Worship Services

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

duh

I mean do you call yourself Pastor? I know some churches have eschewed the term pastor for something like speaker or such...

I know in my church we try to use the more well defined terms such as elder, teacher, and deacon.

 

[Andry]

We were told that we were too avant-garde and such a plan would never work but, as it turns out, after two years, we are the fastest growing church in town having outgrown our third venue and in hopes of purchaing our own facilities.
\o/

And then comes the 'Building Fund' on the offering envelope? Just kidding.

 

[JimB]

And then comes the 'Building Fund' on the offering envelope? Just kidding.

No kidding!! And this next step scares me to death. We are always in danger of becoming just another dollar-fueled religious ministry and there's nothing like a building fund to lead you straight into the money-trap.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Jim
\o/

 

[JimB]

duh

I mean do you call yourself Pastor? I know some churches have eschewed the term pastor for something like speaker or such...

Personally, Sean, I discourage titles like – Reverend, Pastor, Dr., Brother, Elder, etc. – and prefer to be called by my Christian name, Jim. Our members are happy to oblige. If such “familiarity” breeds contempt or disrespect, I have failed to notice it.

My function in the church is “teaching pastor” and that’s what I do on Sunday morning and in groups through the week as well as manage everything else the rest of the time.

\o/

 

[Suffolk Sean]

Personally, Sean, I discourage titles like – Reverend, Pastor, Dr., Brother, Elder, etc. – and prefer to be called by my Christian name, Jim. Our members are happy to oblige. If such “familiarity” breeds contempt or disrespect, I have failed to notice it.

My function in the church is “teaching pastor” and that’s what I do on Sunday morning and in groups through the week as well as manage everything else the rest of the time.

\o/

So when can you move to Suffolk? I need a good church

 

[adamdavid]

They do not call us “Church Done Different” for nothing.
We begin with a continental breakfast and fellowship, followed by 20-25 minutes of worship with contemporary (mostly Vineyard-type) music led by a band.
We sit at tables as well as use conventional seating (about 50/50).

Our dress is casual. Last Sunday (97°) I taught in a golf shirt, cargo shorts, and sandals.

At the end of worship we take a 7-10 minute coffee break for fellowship.

No offering is taken but baskets are provided throughout the auditorium for those who want to give. (I have noticed no change in the giving amount when we do it this way and it frees people from feeling constrained to give because a plate is passed under their nose).

Announcements call the people back to their seats.

A Life-Lesson (we choose not to use the word sermon) is taught from a music stand and stool.

The lesson ends with a formal benediction and an opportunity for those who need prayer to receive ministry from trained volunteer ministry teams.
We were told that we were too avant-garde and such a plan would never work but, as it turns out, after two years, we are the fastest growing church in town having outgrown our third venue and in hopes of purchaing our own facilities.
\o/

What a wonderful sounding church... when I grow up, become a pastor, and plant a church, I'm putting those marvelous ideas to good use over on this side of the country! ... this sounds like a church I should go visit... road trip!

 

[TwistrAndy]

Our church is more of the old time worship, with mainly Southern Gospel, with a few Praise and Worship songs thrown in on Sunday night. We open in the morning with 2 songs by the choir, and depending on how the spirit moves it might take a while. And then we have the offering plate passed around, and then the preacher gives his message (which is very important to us) we make sure that there is always a message from the word every Sunday, in which about 3-4 messages in tongues and interpretations are given and sometimes a prophecy but not too often. And at the end we have the altar service, and we have 3 altars in front of each row of pews, and people are often hit with power and are slain in the spirit, or dance, or jump, or shout, or run the whole church over, and everyone pretty much is praying in tongues, some become drunk in the spirit, basically everyone who hits those altars, receives the Holy Ghost, or is hit with the power. Very good service, and I wouldn't leave it for anything in this world. But even during song, the power moves, and last Sunday around 6 people were running the aisles full speed, and the women who have their hair in bobby pins and clips, are often searching the floor for them after service, because when the power hits them they start slinging out their hair, and then out come the clips and pins. But, yeah I really like it alot and it fits me and I couldn't be more satisfied in a church. (This is the Church of God, Cleveland Assembly)

 

[selahmusic]

They do not call us “Church Done Different” for nothing.
We begin with a continental breakfast and fellowship, followed by 20-25 minutes of worship with contemporary (mostly Vineyard-type) music led by a band.
We sit at tables as well as use conventional seating (about 50/50).

Our dress is casual. Last Sunday (97°) I taught in a golf shirt, cargo shorts, and sandals.

At the end of worship we take a 7-10 minute coffee break for fellowship.

No offering is taken but baskets are provided throughout the auditorium for those who want to give. (I have noticed no change in the giving amount when we do it this way and it frees people from feeling constrained to give because a plate is passed under their nose).

Announcements call the people back to their seats.

A Life-Lesson (we choose not to use the word sermon) is taught from a music stand and stool.

The lesson ends with a formal benediction and an opportunity for those who need prayer to receive ministry from trained volunteer ministry teams.
We were told that we were too avant-garde and such a plan would never work but, as it turns out, after two years, we are the fastest growing church in town having outgrown our third venue and in hopes of purchaing our own facilities.
\o/

Great stuff!! We to have broken totally away from the traditional way of doing things and have also found a marked growth in our partnership. We dont even use the word CHURCH any more. Our fellowship is known as
"The River - Studio". The emphasis on production of media related christian products which we distribute via DVD, Video, tapes etc.

God Bless - keep up the good work!!

 

[MikeMcK]

so what are ya'll church services like? do ya like jump around n stuff, people have flags, or do u follow from hymm books and just occasionaly clap your hands? juss wonderin... I find the worship part of a service my favorite!

No jumping around and we meet in somebody's backyard, so we don't have any flags.

I'm the piano player and mostly we sing hymns, read a lot of scripture and spend a lot of time in prayer.

It's really a very powerful time and something that I look forward to.