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HOW TO GET ATTENTION IN CHURCH

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ATTENTION GETTING TRICKS

ATTENTIONBy Ken Blue

For anyone to claim that he or she has not enjoyed the attention of others would be less than telling the truth. But, if you are the sort who craves it, here are a few tips that usually work.

The first is, to loiter in the foyer or stand at the back of the church until after the music or the announcements have started. Then, simply walk in by yourself, and make sure you go all the way to the front two rows of the church. There is absolutely no way this method can fail. People from every location within the building will turn their eyes in your direction and notice you!

Now, just in case this method doesn’t satisfy your craving for attention, you can add heel-taps to your shoes. Each step will say, “Here I am! Look at me!” The only thing that could possibly surpass this tactic would be to come in on roller-skates.

Not every person who arrives late is seeking attention, but when the same people, or the pastor, walk down the aisle after others are seated, and the service has started, you can bet they are attention seekers.

Now you know the secret to getting noticed at church. If you are not among the attention seekers, would you please look our way as we strut in so our efforts will not be in vain?

AMORAL: MUSIC OR INSTRUMENTS

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USE OF MUSIC OR INSTRUMENTS IN THE CHURCH

musicBy Ken Blue

The “switch and bate” by some of the brethren is to associate musical instruments with certain groups or individuals, and then make you think the instrument itself is carnal and evil. Music and musical instruments are not the same. Music instruments are amoral, regardless of your dislike for certain ones, and all the ranting and raving in the world will not change that fact.

Most fundamentalist believe you have “stepped over the line” if you have guitars, bases guitars, electric pianos, or drums in your church. They cannot help it; that was the way they were trained and conditioned to respond. If they go to the Old Testament for their examples of worship, they should also go there for their choice of instruments.

If we were true to old paths and followed our forefathers, there would be no instruments in any of our services. The use of instruments in church came some four hundred years after the founding of the Christian church. Prior to this, instruments were associated with the devil, dancing and the Catholic Church. The only instrument permitted for centuries was the organ. Later the piano was introduced, but was not allowed to be played during the “worship” service. It was a bar room instrument. Evangelist, John R. Rice said the reasons churches do not win souls is because of the use of the organ. (See his book; Why Our Churches Do Not Win Souls).

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Music and instruments are completely different issues.[/perfectpullquote]

Only until recent times have churches allowed what we call “Specials”. Choirs and congregational singing was all that was allowed. It was deemed worldly and sinful for one person to sing a solo.

grenadeMusic can be wicked, worldly, blasphemous, and vile, but musical instruments are amoral. They are like a hand grenade; they can be used to commit suicide or to defeat an enemy.
Their use is determined by the person holding them. So, don’t let some slick preachers and evangelist “switch and bate” you, by pretending the two are the same. Music and instruments are completely different issues.

Yes, we too can draw a line, and we will draw it for ourselves. Why allow some other church or pastor to draw it for your church? He doesn’t know where the biblical line is. He simply draws it where he thinks it should be, and then wants you to believe you dishonor God if you don’t stop at his line. I assure you, there is music that I dislike, but that is a different matter.

If you can’t find anything to criticize a church about; criticize its music. It matters not that they believe the fundamentals of the faith, have souls saved each week, send out pastors and missionaries and believe the King James Bible. You see, music is that gray battlefield where you can fight until you are blue in the face, but you can’t defend your position from Scripture. All you can do is discredit those who don’t follow your lead.

ARE MEGA CHURCHES A MENACE

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What makes a Mega Church?

mega churchBy Ken Blue

“Etymology: Greek, from megas large —1 a : great b : greatly surpassing others of its kind.” Merriam Webster’s Dictionary-

The word, “Mega” has fallen into ill repute with the brethren. It’s the same old line, just give any word a negative connotation, and others will be horrified when they hear it.

Is a mega church evil or worldly because it is larger than others in your “fellowship?” What if God really blessed your church with the salvation of sinners and a growing membership, and you surpassed all other churches of like faith? Should we classify you as “mega” and evil?

At what point does a church become a “mega church”? Most churches in America average 87 people in the morning service. If another church has 25 people on Sunday and your church has 250, are you a “mega church” in the eyes of the other, and should you be suspected of wickedness because your church is growing? What if my church averages 500 each Sunday and yours has 2000, have you departed from the faith to reach that number? In other words, have we become so pathetic, that we now must attack churches that outgrow our own?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The real issue is ecclesiastical jealousy.[/pullquote]

The real issue here is not the size of the church; it is nothing more than ecclesiastical jealousy. “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” Acts 13:45. Dr. B. R. Lakin said, “If you want to be hated, know more, do more and have more than the other fellow.” Could this be the real problem the brethren are struggling with?

DOGS THAT BARK

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DOGS THAT BARK FOR NO REASON

dogsBy Ken Blue

I once owned a shepherd named Max. He was lazy and would lie around most of the day. However, when the sun went down he revived and began his everlasting barking. A neighbor asked “isn’t there anything you can do to keep him quiet?”

I never figure out what Max was barking at, perhaps it was his shadow or the man in the moon. Maybe his barking gave him courage to get through the night. I finally purchased a shock collar and each time he barked, a slight jolt reminded him that he should not yap just to hear himself.

Max has passed on and I have misplaced his collar somewhere, however there are times I wish I could locate it and put it on those people who feel compelled to bark at everything that moves. Perhaps, like Max, they think they will frighten others away, or, they just like to hear themselves. Since they can’t be silenced, we must keep the caravans moving and just let them continue to yap.

PREPARING FOR WINTER

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Preparing for the winterPastors should be PREPARING FOR WINTER

By Ken Blue

“There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;” Proverbs 30:24-25.

Ants are considered wise because they plan during the summer months for the coming winter. Since ants cannot read, this passage must have been written for our sakes. The message is simple; wise men prepare for the winter.

Fortunate is the pastor who has leaders in his church that are farsighted and will implement some form of retirement for him. Neither the pastor’s health nor his ministry will endure forever. The time will come when you will be forced to retire. (That time has come for me.) You must ask yourself the question, “Will my wife and I be able to live on Social Security?” You probably cannot.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The pastor’s health nor his ministry will endure forever.[/pullquote]

I suggest the pastor purchase his own home and have it put in his name. The church is also permitted to give him a housing allowance with which to make the payments. This allowance is also tax free. In addition, a retirement fund should be set up immediately. It may be a small amount at first, depending on the ability of the church. However, it can be increased as funds increase. I do believe Jesus is coming again, but that theology need not interfere with practical wisdom. It is not selfish to prepare for winter. According to Scripture, it is wise to do so. Besides, you should be as wise as an ant. If you are a church member, you should take the initiative to have some retirement plan established for your pastor.