What Does the Lord Require?

Posted on November 4, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

I am in the middle of preaching a series called iWorship at church. I’ve been taking a look at what worship is; who we worship; why we worship; and how we worship. I think it will be a four part series…we’ll be on part 3 this Sunday. If you go to www.avenueumc.com/listen you can find a link to the sermons.

The first week, our main point was worship is our response to who God is. I focused much of our conversation of the majesty and holiness of God. We looked at the Creation account in Genesis and Isaiah chapters 6 and 40 as we considered the bigness of God. The challenge was to enlarge our image of who God is, and then to respond in worship.

This past Sunday our main point was worship is our response to what God has done. Starting in the Exodus account, we went through God’s activity in redeeming humanity and extending grace and mercy to us. This culminated in the salvific sacrifice of Jesus Christ- who is the final sacrifice for our sin. We talked about how to worship is to remember. As those who worship God, we must always remember what God has done for us.

This Sunday’s sermon is called The Dangerous Act of Worship. Part of this is inspired from the book by the same name. The book is by Mark Labberton and I highly recommend it to everyone. It will challenge your view of worship week in and week out. The premise of this week’s message is that when we enlarge our vision of God, when we remember what God has done we respond, not by greater sacrifices or acts of worship, but by the words of Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” True worship focuses our heart on the things that are close to the heart of God- the poor, the oppressed, the outcast, the widow, the orphan, etc. It is not truly worship if we write a big check or raise our hands in worship and ignore the injustices that happen in our world.

I’m working on the sermon now, and I’ve been excited about getting to this week. I’m hoping this will begin a conversation in our members and our church about what it really means to worship God.

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Monday Morning Update: November 3, 2008

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

The Week That Was: Not a bad week overall. Although I got very little done the way I wanted to get it done. Friday’s are usually reserved for sermon writing and school work, but instead I had somone at the house doing some repairs. Some good news of the week was my laptop crashed back in September (not the good news), but after a month of waiting, I might be getting an upgraded one back. Hopefully soon. Andrea, Abbie and I went to Abbott’s Pond on Sunday for a nature walk. She stopped to pick up lots of leaves along the way. I also had lunch with Becky (from my church), Kathleen and Mel (From Delanco camp). They are all students at Eastern University. It was great to see them all.

Church Review: I generally write my sermons out, and the preach without reading from the manuscript. Normally you should trust the flow of what you’ve written. I was not fully happy with my sermon so I tried (during the 9:30 service) to make it something that it was not. Fortunately, I did not make that mistake at 11:07. It was a busy morning at church with stewardship stuff, All Saints Day, Mission team commissioning, and communion.

Where I Am At the Moment: It’s 6:30 a.m…just finished devotions and I am waiting to go get Abbie up and ready for the day.

On My To-Do List This Week: School work and a sermon. That really about says it.

What Abbie is Up To This Week: Last week, I wrote that maybe we’re getting a break from Abbie teething. I was wrong. I’ve been awake at 4:30 a.m. that last few mornings as she wakes up with uncomfortable gums. Poor girl. When Abbie is ready for dinner she has begun to tell us “Eat, eat, eat!” rather emphatically.

Book I am in the Midst Of: I am mostly reading seminary stuff. Not much else.

Music That Caught My Attention This Week: I heard a few songs off of Grits’ new CD on iTunes (and downloaded a few). Pretty good stuff. The problem I have with Grits is at one time I thought they were innovative with their sound…now they seem more chameleon like by doing whatever is popular at the time. Bring back the old Grits!

How I Feel About this week: It should be a good week. Andrea has off on Election Day, so we’re voting (and I hope you are to!) and then going out to breakfast and to a park together with Abbie. That will certainly be the highlight of my week.

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Monday Morning Update: October 27, 2008

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

The Week That Was: This past week was pretty good. Saturday was my birthday. I turned 30 for those of you who missed it in a previous post. Thanks to everyone who sent birthday wishes. It meant a lot. My mom and aunt came out for a visit for the weekend. It was good to see them. As far as school goes, I am officially halfway through the semester. We registered for classes last week. I will be doing a J-Term intensive class on New Testament Greek in January, which means I’ll be living in Philly all week throughout January. I also took the plunge to go full-time again next semester. I think I can do it!

Church Review: This was the first Sunday that I preached in a while. I am doing a series on worship. This Sunday’s message focused on Our Response to Who God Is. While I don’t always take much stock in immediate feedback from a sermon, a few people spoke with me that they had some good discussions about the sermon yesterday afternoon. I think that is always a goal of mine is to preach something that begins a conversation about our relationship with God.

Where I Am At the Moment: I am at home right now. I have to do a Biblical Interpretation project this afternoon before Charge Conference tonight.

On My To-Do List This Week: I have a clergy meeting tomorrow where I am presenting some stuff in regards to background checks. I am one of 3 pastors around 30…so most of the pastors have no clue who I am. But it will be good to contribute to the meeting. I am also working on a college age mission trip this week.

