Another thing we saw on several surveys had to do with music. A number of people yearn for the traditional hymns.
When we decided several years ago to try to reach people who weren't already in church, one of the major changes had to do with our worship style, and music in particular. Study after study, plus personal experience, tell us that unchurched people are uncomfortable with traditional hymns and church music styles- they simply don't get it.
Our music is chosen to be both doctrinally sound and in a style that will appeal to a wide variety of the people in our community. It is more a "rock band with horns" sound, with prominent drums and bass. it's uptempo and takes advantage of the outstanding musicians and singers God has sent us.
Remember, our Sunday Worship Gatherings are primarily "living room" environments- a place an unchurched visitor can feel comfortable and welcome. It is designed for those folks, the outsiders, not so much for insiders.
Load your favorite style in your iPod, but celebrate Sundays with a style that will appeal to the people we are trying to reach with the all-important message of the Gospel.
Hal Hunter
Friday, October 31, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
All Star Survey.. Part I
We have carefully reviewed all of the All Star Surveys. If you haven't already participated, you can click here to complete the survey.
We are going to use this blog to discuss some of the results.
Several people mentioned they thought we ought to be be doing an invitation or altar call. First, we may need to explain what this is for those who didn't grow up in a church that does this.
An altar call or invitation is usually given at the end of the service. The pastor invites people who have made a spiritual decision to come forward. It is usually accompanied by music, lasts several minutes to perhaps ten minutes, with periodic exhortations from the pastor to those who may be considering a decision.
We stopped doing a traditional invitation several years ago, and we did it for several good reasons.
Almost every week we speak at length with someone who has questions or who has made a spiritual decision of some type. We are not missing opportunities by not doing an invitation- we are simply eliminating the intimidation factor.
Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor
We are going to use this blog to discuss some of the results.
Several people mentioned they thought we ought to be be doing an invitation or altar call. First, we may need to explain what this is for those who didn't grow up in a church that does this.
An altar call or invitation is usually given at the end of the service. The pastor invites people who have made a spiritual decision to come forward. It is usually accompanied by music, lasts several minutes to perhaps ten minutes, with periodic exhortations from the pastor to those who may be considering a decision.
We stopped doing a traditional invitation several years ago, and we did it for several good reasons.
- There is no Scriptural mandate for it- it is first documented being used in a form we would recognize today during what is known as The Second Great Awakening, a great period of revival that began in the 1820's.
- Many people find it intimidating to respond to a spiritual call in the presence of what might be hundreds of strangers. Remember, public speaking or doing something in fron of a crowd, is one of the greatest fears of most people.
- It can lead to "emotional" responses, rather than genuine responses to the Holy Spirit.
Almost every week we speak at length with someone who has questions or who has made a spiritual decision of some type. We are not missing opportunities by not doing an invitation- we are simply eliminating the intimidation factor.
Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
HVAC update
A week has now passed since the air conditioners were looted for copper. We thought maybe an update would be appreciated.
Q- Have the police caught anyone?
A- No; and they are not likely to. We are told this is a very common and wide-spread crime, but our police are already stretched thin and not able to give a lot of manpower to a non-violent crime when people are being murdered in our community almost every day. Pray for both situations.
Q- Are the repairs done?
A- About 85% as of today, and almost certainly will be 100% by this weekend.
Q- What has this all cost?
A- The damages have totaled just over $52,000 so far. Almost all of this has been paid by insurance. However, some additional costs will not be covered by insurance, and will eventually come to $4,000 or more.
Q- What are we doing to prevent this from happening again?
A- We are having alarms installed on all the equipment- this accounts for much of the additional cost. We are also increasing the amount of security lighting, adding some locks and taking some other steps we would rather not discuss publicly to discourage a repeat.
Q- What can I do to help?
A- Prayerfully consider your financial support to the church. With our already under-funded budget, this makes things even more difficult.
Hal Hunter
Administrator
Q- Have the police caught anyone?
A- No; and they are not likely to. We are told this is a very common and wide-spread crime, but our police are already stretched thin and not able to give a lot of manpower to a non-violent crime when people are being murdered in our community almost every day. Pray for both situations.
Q- Are the repairs done?
A- About 85% as of today, and almost certainly will be 100% by this weekend.
Q- What has this all cost?
A- The damages have totaled just over $52,000 so far. Almost all of this has been paid by insurance. However, some additional costs will not be covered by insurance, and will eventually come to $4,000 or more.
Q- What are we doing to prevent this from happening again?
A- We are having alarms installed on all the equipment- this accounts for much of the additional cost. We are also increasing the amount of security lighting, adding some locks and taking some other steps we would rather not discuss publicly to discourage a repeat.
Q- What can I do to help?
A- Prayerfully consider your financial support to the church. With our already under-funded budget, this makes things even more difficult.
