In these last few installments, we're looking at how to transition to the message. One simple way to segue to the sermon is by using scripture text the pastor's message is based on. I touched on this segue last week by suggesting using video to present the scripture. That's one option.
Another option is a "worship team reader." Don't discount the power of gifted readers. They often will do a better job than the pastor at reading the selected text for that morning. Just like having team of talented vocalists who sing, build a team of talented readers who, well, read.
Here's what to look for:
A good sounding voice. They don't need to sound like the movie trailer announcers (unless you're reading from the book of Revelation). But they do need to have pleasant sounding voices.
Expressiveness in reading. Look for people with acting experience. Or people who enjoy getting up at poetry readings. Just make sure they're not over-the-top and dripping with too much expressiveness.
A love for scripture and a respect for this position. This person might have the ability to read it well even if they see it for the first time that morning. But your congregation will sense it if the reader has been soaking up that scripture during the week.
Here are some ways to facilitate this:
Communicate the passage as early in the week as possible. Be clear on which translation you want. And by the way, pastors: consider using a different translation than what you're preaching from. Especially if the passage is familiar. A paraphrased Bible like the Message can shake people from autopilot listening. But if the Message sounds too wonky ('cuz let's admit, while we love the Message, it does sound wonky in places), try something like the New Living Translation or Contemporary English Version.
Be clear on when the reader is to begin. And give instructions on moving into place before the previous element finishes. The ending of a song can provide a good starting point; the piano or guitar can just continue to underscore the reading. Coming out of this reading, the pastor can simply start his message or pray.
Be clear on where. And which mic. And does he need a music stand? Does the sound tech know this is happening?
Reinforce the scripture with visuals. Many people love having the scripture read to them. They likely are audible learners. Me, I'm checked out within two sentences, unless the reader is especially engaging. I'm a visual learner. And there's a lot of people like me, so put the text on the screen. You can also invite people to follow along from their Bible, unless it's a not-so-common translation for your church. Then people think more about the difference between the two versus what's being said. By the way, kinesthetic learners, I'm not sure what to tell you in order to pay attention. Maybe you need to be the upfront reader and do interpretive movements while you read.
Just a suggestion.
For more ideas for scripture reading, see segue #12 part 1 and part 2.
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Showing posts with label scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scripture. Show all posts
28 Ways to Create Great Segues - #26
Connecting to the Message, Part 2
A few segues ago, we talked about the ins and outs, literally, of using videos. In that case, the clip was the service element we were transitioning to and from. But now we’re using a video to get us to the next thing: the message.
Since the decisions for this segue are up to the preaching/teaching pastor, I’m going to direct my comments directly to the him. The rest of you can listen in. (And you may want to remind him of a few things as you’re planning next week’s service. Just a suggestion…) There are a few different kinds of videos you could use to transition:
The Movie Clip – hopefully you’re showing this because it illustrates a main point or application of your message. Remember, only youth pastors have the luxury of showing movie clips that are completely unrelated to their talks. (But at least you get the chance to show movie clips. The only videos worship pastors get to use are swirly motion backgrounds behind the song lyrics.)
For this to be a true segue to the message, you’ll need to run it between your message and the preceding element. You might need to set it up, but sometimes it’s better if you don’t. Keep us guessing while we watch it. It’s creates a little positive tension and anticipation.
The Sermon Illustration Video. You usually have two choices on these kind of videos. The first is a light-hearted, humorous sketch that gets a point across with some laughs. The second, some sort of emotion-tugging vignette that evokes either guilt or tears (or both) and usually has Casting Crowns playing in the background. Go with the laughs. None of us are ready for “Every Man” right out of the chute.
The "Man on the Street" Interview. Just make sure the question being ask actually applies to your message. Even though you like watching Kirk Cameron going all "Ten Commandments" on some pagan, that really won't segue us to a message on tithing. Unless, you promise to never to show Kirk Cameron videos again. Then we'll put more in the offering.
