Family Sunday

This weekend we are trying out what we are calling "Family Sunday" at Sanctuary.  We are inviting our 1st - 5th graders into Big Church with mom and dad.  The service will be kid friendly with an extra transition (to combat those focus challenged), worship will be lively and includes songs that the kids are familiar with, and the message will be shortened with the idea of being in and out in 60 minutes or less (we usually run 75 minutes).  We have prepared activity sheets to be passed out at the door tailored to the topic of the day - "Would you rather be the seed...or the fruit?"

The whole idea is to promote the family while exposing kids to the "look, feel and smell" of Big Church, in hopes that when they grow up they will always return to what's familiar...the church!  In order for this to be most effective, I believe we must be confident enough in our children's program so that after Family Sunday, the kids will return to their own age-appropriate church experience without hesitation while still looking forward to the next Family Sunday.

Here it goes - Beta Test 1.0!

Where Did Time Go?

Yesterday life as I know it changed completely.  The day seemed bright enough and started out as any Monday with staff meetings and a debrief about the weekend's church experience.  Then, about 11:00 I received the first text message:

"Can you pick me up during 6th hour?"

My reply:  "Why?"

"Because Kyle's mom said the DMV gets really crowded after school, so I want to go early."

Yes, that's right - the Department of Motor Vehicles.  Yesterday, my son got his driver's permit.  Suddenly, the day wasn't as bright and it certainly wasn't business as usual!  Don't get me wrong - I'm very happy for Josh as he passes this milestone in his life.  But, it reminded me of my age (it's so cruel that when he gets older, so do I).  More importantly, however, it made it clear that the days of hugging, tickling and smooching all over Josh are done.  He is closer to manhood today than yesterday and my role as his mother is evolving. 

I will hold onto the memories of Josh as a child fondly and try to embrace the new experiences of him as a young "man."  A bright side - with his freedom, I gain some freedom.  Oh the cruel irony...

What Would You Do?

I heard a very intriguing story the other day that made me question - What Would I Do?  Here's the story (I don't know all of the details, so forgive me if I take "Hollywood liberties" to make the story fit my purposes):

The Mesa campus of a multi-campus church (you can guess which one) had been meeting for quite some time in what I would call a "permanent portable" space.  The space was small, but had been modified to fit the growing number of people attending each weekend.  One recent Thursday afternoon, a new fire marshall came to inspect the space.  No big deal, right?  Well, the new fire marshall wasn't as accommodating as previous officials and informed the staff that they were only approved for occupancy of up to 49 people.  And, in fact, if even 1 more person occupied that space on Sunday, there would be arrests.

Well, of course there were definitely more than 49 people expected in about 2 days!

I'm going to pause right here to set the stage:  As a multi-campus site, there are screens, projectors and satellite equipment to consider, stages, intelligent lighting, band and sound equipment, and that doesn't even account for the children's space.  It's Mesa in August, so temperatures are well above 100 degrees, and things like the kid's "moon bounce" literally melt outside.  There are only 2 days to figure this out, only 1 actual business day.

Now - What Would YOU do?

How many of us would realize that there's not much that can be done for this weekend, cancel church for just this Sunday and focus on getting a space available for the following weekend?  Who could blame us for this decision...really? There's only 1 business day to come up with a solution, and after all, it would be a huge stretch to even get something in place for the next week!  I would be willing to bet that the majority of people would take this approach.

How the staff reacted to this adversity is what sets them apart from the majority.  They kicked it into high gear, rented tents and cooling equipment and moved it outside.  That Sunday, when the officials arrived, there were no laws violated and people were praising God showing that nothing will stop those who really desire to worship Him!

So - What Would You do?  When things get tough, are you willing to do what it takes to persevere?  Who or what is your "fire marshall?" Maybe it's a family member. Maybe it's coworkers who seem to want to quash your dreams.  Maybe it's your financial situation.  Call on the strength given to us by our God and show your "fire marshall" that you mean business!

