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In regards to using the latest tv shows and movies as “drawing cards” in our church gatherings. I’ve heard it said that we can “leverage culture” by doing tv and movie parodies, graphic ripoffs, and musical spoofs. That it’s a “cool” way to connect with people who aren’t churched.

Why would anyone want to connect to a movie or tv show in church when they can do it at hulu.com?

I appreciate that some of the big popular churches known for doing this are doing less and less of this and I think it generated quite a buzz in the church world which has continued to trickle down for some years, but honestly do we really believe that parodying the hottest movie or tv show has any LASTING effect on people?

Most research these days is saying that people (unchurched) are tired of churches attempt to connect with them through pop culture, modern architecture, and “cool” church.

But Don’t People Think It’s Cool When We Use Entertainment They’re Familiar With?

People aren’t dumb. When they do come in the doors they aren’t looking for something that lightly tickles their fancy in a culturally relevant way. Most people that haven’t come to church at all are there because they are specifically seeking something bigger than they are.

My personal opinion, which I do submit as opinion, is that once people get past the novelty of the latest cultural parody, they’re left with the harsh reality that most churches can’t offer what they really long for.

TRUE CONNECTION.

1) with God
2) with people
3) with something bigger than themselves

I think more times than not WE (and I do include myself in this statement) are impressed by our own efforts to leverage culture so much that we become blinded to the reality of what’s happening around us. People aren’t growing in the faith.

What does it profit the Church if she has the latest technology, graphics, parodies, songs, but loses her soul?

If the Church can design with the textures of angels but doesn’t have love, she’s just a resounding gong.

If the Church says she loves God through technology, art, design, music, etc…but hates her brother (by not truly serving them in a meaningful life-impacting way), she’s a liar.

This isn’t a blast on churches who use parody, cool graphics, or technoglory, or whatever. It’s a blast on me. And you. And whoever can admit that there is a ton of cool stuff out there and we SHOULD use every tool available in our arsenal to reach people…

But…

But past that. Reaching people isn’t good enough. We need to be discipling, loving, encouraging, sharing communion with, praying with, etc. Our emphasis needs to be on the Gospel, which can be summed up by Loving God & Loving People.

So What Am I Doing?

Honestly, I’m learning and growing daily in this area. I “know” all of this. I’ve grown up hearing all this for years. But as a church staffer, how do we go from “knowing” to living? My goal as a follower of the words of Jesus is to be more than just a Music and Media Coordinator. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing what I do and I KNOW BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT that this particular season of my life journey IS indeed making impact in people’s lives.

People do come and enjoy our cool environments at HOJ. They are impressed by our well-designed presentations. They do get crunk with our music. I believe that’s OK! It’s not wrong to use every tool in our arsenal to reach people.

Here’s where I really feel challenged though. I want to spend more time with about 8 other people in my life.

Oh, sure we have a weekly small group. We host and lead it. The couples who come are AWESOME!

But I want more. I want to do life together. I want to be life friends. Not just once a week friends.

Lydia and I have some friends (couples) who we really believe are of that caliber. Our relationships are getting deeper. We spend a lot of time together. We hang out a lot!

REAL CHURCH

This is where I believe real church happens: After the guitar is unplugged. After the mics are muted. After the lights are turned off and everyone heads home. There is no possible way that we could have deep relationships with every single person that attends our gatherings. I think it’s wrong to TRY and spread yourself out across that many anyways.

We have chosen to really focus on 6-8 other people and just really live life with them. That doesn’t mean we don’t have friends outside of the circle, we do, it just means that we understand that God wants us to truly come together, sharing in everything, and having everything in common.

We believe that what happens on Sunday mornings is an extension and OVERFLOW of this time.

We really can’t call this church. Just because we attend a service, that doesn’t make us the church.

…the Church is a body of believers and followers of Jesus that are determined to get this message of Jesus out to the world.

The Believers gathered together and they practiced the “one anothers.” They actually loved one another. They seriously considered themselves members of one another.

Can we attend a service and call ourselves church or is there more in Scripture?

— Francis Chan (from Who’s the Cult?)

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

— Acts 2:42-47

Our airfare has been raised. Thank God!

We baked cookies, sold music, and had 3 mega yard sales. the third of which almost did us in. My office still contains some of the donated treasures that we weren’t able to give to our local charities.

We’ll be packing up and heading to Atlanta the weekend of July 4th, 2009 and then heading down to Central America on the 6th. I’ll be liveblogging, twittering, and photoblogging the whole experience.

Would you prayerfully considering donating a small amount of finances to help cover our costs? We all can’t take these international trips and I know that many of my readers follow with great excitement what the Compassion Bloggers do on each of their overseas trips! I know I do. We’re doing the same thing, just on a smaller scale, and working with a local pastor to focus on just one area.

I know that Shaun Groves is challenging us here back in the States to really think about what we can do to incorporate more serving into our lifestyles. I know for me one small way that has always presented itself is by giving (finances, time, and prayer) to others who are going on ministry trips. The bottom line is that we all can’t afford to just pay for trips like this out of our pockets, so imagine if the worldwide christian family pitched in just a little here and there?

This is definitely not the only way to serve. I know that ALL of us should be serving right where we are. First, in our families and then in our circle of friends, and then in the world around us. I think Francis Chan said it best when he said [paraphrased],

“If we don’t place high emphasis on 1) Loving One Another (including financially), 2) Sharing God’s Word together (and with others) 3) Encouraging one another through trials and tough times (including helping out financially), 4) Sharing Communion, and 5) Praying with and for one another, how can we rightfully call ourselves the Church? (From “Gospel Conference Part 5)

I’m definitely convinced that the BEST way for us to BE the church is to be participating (at the very least) in those 5 “together” activities.