Testimony/Faith Story Video. This could range from some personal stories in your church, stories from the mission fields you support, or even faith stories are resonating around the country/world. That latter you can find on SermonSpice.com, etc.
Scripture Video - This might be something produced by one of the worship video production companies, or you can go homemade. Record the scripture read by a good reader. Add some background music and text for visuals. The video part could easily be accomplished by your projection software. And if you don't have a reader, use a clip from an audio Bible - but just not that version that sounds like Vincent Price read it. There's several audio Bibles out there now that have been read by celebrities. So you could actually have Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Paisley's wife or Bo Duke reading your passage for next Sunday.
As with any videos, apply same good practice of fading in/out and setting up the clip (if needed). Go here and here if you don’t remember.
A few segues ago, we talked about the ins and outs, literally, of using videos. In that case, the clip was the service element we were transitioning to and from. But now we’re using a video to get us to the next thing: the message.
Since the decisions for this segue are up to the preaching/teaching pastor, I’m going to direct my comments directly to the him. The rest of you can listen in. (And you may want to remind him of a few things as you’re planning next week’s service. Just a suggestion…) There are a few different kinds of videos you could use to transition:
The Movie Clip – hopefully you’re showing this because it illustrates a main point or application of your message. Remember, only youth pastors have the luxury of showing movie clips that are completely unrelated to their talks. (But at least you get the chance to show movie clips. The only videos worship pastors get to use are swirly motion backgrounds behind the song lyrics.)
For this to be a true segue to the message, you’ll need to run it between your message and the preceding element. You might need to set it up, but sometimes it’s better if you don’t. Keep us guessing while we watch it. It’s creates a little positive tension and anticipation.
The Sermon Illustration Video. You usually have two choices on these kind of videos. The first is a light-hearted, humorous sketch that gets a point across with some laughs. The second, some sort of emotion-tugging vignette that evokes either guilt or tears (or both) and usually has Casting Crowns playing in the background. Go with the laughs. None of us are ready for “Every Man” right out of the chute.
The "Man on the Street" Interview. Just make sure the question being ask actually applies to your message. Even though you like watching Kirk Cameron going all "Ten Commandments" on some pagan, that really won't segue us to a message on tithing. Unless, you promise to never to show Kirk Cameron videos again. Then we'll put more in the offering.
Testimony/Faith Story Video. This could range from some personal stories in your church, stories from the mission fields you support, or even faith stories are resonating around the country/world. That latter you can find on SermonSpice.com, etc.
Scripture Video - This might be something produced by one of the worship video production companies, or you can go homemade. Record the scripture read by a good reader. Add some background music and text for visuals. The video part could easily be accomplished by your projection software. And if you don't have a reader, use a clip from an audio Bible - but just not that version that sounds like Vincent Price read it. There's several audio Bibles out there now that have been read by celebrities. So you could actually have Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Paisley's wife or Bo Duke reading your passage for next Sunday.
As with any videos, apply same good practice of fading in/out and setting up the clip (if needed). Go here and here if you don’t remember.
28 Ways to Make Great Segues: Segue #15 - The Offering (part 2)
What to do during the offering...
I know, this series is about segues, but, if we're honest, what accompanies the offering is, in a sense, a segue. The offering is the main thing--what we're really after. Not a in a greedy way, but in a "let's keep our lights on and feed the youth pastor's kids."
The offering might be the most tangible act of worship for some people: a true sacrifice unto God. But unlike other elements of corporate worship, it's highly individualized and momentary. Once a person chooses to give and prepares his offering (writing a check, putting cash in an envelope - or in many cases now, setting up online bill payment), the actual offering only engages that worshiper for the 6 seconds that he watches the plate arrive on his right and 2 seconds to pass it left.
So it might help us to look at whatever accompanies the offering as a secondary element of worship, and really, one big segue. It's not less important, it's just serving the main thing of the moment. It moves us from the prayer, throughout the passing, and on to the next element.
