Comments on: 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve Service Appealing to Visitors http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/ A look at how trends in communication technology impact individuals and organizations. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:59:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Tweets that mention 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve Service Appealing to Visitors | Christian Web Trends Blog -- Topsy.com http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-294749 Tweets that mention 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve Service Appealing to Visitors | Christian Web Trends Blog -- Topsy.com Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:41:28 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-294749 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Paul Steinbrueck. Paul Steinbrueck said: Is your church 2 traditional http://bit.ly/141Uom or trying 2 hard 2 b hip 4 Christmas? http://bit.ly/wpUnU Hmm? ;) [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Paul Steinbrueck. Paul Steinbrueck said: Is your church 2 traditional http://bit.ly/141Uom or trying 2 hard 2 b hip 4 Christmas? http://bit.ly/wpUnU Hmm? ;) [...]

]]> By: Dee http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-155087 Dee Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:20:39 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-155087 I know God has a sense of humor.... look around! I see the viewpoints of all the bloggers, so if I can see it, I know God can. Laughter to the soul is good medicine! But I do realize that our society including us Christians laugh at some of the most ungodly things... peer pressure? fleshly release? doesn't matter, the truth is if "it" goes against God's word.... forget about it... ask for forgiveness and move on... if "it" doesn't laugh until you're blue in the face! I know God has a sense of humor…. look around! I see the viewpoints of all the bloggers, so if I can see it, I know God can. Laughter to the soul is good medicine! But I do realize that our society including us Christians laugh at some of the most ungodly things… peer pressure? fleshly release? doesn’t matter, the truth is if “it” goes against God’s word…. forget about it… ask for forgiveness and move on… if “it” doesn’t laugh until you’re blue in the face!

]]> By: Pastor Jerry http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-154972 Pastor Jerry Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:48:52 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-154972 God tells us in His Word that we are to make a "joyous" noise unto the Lord. This includes laughing, folks. Throughout scripture, we read about David and others in the Lord dancing, singing, and having fun. When we get so legalistic that we forget that God wants us to be joyous and happy, that's when we need to get down on our knees and ask God to renew our spirit. By inserting some humor in my Sunday services, my congregation will sit and listen to the sermon for 2-3 hours. God tells us in His Word that we are to make a “joyous” noise unto the Lord. This includes laughing, folks. Throughout scripture, we read about David and others in the Lord dancing, singing, and having fun.

When we get so legalistic that we forget that God wants us to be joyous and happy, that’s when we need to get down on our knees and ask God to renew our spirit.

By inserting some humor in my Sunday services, my congregation will sit and listen to the sermon for 2-3 hours.

]]> By: » Is Your Church’s Christmas Eve Service Too Traditional or Too Radical? http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-154946 » Is Your Church’s Christmas Eve Service Too Traditional or Too Radical? Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:32:12 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-154946 [...] 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve Service Appealing to Visitors [...] [...] 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve Service Appealing to Visitors [...]

]]> By: kajun36 » 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve … http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-97441 kajun36 » 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve … Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:01:26 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-97441 [...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptHumorous list chiding churches for over-the-top Christmas Eve services. [...] [...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptHumorous list chiding churches for over-the-top Christmas Eve services. [...]

]]> By: » 12 Signs Your Church’s Christmas Eve Service is Too Traditional http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-95736 » 12 Signs Your Church’s Christmas Eve Service is Too Traditional Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:14:45 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-95736 [...] Last week we had some fun with churches that go overboard chasing big crowds in 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve Service Appealing to Visitors.  Just to prove I believe in fairness and equality, this week we’re poking fun a traditional churches with… [...] [...] Last week we had some fun with churches that go overboard chasing big crowds in 12 Signs Your Church is Trying Too Hard to Make Its Christmas Eve Service Appealing to Visitors.  Just to prove I believe in fairness and equality, this week we’re poking fun a traditional churches with… [...]

