Pointifications

This blog is moving to a new home on the world wide web. All of the posts from this blog will be archived on the new site, and further posts will be posted there too ofcourse.

Over the past several weeks, visits to this blog have increased and other blogs are linking here, which is driving most of the traffic. Pastors, especially pastors of church plants and new churches, are all over the blog world!

You can visit this new website at www.pointifications.com

The new site offers much more flexibility and the ability to post articles, audio and video, as well as multiple pages.

Thanks for reading,

Rick

Posted by Rick Long at Thursday, October 26, 2006 | Permalink

Joshua Harris has a post on the New Attitude blog that is particularly relevant. There are times when the church (as in a Kingdom sense) is not focusing on the cross that unites. Rather the focus is on what divides: worship style, contextualizaton, or methodology. It is the cross that unites. We can 'do' the Gospel differently and still be doctrinally sound and completely Biblical. Too often one side of the issue takes aim at the other. The churches that are 'contemporary' point to the traditional churches and roll their eyes. The traditional churches look down their noses at the modern church with condemnation.

All that really matters is Jesus, the Gospel and the greatness of God. If our doctrine is sound, then nothing divides us except opinion and preference, both of which are rooted in self.


I have been participating in a conversation on another blog that prompted this post. I will be linking to this in the near future.

Posted by Rick Long at Tuesday, October 24, 2006 | Permalink

"In Christ Alone" is a new song that we sang yesterday at The Point Community Church. This song embodies our hope, our joy and our testimony. Sometimes the lyrics of the songs we sing can get lost in the rhythm and beat of the music, but it so very crucial that we pay close attention the message in the music. This song in particular conveys the wholeness of the Gospel. Here are the words:

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song.
This Cornerstone this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My comforter my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the pow'r of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No pow'r of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

CCLI Song No. 3350395© 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Keith Getty / Stuart Townend

Posted by Rick Long at Monday, October 23, 2006 | Permalink

In case you haven't noticed or possibly you aren't coming to The Point Church, we are seeing more and more folks come, return and make it their home. With growth comes challenges, opportunities and the exposing of weaknesses. Growth is affirming, humbling and challenging on so many different levels. I had breakfast with one of our Elders this morning, he had a great baseball analogy. Right now, we are getting a lot of balls pitched to us. We had better be at the plate, ready to swing at the balls that are in the 'strike zone'. There will be foul balls, there will be swings and misses, otherwise known as strikes. We might even get hit if we step into the pitch. Ofcourse, we may have to 'punt' just to get a runner on first from time to time.

I was on a little league baseball team growing up, the Meadowthorpe Astros. One day, I was pitching....yes, pitching. The batter swung and made contact with the ball which headed straight for my face at a million miles per second. I saw it coming and reacted with freakish swiftness by raising my left (non-gloved) hand to stop the ball before it went straight through my head. I have no idea why I did not attempt to catch the ball with my glove on my right hand, which would have been the heoric, athletic and common sense thing to do my dad later reminded me. I just knew that I had to stop the ball from impacting my head. I actually 'swatted' at it in the way a girl might shew away a fly.

How this applies to the growing church I have no idea. It just seemed like a good story to share.

It is tempting to try to manage the church and control the growth so that we are not overwhelmed and overworked, but that's not God's plan for the church according to the New Testament. God has promised to build HIS church, if HIS people will simply BE the church.

My task: stay out of HIS way, in HIS will and Word.

Posted by Rick Long at Thursday, October 19, 2006 | Permalink

The following is a brief article by popular, GenX worship leader, Jami Smith. I found it reading some articles by Louie Giglio, founder of Passion Conferences.

Will we survive this worship trend? Will we emerge as worshippers of God or trend followers? I am asking God to alert my senses to what is cultural Christianity and what is biblical Christianity. This pursuit is important to me because I want this generation to grow up worshipping God with their lives, but also understanding that music, scripture, art, silence... these things are but tools that remind us that He is the Prize, not these things in and of themselves. We must be careful not to perpetuate a form of legalism, but instead teach others to worship God, not a style, a sound, a worship song, or a worship leader. I want to help teach the body of Christ not to be confused about the purpose of corporate worship. I have unfortunately heard about adults and students saying things like, "I am not going to that conference because this person is leading or this person is not leading," or "I only go to church when he or she leads." Statements like these expose not stylistic preference but heart issues. A heart in love with God does not need its favorite style of music playing to express itself to God. The musical debate continues to rage over traditional versus contemporary. I am so tired of Satan confusing us and getting our eyes off of Jesus. When our attention is so focused on our preference, we abandon the Prize to crusade our style and it becomes idolatry, ultimately, cheating ourselves. Anytime I worship anything other than God, I cheat me. If I enjoy your response to me or my music more than God, I cheat me; if I enjoy music and the emotions it makes me feel more than God, I cheat me; if I enjoy a new song taking shape musically with the band more than I enjoy God, again I cheat me and miss out on the blessings and sheer joy of interacting with the Lover of my soul and the Savior of the world. I pray we will stop wasting time and start focusing our attention and affection on the One who can satisfy. (Psalm 63)