I do “life” with many of you online through the blog networks, theworshipcommunity.com, facebook, and twitter. I consider it such a privilege to even have the capacity to even ask for your help. It’s a real honor to know that I have friends all over the world.

I’m not asking for huge heaping piles of cash, every little small amount helps, and I’m convinced that if we all pitched in a few dollars here and there we could cover what our team needs to make this trip happen.

Would you prayerfully consider making a donation? Of course, it almost goes without saying (though I will say it anyways), that I covet your PRAYERS more than anything!

* Donate securely through Paypal.

Those who donate $5 or more will get a special digital download album (10 Russ Hutto Originals + 3 Wallpapers). I’ll send you the link.

For more details and specific info on our trip.

I know many worship leaders are familiar with the 7 Hebrew shades of the word “praise” – a few years back (ok a good many years back), Carman had a song about them. A bit cheesy, but a good source of basic info for these 7 shades of praise.

“Hallelujah”

One of the most common to us in church is the halal. Not because we really know what it means, but because we use it almost every Sunday in our church services.

You might be more familiar with the commonly used churchy phrase “Hallelujah.”

Hallelujah is basically a mashup of 2 words: Halal and Jah.

Jah means (the Lord).

Halal means to be clamorously foolish, it means to boast loudly, to laud, to celebrate, to shine.

In english we translate it as to praise. Man how much we miss by simply using that bland descriptor. Hallelujah does mean “praise the Lord” but somehow it’s lost it’s rich and expressive meaning and become more of a cliche that we toss around like a nerf football at a picnic.

In today’s current culture, probably the best visual picture of the halal is this guy:

We get pretty foolish at our sports events. Now before you all throw the reverence book at me, I’m not suggesting that we show up to lead worship or to a prayer meeting dressed like this, especially the ladies, but I am suggesting that it’s the “spirit” of what makes a “fan” (short for fanatic) that is something to take a look at.

They are wholly devoted to their team. They will go into the team’s “presence” any time they can to have an “encounter” with the team. They will deck themselves out in apparel that SHOUTS dedication to the team. They will shout, clap, cheer, laugh, cry, boast, and go through just about every range of emotional expression as a result of what their team does.

“Halal”

David knew what the halal was.

This is the Halal. Hallelujah doesn’t simply mean “praise the Lord.”

Hallelujah screams out total devotion. It reflects a commitment, a dedication, a devotion.

Hallelujah means “a clamorously foolish, boastful, celebratory, shining, outward display of praise to and for the Lord.”

Something to think about: Halal is clearly an outward PHYSICAL expression of praise and worship to God. But I wonder sometimes if my very LIFE is also a halal to God. Is my heart wholly devoted? Is my life a shining boast of God’s work in, around, and through my life? Do others SEE my life outside of my “singing halals” as a laud or celebration of who God is?

Do you halal much?

Great day today. We did 2 services for House of Joy and then had a quick lunch and then did a Baccalaureate service for the seniors at Valdosta High School. Went over very well.

House of Joy

1) I Am Free (Egan): Key D. Great song.
2) With Long Life (Houghton): Key Cm. In the first service, I messed up the rap and said something like…”Now raise your hands and wave em up in the eye…” (supposed to be sky) and then I just laughed at my self and picked it back up at the “You are the source of all life and hope…” line. It was funny.
3) Your Name High (Houston): Key G. This was the noob song of the day. We rehearsed it Wednesday night for the first time and we all felt confident enough to rock it Sunday morning. It went over well. I just love the whoah-oh-oh parts. Something so catchy about them.

We had a guest speaker who brought a great message about sharing story.

Baccalaureate Service:

1) Your Name High (Houston): Key G. Went over well, probably better technically then at HOJ, but it didn’t seem to catch on with the seniors and audience at the high school.
2) With Long Life (Houghton): Key Cm. AMAZING. This was the right choice, and I’m glad I had slotted it second. We played the first tune and then there were some speakers and readings and then we came back to do With Long Life. Apparently our audience was very much more into Gospel than rock, so this one lit up the room and had everyone moving. Which is great because I was getting a little nervous after Your Name High fell flat. We executed it musically and vocally probably better than we ever have. Even the guest speakers were up on their feet moving around. It was definitely fun.

Sunday Setlists: Share with others from all over the world what happened in your worship gatherings this week.

So Joshua White (@joshuawhite) put out a challenge in our little circle of the twitterverse to take 100 mobile pictures on Friday and share them with the world. I took the challenge. Made it to 60. (Though some of the photos strangely disappeared). Pretty good if you ask me. It was a tough challenge, being that the pics needed to be “different” in that they couldn’t just be 100 of the same pics of your foot, or wall, or self in a mirror.

I had planned on filling up a large majority of my 100 with pics from the Cirque Du Soleil show in Tallahassee that we went to, but I guess like most sows like that, photography was banned during the performance, so instead of about 25-ish that I had estimated. I ended up with only 2. 1 right before the show, and 1 during intermission.

One thing that was tough about the challenge (for me on iPhone) was the hash tag (#100picfriday). It’s not crazy or anything, but having to type it in to each photo post was a little time consuming and tough when I was in the car.

I did use PixelPipe to manage my photos and where the got posted to: facebook, twitpic (which uploads and shares pics twitter), and flickr, so that was pretty awesome.

Well, I didn’t make 100 (Terrace, you knew it!!).

But at least I tried and it was a blast!

Created with flickr slideshow.