Leaving A Church?

I found this on another blog site. This guy is an interesting pastor and I really like what he said here. So here is John Voelz's ideas on leaving a church


Tonight, The Times reported that Senator Barack Obama left his church. Obama was an active member for two decades at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago where he was married and his daughters were baptized. But, as we all know (unless we’ve been under that proverbial rock) the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., pastor of TUCC hasn’t made life too easy for Mr. Obama in recent days.

Some folks are speculating this will be great for his general election campaign while others are questioning why it took him so long to leave since this controversy is probably indicative of a deeper sentiment the church has always communicated.

I cannot begin to speculate whether this was a good decision for Obama or not. I don’t know the “whole” story. I don’t know how they handled themselves behind closed doors. I don’t know if they followed biblical means of confrontation and/or reconciliation. Since I don’t know, I won’t form an opinion.

However, it does have me thinking tonight about people leaving churches.

I have read so many articles and heard so many opinions about when it is “okay” to leave a church. And, quite frankly, unless you know the situation inside out it is hard to make a blanket statement about when it is okay.

For instance, some would say it is okay—and even necessary—to leave a church when the “truth” is no longer preached. While that makes some sense, there is also honor in staying at a church and lovingly holding leadership accountable through the proper channels in order to save the church’s reputation and not drag the name of Jesus through the mud.

There is a bigger question behind the question of “when is it appropriate to leave a church?” and that question is “have you committed to the church you are thinking of leaving?” In other words, if you are not a member (partner, owner, etc.) of your church, you can pretty much do what you want.

If you have issues with your church but you aren't a member, you haven’t committed to anything so your leaving is just like switching grocery stores.

I'm only halfway joking.

So then, if you haven’t committed to any church body there may be a bigger question you may want to ask yourself—“why?’

P.S. If you haven’t committed to that body (through whatever process the local body has in place) and you are not an active participant and financial giver, you should keep in mind you really don’t have any "right" to voice your opinion on your way out.

If you have committed, there is a higher standard for you on how you “go about your business” with raising concerns, communicating issues, and/or leaving.

A commitment to a church is like a commitment to a spouse or a relationship or your family. You don’t just walk out on a family. You don’t just give up on a relationship when it doesn’t “meet your needs.” When you have an issue with your spouse you talk it through—maybe even with a counselor (third party). When the passion wanes, you work on bringing back the original passion.

And, if you do break up with someone or air your grievances, it is not looked upon favorably when you do so by note, letter, or email.

So, without talking about all the possible reasons you might have to leave your church. Let’s talk about “how to do it.”

Let’s assume you have every biblical reason to leave, you have had every conversation you need to have, you have prayed incessantly about your decision, you have gone through the proper channels, and you have exhausted all other possibilities. Now what?

It is 99% inevitable that the church you belong to now is the church you will be from one day.

But, there is a right way and a wrong way to leave a church.

In no particular order, here are some suggestions : : :

1. Don’t make a scene. This is Jesus’ church. No matter how pissed you are at Pastor Bob, Jesus does not deserve your prideful attention grabbing hissy fit.

2. Don’t slander. Again, Pastor Bob and his wife may be idiots. His kid may be the demon seed of Mayberry. But, the church belongs to Jesus. You owe it to your own reputation, the reputation of Bob and his family, and the reputation of Jesus and his church to keep your mouth shut.

3. Ask your pastor(s) out for lunch and explain your decision to leave. Let them know what the “agenda” is before asking them out. Give them the option of not going to lunch with you. Depending on the circumstances that have led up to your departure it may be best you part friends without talking any further. However, give them the courtesy of the lunch invite.

4. In the best of all possible scenarios, part on good terms. It is always better to go out like Seinfeld did—nothing wrong, top of your game. Make sure when you leave you are leaving on the kind of terms where you won’t have to duck down aisle 3 of the supermarket when Bob is on aisle 5 up ahead. Make it the kind of departure where you would be asked to come volunteer in a heartbeat if you ever came back.

5. Do not write a letter or email listing your grievances. Seriously. Trust me. A departure letter gives your church leadership no way to win and leaves them with a bad parting opinion of you. It would be better for you to slip away quietly never to be heard from again than to send a flaming email and disappear.

6. Do not take anyone with you. A common disaster in most churches happens when someone gets their shorts in a wad and starts to build a network of support they take with them on the way out. Truth be told? Most of the folks who were invited to take up pitchforks usually end up coming back after they realize how dumb it was to leave and how invested they are in a place they call home.