That's not my issue with it. The problem with special music is, after awhile, it's not that special. Especially if your soloist line-up isn't too deep.* And let's face it, ever since the Church Lady, the word special isn't what it used to be in our culture.
So to bring the specialness back to specials we should probably 1) up the ante significantly, but that's hard to do week after week. And even excellence gets taken for granted over time. Or 2) limit the number of specials, so they are unique, high-quality moments that bless people.
So without the special, what do we use to segue through the offering?
Can we keep being real here? Few churches struggle with filling time. Most have enough content to fill two services. So is it wrong to look at our offering as a time to accomplish some other things? Like...
Maybe one that tees up the message, or one that leads to the next set of worship songs.
...another set of worship music...
We do this most Sunday's at my church. It's a great place to do a new or newer song. People are sitting and more relaxed. They can just take in the words. And here's a segue within a segue: think about an an appropriate moment in that worship set to invite people to stand, that is, if you're folks aren't spontaneous standers. (Spontaneous standers - that sounds like a medical condition a drug company would make up). A side benefit to this is that it eliminates another hand-off -- it allows the worship leader, or even one of the vocalists, to intro the offering and pray into it.
...faith story/testimony...
We'll talk about transitioning to these in an upcoming post.
...a video element...
A well-done, well placed 3-minute video can move and prepare a person in ways that singing and sermons can't. Google some of these names - Shift Worship, Worship House Media, Sermon Spice, or just search "worship videos".
...begin the sermon...
Really? Why not? The pastor is probably up front already. And the beginning of most sermons is light, so the passing of the plate wouldn't detract from it, or vice-versa.
...dismiss kids....
So the ushers may have to dodge a few ankle-biters on the way to their program. This is a much better spot to let the kids go than stopping the flow between songs.
"As the plate is being passed, grab your bulletin and let's see what's happening this week at our church." OK, now we're stepping in it. The once-sacred moment of tithes and offerings is now used to hawk bake sales and Beth Moore Bible studies. Look at it this way: it's a perfect time to connect the offering to the church's vision being played out week to week: "The reason we can have this incredible outreach this next Saturday is because of your faithful giving." And the plate being passed is a visual reinforcement of that.
We don't want to get too utilitarian with all this. The offering is an act of worship. But we are stewards of the time our congregation has given us on Sunday morning. Let's make the most of it.
###
28 Ways to Make Great Segues: Segue #13
Segue #13 - Selah
Selah is one of those words that scholars guess at, kinda like how we guess at what's going on with Donald Trump's hair. I like how the Amplified Bible describes it: pause, and think of that. Selah that is, not the Don's bangs.
Our cultural ADD doesn't do "pause and ponder" well. We pause, but it's usually to turn our attention to something else. Stopping and being quiet--that's tough. But that could be one of the most needed practices in our church. And just like prayer and scripture, the purposeful pause of Selah can be both a segue and it's own element of worship.
One of my favorite Selahs in the Book of Psalms is in chapter 77. Asaph's is in a bad way. God does not seem to be there. Verse after verse he focuses on his present anguish and God's inactivity. Then we have our first Selah.* He's is now digging through his memories of the good days when God was there and songs poured from his heart. This only makes the present pit worse. It takes Asaph to where his heart has rarely gone: Has God forgotten me? (it's even more raw in the Message).
And now we have my favorite Selah. After sinking deep inside himself, Asaph pauses and unfolds himself outward. He begins to think about God, His mighty works, His awesome wonder. At the apex of Asaph's gut-wrenching song he declares:
And that might be the power of a Selah -- a pause to allow us to wrestle with our circumstances, our pain, our shame, our sin and idolatry, and see that God is there. Not inside our self-focused heart. But outside. Outside waiting to come in and be our focus, our center. And it's out of a Selah like that we sing not the I, the me and the we songs, but a song that proclaims
*note: you won't see the Selah markings in the BibleGateway link to NIV - if you want to see them, click on the ESV translation
Selah is one of those words that scholars guess at, kinda like how we guess at what's going on with Donald Trump's hair. I like how the Amplified Bible describes it: pause, and think of that. Selah that is, not the Don's bangs.