]]> By: Donna http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-95701 Donna Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:24:35 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-95701 Gently, let me just say that there are a few people off-topic here. This blog is intended to light-heartedly point out that some churches are more focused on attracting non-believers than worshipping God. It does not imply that anyone should regard God or what He does in or around us lightly. If you want it to be serious instead of humorous, however, here is my translation :-) How to encourage non-believers to come back to your church after Christmas: 1.) Require your church leaders to meet regularly, pray continually, and seek fresh encounters with Christ daily, so that their ministries are filled with a passion that is as close as humanly possible to how passionate Jesus is about pursuing us. 2.) Make sure your church is preaching and singing God's truth directly from the Word of God, and don't exclude topics you think might make someone question their actions or motives - that's called God at work. 3.) Challenge your pastor(s) and worship team/choir to unashamedly worship God at every service. This is how non-believers realize they are missing something. 4.) Let God do the rest. You can't bring someone to Christ if God is not calling them. Seeker-friendly services are the same as any other service, except they use words unchurched people can understand. 5.Challenge your church to invite at least one person to church on Christmas Eve. 6.) Pray corporately on Sunday morning for the Christmas Eve service. 7.) Have the leaders get together before the service to focus on God, commit to serve Him with all their mind, heart, soul, and strength, and then go worship Him with great joy! After all, that's the main purpose of the church! May God bless you richly as you put all other things aside, and focus on telling others about Him who is the cause of all our joy! In His love and mine, Donna Gently, let me just say that there are a few people off-topic here. This blog is intended to light-heartedly point out that some churches are more focused on attracting non-believers than worshipping God. It does not imply that anyone should regard God or what He does in or around us lightly. If you want it to be serious instead of humorous, however, here is my translation :-)

How to encourage non-believers to come back to your church after Christmas:

1.) Require your church leaders to meet regularly, pray continually, and seek fresh encounters with Christ daily, so that their ministries are filled with a passion that is as close as humanly possible to how passionate Jesus is about pursuing us.

2.) Make sure your church is preaching and singing God’s truth directly from the Word of God, and don’t exclude topics you think might make someone question their actions or motives – that’s called God at work.

3.) Challenge your pastor(s) and worship team/choir to unashamedly worship God at every service. This is how non-believers realize they are missing something.

4.) Let God do the rest. You can’t bring someone to Christ if God is not calling them. Seeker-friendly services are the same as any other service, except they use words unchurched people can understand.

5.Challenge your church to invite at least one person to church on Christmas Eve.

6.) Pray corporately on Sunday morning for the Christmas Eve service.

7.) Have the leaders get together before the service to focus on God, commit to serve Him with all their mind, heart, soul, and strength, and then go worship Him with great joy! After all, that’s the main purpose of the church!

May God bless you richly as you put all other things aside, and focus on telling others about Him who is the cause of all our joy! In His love and mine, Donna

]]> By: Kathy Grimm http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-95384 Kathy Grimm Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:31:38 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-95384 Ummm, not an elder, deacon, or ordained, But I still have to say, even though your Christmas service isn't perfect, if you feel the love of Christ in your heart, Christmas will always leave a warm glow. Jesus came and died for sinners, that means we actually need Him, all of us. Merry Christmas everyone. Ummm, not an elder, deacon, or ordained, But I still have to say, even though your Christmas service isn’t perfect, if you feel the love of Christ in your heart, Christmas will always leave a warm glow. Jesus came and died for sinners, that means we actually need Him, all of us. Merry Christmas everyone.

]]> By: Neal Gracey , Deacon (Ordained) http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-95199 Neal Gracey , Deacon (Ordained) Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:35:47 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-95199 I have to comment just once more after the last few I've read. God must be taken seriously, He is our Father. Abba, Father. I take my Father seriously because I am his son. My Father would never consume his son but he would an imposter. My Father and I cry together, we laugh together, and we worship together. I love Him and He loves me. My Father took on human flesh and died in my place to paya debt that I could never pay myself. That is very serious. He also tells me that He is Love. That is very serious. He brings me great Joy and great Happiness, and yes, sometimes great laughter. Por taste is not knowing Abba,Father wll enough to know the difference between a Dictator and a Loving DAD. Praise Him who first loved us. I have to comment just once more after the last few I’ve read.

God must be taken seriously, He is our Father. Abba, Father. I take my Father seriously because I am his son. My Father would never consume his son but he would an imposter. My Father and I cry together, we laugh together, and we worship together. I love Him and He loves me. My Father took on human flesh and died in my place to paya debt that I could never pay myself. That is very serious. He also tells me that He is Love. That is very serious. He brings me great Joy and great Happiness, and yes, sometimes great laughter.

Por taste is not knowing Abba,Father wll enough to know the difference between a Dictator and a Loving DAD.

Praise Him who first loved us.

]]> By: Leonard Gibson http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/comment-page-1/#comment-95193 Leonard Gibson Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:19:46 +0000 http://blog.ourchurch.com/2007/12/06/12-signs-your-church-is-trying-too-hard-to-make-its-christmas-eve-service-appealing-to-visitors/#comment-95193 Great! I thank God that, although He is "a consuming fire," He sent His Son to die in my place so He would not have to consume me! Besides, if God didn't invent laughter, who did? The devil? I don't remember any scriptures mentioning laughter in hell. Great! I thank God that, although He is “a consuming fire,” He sent His Son to die in my place so He would not have to consume me! Besides, if God didn’t invent laughter, who did? The devil? I don’t remember any scriptures mentioning laughter in hell.

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