7. Don’t talk about “your old church” with your “new church.” Trust me, your new pastor doesn’t want to hear your smack talk. We are all on the same team. Truth be told, when I hear talk about the “last church” I know it is only a matter of time before we fit the profile.

8. Never use your tithe to hold the church hostage. Believe it or not, some will dangle their tithe in front of the church leadership as a way to grab their attention—“I’m gonna leave and take my money with me.” First, your money is Jesus’ money. Second, said money does not buy you privileges.

9. Set an example. Be cognizant of the fact that others are watching you. Young believers, not-yet believers, seasoned believers, and everyone in-between is watching. So is Jesus.

10. Don’t say anything you will regret. Words mean something. Words have lasting effects.

Have We Missed It?

Tonight I went to my first concert since I moved to St Louis. It was downtown near the loop and I have to say I really like the area. It's a neat little nook where all the hippies chill. There are cool clothing stores, vinyl record stores (yes I know what those are), and there are some colorful characters down there. I really like the area, although it isn't very safe. But none of this is the point.

I saw Iron and Wine in concert (A BIG thank you to the Copelands for the free ticket and ride down there) and I really like their music. I couldn't make out the lyrics real well, but their music was off the hook! (90's catch phrase brought to you by VH1's Pop-Up video) Their melodies were insane, they blended an eclectic array of musical instruments, and they had this stage presence that was very unique. The lead singer is a very quiet man. He speaks very little and I like that. The transitions between songs were flawless and the drummer was amazing! (why is it that all the really awesome drummers seem to be black. We white people need to learn) Even the opening band was good! I was just really impressed.

I say all that to say this: I think the Christian community has missed out on a really cool style of music. Someone sitting near me said: "If your church had this style of music then I'd be there every Sunday!" He went on to say that most worship music is very dull and outdated. I laughed and agreed with him and then began a pretty cool discussion on some of my favorite worship bands and how they are different from mainstream worship stuff. Unfortunately, I can't say that my style of worship is any different from the "mainstream" stuff. I've become content with boring chord progressions and bland melodies. I feel like I've not done what I've wanted to do all along, that is buck the system. Change the way people see and hear worship music. I've stayed where I've become comfortable. This style of music was really cool and added something of an eclectic feel to the whole concert. Steel drums, percussion that was abnormal, guitar lines that were out of the box. It was just.... fresh. I think I am going to work on that.

I wonder how people at church would feel if I did something very very very different from what they have known. I mean I am already pulling them out of their comfort zone with the music I am using now. I just want to do more. Bring something fresh so that when new comers enter the building they realize we aren't like the other churches in town. We have something fresh! For me, it all starts with finding more band members. Right now I am hunting down musicians. I am posting flyers in music stores and on college campuses. I am trying to bring people in. My first priority is to find some really good electric players. Next, I think I am going to look for someone who is pretty good on the turn tables. After that, I think I am going to stretch even further. Who knows what that will look like, but I'm going to give it a shot! Maybe in ten years people will look back on what I have done and think to themselves "Geoff did something in worship that I've never seen before!" Maybe I'll change how worship is done.

This night really inspired me! Thanks again to the Copeland's! You have challenged me as a worship pastor. You have opened my eyes to something I never thought a 40's something couple could. Now it's off to brainstorm and dream!!

Something I've Found Helpful

So I found this nifty list and figured I would share it here on my blog. I will be using it at New Life when we get off the ground. Check it out this list !

And I will be updating the song writing vlog soon!

"You Took My Place"

Here is a song that I wrote called "You Took My Place". In subsequent blogs I'll be discussing song writing issues.

Voice Issues

So I am sitting here on my futon, relaxing from a weekend in Topeka, KS. We were at Good News Church this weekend leading worship and doing ministry. I had kind of a rough weekend and it's hard to get over. You see we got up there Friday night and stayed in the house of a gentleman in the church. As soon as I walked in the house, I knew I was in trouble. You see the guy has a cat. For some people, that's not a big deal. For me, that's a huge thing. You see, I've become allergic to cats in the past few months. Not sure where that came from, but it's terrible. So I slept in the house that night and the next morning... it was terrible.

Later that day we practiced and I knew it was over. My throat was on fire! I felt like I was breathing fire every time I sang a note. It doesn't help that I am not very friendly to my vocal chords when I sing. So I bore down and began to sing. As we hit the set that night, it was a struggle. I couldn't hear much because our monitor went out and had to listen through the main speakers and we had a drummer with no drum shield. The first song went terrible for me. I was off and my throat was dying. By the time we hit the last song (a very high song) I was done. I'm still getting over the soreness and being hoarse.