One of my favorite Selahs in the Book of Psalms is in chapter 77. Asaph's is in a bad way. God does not seem to be there. Verse after verse he focuses on his present anguish and God's inactivity. Then we have our first Selah.* He's is now digging through his memories of the good days when God was there and songs poured from his heart. This only makes the present pit worse. It takes Asaph to where his heart has rarely gone: Has God forgotten me? (it's even more raw in the Message).
And now we have my favorite Selah. After sinking deep inside himself, Asaph pauses and unfolds himself outward. He begins to think about God, His mighty works, His awesome wonder. At the apex of Asaph's gut-wrenching song he declares:
Your ways, O God, are holy.Asaph's heart had turned inward on itself. God couldn't be found there. But he turned and acknowledge through the pain that not only is God holy, but His ways are holy. Asaph doesn't understand it. His pain isn't gone. His circumstances haven't changed, but his focus has.
What god is so great as our God
And that might be the power of a Selah -- a pause to allow us to wrestle with our circumstances, our pain, our shame, our sin and idolatry, and see that God is there. Not inside our self-focused heart. But outside. Outside waiting to come in and be our focus, our center. And it's out of a Selah like that we sing not the I, the me and the we songs, but a song that proclaims
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God
*note: you won't see the Selah markings in the BibleGateway link to NIV - if you want to see them, click on the ESV translation
28 Ways to Make Great Segues: Segue #12, pt.2
Segue #12 - Scripture, part 2
We talked in part 1 about why scripture is a "segue on steroids." Now let's look at how we can use this muscle to carry us between between songs.
A Connector of Themes
This Sunday we're singing Crown Him With Many Crowns and then moving into Hillsong's Hosanna. Hosanna's lyrics are heavily drawn from Psalm 24. As the last chord of Crown Him... is ringing out, the leader will read verses 24:7-10, which connects to the King theme in Crown Him.... As the leader concludes with...
This scripture connects the different--but related--themes between these two songs. It also helps transition us from the big ending of a big anthem to the more subdued beginning of Hosanna. And here's a bonus: we're revisiting the Psalm 24 during the instrumental of Hosanna by using verses 3-6, which is a great set up for the bridge.
Stories
Often we look for verses from Psalms or an epistle, but don't forget about narrative passages of scripture. Once I wanted use John 11:25-26 (where Jesus tells Martha that he is "resurrection and the life") to segue into a song focused on new life. Some wild hair struck and I decided to use the whole passage, starting at verse 17 and concluding with Martha's confession of belief and faith in Jesus as the Messiah. I honestly don't remember what specific songs I was bridging that Sunday, but the power of reading Jesus' (and Martha's) words in context of the story is something I won't forget. As I read Christ's words, "I am the resurrection..." a flood of emotion hit me. I could barely finish. Not only did the story help deepen the experience of verses 25-26, but that scripture then stayed with us as we sang about new life in Christ.
Collage
Don't limit yourself to one passage. Maybe you're singing Redman's Blessed Be the Name and moving to Baloche's Your Name. Try a collage of scriptures that focus on the Name of God. This page contains an example you can download and use (scroll a bit to find it). I have available a few other scripture collages you can swipe: God's "Greatness", "Who is Like You" and the "Love of God."
Multiple Voices
When using longer passages or multiple scriptures (like the collages), consider using more than one reader. Multiple readers can add energy and variety. This could be a whole article in itself, but I'll move on with one admonishment: encourage your readers to use inflection and emotion--and at a pace that doesn't drag.
Great Tool
The links on the scripture references above took you to BibleGateway.com. Outside of personal quiet time, I use this site more than I use a hard copy Bible. Within a couple clicks you can see scores of translations for the passage you're looking up. Can't remember the reference? Just type in the phrase or word you're looking for. The same keyword search also allowed me to easily assemble those scripture collages. As you're planning these segues, having a tool like this gold.
