I'll be sharing some words from Louie Giglio on worship each week.
"You, my friend...are a worshiper! There, I said it. Everyday, all day long, in every place, you worship. It's what you do. We are all worshipers, created to bring pleasure and honor to the God who made us. You may not consider yourself a "worshiping" kind of person, but you cannot help but worship...something. It's what you were made to do. Should for some reason choose not to give God what He desires, you'll worship anyway - simply exchanging the Creator for something He has created."
Today, focus your worship on the only One who is worthy.
Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
A Word on Worship from Louie Giglio...
"We're no longer under any religious system. Not that of the Old Testament, or any other. In the past, God-worshipers had to approach Him through a ritualistic system of sacrifice. But not anymore.
Christ is the final offering for sin; He offered "one sacrifice for sins for all time." So as we come to worship the Father, we aren't required to bring a sacrifice in an attempt to make us right with God. Jesus has already done that for us.
This truth is important to grasp because we consistently fail to live as we should live. And when we fail, the enemy is quick to condemn us, telling us we can't possibly be a worshiper after what we have done.
But those words are lies. We can always come back to God in worship, no matter where we've been or how far we've fallen.
How can that be?
Through Jesus Christ. His death has made it possible for us to be accepted by God. His cross has made our worship acceptable in the Father's sight. We can approach His throne of grace. Anytime. Anywhere.
That's why a deep awareness of the cross is almost always in my mind as I come to worship. And if it's not, the Holy Spirit puts it there. Fast."
Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor
Christ is the final offering for sin; He offered "one sacrifice for sins for all time." So as we come to worship the Father, we aren't required to bring a sacrifice in an attempt to make us right with God. Jesus has already done that for us.
This truth is important to grasp because we consistently fail to live as we should live. And when we fail, the enemy is quick to condemn us, telling us we can't possibly be a worshiper after what we have done.
But those words are lies. We can always come back to God in worship, no matter where we've been or how far we've fallen.
How can that be?
Through Jesus Christ. His death has made it possible for us to be accepted by God. His cross has made our worship acceptable in the Father's sight. We can approach His throne of grace. Anytime. Anywhere.
That's why a deep awareness of the cross is almost always in my mind as I come to worship. And if it's not, the Holy Spirit puts it there. Fast."
Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor
Monday, February 02, 2009
Some good news...
It seems that a lot of what we have talked about recently has been pretty somber. It's probably time for some good news.
Recently we have noticed a number of first time visitors. It's hard to say just why we are seeing them now, but for whatever reason we are pleased.
One of the most common things we hear when we talk to visitors is their almost universal perception of us an open, friendly place. Mostly, this is the result of our people being open and friendly- it is something the staff and leadership can want and encourage, but can be accomplished only by the people who are here Sunday morning.
Thanks Argyle. Your smiles, your handshakes, your warm greetings, have made a difference for a lot of people lately.
Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor
Recently we have noticed a number of first time visitors. It's hard to say just why we are seeing them now, but for whatever reason we are pleased.
One of the most common things we hear when we talk to visitors is their almost universal perception of us an open, friendly place. Mostly, this is the result of our people being open and friendly- it is something the staff and leadership can want and encourage, but can be accomplished only by the people who are here Sunday morning.
Thanks Argyle. Your smiles, your handshakes, your warm greetings, have made a difference for a lot of people lately.
Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Really Difficult First...
The Church at Argyle just had a first- but one we can't be very proud of. For the first time in 25 years, we had to cut staff.
For some time we have been reporting that our giving was not meeting our budget needs. For the 2008 financial year, the giving shortfall was about $95,000. This shortfall was handled by cutting ministry budgets, avoiding making expenditures when possible, moving some projects off-budget through special offerings and directed giving, allocating reserves, and cutting out all possible discretionary spending. But, we have exhausted that means of staying afloat. There is nothing discretionary left to cut, and no ministry budget that can be further cut without fully deleting a ministry.
The only two places left within our control to cut (we can't NOT pay the utility bills, the insurance premiums, or the mortgage) are Missions Giving and Salaries.