Sanctuary

When I first heard the new name of our church, I went back to the Disney version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, where the Hunchback screams out "Sanctuary, Sanctuary."  Before getting involved in "the ministry," I remember feeling Sanctuary as a church attender - never wanting to leave the safety within those walls.

We launched the new name and new look this Sunday and it was a huge success!  The launch included a totally revamped children's ministry.  The place had a buzz about it!  In time, we will be able to measure the success through growth...but for now, the only way I can describe it is the place felt "light" and alive instead of the heavy, dull feeling that it had just the week before.

Check out the new Sanctuary Kids logo - I love it and look forward to all that God is going to do through this program and this church!  Kuddos to the entire team and incredible volunteers that pulled it all together.

Comfort

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."  Psalm 94:19 NIV

'The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast.  When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.' Psalm 94:18-19 Msg

Kids in Big Church

I have recently been challenged to consider the merit of kids attending church with their parents as a family.  Like many people "my age" (whatever that means), I spent many Sundays sitting next to mom and dad in church, trying very hard not to wiggle and fidget, and equally hard not to fall asleep.  I can honestly say I don't remember a single sermon.  But, I did learn many things that have shaped my Christian walk today:

• How to use a hymnal and the difference between it and the Bible;
• That pews are very uncomfortable - especially the ones without padding;
• That the pastor always has 3 points;
• All of the words to "Come Just As You Are;"
• That lunch after church is always crowded, but extra tasty.
• Sorry - okay, seriously I learned:  What it means to worship God through song, prayer and the occasional "responsive reading;"
• Respect for those around me as they may be worshipping differently than me;
• Respect for Scripture as it is read aloud and studied;
• The power of the family all believing in Christ together as we discussed the sermon during the extra tasty lunch at the local pancake house.

What I didn't learn in "Big Church" was how the foundational principles of faith in Christ could be applied to me as a child.  

As a Children's Pastor, my main mission is to do everything possible to bring children to Christ by first laying the foundational principles of God's love as evidenced by His son's life, death and resurrection...THEN teach them how to apply these principles now and for the rest of their lives.  I believe to do this effectively we must have an engaging, relevant, age-appropriate service each and every week.  

But, are we sacrificing some of the importance of family in ministry together?  Maybe a little - but I still believe kids in Big Church each week is not the answer.  However, I'm opening up to a new possibility - offering a "family friendly" service once a quarter where kids age 3 and up attend Big Church with mom and dad - giving kids a chance to hear, see, smell and feel what it means to share the experience of God with the entire family.  The conversations at the local IHOP may change a bit, but the difference will likely be seen years later when these kids have children of their own and are as engaged in church as they were when they were kids...because they know what to expect.

What do you think?

Question

Want to hear your thoughts on this - please post your comment!  

Do you prefer a church service that is "roughly" 1 hour, with room for the Holy Spirit to "move" within worship or the message?  Or, do you prefer a predictable church service that starts on time and always ends on time, where worship and the message do not vary in length from week to week?

If you prefer a more "rigid" service that lasts exactly 1 hour each week, do you feel this gives the Holy Spirit time to move or are we putting "Him" in a box?

I can argue either way - just wondering what you think.

Something Bigger than Myself

We hear all the time that we need to be involved in something "bigger than ourselves."  This is a great way to sum up being in ministry and sounds so noble...so honorable.  But the truth is, it is really really hard!  Sometimes I just want to be myself, not something bigger.  Sometimes I just want to sink into my fuzzy couch and tune the rest of the world totally out.  Tonight is one of those times!

Truth is - God's calling for my life is much larger than I ever expected.  Tonight I am looking for God's strength, energy, clarity, focus and His love.  Tonight is a "valley" time, and I know that He will pull me out of this valley and I will soon be once again on the mountain top.  Thankfully, there are two good things about being in the valley - first, there's no place but up; second, I can't rely on myself to climb out - I am forced to put my total trust, faith and hope in God.  

Albeit difficult, the valley is a good place to be...really?  I mean...really.  "Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done; He'll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon."  Psalms 37:5-8 Msg.