7.08.2010

Looking for a church?


I’ve been wanting to write a post on some things to look out for when looking for a church. It can be difficult and I know a lot of people in transition (getting married/moving/etc.) and it’s hard to know what to look for and easy to keep bouncing from church to church. I think Shai Linne makes it real clear what the 1st mark of a healthy church is in his song “Expositional preaching.” So click play and follow along with the lyrics below!

(There’s a lot of confusion about what makes up a healthy church. So we’ll look at the 1st mark. Because without this one, you’re in bad shape)

With our raps we adore our Master and Lord/
Jesus Christ who deserves all our claps and applause/
For the wrath that he bore, at the cross for our blasts, acts of a whore/
He gave up his life with a passionate roar/
Was raised up to heights where he sat at before/
After this all, he gave pastors the call/
To ministry found in second Timothy chapter four/
Verse 1 and 2, what I first wanna’ do is come to you/
The church, to reverse a funny view/
So let me ask a question: “What’s most essential?/
What is that gives the local church it’s credential?”/
Some would say music, some would say deacons/
Others say preaching the lost and soul-seekin’/
But if  we wanna’ give God the glory in our meetin’s/
The most important things is Expository Preachin’/

Where are the Whitfields? Where are the the Spurgeons?/
Preach the Word, preach the Word/
We need sound theology to deal with reality/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
We got enough rappers, we need more pastors/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
We need  and deep application/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

(This verse is for the congregation, this is what you need to be listening for:)
Let me explain what I mean, it’s not too complex/
It’s preaching God’s word in its proper context/
As you listen, be discerning /
What you have to determine:/
Was the point of the passage, the point of the sermon?/
If not, then this problem must be confronted today/
Because he just used the Bible to say what he wanted to say/
And even if it’s delivered with fire and intelligence/
That’s basically making what God has inspired irrelevant/
Instead of applying the Word’s realities/
A lot of pastors relying on personality/
But give self-communication could never be a true replacement/
For the Holy Spirit’s illumination/
Without exposition you’ll lack major profit/
All you’ll get is tradition and your pastor’s favorite topics/
And that can be a slippery slope/
The word should be givin’ you hope/
This dude is just givin’ you jokes/
That won’t help you love Christ. It won’t help your obedience/
We need more expositors not more comedians/
Labor in the text, then faithfully connect/
You to the Savior, then wait for it’s effects/
God gives the increase; holiness, love, unity/
The Word faithfully preached builds up the whole community/
If not, your Sunday meal will not last/
And you’ll have to supplement it with a podcast/
No entertainers! That won’t sustain us/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
Careful instruction-not a big production/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
We don’t need theatrics and man-centered tactics/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
We’re on the brink of eternity, please speak earnestly/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/

(This verse is for the Pastors):
Ya ‘all should be mindful of this devout thesis:/
All of the Bible is about Jesus!/
The Old Testament? Jesus Christ concealed/
The New Testament? Jesus Christ revealed/
This truth of the Lord, Christ boldly conveyed this/
In Luke 24 on the Road to Emmaus/
The lot of prophets and the teaching of apostles/
All of these point back to Jesus and the gospel/
So if the work of Christ is what the Word is about/
Ultimately that should be what the sermons about/
Forget applause, ya gotta let the cross rock ya/
All roads in the bible lead to Golgotha/
Whatever the text, faithfulness demands/
That we should hear the echoes of nails hittin’ his hands/
Don’t try to be original, save the old story/
And watch your people change, as they behold glory/

The Glory of Jesus, we need to see this/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
Make Christ the center, so new life could enter/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
Give us the whole counsel along with the gospel/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!/
This is your duty, to show us God’s beauty/
Preach the Word! Preach the Word!

Note from Heather: Don’t think that because you are a woman the resources about preaching (that Shai Linne mentioned) are only for men. As women, they help us too. They help us to be discerning about the churches we attend. I read “He is Not Silent” by Albert Mohler. It’s about preaching. I will never be a pastor but that doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant for me. 

7 comments:

  1. Heather, you continue to impress me :)!!!

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  2. we need more authors, to bring us softer
    blog the word blog the word
    its HRD, and she keeps the dose steady
    blog the word blog the word!

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  3. I'm gonna guess the Anon comment is one of those Giusti's!

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  4. Thanks for posting Heather. Shai is right on.

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  5. I was looking for the lyrics to share in a seminar I am invited to speak.. Thanks for providing..

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  6. Hope the lyrics are enjoyed Bernard!

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  7. Whatever the text, faithfulness demands/
    That we should hear the echoes of nails hittin’ his hands/
    Don’t try to be original, save the old story/
    And watch your people change, as they behold glory/

    I can't stop crying over this. The call of God, the desires of my new little heart, the material of his handiwork, the Scriptures of his breath, the blood of His Son, the glory of our God explodes in my mind when I think of this song and these four little lines.

    Thank you for posting these lyrics.

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