Missions include our support of the Cooperative Giving Program of the Southern Baptist Convention. The CGP supports overseas and North American missionary efforts, domestic disaster relief, the general work of the Convention, and five Southern Baptist seminaries. We also give to support the Jacksonville Baptist Association which is invaluable in assisting the work of our local churches, including Argyle. We believe strongly that we cannot ask our members to give when we, as a church, are not cheerfully giving to support our own local, national and international efforts. In addition, we give small amounts to several other worthwhile charities and parachurch organizations.
By deciding to not touch Missions Giving, that leaves only Salaries to cut. Pastor Ken has prayed and deliberated for some time over whether this step would be neccessary, and if it was what shape it would take. After meeting recently with the Stewardship Committee, the Deacons and the Corporate Directors, we made the decision to furlough our Ministry Assistant Liz Eddy and our Facilities Custodian Stan Stufflebeam, effective February 15.
Both Stan and Liz have been and are invaluable members of our team. Their absence is going to leave a big hole that the other members of the Staff are going to have to work to fill, hopefully with the help of volunteers. This decision has nothing to do with their job performance, but with our inability to sustain our payroll with the current levels of giving. When God blesses us with an improvement in our giving, we will be quick to bring them back to the staff.
Hal Hunter
Administrator
For some time we have been reporting that our giving was not meeting our budget needs. For the 2008 financial year, the giving shortfall was about $95,000. This shortfall was handled by cutting ministry budgets, avoiding making expenditures when possible, moving some projects off-budget through special offerings and directed giving, allocating reserves, and cutting out all possible discretionary spending. But, we have exhausted that means of staying afloat. There is nothing discretionary left to cut, and no ministry budget that can be further cut without fully deleting a ministry.
The only two places left within our control to cut (we can't NOT pay the utility bills, the insurance premiums, or the mortgage) are Missions Giving and Salaries.
Missions include our support of the Cooperative Giving Program of the Southern Baptist Convention. The CGP supports overseas and North American missionary efforts, domestic disaster relief, the general work of the Convention, and five Southern Baptist seminaries. We also give to support the Jacksonville Baptist Association which is invaluable in assisting the work of our local churches, including Argyle. We believe strongly that we cannot ask our members to give when we, as a church, are not cheerfully giving to support our own local, national and international efforts. In addition, we give small amounts to several other worthwhile charities and parachurch organizations.
By deciding to not touch Missions Giving, that leaves only Salaries to cut. Pastor Ken has prayed and deliberated for some time over whether this step would be neccessary, and if it was what shape it would take. After meeting recently with the Stewardship Committee, the Deacons and the Corporate Directors, we made the decision to furlough our Ministry Assistant Liz Eddy and our Facilities Custodian Stan Stufflebeam, effective February 15.
Both Stan and Liz have been and are invaluable members of our team. Their absence is going to leave a big hole that the other members of the Staff are going to have to work to fill, hopefully with the help of volunteers. This decision has nothing to do with their job performance, but with our inability to sustain our payroll with the current levels of giving. When God blesses us with an improvement in our giving, we will be quick to bring them back to the staff.
Hal Hunter
Administrator
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Bible versions...
Lately we have had several people ask about the translation that Pastor Ken is using in his messages.
For about the past year Pastor Ken has been using the Holman Christian Standard Bible. B&H Publishing (formerly Holman and Boardman) is the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. Several years ago they commissioned a new translation, and the HCSB version is the result. He likes the combination of easy readability, modern English usage, and adherence to the underlying Hebrew and Greek original texts.
If you would like more information about this version, click here.
For about the past year Pastor Ken has been using the Holman Christian Standard Bible. B&H Publishing (formerly Holman and Boardman) is the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. Several years ago they commissioned a new translation, and the HCSB version is the result. He likes the combination of easy readability, modern English usage, and adherence to the underlying Hebrew and Greek original texts.
If you would like more information about this version, click here.
The first Wednesday Night Connectiong Point...
was a big success. Over 100 adults and almost 40 kids were here. As always, the meal was suburb. I am convinced there is no BBQ anywhere, from anyone, better than what Chef Leroy serves us. The fellowship was great, and Pastor Ken's presentation was challenging and opened a lot of eyes. He provided some material to take home for further reading and reflection.