Underscoring
Should we put music under these scripture readings? When it's a short scripture connecting two songs with disparate styles or keys, don't use music. Let the reading do the heavy lifting of the segue. Also, the non-musical moment will cleanse our sonic palette for the next song.
Almost always use a musical bed or underscore during longer scripture. You can allow the reader to fly solo for a few moments after the previous song ends, but ease in some guitar or piano noodling that can easily take us to the intro of the next song.
We'll talk a little more about using scripture as a segue when we look at connecting non-musical elements of the service.
We talked in part 1 about why scripture is a "segue on steroids." Now let's look at how we can use this muscle to carry us between between songs.
A Connector of ThemesThis Sunday we're singing Crown Him With Many Crowns and then moving into Hillsong's Hosanna. Hosanna's lyrics are heavily drawn from Psalm 24. As the last chord of Crown Him... is ringing out, the leader will read verses 24:7-10, which connects to the King theme in Crown Him.... As the leader concludes with...
Who is he, this King of glory?the vocalists will begin singing the opening lines of Hosanna: "I see the King of Glory..."
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
This scripture connects the different--but related--themes between these two songs. It also helps transition us from the big ending of a big anthem to the more subdued beginning of Hosanna. And here's a bonus: we're revisiting the Psalm 24 during the instrumental of Hosanna by using verses 3-6, which is a great set up for the bridge.
Stories
Often we look for verses from Psalms or an epistle, but don't forget about narrative passages of scripture. Once I wanted use John 11:25-26 (where Jesus tells Martha that he is "resurrection and the life") to segue into a song focused on new life. Some wild hair struck and I decided to use the whole passage, starting at verse 17 and concluding with Martha's confession of belief and faith in Jesus as the Messiah. I honestly don't remember what specific songs I was bridging that Sunday, but the power of reading Jesus' (and Martha's) words in context of the story is something I won't forget. As I read Christ's words, "I am the resurrection..." a flood of emotion hit me. I could barely finish. Not only did the story help deepen the experience of verses 25-26, but that scripture then stayed with us as we sang about new life in Christ.Collage
Multiple Voices
When using longer passages or multiple scriptures (like the collages), consider using more than one reader. Multiple readers can add energy and variety. This could be a whole article in itself, but I'll move on with one admonishment: encourage your readers to use inflection and emotion--and at a pace that doesn't drag.
Great ToolThe links on the scripture references above took you to BibleGateway.com. Outside of personal quiet time, I use this site more than I use a hard copy Bible. Within a couple clicks you can see scores of translations for the passage you're looking up. Can't remember the reference? Just type in the phrase or word you're looking for. The same keyword search also allowed me to easily assemble those scripture collages. As you're planning these segues, having a tool like this gold.
Underscoring
Should we put music under these scripture readings? When it's a short scripture connecting two songs with disparate styles or keys, don't use music. Let the reading do the heavy lifting of the segue. Also, the non-musical moment will cleanse our sonic palette for the next song.
Almost always use a musical bed or underscore during longer scripture. You can allow the reader to fly solo for a few moments after the previous song ends, but ease in some guitar or piano noodling that can easily take us to the intro of the next song.
Small Church/Big Worship - 10 Ways The Senior Pastor Can Make This Sunday Remarkable
Here are ten ideas to reshape your worship experience.
1. Plan your segues.
Let's face it, smaller churches are known for poorly planned, start-and-stop, no-flow services. Small churches can produce a "wow-factor" for guests (and regular attendees) by simply creating intentional transitions from one service element to the next. (see blog series for more on segues)
Underscore any scripture reading or longer prayer with light guitar or piano, or even soft recorded music. If using a recorded song, instruct the sound tech to avoid the abrupt on/off. Those little plastic "slider-thingys" are called "faders" for a reason.