Posted by Rick Long at Tuesday, October 17, 2006 | Permalink

Ok, so my friend that I quoted in the previous post called. He lives out of town, read my blog and called to clarify his context. I feel better about his clarification. He agrees, many churches go so far into the creative element that the message gets lost. Which is a shame if you think about it, creativity should honor the Gospel rather than disguise it or worse, cloak it altogether. I am all for creativity...if it clearly presents the Gospel. Another friend recently left a staff position at church known worldwide for it's creativity because strong doctrine and a clear Gospel message were being sacrificed on the altar of creativity.

As I stated in a previous post, we don't need to make the Gospel relevant. It is relevant. It's just that we as a church must be relevant and creatively sharing the Gospel message. This is the distinction...if the goal is creativity then the Gospel is secondary, which is unacceptable. But if the goal is Gospel being creatively and relevantly communicated, then Amen brother! I'm in!

Which brings me back to worship. I am amazed at how simple our 'service' is at The Point, yet every week (more and more each week) folks comment on the 'powerful' worship experience. By powerful, I am assuming they mean that they have an awe encounter with the living God, His grace and the cross. We don't 'do' a lot to impress people with worship elements, yet. We sing, pray, read Scripture, bring the Word, and have other elements such as testimonies, videos, varying offering procedures, etc. More and more thought is being put into our worship planning, more creativity and attention to the small things that seem to stand out. A lesson I am learning is that simple seems to work. I have heard this time and time again, that a worship service should be simple enough so that it connects with a wide range of folks from different backgrounds and at different levels of spirituality.

I am sure that as we develop, we will incorporate more technical elements into our services, such as lighting, self made videos and offering badkets that drop from the ceiling. But I am blessed and pleased that the simplicity of our services in our converted factory are helping people see God's grace through Jesus more clearly.

Just kidding about the offering baskets dropping from the ceiling...or am I?

Posted by Rick Long at Tuesday, October 17, 2006 | Permalink

In our study of the Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life, I am teaching on Worship this Wednesday. This is based on the book of the same name by Donald Whitney.

Some of my notes so far:
God does care about the content of our worship as well as its spirit. We can be very sincere, and yet sincerely wrong if we offer worship to God that is not in truth as revealed in scripture. For a clear example, consider the second commandment and the Golden Calf. God prohibited worship through images because He alone determines how He is to be worshipped. We worship God as He is revealed in the Bible, not as we might want Him to be. We worship Him as a God of both mercy and justice, of love and wrath, a God who both welcomes into heaven and condemns into hell. In a time when so much touchy feely, new age, secularism has crept it's way into the church under the guise of 'worship', we have but one source, one authority of what worship truly is- and that is the Truth of the Word.

Personal Thoughts...
I recently heard a friend use the term 'new forms of worship'. That term disturbs me somewhat. I am not sure of his context, but it seems to reflect the thought that God is doing something new- which cannot supported by Scripture. Our worship 'services' at The Point are contemporary, upbeat, becoming more creative, intuitive and provocative, and have the goal of giving complete glory to God. We are not looking for something new and creative to do, we are simply (key word=simply) placing our people in setting where God is more clearly presented in all of His glory. Creativity is too often the goal of the worship service for many churches, while creativity can certainly play a role in how we 'present' God, creativity should never be our goal. God being glorfied is always and the only goal of worship, private or public.

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I recently came across a list of books about Biblical Worship, I will only recommend books that I personally have read, so after going through the list here are some that I recommend. In an effort to get our people reading God's Word and books that correctly reflect Truth, I will be posting listings such as this often on various topics that are relevant to our journey together.

David Peterson: Engaging with God One of the best, if not the best, books on the biblical theology of worship.

Bruce Ware: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Bruce Ware, a systematic theology professor at Southern Seminary, has written an outstanding book on the triune God we worship. This book covers some of the historical discussions on the Trinity, relevant biblical texts, and very helpful application.

