Sunday Review 10/25/09 FRIEND DAY

Let me begin this post by admitting that I have never been a fan of "promotional days" that churches often pull just to artificially inflate their numbers for one or two Sundays a year. I have personally been invited to attend (and have attended) "Friend Days" at other churches. I always felt a bit out of place, mostly due to the fact that I was leaving my own church which I was faithful to and to which the person that invited me knew I was faithful to, just to make a one time appearance and help "pack the pews" of another church where I would likely never visit again!

However, what I witnessed this morning at West End Baptist Church was something quite different. From the moment we announced this campaign weeks ago, our emphasis was on the un-saved and un-churched, as well as those who traditionally attend church but might be without a church home at present. While I'm sure that some present did indeed leave their own churches to be with us today, I know that the majority fell into one of the above three categories.

The end result was an attendance of approximately 300 (298 is the exact number I was told)! To God be the glory! In my time at West End, this was the most unified effort at evangelism that I have witnessed. Currently, there seems to be an enthusiasm and anticipation in the air at what God is about to do in our presence. Most are realizing that West End's best days are not behind it after all and that they are now fortunate enough to be witnessing what it takes to truly build a church, the right way! The pieces are slowly being put into place and I'm excited (and priviledged) to be a part of it. I can't wait to see what happens next week!

As for my review of today's music; in one word: AWESOME! We did have one hiccup in the introduction of the first set, but the musicians all pressed on until we could get the train back on the tracks. Audience participation was much better during the second set, and I was amazed at how many of our visitors actually knew the words to our selections. I guess not all the other churches in our area stick to traditional hymns and southern gospel after all (did I just say that? That's a topic for a later post! lol). Today's service was an example of "blended worship" at it's best.

The choir was the best I've stood in front of. Most don't even realize that our choir has more than doubled in size in just the past three months! We've added dedicated people who actually consider it an honor to sing God's praises as part of a larger group. Those are the people God can use. Neither He nor I have much use for those who came and went when they weren't awarded a solo (ouch! I said that too didn't I?). Thank you choir! You finally "get it!" We are not performing for our congregation, we're singing praises for our savior! Now wait and see what we can do...and He can do through us!

Next Sunday we'll see how much fruit the seed we sowed this week will bear. I can hardly wait!

God Bless!
Michael

Sunday Review 10/18/09

Awesome, spirit-filled Praise and Worship time this week. Great Call to Worship, Praise Team was on fire, and the choir special was as good as ever. Follow that by a very inspirational sermon on sowing seed and God is bound to move...right?

Just one question: What is so important that it can't wait until 15 minutes past twelve to get home to? Maybe it's just me, but the spirit was quenched beyond recovery while witnessing the mass exodus from the back rows as we were preparing for the invitation. Anyone who's ever been to church knows that is the most important time of the service by far, yes? Decisions might be made affecting someone's eternity or which church they call home. I'm just sayin' (and probably shouldn't be).

Anyway, a special thanks this week to our rhythm and accompaniment musicians for showing up on a chilly Saturday morning for an extra rehearsal. I certainly noticed the improvement on Sunday. We are now blessed with a guitarist for "the band." I'm looking forward to working with Claude, he is truly an answer to prayer.

"Friend Day" next week. Hope the house is packed! Wouldn't it be great to see someone make the most important decision of their life? That's alot more important than where their church membership lies. What if we ALL brought just ONE?

In Christ,
Michael

Sunday Review 10/11/09

Today was another in a long line of good services. I am constantly amazed at how things always seem to come together musically...even when I have my doubts. To God be the glory!

Honestly, even up until around 9am, I didn't think we would pull off "Sing, Sing, Sing." I am slowly learning never to underestimate the West End musicians. GREAT job by all, you really brought your A-game this week!

What I learned from today's Praise and Worship: Our congregation claps better on songs that are a "little" slower than today's feature. I almost got amused on the platform at all of the "off-beat" clapping going on! But...at least most endured for as long as they could keep up, lol.

About choir today: Where was everyone? We had 26 present for practice Wednesday night but only 11 in service this morning! At least I can can say that those who were there gave their all. "Holy is He" was as good as it's ever been, even shorthanded.

I'm already looking forward to and planning for both next Sunday and especially Friend Day. Please pray that God will continue to work through our music department...and through you if you're a part of that.

God Bless!
Michael

Sunday Review 10/4/09

Okay, did anyone else get that the pastor was upset over the lack of Friend Day contracts submitted today? I certainly did and I COMPLETELY agree with him. I mean, it's not as if we're inviting people to come hear an Amway presentation or something. We're inviting them to come and experience something that could totally change their lives. We're offering to expose them to the gospel and a decision that could impact their future for ETERNITY! For someone, WEBC Friend Day 2009 could be the day they make the most important decision of their life! I hope others got the message as vividly as I did.

As for today's music, I thought things went quite smoothly. There were once again more technical issues revolving around our electric drum set, but I'm sure only Terry and I noticed. He does a great job compensating when the equipment isn't behaving just right. It frustrates me to see him so frustrated over this piece of junk our local music store sold us (I'm not printing the name of the "only" music store in town in hopes that they'll decide to do the right thing and stand behind what they sold us...but, I'm not holding my breath!).

I really enjoyed today's special music. Those guys have been visiting for a while, and then two of the three joined the church during today's invitation. If I would have known that, I would have asked them to sing weeks ago! (BTW, I'm almost certain the third plans to follow suit and join very soon as well.)

Once again, the choir loft was almost completely full today, and we only sang the Call to Worship. I almost hated to waste those numbers, but I finally feel like we're entering into a "growth phase" and will be adding seats soon so I did as I had felt lead to do earlier in the week.

Speaking of growth, remember this time a year ago when the choir loft was also full? For some reason (experience?), I just never felt comfortable that we would retain those "new" choir members. I think most just wanted to test out the new guy and see what I was all about. I even remember telling one of our deacons that alot of that was what I considered "wildfire"...put out as quickly as it blazed up. These days, our new folks seem truly dedicated and inspired to sing praises for all the right reasons. To God be the glory!

Have a Great Week!
In Christ,
Michael

Wednesday Choir Practice

Just wanted to say thank you for those who attended choir practice this week. We had our largest group in recent memory.

Things are really starting to take off and it's really exciting. We have three new choir members that have joined in the past two weeks and several more that I have my eyes on. I really appreciate those that accepted my challenge.

I said when I came to West End last year that my goal was for the choir to equal at least 20-25% of our weekly attendence. We are now meeting those numbers and may soon pass them. I guess we'll just have to grow a bigger church to match our choir, huh???

Now...one last thing...we need more MEN! Bring 'em if you got 'em ladies!

Enjoy the rest of your week!
In Christ,
Michael