All that being said, I am trying to figure out some things I can do to preserve my voice. Singing when you are hoarse and when you are sick..... VERY BAD for you vocal chords. The only thing you can do is drink water and rest. I am looking for some voice remedies as well. Any suggestions?

Writing.... An Art Form?

There have been several worship albums come out in the past couple of months.
A few of my favorite include:
- Free by Planetshakers
- The I Heart Revolution by Hillsong (this is a re-release of some of the their old material live with some new stuff)
- My Savior Lives by New Life Worship

All of these albums are really good. Like any other album, there are songs that I like more than others and there are a few that I think are terrible. Maybe I am just biased, but worship songs always sound better when the bands and artists take time to work out every aspect of the song and then go back and fix the mistakes at a later point. This just shows commitment to excellence, which I firmly believe is a scriptural foundation.


I've always wondered how these song writers produce such quality songs. It's amazing to look at the simplicity of the lyrics and hearing such an anointing on the songs. The compositions are so refreshing and the music behind the lyrics is so deep and complex. God's wonder and glory seem to be encompassed in these songs. Maybe it's just my biased towards to the music, but the music just inspires writing every time I listen.

What a Decision!?!?!

Let's see, I've made my decision. Im going to join the church plant that I talked about previously in a blog. It was a tough decision. I'm going to take a job with undefined hours and no pay. Well, I think it's the best decision for me. Who knows that will happen in the next few months. Who knows what I am going to do for a paying job. That's scary, but I know God will provide!

Here is the website for the project (we are calling it a project because it is a church revitalization). The website has vision for the project, bio on some of the team, and a place to donate. Now I am not a person to push donating money for things, especially ministry. Most of that is because I have televangelists and their greedy ploys to get your money to buy houses and thousand dollar suits. I can mention this safely because I know that isn't the case! We are going to a church who can't pay anyone's salary, not even Jason who will be the lead pastor. Every single one of us is going have to get an extra job or two so that we can pay rent and even eat. Many people have already donated. We have a church sign donated, some printing material to promote the church and other things that we greatly appreciate! I am not asking or trying to pull any heart strings so that people will give money. I am simply just giving you the option. If you feel like you want to help us, then I wanted to give you an option. I really feel uncomfortable doing it, but I know that we all need help!

On another note, I really appreciate all the support I have been given so far. Everyone who has been praying and lending an encouraging word, THANK YOU SO MUCH! All the prayers and well wishes have meant so much! It has been really overwhelming. All I really feel comfortable asking for is prayer. Please for myself and the rest of team. God has been working behind the scenes and it is all coming together so beautifully. I'm so encouraged and I know it is because of the prayers that have been lifted towards Him. Continue earnestly praying for us and the community we are heading into. God is moving!


http://www.thenewlifeproject.com/

Blessings
Geoff McLarty

Worship and Creative Arts Jobs?

There are few things in life that can cause the type of stress that looking for a job does. There is definitely nothing like looking for a job in the Church. I am graduating in a few weeks and I am at the point of no return. I am looking for a job. I am looking to be employed by a church as their Worship and Creative Arts Pastor. Some might say that I shouldn't have a problem, there are so many church's in need of someone to take over that aspect of ministry. Unfortunately, it is a little more difficult than that. It is true, there are a large number of church's looking for a Worship Pastor. There are actually some quality church's out there in need. The unfortunate part is that most of these church's, though great church's, cannot afford to pay this position or pay inadequately.

You see, most church's want someone who has been in ministry for many years and has experience in leading in a church of over 500 or more. They are not willing to take a chance on a 23 year old straight out of college. The church's that are interested in taking that chance, typically are not large enough to pay an adequately enough for me to live and pay off school loans. You see the issue?

I have come across one or two church's that are very promising. The first is a church in Arizona that is a church of 250 and willing to bring me on full time with very promising salary and benefits. The other is a church plant that isn't able to pay off the bat. Most would say, why not just take the job that pays? Well, I have decided something in my search. I have decided that I want to go to a church that has strong leadership, vibrant vision, stable and logical belief's and promise of growth (whatever that looks like). I want to go to a church where I trust the leadership and their ability to lead. I also want to go to a church where I have some freedom. Freedom to work within my ministry, without a dictator telling me what songs to sing each Sunday. Freedom to be innovative with the media and graphics. I want t be valued for what I can contribute.

With that said, I am debating. Go to a church where the salary is great, but I don't know the leadership as well. Or go to a church where I know, trust and love the leadership. Where I know I will be valued because I have ministered with the Pastor and leadership team for the past two years. Where I know I can go in and mold my area of ministry. It's tough, because the first church might be a place where I can do that as well. I know God will guide my steps, I also know that he gave me a brain to be logical.

