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THE SONG AND THE SERMON

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SONG SERVICE

confused business manBy Ken Blue

Perhaps the best example of “the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing,” is in the lack of coordination between the Pastor’s sermon and the music director’s selection of songs. Seldom do these two connect the music with the message. I have watched song leaders pick songs for the service five minutes before a service begins.

Pastor, if you perform a wedding, the party selects wedding songs and music to match the occasion. If you serve at a funeral, the songs match the event. At a birthday party, they sing “Happy Birthday.” So, why is it that most song services in church have no connection to the sermon? The reason, no doubt, is ignorance of its importance or a lack of planning by the pastor. Many pastors have no idea what their sermon subject will be a week from Sunday. That may be the real cause of the problem.

Everything that happens in the service should reinforce and support the purpose of the sermon. This includes all the services. That means that the Pastor must plan all sermons or subjects weeks before they are preached. He must then meet with the music director and see that the songs support the sermon.

How is it at your church? Do the songs have any real purpose or are they just filler? Are the songs selected because they are familiar and old favorites, or do they promote the theme of your message? Think about it, and see how next Sunday’s selection matches the goal of your message.

One way to correct this problem is for the pastor to fill out the order of service and see that all involved in the music ministry receive it. Include in it the song selection. If you are doing a theme for a month, ensure that everyone, who needs to know, is informed of what you expect. The more people you have supporting your objective, the more likely you are to achieve it, and the more you communicate, the more they will be able to help you.

THE LITTLE RED PILL

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By Ken Blue

I went to the doctor; I was feeling ill.
He wrote a prescription for a little red pill.
He said, “Take one of these, as pains begin;
And if it returns, you may take another again.”

I took the pills as instructed above;
And in just a few months, we were deeply in love.
Now I looked forward to each new day;
And the little red pills that take my pain away.

I think the pills are unfaithful to me;
Little by little, serious changes I see.
I said to the doctor, “What is the deal?”
He answered me firmly, “It’s the little red pill.”

So, I cut her loose, no more pills for me.
They ask me how I did it; I said “cold turkey.”
Life is full of it hurts, and pains, and ills;
But the answer may not be in little red pills.

Be careful of choices in life you make,
Of the roads that you choose and the paths you may take.
God may be speaking to you when you’re ill;
So be wary of friendship with the little red pill.

ISRAEL’S RESTORATION

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By Ken Blue
Ezekiel 37

Israel has been scattered throughout the distant lands;
Yet, retaining their identity amid the shifting sands.

God has promised them, through prophets, visions, and signs,
Restoration to their homeland in His appointed times.

Ezekiel was brought to a valley and there made to sit down,
And musing on the Word of God began to look around.

Lifeless bodies everywhere, scattered, bleached and dry;
And listening to the Spirit’s call; he heard their cry.

In their despair and miseries, alleged all hope was gone;
Unmindful of God’s promises; once again to bring them home.

They saw themselves divided, cut off from all parts;
Forgetting prophecies of a New Birth and of their new hearts.

So Ezekiel, he prophesied, to the dry bones and the wind;
And a mighty army arose and stood upon its feet again.

Returning in unbelief to their Promised Land;
Their Scriptures He will open to them, and they will understand.

From a valley of dry bones, to the valley of decision;
Israel will be united there with no more division.

Returning to their Lord, He will then set them free,
And in their land, serving Jesus Christ through all eternity.

PASTOR OR PUPPET

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ARE YOU A PASTOR OR A PUPPET?

puppet on stringBy Ken Blue

“…A bishop then must be blameless One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” 1 Timothy 3:2-5.

The Pastor must learn to wear many hats. He may not be gifted in all aspects of the ministry, but he must know what is needed and be able to lead gifted men and women into those areas. His call is to vision, oversight, and leadership. Not only must he be able to feed the church of God, he must be able to lead it.

The shepherd leads and directs the flock. He chooses the field or grazing area for it. He corrects, and he seeks those who have gone astray. He must care for the young and the old. The health and safety of the flock rest on his shoulders. Regardless of the condition of the church; the Pastor will be held accountable.

The Pastor should decide who his deacons will be. He sets the teaching and sermon agenda for the year. He chooses who will fill the pulpit when needed. He must see that the music, the announcements, and bulletin information harmonize with the purpose of his sermons. He must raise the money for needed ministry projects, and he will be accountable for how it is dispersed. In other words, the Pastor must lead, feed, and guide the church.

This does not mean that the Pastor makes every decision or that he is lord over the church. It means that someone must take full responsibility for the local church, and God has appointed the Pastor to that position.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Pastor must lead, feed, and guide the church.[/perfectpullquote]

The puppet, on the other hand, is one who is incapable or unwilling to make those decisions. He has strings attached to him, and those pulling the strings make the decisions for him. He is their puppet.

These strings come in many forms. Many times they are attached to the wife, and she gets her wishes done through the Pastor. Others, who may hold the strings, are the deacons, the finance committee, the administrative director, or a few outspoken church members. The strings used by these unruly people come in the form of policies and procedures. Or, they may be a complaint or grievance about a ministry leader or worker, and they push you to deal with it. Their goal is to eliminate that ministry or person, and get your fingerprints on their murder weapon. Don’t fall for it!

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Be a loving, leading Pastor.[/perfectpullquote]

If you are weak, seeking to accommodate those who hold the strings, and assuming you will not be held accountable, you are dead wrong. Be a loving, leading Pastor. You cannot abdicate your duties or responsibilities. Reflect now. Are you the Pastor or the puppet?

ARE YOU A “LATTE” CHRISTIAN?

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CONNECTION BETWEEN A CHRISTIAN AND A LATTE

latteBy Ken Blue

Caffe Latte – “Strong espresso coffee with a topping of frothed steamed milk . Espresso- strong black coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans.”

A cute little saying by some preachers and evangelist, in an attempt to question Christian manliness, is to call them “Latte Christians.” What is implied or intended is to attack the sincerity and spirituality of believers in America. Somehow, the connection between the Christian and a latte is supposed to be a gauge of their spiritual maturity. Obviously, the Marlboro Man has never tasted a real cup of espresso.

The first espresso I ever tasted was at a sidewalk cafe in Athens, Greece. The cup was very small, and the coffee looked like crude oil straight from Iraq. The taste was even worse. I was no match for it. I needed two pots of hot water to dilute it to a drinking point. When I was through I had a quart of coffee.

Little did I realize that frothed steamed milk would transform this little cup of napalm, into a sissy drink called a “latte” that even I could handle. I like my coffee. My preferred drink is an espresso with foamy steamed milk and chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder. This is known as a “cafe Mocha.” It’s not quite as descriptive of us sissy Christians as the “latte.”

Oh well, up here in the North West, we aren’t allow to slap our wives or spit on the side walk any more. Don’t you just hate the emasculating of your manhood? I guess the only ones left who can have a “latte” are the women and closet sissies. Strong Christians must avoid it.