Grow, Pursue, Serve

This blog post is actually my note to our Worship Choir here at FBC Tullahoma dated July 24, 2013.  I wanted to share this with a broader audience because I believe these three words and their phrases should be things we all strive to uphold.  These three words first came across my radar while serving at Grace Community Church in Cranberry Twp. PA.  Abbreviated they spell G.P.S.  So in borrowing a page from the past, I now use these words to help bring purpose and drive to the Music & Worship Ministry at FBC.

 

Greetings Choir!

As we begin a new church year, we are going to strive to uphold three key words:  Grow, Pursue, and Serve.

·        GROW – To grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

·        PURSUE – To pursue relationships with others.

·        SERVE – To serve the church and beyond through music ministry.

I could point to several passages of scripture that support the three key words mentioned above.  One passage that stands out though is Acts 2:42-47.

Acts 2:42-47

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Here we see a picture of what the early church disciples were doing as well as the results of their efforts.  Speaking of efforts, it is important to note that their efforts brought about tangible results.  Truth be told, if our efforts as a choir, music ministry, or as a church are not producing tangible results… I believe something is wrong and either needs changed or fixed.

Considering the scripture passage above, and utilizing our key words, allow me to share with you what I aspire to see as we move forward in later half of 2013 and the coming year, 2014.

GROW – It is my prayer that we all grow deeper in our relationship with Christ in the coming church year.  The reality is that we are all at different places in our faith walk so what this will look like for one person will be different for another.  I work hard to make sure that the music we sing is scripturally based.  Sometimes the music we sing is actually scripture itself.  So again, it is my prayer that as you sing, worship, hear devotionals, and fellowship with other believers, you will grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

PURSUE – The old saying goes, “If you want a friend, be a friend”. Actually that “old saying” rings pretty true.  I’ve heard so many folks say, “I don’t have any friends at church” or “No one ever talks to me”.  Well, do you talk to others?  Relationships take time and require effort on your part.  Funny… I have never heard of any “great” relationships that were one sided.  Fellowship doesn’t just happen.  Someone (possibly you) have to take the first step!

SERVE – If what we do as a choir is simply a matter of tradition than I say we quit doing it.  I believe that everything we do as a choir and as a church must be driven by a hopeful outcome.  We sing songs of praise and worship to God and about God with the hope that it will draw others to worship and praise Him.  We sing songs of testimony to say that we are human and are in need of the grace and hope of Christ ourselves.  At the end of the day, we do what we do with the hope that lives will be changed, and that people will be drawn closer to Christ.

I hope you will join with me in upholding these three key words.  I believe God wants to do great and mighty things in and through us in the coming year.  Let’s keep pressing on as we strive to grow, pursue, and serve together!

Blessings,

Pastor Christian