3. Addition by Subtraction, ONE: Cut the number of worship songs in half.
Inform the team (yes, even the pianist) that since they only have three songs versus six, you're "strongly encouraging" them to memorize the words and music. They may balk, but throw it out as a challenge. If they rise to it, they will find the worship experience to be much deeper because of their ability to sing and play from the heart. And since the team won't have their heads buried in their stands, they will draw in your congregation more than usual. [If they really won't buy it, put a sanctified wager on who looks at their notes more: you during your message or the team during their songs.]
4. Addition by Subtraction, TWO: Get rid of the musical clutter.
Ask the music director/worship leader to encourage the team to play only half of what they normally would during the verses of each song. Less strumming on the guitar, less beats on the drums, fewer fingers on the piano, fewer voices on the mics (the others can sing, just "off mic"), and sing only the melody, no parts. Heck, you might even want to take a few instruments completely out of the mix. Here's why. First fact: verses usually contain more words than the chorus or bridge. Second fact: most worship teams overplay. Couple those facts and you get musical clutter competing with worship.
5. Addition by Subtraction THREE: Cut your announcement time by 75% (or even 100%).
Make announcements that only pertain to 60% or more of the church. While you're at it, script them. That doesn't mean read it word for word; it's just a clearer path to succinctness. And...(file this in "I hate to say it")...you're probably not as good on the fly as you think you are. I know I'm not.
"We're trying to reach the five-square mile neighborhood that surrounds our church building. A significant number of those people drive past our church everyday. What kind of impression do we give them when our paint is peeling, our gutters are sagging and weeds are overtaking the landscape. We're having a massive work day this next Saturday...."
7. Visually connect with emotions versus intellect.
When using PowerPoint for announcements and the message, use pictures to emotionally reinforce the point instead of a written summary of what you just said. People remember pictures and emotions more than bullet points.
8. Stop letting your sound guy play the PromiseKeepers '99 CD before the service.
Create a mix CD of uptempo, fresh songs that will set a great tone as people walk in. Bonus: if possible, use your CD creation software to crossfade the songs. This will eliminate "dead air". You can also create a cross-fading playlist on iTunes and run it straight from your projection computer.
9. Choose one element that occurs each week and scrap it.Or, at the very least, change it significantly. (Communicate really, really well to those it might affect...)
10. Make prayer during your corporate worship both corporate and worship.
Change your prayer time from being request-driven (Betty's cousin's former classmate is having cataract surgery) to being worship-driven (we seek His face and give Him glory and honor before asking for anything...hint: pray scriptures). And from being pastor-led to pastor-prompted. For example, when praying for those who are sick, invite people to say aloud the first name the person. Then after a moment, pray for those names as group. (Again, a great place to pray scripture.) God doesn't need the details...you know, as an omniscient Being and all that. This works for praying for lost people, people who need jobs, and--be bold on this one--corporate sin to be confessed.
Worship leaders and larger churches, you can try some of this stuff, too. But I want to encourage the senior pastors of smaller churches that transforming their worship services is in their grasp. Small, continuous efforts over time will create a new culture of corporate worship in your church.
Let me know how it goes. And if you have other ideas, post a reply.
28 Ways to Make Great Segues: Segue #12, pt.1
Segue #12 - Scripture
Transitioning from one song to another with scripture is like segue on steroids. (Without the 'roid rage.) Here are several reasons:
ONE - It's a Compass
Using scripture, especially amongst man-written songs, is a compass. Are the songs we choose based in the Bible? We sure try. Are many of them "inspired"? Yes, but "little-i" inspired, not INSPIRED. As in God-breathed, inerrant Word of God, needle-pointing True North.
As we flow from one song to another, a segue through scripture re-centers our heart and re-orients our minds.
TWO - It's Common Ground
As I lead my congregation from the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy into the Revelation Song via a reading from Revelation 5, I'm creating common ground for a diverse crowd. For instance, the older generation in my church have a long history with Holy, Holy, Holy. The younger generations, not nearly as much, if at all. Likewise, the Revelation Song may move many of the us Xers, Millennials, and--thanks to Phillips, Craig and Dean--the Boomers; but our Builders may not connect as well.
