Musings of the Minstrel
Monday, December 7, 2009
What They See Is What They Get!
We are living in a unique age. We are called to spread the gospel to new generation. Sadly some are pounding the pulpit and railing against what they believe is a generation that is hopeless. I will admit that ministry to this post-modern generation can be frustrating and at the very least challenging, but I do not believe it is hopeless. I would like to go on record and say "This generation can be reached". I know, the "en-vogue" thing for a 41 year old preacher at this point in the post is to attack organized religion and point out all the warts and blemishes of particular church movements and their traditional services. Before you get worried that I am rushing to buy a pottery wheel and candles for my acoustic alchemy worship set, relax, I am not going there! lol... But I do wonder if some of what is being preached is being drowned out by what this generation sees in the lives of Apostolics?
In too many cases what is being said is not being matched by what is being displayed. Remember this is a "visual" generation. This description is not just a statement about video screens and strobe lights added for effect in some kind of optical worship experience. This generation "sees" first, rather than listening. This is one important reason that we must "display" the truth that we preach. People have grown tired of mere words. "Our use of the Bible is analogous to our use of language. We indwell it rather than looking at it from the outside. But for this to happen it is clear that this 'indwelling' must mean being part of the community whose life is shaped by the story which the Bible tells"(Lesslie Newbigin). In other words, what we preach has to be made visible! WHAT THEY 'SEE' IS WHAT THEY 'GET'!
The Christ message must be preached and "lived out"...clearly! Graham Johnston in his book "Preaching To a Post-Modern World" states, "It is essential that the preacher not fall into the trap of being wishy-washy with a watered down message. People who have tired of uncertainty will be seeking straight answers". This generation is swift to recognize whether or not the message matches the life. They are not afraid of our doctrine...if our lives match what we say we believe. I am proposing that the apostolic church is poised to be the recipient of this generation's gaze. Let us recognize the need to "shew forth" this glorious gospel. This generation needs to see a church on fire, filled with the Holy Spirit and excited about what has brought us out of darkness. There is no need to be intimidated about our faith, our doctrine, our separation, our worship or our service to the Father. Square your shoulders, hold your head up, step out and demonstrate God's provision and love. It is the only way that this generation will receive it.
WHAT THEY 'SEE' IS WHAT THEY 'GET'!
Labels: acoustic alchemy worship, apostolic, c myles young, Church on fire, faith, generation, graham johnston, Holy Spirit, lesslie newbigin, post-modern, preaching, pure religion, separation, Worship
Friday, July 10, 2009
Sarah, You Are Beautiful! - Nathaniel Urshan III
Here I am sitting in a hotel room in Calgary so I'm checking email and responding when I decided to google "apostolic preaching". My search led me to Nathaniel Urshan III preaching at NO LIMITS earlier this year. As I started listening, my hotel was bathed in the sweet presence of God. My heart was pounding in my chest as Pastor Urshan told of Old Testament Sarah and her beauty. He skillfully made the connection to this apostolic message that has been given to us and I was overcome with thankfulness for such a clear message from my dear friend.In this day of relevancy and emerging trends, the sound of a truly apostolic message is so refreshing. Pastor Urshan thank you for painting the picture so beautifully. Truth is gorgeous. What a timeless, transcendent message from a great man. If you were not there then you owe to yourself to listen to this message.
Labels: Abraham, apostolic, c myles young, Calgary, nathaniel urshan, No Limits, old testament, preaching, Sarah
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
MEXICO UPDATE-WEDNESDAY
We have arrived in Delicias. We got in late last night. We landed in Chihuahua and then we crossed the lonely desert in the darkest of night (sounds like a novel). It was quite an experience. We were out in the middle of nowhere when we came upon a truck that was parked blocking the road and there were several men standing behind it. Paul and I looked at each other and said "Get ready"... talk about an adrenalin rush. As it turned out they were just broke down and pushed their truck out of the way and we made it in to town.
We found a hole-in-the-wall taco shop....Oh my word! Unbelievable tacos. (Don't you wish you were here?)
Since we have arrived, we have learned that our coming here is more important than we realized. Some of the pastors that we are meeting with have not yet been baptized in Jesus name. We are going to be teaching them. These pastors are coming believing that God is going to give them a new revelation. Pray fervently for us. This could be the key that we are searching for.
Labels: apostolic, baptised, believe, bible study, c myles young, chihuahua, Delicias, Dr Paul Baumeister, Fervent Prayer, God, Jesus name, mexico, pastor, preaching, revival, taco, teaching, the rock church
posted by Myles Young at 10:31 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
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James Wilder said...
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I love hearing these reports!
This is what being Apostolic is all about! Praying for you both! -
London Young said...
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Papa, te extrano tan mala esperanza de que tiene un tiempo divertido. No puedo esperar para verlo.
Mucho Amor
~LONDRES;>
I have really enjoyed your blog! It serves as inspiration to me.
Cleveland Lambeth
Missionary in Brasil
Great post, I really believe that I as a young person in Public School should not just say that I'm Pentecostal, that I believe in Holiness etc. But to actually just do it, because, I encounter many students who say, that they're Catholic, Muslim, Baptist etc., but do they show it? By the way they brag about how they spent their "fun" and "wild" weekend full of booze and parties, I think not. It sure is interesting to see the responses of my friends when I tell them that I went to a Pentecostal church, spoke in tounges, and shouted, and saw miracles be done. God Bless you Bro.Myles