God guide me in Your will, that I might be where you are working!

Worship Retreat

I just returned from an awesome weekend, where God really had His way. My college and young adults group here in Springfield has held a worship retreat for several years, with great results. We take a weekend and head to a facility about an hour or two away. The weekend is designed specifically for, us as a body, to gather and just spend time with God. It's chief purpose is to unite the body in corporate and private worship. I attended last year, and received great blessings from what God did in my life. This year, I was a part of the worship team that led the services. It was a completely different time than I had previously enjoyed. Instead of being in the crowd, I had the priviledge of being on stage and leading. Looking out over 150 or so young people, giving God glory for who He is and what He is doing brings me to tears. I am in awe of what God does.

The weekend gave me some perspective on several issues, that I will write about over the next few days. First, God has an interesting way of speaking. I've often felt the presence of God move over me, in ways that I find it hard to put words to. He just has a way of striking chords in my heart, that no other person or thing can. I specifically remember sitting on the side of the stage after our wonderful speaker, Jason Patterson, had given us some perspective on Abraham and his journey. Mary was on the piano, as I was gathering my thoughts and composure so I could get on stage and play. She started singing a song written by Throne Room Worship. Lyrics follow:

The more I seek You
The more I find You
The more I find You
The more I love you

I want to sit at Your feet, Drink from the cup in Your hand
Lay back against You and breathe, Feel Your heartbeat
The love is so deep, It's more than I can stand
I melt in Your peace
Its overwhelming

Simple song, with powerful lyrics. I literally found myself weaping in God's presence! How true those words ring. The more I seek God, the more I find Him. The more I find Him, the more I truly love Him. It's an awe inspiring moment, realizing that God is as close to you as the person next to you. The concept of sitting at God's feet, drinking from His hand, leaning against Him, feeling the closeness of His heartbeat... it just conjures emotions that God has placed deep inside. I've never thought of my relationship with God in this way. Sitting with Him, not needing to say a word, but really enjoying what His is giving. Man, I wonder how it feels to be in heaven! If that night is any taste of what it's like, then I am there!

I honestly, don't remember the timing, whether it was the same night or the next, but a few people got up and spoke some encouragement. Will Kitchen got up with a powerful word. He said as much as we talk about believing in God, God truly believes in us. The more we seek Him, the more He seeks us. The more He finds us, the more He loves us. The thought that God is seeking us, trying to find us more and more brings out more humbleness than ever before! I remember thinking of God fighting through the sin, the anguish, pain, and clutter in our lives, looking for that sliver of the true us, that we have hidden deep inside the clutter. He is searching through all that we have put in front of us and trying to break down the walls. Almost like a huge house with countless rooms. Rooms that we have filled with the things in our lives and God is searching each room, anticipating what He will find. With each door comes the anticipation of finding us, until He bursts through the door which holds our heart.

I know this may be a weak analogy for some, but for me, it brings me to tears. I've always thought of my relationship with God as me trying to reach high enough and far enough to grasp the outstretched arm of God. This new thought, the thought that God is running after me, looking for me, hoping that when He opens the next door that He finds me is inspiring. God truly seeks us. He wants us at His feet, waiting for what He has to feed us. He wants us to yearn for time with Him, where we just sit heart to heart.

I say all this to really highlight how God wants us. We lift our hands toward heaven and sing songs of how great God is, which is wonderful and theologically true. I just wonder if we reach so high that we sometimes miss God standing right in front of us, holding His arms out. We are so focused on reaching heaven, that when heaven is before us, we never even see it. God has done it all for us, the only thing we have to do is to reach forward and embrace Him. He has found us, where we are. Now can't we just step forward and embrace Him?

Plan or no plan?

I love reading blogs and reading the perspective of others. Recently, I have been reading the AG Think Tank blog. The topic of planning came up.

I am a planner. I like having a game plan for things. It is the only way that I can get all the things that I want to accomplish done. This is no where else more important than when I plan a worship set. I first start with song selection. I look through my list of songs and I start studying the chord charts and transitions. I make sure that they key are relative, or that I can at least transition from song to song. Then I look at the themes of the songs. Do they relate? Are they compatible? Am I going from a song where I say that God has made me who I am, to a song where I talk about how terrible I am compared to God (there are songs that at least give that assumption)? Then I look at the time restraints I am dealing with. Finally, I look at the difficulty of the songs. Are the songs easy to play so that my team can worship along with those who are singing?

I find it important to plan out things. I want to know what everyone else thinks? How important is planning in a worship set?