So to bring in chapter 5 of John's Revelation, it reflects where we've been (Holy, Holy, Holy) and where we're going (Revelation Song), and is neither "old" or "new." It is ancient and future. The living and active Word becomes a common ground for the generations.
THREE - It Provides a Unique Context
We don't know what God might be doing in people as they encounter a scripture in a different context. Maybe someone slogged through Job a few years ago during a painful "One Year Through the Bible" attempt. Imagine him now seeing chapter 9 as your team moves out of "Indescribable" into another song describing His greatness. His ears are still ringing with "you place the stars in the sky and you call them by name..." and then he encounters:
FOUR - It's a Catalyst
Our well-meant words of encouragement and cajoling from the stage hold nothing compared to THE WORD.
Scripture, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, can stir and convict, rip and tear, melt and move. It puts the responsibility for changing hearts squarely back into the lap of Jesus Christ, where it belongs. It's not our job. That, friends, is very good news.
We'll put a comma here and continue this segue in part two where we'll talk about some practical application. But before I sign off, I gotta get something off my chest: the alliteration with compass, common ground, etc....yeah, well, to all my Boomer friends who like that sort of thing - glad I could give it to you. To my GenX cohorts and younger Millennial brothers and sisters, I apologize. I was three words in when I realized they all started with a hard C and I just couldn't resist...
Transitioning from one song to another with scripture is like segue on steroids. (Without the 'roid rage.) Here are several reasons:
ONE - It's a Compass
Using scripture, especially amongst man-written songs, is a compass. Are the songs we choose based in the Bible? We sure try. Are many of them "inspired"? Yes, but "little-i" inspired, not INSPIRED. As in God-breathed, inerrant Word of God, needle-pointing True North.
As we flow from one song to another, a segue through scripture re-centers our heart and re-orients our minds.
TWO - It's Common Ground
As I lead my congregation from the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy into the Revelation Song via a reading from Revelation 5, I'm creating common ground for a diverse crowd. For instance, the older generation in my church have a long history with Holy, Holy, Holy. The younger generations, not nearly as much, if at all. Likewise, the Revelation Song may move many of the us Xers, Millennials, and--thanks to Phillips, Craig and Dean--the Boomers; but our Builders may not connect as well.
So to bring in chapter 5 of John's Revelation, it reflects where we've been (Holy, Holy, Holy) and where we're going (Revelation Song), and is neither "old" or "new." It is ancient and future. The living and active Word becomes a common ground for the generations.
THREE - It Provides a Unique Context
We don't know what God might be doing in people as they encounter a scripture in a different context. Maybe someone slogged through Job a few years ago during a painful "One Year Through the Bible" attempt. Imagine him now seeing chapter 9 as your team moves out of "Indescribable" into another song describing His greatness. His ears are still ringing with "you place the stars in the sky and you call them by name..." and then he encounters:
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
5 He moves mountains without their knowing it
and overturns them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place
and makes its pillars tremble.
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;
he seals off the light of the stars.
8 He alone stretches out the heavens
and treads on the waves of the sea.
9 He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
10 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
FOUR - It's a Catalyst
Our well-meant words of encouragement and cajoling from the stage hold nothing compared to THE WORD.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Scripture, through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, can stir and convict, rip and tear, melt and move. It puts the responsibility for changing hearts squarely back into the lap of Jesus Christ, where it belongs. It's not our job. That, friends, is very good news.
We'll put a comma here and continue this segue in part two where we'll talk about some practical application. But before I sign off, I gotta get something off my chest: the alliteration with compass, common ground, etc....yeah, well, to all my Boomer friends who like that sort of thing - glad I could give it to you. To my GenX cohorts and younger Millennial brothers and sisters, I apologize. I was three words in when I realized they all started with a hard C and I just couldn't resist...
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