We will be doing it again next month. The first Wednesday falls on February 4, so mark your calendars and plan to be with us. We will have sign up sheets in the Welcome Center. If you are bringing kids ages 6th grade and younger, it is especially important you sign them up so Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger can have adequate workers arranged for the kid's part of the evening. (It's not just childcare; they are doing a growth exercise of their own.)
We also suggest you bring your Bible with you. We will have Pastor Ken's primary scripture references on the screen, but having your Bible with you helps with the context of the references, and to look back to the reference passages during the discussion period.
Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor
We will be doing it again next month. The first Wednesday falls on February 4, so mark your calendars and plan to be with us. We will have sign up sheets in the Welcome Center. If you are bringing kids ages 6th grade and younger, it is especially important you sign them up so Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger can have adequate workers arranged for the kid's part of the evening. (It's not just childcare; they are doing a growth exercise of their own.)
We also suggest you bring your Bible with you. We will have Pastor Ken's primary scripture references on the screen, but having your Bible with you helps with the context of the references, and to look back to the reference passages during the discussion period.
Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor
Monday, January 05, 2009
Something new...
is happening beginning Wednesday evening, January 7.
When we did the recent survey, one frequent thing we saw was a desire by a wide range of people to do something more as a body than Sunday morning. Of course, we believe that our various Small Group environments are the best place to deepen community and grow spiritually, but not everyone has yet connected with a suitable group. There are also people who want more opportunity to meet other members of the larger Argyle family socially, and want more opportunity to learn from Pastor Ken.
For all these reasons, we are now doing the Wednesday Night Connecting Point. On the first Wednesday of each month, we will gather for a great family dinner served by Chef Leroy and his Kitchen Elves. Right afterward, we will have an age-graded environment for our kids age 6th grade and younger. Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger has arranged for a real learning and fun opportunity for our kids; it's not just child care.
While the kids learn in a safe, nurturing place the adults will spend some time with Pastor Ken as he takes us more deeply into his current teaching series. We will also have time to discuss these questions in a more intimate environment with 7 or 8 others. The best part is we promise to be finished promptly at 7:30 pm.
We will begin serving at 6:15, but the doors will be open for coffee and chat at 5:30. Kids can move to their area beginning at 6:30; we will serve until 6:45 and begin the discussion then.
The first menu includes Chef Leroy's World Famous BBQ Pulled Pork dinner, with green beans, baked beans, coleslaw, and assorted drinks and desserts. Adults eat for $4, kids 6th grade and younger only $2.
We have about 115 people on the fix food for me list for January 7, and we are excited about the buzz already developing.
We would love to hear back from you with your ideas and opinions.
Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor
When we did the recent survey, one frequent thing we saw was a desire by a wide range of people to do something more as a body than Sunday morning. Of course, we believe that our various Small Group environments are the best place to deepen community and grow spiritually, but not everyone has yet connected with a suitable group. There are also people who want more opportunity to meet other members of the larger Argyle family socially, and want more opportunity to learn from Pastor Ken.
For all these reasons, we are now doing the Wednesday Night Connecting Point. On the first Wednesday of each month, we will gather for a great family dinner served by Chef Leroy and his Kitchen Elves. Right afterward, we will have an age-graded environment for our kids age 6th grade and younger. Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger has arranged for a real learning and fun opportunity for our kids; it's not just child care.
While the kids learn in a safe, nurturing place the adults will spend some time with Pastor Ken as he takes us more deeply into his current teaching series. We will also have time to discuss these questions in a more intimate environment with 7 or 8 others. The best part is we promise to be finished promptly at 7:30 pm.
We will begin serving at 6:15, but the doors will be open for coffee and chat at 5:30. Kids can move to their area beginning at 6:30; we will serve until 6:45 and begin the discussion then.
The first menu includes Chef Leroy's World Famous BBQ Pulled Pork dinner, with green beans, baked beans, coleslaw, and assorted drinks and desserts. Adults eat for $4, kids 6th grade and younger only $2.
We have about 115 people on the fix food for me list for January 7, and we are excited about the buzz already developing.
We would love to hear back from you with your ideas and opinions.
Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