What Abbie is Up To This Week: Abbie has had about 4 teeth come in during the last three weeks. She has started evening out in her mood, so maybe there is a break coming. She is a talker. She gabs and gabs. It is fun trying to figure out what she is saying.

Book I am in the Midst Of: I am mostly reading seminary stuff. Not much else.

Music That Caught My Attention This Week: While I did receive a new iPod for my birthday (thanks andrea!), I haven’t heard any new music. I am in a busy school cycle again.

How I Feel About this week: I am feeling good about the week ahead. I think Andrea and I have some time schedule to get away together on Saturday. Once I get through school, it will be a great week!

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Thoughts On Thirty

Posted on October 24, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

Tomorrow has the potential to be a rough day. It is my 30th birthday. None of my birthdays in my 20’s carried as much weight as this one. While I am certainly not entertaining the notion of jumping off a bridge, there is a strange stigma about hitting thirty in my mind.

Here is the reality of turning thirty…

  • It’s been 14 years since I started to drive.
  • 12 years since going to college
  • 8 years since getting married and graduating college
  • In just 20 more years, I’ll be 50.
  • As I connect with college students, I worry about being the creepy old guy hanging around campus.
  • Or being confused with a facebook stalker!
  • My friend told me the other day that my hair was thinning out in the back (Thanks pal!)
  • I was 14 years old the last time the Pirates had a winning season

So I turn 30. They say that age is just a number, and it is. I have been overwhelmingly been blessed by God throughout my life. That’s the point, I think Andrea and I have tried to be where God wants us to be. That has been exciting for the past eight years together. As we do that into our thirties, I know that God will continue to use us beyond our wildest imagination. I just wish I could stay 29 or something!

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More Rob Bell Links

Posted on October 17, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

I was taking a break from some seminary work this morning and came across a couple of links regarding Rob Bell. Since I’ve included him in the last two post, I thought I would pass them on.

First, is a Time magazine article on Rob called The Hipper Than Thou Pastor. It’s basically an introduction of Rob to the nation.

Second, and more importantly, is a book review of Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Ben Witherington. You can access the blog and review here. Dr. Witherington is a New Testament professor at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is a highly regarded scholar, so I was really interested to read his review. If you go to read it, let me tell you first that it is long and in-depth. But it is a good review.

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Just Sniffing Around

Posted on October 17, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

I was watching the Tampa Bay-Boston game last night before going to bed and found something really interesting during the game. No, not the fact that the Red Sox came back to win (should have never happened). It was about Rays manager Joe Maddon.

Early in the game, TBS showed a video clip of Maddon before the game going around the outfield speaking with his pitchers. The commentators said that Maddon does this before every game and rarely calls a player into his office because he is out “in their office” on a daily basis. The commentators went on to say that Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa also does this and calls this “sniffing around.” Maddon has a great rapport with his team, I’m guessing in large part because of his willingness to meet them where they are.

The Church should do a better job of this. I know there are churches who do, but most churches that I know expect that people come to them. Pastors expect congregation members and leaders to come to his/her office. We have an “if you build it, they will come” mentality about our worship services. What if Pastors and Christian leaders did more “sniffing around?” Instead of locking ourselves in our offices, we spend the bulk of our time meeting with people in their homes, the local coffee shop, athletic fields, and other places where people are comfortable. How much more would we learn about people? About the needs of our communities? About life outside the church?

On a totally seperate note: I’m wondering if Joe Maddon is what Rob Bell will look like in 20 years. Maddon certainly doesn’t look like a baseball guy when he’s not on the field. (Sorry for the old pic…the off the field pic looked most like Bell.)

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Rob Bell Interview

Posted on October 16, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

Actually, I don’t interview Rob Bell. It would be cool, but I don’t have that kind of influence that I could call Rob up and interview him.

So Rob has come out with a new book, Jesus Wants to Save Christians. I think the title is genuis, but I know that others are offended by it. I have yet to read the book (it’s not on my seminary reading list for some reason), but I heard a really good interview with Rob regarding the book. Relevant Magazine has a 2 part interview with Rob on their October 6 and October 13 podcast that is available on iTunes for free and from their website. The interview is pretty candid about the book and some of the criticism that Rob receives from many churches. Relevant also has a print interview up on their site with Rob.

I am personally looking forward to reading the book and being challenged in my understanding of our faith…especially in our American context.

So what are your thoughts? Do you agree/enjoy/grow from Rob Bell’s teaching, writings, or nooma videos? Or are you ready to burn his books and call him a heretic? Somewhere in between? Talk back in the comments.

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Monday Morning Update: October 13, 2008

Posted on October 13, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

The Week That Was: The week was pretty crazy. I missed one of my seminary classed because Abbie needed picked up from Day care. Once I left Delaware for school on Wednesday, I did not make it back to Delaware until Sunday evening. Five days on the road. The reason, was the Delanco Fall Retreat, which I was deaning. The retreat went really well and gave us the opportunity to visit with some good friends. There was a nice move of the Spirit for students to surrender their lives to God on Saturday night. Our speaker, Dustin Staples, did an excellent job with each of the messages. It was great to see him and Ashley. Becky and I co-led worship, each of us taking 2 services and leading. She did a wonderful job.