C. J. Mahaney: Humility: True Greatness Applying the truths in this book will help you put pride to death and become the humble person to whom God looks. (Is. 66:2)

C.J. Mahaney: Living the Cross Centered Life This book combines two of CJ's previous books on the cross and adds new material. It will cause you to be amazed by the mercy, power, and glory of our Savior's sacrifice for us.

Harold Best: Music Through the Eyes of Faith This book should help you understand how music "works" in worshipping God. Brilliant.

D. A. Carson: The Cross and Christian Ministry Dr. Carson shows how the Gospel defines and affects unity, leadership, preaching, missions, and our understanding of the Spirit's work. Every Christian leader should read this book.

Vaughan Roberts: True Worship This short (135 pg) book is a gem for helping us understand what we're actually doing when we meet on Sundays to worship God. Chapter 5 on "The Place of Music and Singing" is outstanding.

John Piper: When I Don’t Desire God: How To Fight For Joy If you lack motivation to pursue God, or need practical ways to grow in your passion for Him, read this book.

D.A. Carson: Worship by the Book Carson's first chapter is easily worth the price of the book. Balanced, biblical, and challenging.

Posted by Rick Long at Monday, October 16, 2006 | Permalink

Recently, my church observed Pastor Appreciation Day. I was humbled by the outpouring of love and support by my congregation at The Point.

I want to take this opportunity to mention some Pastors that have made an impact on my life and minstry.

Bro. Maguffey and Bro. Harvey at Cane Run Baptist in Lexington. They pastored my family and helped my father become a disciple and follower of Jesus. I came to faith in Jesus at this church under the leadership of these men. I drove by this church today and pulled into the parking lot praying for it's ministry and people.

Gabe Collett at Corinth Baptist in London Ky, demonstrated a genuine and sincere love for people. I was friends with his son, and was able to see the Pastors life from the inside. His wife, Sharon is the Principle of Franklin Co High School here in Frankfort now. He is a chaplain for a Veterans Retirement Home in Wilmore Ky.

Rick Trexler was the Baptist Campus Pastor at Eastern Ky University while I was at college there. This man helped me to understand what a calling on my life as a minister really meant. He gently guided toward a surrender to God's plan for my life.

Dr. James Blaylock is the Pastor of Corinth Baptist in London. I grew under this man's teaching in significant ways. His genuine care for the church and love for the Gospel shaped me and continues to do so. His consistent and faithful preaching of the Word sets an example for many young Pastors.

Dr. Lynn Dotson gave me my first full time ministry position at First Baptist East Bernstadt in London Ky. His love for people was infectious. He constantly reminded me that the Gospel was meant to be shared and that ministry is about loving people. He was patient and took me 'under his wing'. I learned more from this man than any seminary class could ever teach.

Wallace Kent is in many ways, my father in the ministry. He also demonstrated a pastoral care that I glean from daily. He is a 'Pastor's Pastor.' I will always appreciate his gentle and patient guidance. He allowed me to fail (and learn) and succeed. He gave me much freedom and allowed me to grow as a pastor and leader. For this, I am forever grateful.

Phil Champion is a close friend and a wonderful Pastor (big P!). Phil is now alongside me at The Point. Phil loved me enough while we are college together to talk tough with me and admonish me to be faithful to my Lord and to my calling. I am excited that Phil is at The Point. He is gifted beyond measure, so having him serving our families at The Point is exciting and I am grateful to call him a close friend and co-laborer in Christ. Stephanie is a great Pastor's wife and a wonderful addition to the community of faith at The Point. I am also humbled that Phil and Steph are naming their daughter after me, "Ricoletta". ;-)

I now appreciate close friendships with several Pastors: Steve Hussong, Rob Turner, Hershael York, Dan Garland, Kevin Ezell, Jeff Eaton, Steve Ayers, Rusty Ellison, Andy McDonald, Doug Hamblin and many more. I know that some names are not on this list, but that is just because it is really late and my mind is tired.

I must say that I truly appreciate the significant support and guidance offered to me in this stage of my life and minstry by Dr. Hershael York (Buck Run Baptist), Jeff Eaton (Hope Community Church), Steve Hussong (Rich Pond Baptist, Bowling Green) and Kevin Ezell (Highview Baptist, Louisville). These men, in one way or another, offer wisdom, partnership and guidance in my early days as a Lead Pastor, and in ways they are not even aware of sometimes.

And, my fellow elders at The Point who are pastors in every sense of the Word, are a source of tremendous confort, guidance and support. These men are Godly, wise and lovers of the Gospel. I am stronger because of their submission to the Lord and His church.

So, this Pastor is appreciative of my Pastors. Thank you.

Posted by Rick Long at Friday, October 13, 2006 | Permalink