite as "shiny."

The room in which the trophy shelf stood was less than shiny with its dim lights, lack of windows, and low ceiling.  The worship center, as well, was in need of brighter lighting.

Campus signage was faded and difficult to read.  The church's main street sign stood as a faded relic of another century alonside the highly traveled modern city street.

The parking lot was in need of a good sweeping, and the parking space lines needed repainting.  It's doubtful that the parking lot was in this condition in 1985.  When the church won its award for increased attendance, first-time visitors probably were greeted by a clean and attractive spot in which to park their large 1980s style cars.  Campus signage likely was attractive and easily read.  The church facilities probably were bright and shiny.

Why do these church's facilities look so different nearly 30 years later?  Could it be because of a changed economic environment in which the church finds itself?  Perhaps.

Even if the current economy is playing a part in the appearance of this or any church campus, how might appearances be improved?  Perhaps church members could sweep the parking lot and paint the lines, the only expense to the church being the paint and brushes.  There may be artistically talented individuals who would enjoy designing new signage or repainting the old.  Church-wide, intergenerational work days could be scheduled that would not only improve the appearance of the church campus, but also provide church family fellowship.  As church members become involved in such work days, it may be surprising how productive they become in thinking of ways their church's facilities can be improved.

How do the facilities of your church look?  Do they offer a fresh appearance that presents an inviting atmosphere to first-time visitors?  How delightful it is when visitors have a positive experience and impression of the church and "can't wait" to return next week!

Through campus appearance evaluation, some cooporative hard work, and prayer for the Holy Spirit's leading in all areas of church life, first-time visitors are more likely to become living trophies of God's grace.  Bronze plaques and other award trophies can be pleasing reminders of a church's  successful endeavors.  However, it can be much more thrilling and eternally beneficial to seek the trophies that matter most to God. +

- Roger Wayne Hicks has completed more than 52 years
in professional church staff ministry.  He has served churches
of five denominations in eight states and Canada.  He has
recently launched the new ministry Beyond First Impressions,
which assists churches in going beyond both their positive and
negative impressions.  He is the author of more than 200
published articles on church music, church leadership, and
church growth.  His book Adventure in Music Ministry was
published in 2009 (Pleasant Word).

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