Church Review: Wasn’t there. But I have heard that the guest worship leader did a great job.

Where I Am At the Moment: I am at home. Abbie is napping. Her daycare is closed today for Columbus Day. Which is fine by me because I don’t really feel like doing much.

On My To-Do List This Week: Now that the retreats are over, its time to concentrate even more on School. This is reading week, so I have a couple mid-terms to do and some other projects. All of it managable once I get organized. I have some paperwork to catch up on at work as well.

What Abbie is Up To This Week: Abbie had 2 molars come in this week. It hasn’t been terrible…she’s just not been herself at times. She is also getting more shy around people that she doesn’t know.

Book I am in the Midst Of: I skimmed the book “The History of the United Bretheren Church” the other day. I have some books to read this week for school.

Music That Caught My Attention This Week: I downloaded Anberlin’s new CD this past week. It is really good. They re-recorded one of my favorite songs “Feel Good Drag”. Great ear candy. If I haven’t posted it here before, you really should listen to Brooke Fraser’s new CD “Albertine”. Very well done. (She’s the author of the Hillsong song “Hosanna.”)

How I Feel About this week: I’m tired. I feel like I have a lot of school work to do this week, but it will be better once I get organized.

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Chaging Paradigms: Worship Pt. 1

Posted on October 7, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

A few days ago I wrote about changing the paradigm of various aspects of Christianity here in America. I want to begin focusing on the aspect of worship in our churches. Part of my responsibility at Avenue is to lead worship at two of our services, so I am pretty engrained into the weekly rythmn of worship in our community. But as I lead, I have become increasingly aware that there needs to be change within the arena of worship.

First, there is a consumeristic mentality within most congregations when it comes to worship. On Sunday morning, the average Christian in my setting (and I’m guessing elsewhere) comes to church looking to be ‘fed.’ I hear this on a regular basis; “I’m really being fed through the message,” or “I don’t feel like I’m being fed.” Others say, “The worship (usually meaning music) didn’t connect with me today.” These are just a few things that you hear in a consummeristic congregation.

There is a great danger with this outlook that expects the church/pastor/worship gathering to do something for the congregation. The purpose of worship is not to be fed (although it will happen), but it is to direct all our praise and adoration to God. In worship, there is an audience of One. And each person who walks through the doors of the church are not the receiptient of the service, but are the givers. In Worship, we are to give our all to God.

How do we move from consumeristic worship to God-centered worship?

  1. Our image of God must grow: For many of us, we have a view of God that is really small. We’ve lost touch with God’s majesty, glory, and splendor. We easliy forget God’s mercy and grace. When we have a better grasp of majesty, of God’s ‘largeness’, then there is nothing we can do but to fall down in worship.
  2. Our Worship Services Must Change: Probably 99% of our churches feature seats that face the stage where the pastor speaks from, much like a concert. Maybe we need to create churches that are circular in their seating so that we are more unified in our praise. We remember that we are a part of a community that worships.

    We also need to reexamine what we do in worship and the message it sends. Are things we do in worship focused on God- or ourselves?

  3. We need to feed ourselves: For many in our setting (and I suspect plenty of others places), our people only crack their Bibles on Sunday morning. As pastors, and church leaders, we need to develop congregations who are studying the Bible, growing in small groups, and using their gifts in service. When this happens, then our worship services are not consummeristic, but become focused on God rather than ourselves. When we are more focused on God- we become more focused to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth.
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Monday Morning Update: October 6, 2008

Posted on October 6, 2008 by Steve LaMotte

The Week That Was: This past week was pretty good overall. It was a pretty straight forward week until the weekend. This was our annual Fall Retreat. Because of attendance, we made some tweaks to the retreat, but overall it went really well. (honestly, better than I anticipated). Randy Chambers from FCA spoke at the retreat and really challenged us to surrender our lives to God. I believe it was a good weekend for the students that were there as well. On Sunday Night, we had some of our college students/young adults over for Bible Study and the Steeler game (with iCarly thrown in there for good measure)

Church Review: From what I heard, it went well. One of my students, Becky, led worship for us. From what I heard, she did a great job with limited resources (her guitar was the only instrument!).

Where I Am At the Moment: I’m at my office computer getting ready for a staff lunch at Applebees. Sweet.

On My To-Do List This Week: I have a three page paper that is stressing me out. It’s on the Trinity. It really shouldn’t be stressing me out, but I really want to get my paper done well. More for my own understanding than the grade. I am also getting ready for another retreat this upcoming weekend at Delanco Camp.

What Abbie is Up To This Week: I’m not really sure. I’ve been gone enough this week that I haven’t seen as much of Abbie as I would like to.

Book I am in the Midst Of: Even in the midst of seminary reading, I picked up Rob Bell’s new book Jesus Wants to Save Christians. I may start reading it this weekend.

Music That Caught My Attention This Week: I’m hoping to download Anberlin’s new CD today or tomorrow. They are one of my favorite bands.

How I Feel About this week: Coming off the retreat, I’m exhausted and cranky…hopefully that will change in a day or so.

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