One of the Biggest Mistakes

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by ILG

I think one of the biggest mistakes that the UPC makes is the emphasis on church, church, church rather than family. People are expected to come bare minimum of 3 services a week, just so they are not "forsaking the assembling" and then there are the bible studies, door knocking, bake sales, singing, etc. etc. etc. on top of it all. I have heard it said that some pastors emphasize a family night one night a week (mine did not). So, are the other 6 to be used for church?? There is little teaching on marriage, family, balance etc. Alsmot all the teaching, in my experience, is on Acts 2:38, going to church, winning the lost, giving and giving and giving to the church.

I don't think it has ever been God's will for people to spend so much time at church and doing church things. We need to focus on our families, our kids, our marriages, our work etc. This is the work of God. That should not be forgotten.

The remedy is balance, balance and more balance. Heresy is truth out of balance.

Even as a pastor I try to be sensitve to people and where they are in energy level. Frankly as a bi-vocational pastor I get tired and about 2 services a week is all I can do. There comes a line that if I cross I will be no good to anyone, my energy level will be low, my focus lower and my anointing even less.

Currently we have 3 services a week, I am trying to cut one down (Sunday PM) but guess what, when I try to more people keep showing up.

On holidays or other functions that we have during the week, I do try and cancel the Sunday PM service.

[StMark]

Originally Posted by keith4him

The remedy is balance, balance and more balance. Heresy is truth out of balance.

Even as a pastor I try to be sensitve to people and where they are in energy level. Frankly as a bi-vocational pastor I get tired and about 2 services a week is all I can do. There comes a line that if I cross I will be no good to anyone, my energy level will be low, my focus lower and my anointing even less.

Currently we have 3 services a week, I am trying to cut one down (Sunday PM) but guess what, when I try to more people keep showing up.

On holidays or other functions that we have during the week, I do try and cancel the Sunday PM service.

You said it well Keith. You mentioned balance but you also included wisdom in what you said. Balance and wisdom. Those are the 2 things I try to impliment even with the choir I am over. Things will tilt one way or the other. If you have too much church, you burn people out. If you have too little of church, people can get too worldy. again, it's a balancing act.

Our pastor dismissed church the entire week last week for the holidays.
I don't know of too many UPC churches that do that to be honest.
Our Sunday night services are only an hour and 1/2. Since we don't drag it out for hours and hours, we get a decent crowd back for sunday nights.

Our Rehearsals are only one hour. Other directors ask me how in the world do I get so much done in one hour. First of all, after an hour, the peoples' minds drift off. they can only obsorb so much information and retain so many songs. I know directors who go on and on and on. some go for 3 hours. Everyone is not that dedicated. The director has to have a plan of action. I come very prepared with a plan.

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by StMark

You said it well Keith. You mentioned balance but you also included wisdom in what you said. Balance and wisdom. Those are the 2 things I try to impliment even with the choir I am over. Things will tilt one way or the other. If you have too much church, you burn people out. If you have too little of church, people can get too worldy. again, it's a balancing act.

Our pastor dismissed church the entire week last week for the holidays.
I don't know of too many UPC churches that do that to be honest.
Our Sunday night services are only an hour and 1/2. Since we don't drag it out for hours and hours, we get a decent crowd back for sunday nights.

Our Rehearsals are only one hour. Other directors ask me how in the world do I get so much done in one hour. First of all, after an hour, the peoples' minds drift off. they can only obsorb so much information and retain so many songs. I know directors who go on and on and on. some go for 3 hours. Everyone is not that dedicated. The director has to have a plan of action. I come very prepared with a plan.

To cancel a whole week of services, for a church as large as yours that is significant. I wanted to ask you something, now I can't remember what it is.