Forums

Worship and Style

2008-09-12T23:35:15Z

LHC is aiming toward a worship style that blends black gospel, contemporary Christian, and traditional hymnody together.

I have to admit, gospel has never been on my playlist. If I’m coming to church, I’m hoping for something more like Hillsong, Passion, etc. - basically white rock music. I’ve even come to enjoy and appreciate a lot of hymns for their content, even if the melodies can be, well… annoying at best.

The first few months I spent playing bass at LHC (acoustic guitar is my main gig), I wasn’t sure I would ever connect with a gospel worship style. I could play it (or fake it), but it wasn’t reaching my heart. After a while, though, it’s catching on. I’m beginning to get a feel for the gospel style. I even bought a gospel album yesterday so I could get more of a feel for it.

All that to say, when looking at worship and style, trying something new isn’t natural. It’s actually kind of annoying. But if you want to be a part of something different, you can’t expect to stay the same, either.

I’m looking forward to getting out of my comfort zone more, and helping others find God where they have never found him before - in new, unexpected places.

How do you feel about the combination of styles?

Finding a Church

2008-09-24T18:15:12Z

Finding a church is ridiculously difficult.

Location, doctrine, style, length, community, ministries… it’s like a Christmas wish list, and whether you’ve been naughty or nice really doesn’t help.

It took me about 5 months of coming to LHC meetings before I decided it was a community I wanted to become a commited part of. “Statistics say” (um… yeah) that it takes 6-12 months before a person feels a part of a community. That sounds about right.

We all want that love-at-first-sight feeling when we are looking for a new church, but just like the rest of life, it barely happens. And if it does, it’s usually a little while before the honeymoon phase is over and you realize the magic is gone. Then, time for a new church.

If you visit LHC, you’ll probably fall into one of three groups:

1. You’ll realize after one service that it really isn’t for you. (5%) - On to the next church.

2. You’ll fall head-over-heels in love with the people and the church. (5%) - Buy the ring and plan the wedding.

3. You’ll find a couple things you like, maybe some you don’t, and some you aren’t sure about. But it has potential. (90%)

If you find yourself in this last group, as I did, I invite you to come several times. Take the initiative to meet some people and let them know you’re new. Especially in a new congregation, we’re all new, so don’t be surprised if no one realized it’s your first time.

Say hello to some of the musicians (they’re nice), Pastor Sam, myself, and ask some questions. Get to know a bit about where the church hopes to go. See if your desires for Jesus working in the world match with LHC. If they do, come on back a few times. If not, keep seeking where the Lord might be taking you and repeat the process.

Finding a church isn’t easy, but it’s easier when those seeking learn to ask the right questions.

Godspeed, Spider-man.

What does a young adult ministry do?

2008-09-24T17:56:05Z

As I stepped into the role of leading the college/young adult ministry at LHC, I had a sudden realization:

I have no idea what I’m doing.

That’s a new place for me to be. I usually do whatever I’m comfortable with, things I’ve done before, things I know I do well so that I can’t screw it up. But now I’m in a place where the territory is all new, and it could be a bit daunting. Yes, it could.

The exciting things is that it can also be a look at a blank canvas. The best part of being at the beginning of anything is that you can help shape where it goes. It’s exciting. It also scares the mess out of me.

So, I’ll toss out a few questions:

What does a young adult ministry do?
What would you want it to look like?
Why?
What have you liked about other groups you’ve been a part of?
What did you not like?
How have you been disappointed by ministries in the past?

I’ve got some ideas, but I’d like the ideas of others. This isn’t my ministry. Ultimately it’s Christ’s to the world. Right after that, it belongs to the church.

Ready… Set… Go.

“Soft” Opening versus “Grand” Opening

2008-09-12T11:50:57Z

During the past year or so, I have been introduced to several models for “launching” a congregation. One of them is the “Grand Opening” approach. This model parallels the “Grand Opening” of a restaurant. In this model, you engage in a large & expensive mass-marketing campaign, and come out “smokin” with as much as possible in place on your first Sunday (services, nursery, discipleship hour, and the like). Those who have taken this approach plan for a large crowd for the “Grand Opening,” hoping that about 1/3 will come back for week 2. While that approach has merit, we have taken a different approach that retailers refer to as a “soft” opening, but we might call “organic.” Here’s the metaphor: the Lord planted a seed early in 2008 for Living Hope Church. In the past six months he has watered that seed and the shoot of what will become a large tree has surfaced. We refer to that seeding as the “Launch Team.” It includes about 25 people committed to being used by God to start Living Hope Church. Now, we pray that in the coming weeks, months and years, the Lord will water this seedling so that it grows into a beautiful tree. All that to say that we will begin with a very basic ministry: reformed, charismatic and multi-cultural worship. In the process, we will trust the Spirit to guide us into new developments for the ministry of Living Hope Church.

Towards a Multicultural Congregation

2008-09-12T11:59:05Z

We have embraced many core values (You may check out the complete list on our “About Us” page.), one of which is to be a multi-cultural fellowship: a congregation that includes, not only includes many races, but many cultures within those races. The Asian race, for example, includes many tribes and cultures, including, but not limited to the Chinese, Japanese, and South Koreans. In the same way, Euro-Americans in the southwest Suburbs of Chicago represent many tribes, including, but not limited to Polish-Americans and Dutch-Americans. My prayer is that the constituency of Living Hope Church include people of many races, tribes, nations and cultures to the extent that not one holds majority status within the gathered community. One strategy we have adopted towards reaching that goal is the adoption of a particular style of worship. Another strategy has been the development of a multi-cultural ministry team. It has been hard work to discover individuals who God has been preparing to partner with Living Hope Church. But the Lord is making a way! And I look forward with “living hope” to the unveiling of His plan for us.