Do we need a WOW factor?
I came across this article the other day. Here's the beginning premise of it :
"At one time or another, someone in your life has probably told you that first impressions are important. Mom may have reminded you to comb your hair or wipe off the milk from your mouth. A coach or teacher may have encouraged you to "put your best foot forward because you may not get a second chance." If you're a pastor who has ever given a trial sermon to a congregation, you know the importance of first impressions.
As the pastor of connections at Granger Community Church in Granger, Ind. (gccwired.com), I know that first impressions matter for churches. Before you've even preached the message or the worship team has sung the songs, your guests have already formed opinions of your church based on their first impressions.
Churches that understand the lasting nature of first impressions also understand that people matter. When people matter, guests are "wowed." And when guests are wowed, they know they're valued."
Read more : http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/wowfactor.html
I can understand to point where the writer is coming from. I think it speaks well of a church when the take proper care of their building. That things look neat, and that the bathrooms are clean. However, do we really have to "wow" people in order for them to join our community of faith?
I guess all this depends on the reason for your worship gathering. Is it for the church (the body of local believers), or for vistors? I'm assuming that this pastors' church is geared for visitors, which is fine I suppose. However, I'd take a vistor being wowed by authentic relationships, and genuine worship over aethestics and programs anyday.
Chubb Lake Teen Camp
What a week! I had the honour of leading worship for
Chubb Lake Teen Camp again this year, and what a fantastic week it was! There were groups from Abbotsford, Kelowna, Westbank, Vernon, Williams Lake, Quesnel, PG and Ft. St. James there.
It was a bit of a strange start in the sense that I had never met the guy who was speaking this year, Troy from Evangel in Edmonton. So, it was tough to know what to expect. Needless to say, Troy did a terrific job, and it was powerful to see and hear how God was using him throughout the week to minister to teens.
I was able to assemble the same band as last year, Jared Mitch and Tanner, which was a joy! I think this year they've all grown up a bit or sometime, since by Wednesday it became a major decision for them whether to play sports in the afternoon or nap!! Napping was starting to win out by weeks end.
For me, it's always affirming to have a week like this was, simply leading people to express their hearts to God, and being open to where the Spirit is going. These teens were incredible in their response, they were so ready to really throw themselves into worship. So that made it such a joy to lead them, and also a responsiblity to use songs to lead them well, not just playing the "top songs" that they love or want to jump around to. Although there was a lot of that, especially to wrap up the evening chapels!
So yeah, awesome week overall - I'm excited to keep hearing what God was up to in the lives of everyone that was there!