Hal Hunter
Administrator
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Bad Day At Black Rock...
This morning, the world came crashing in on us. Anyone who might think that the church is immune from the world's problems needs to read this.
When walking between Building A and Building B, I noticed that the enclosure around the air conditioning equipment for the Family Life Center was standing open. In seconds, I saw that the units were in pieces! Copper thieves hit us overnight.
The emotion hits like a physical blow. It really does hurt and stun you to experience this kind of violation. And the full reality of the loss was even worse than the first impression. 12 units were damaged or destroyed- 94 tons of capacity. The Worship Center, Family Life Center, Cafe, most staff offices and the west side of Building B downstairs are totally without cooling.
That is the bad news- the good news is that we have good insurance and a great HVAC contractor. It isn't positive, but we hope that we will have repairs done by Sunday. But, just in case, no one is going to object if you show up in flops and shorts. It will be toasty if the AC isn't running. Pastor Ken has decided that regardless of the situation, gathering as a body to worship God is important, and we won't let thieves ruin our worship.
Hal Hunter
When walking between Building A and Building B, I noticed that the enclosure around the air conditioning equipment for the Family Life Center was standing open. In seconds, I saw that the units were in pieces! Copper thieves hit us overnight.
The emotion hits like a physical blow. It really does hurt and stun you to experience this kind of violation. And the full reality of the loss was even worse than the first impression. 12 units were damaged or destroyed- 94 tons of capacity. The Worship Center, Family Life Center, Cafe, most staff offices and the west side of Building B downstairs are totally without cooling.
That is the bad news- the good news is that we have good insurance and a great HVAC contractor. It isn't positive, but we hope that we will have repairs done by Sunday. But, just in case, no one is going to object if you show up in flops and shorts. It will be toasty if the AC isn't running. Pastor Ken has decided that regardless of the situation, gathering as a body to worship God is important, and we won't let thieves ruin our worship.
Hal Hunter
Friday, September 19, 2008
Winning...
What does it take to score a win with adults? What do we celebrate?
For years we have cultivated an invest and invite approach. We want our people to spend time and energy becoming involved in the lives of their friends, neighbors and coworkers. We want them so excited about being here they want to invite others to share what they are experiencing. So, one win is seeing people bring their friends on Sunday morning.
We think community is important. Another important win is seeing people getting involved in a Community Group. True involvement and engagement is difficult in a large gathering, but natural in a small one. We believe that spiritual growth is most likely to occur in our Community Groups.
An important win is seeing people getting involved in service. It takes a lot of people to make the ministry here at Argyle. People need to put their faith to work. Like our bodies, our faith needs exercise.
For years we have cultivated an invest and invite approach. We want our people to spend time and energy becoming involved in the lives of their friends, neighbors and coworkers. We want them so excited about being here they want to invite others to share what they are experiencing. So, one win is seeing people bring their friends on Sunday morning.
We think community is important. Another important win is seeing people getting involved in a Community Group. True involvement and engagement is difficult in a large gathering, but natural in a small one. We believe that spiritual growth is most likely to occur in our Community Groups.
An important win is seeing people getting involved in service. It takes a lot of people to make the ministry here at Argyle. People need to put their faith to work. Like our bodies, our faith needs exercise.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
More Wins...
In Student Ministry (7th-12th grade) we want to see students connecting and interacting in their small groups. Impact happens from 4-6 pm on Sunday. Our students enjoy their own praise and worship, hear from Student Pastor Rich Painter, then separate into grade and gender groups with their leaders. A win happens when a student connects to and participates in a small group. A win happens when they invite a friend to Outbreak, a periodic fun evening designed to engage unchurched teens. A win happens when a student participates in serving the body. A win happens when a student claims a place in the Body of Christ.
Our Student Ministry is based on the foundation of the 7 Checkpoints- click here to learn more.
Our Student Ministry is based on the foundation of the 7 Checkpoints- click here to learn more.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Some Win Statements In Children's Ministry...
One of our primary ministries at Argyle involves our kids. We have a lot of them in our family, and they are important to us. Click here to read about our Children's Ministry strategy.
Amazing Place is our environment for preschool kids. A win here is a kid who comes out of this environment knowing-
Another win is when we see families growing together. We want to partner with parents; we can never replace them in developing their kids spiritually. Family Times is a resource we encourage families to use to help their children in the rest of the week when they aren't here.
Amazing Place is our environment for preschool kids. A win here is a kid who comes out of this environment knowing-
- God made me
- God loves me
- Jesus wants to be my friend forever
- I need to make the wise choice
- I can trust God no matter what
- I need to others the way I want to be treated
- Jesus loves me so much He wants to save me forever
Another win is when we see families growing together. We want to partner with parents; we can never replace them in developing their kids spiritually. Family Times is a resource we encourage families to use to help their children in the rest of the week when they aren't here.
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