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A key word for our 2009-2010 ministry year is ENGAGE! You've probably already begun to hear it used more and more, and I hope it's beginning to sink in. It's a word we all need to hear, starting with me. The first definition is: en·gage - to hold the attention of In 2009-2010 it is important that we become more engaging in the sense of holding people's attention. Primarily, this idea effects our worship ministries. As a result, I am committing more time to the crafting of sermon presentation. In the ministry-world we call this Homiletics. As you all know, I am one who enjoys the study of the Word, and I work hard establishing grammatical context, historical context and theological implications of each passage I preach. In preaching I am tethered to the Word, and that's a good thing! However, I recognize an area where I can grow and improve--in the actual presentation of the sermon content that keeps it more engaging. My logical mind always wants to present well-thought-out, true, rational propositions which come together in a powerfully deductive conclusion. Now for me, that's motivating, but I know that not all people are motivated to action by sound logic. Emotion is just as valid a motivational source as reason. So, I plan to give more attention to crafting the presentation of sermons such that they engage on both intellectual and emotional levels. This will be hard for me, but preaching must engage or it's not preaching. Of course, preaching is not the only thing we do as a part of worship ministries; singing is what most people think of when talking about worship. And singing is another area where we must become more engaging. In this part of our worship our goal is to honor God by exalting Christ, and the display of God's glory in His crucified, raised and ascended Son should truly be more than engaging; it should be captivating. Thus, we must improve. However, before the congregation's worship will improve, those leading from the platform must improve. My prayer is that our worship leadership team will be captivated more and more by the beauty of the excellencies of Christ such that, when they publicly worship, those of us gathered will have our attention held (not by quality performance but) by the glory of God thus leading us to engage in worship along with them. In this regard, we currently have an opportunity to affect change. We are at what I am considering a defining moment for Southside. Right or wrong, our culture defines churches by their style of music and worship atmosphere. With us currently searching for a Worship Ministry Director who will have the freedom to lead and influence our worship style, we are truly at a defining moment. Let our worship not be seen as contemporary, traditional or even blended, but let us define worship as engaging.
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