Download
January 1, 2001
Source: the Leadership survey
Dew-ers of the Word
Churches offer a cup of soda and a winsome witness.
Heartland Community Church in Lawrence, Kansas, is located directly across the street from the Granada Theater, where rocker Marilyn Manson was scheduled to play. Manson bills himself as the "Anti-Christ Superstar."
On the day of the concert, pastor Paul Gray urged the congregation to view Manson as a fellow sinner in need of a savior, and to love the person without condoning the actions and attitudes.
That evening, while patrons were waiting in line for the concert, the Heartland band and vocal team sang inside the church with speakers in the open doorways pointing toward the crowds. Church members prayed for Manson and his fans. An hour before the concert doors opened, they gave away 400 cans of cold soda to those in line. Concert attenders were told, "We thought you might be thirsty."
When asked, Heartlanders said, "We're from the church next door."
There was no negative response from the concert goers, the church reported, and many positive comments were made, such as, "This is the kind of thing Christians ought to be doing."
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, one Christian group protested outside a Manson concert, trading verbal assaults with the fans in line. Soon, another group pulled up and unloaded bags of ice, coolers, and cases of Mountain Dew. It was "the groUp" from Corinth Reformed Church in nearby Byron Center, a ministry of 19 to 29 year-olds. They began giving away soft drinks.
Asked "Why are you doing this?" the answer came naturally: "We love God and we love you!"
From Building a Contagious Church by Mark Mittelberg (Zondervan, 2000)
Ideas That Work
Wait 'til You See the Hats
Marian's salvation was something to celebrate. We had prayed over her for some time. "If all heaven rejoices when one sinner repents, why don't we join in?" I asked. My husband Scott, the pastor, agreed.
We stocked up on noisemakers at a party supply store. The next Sunday we asked the greeters to pass them out along with the worship bulletins. Marian came forward to share her testimony, along with the two women who led her to Christ. On cue, we all blew our noisemakers and applauded. It was a raucous, joyous, sacred moment.
Later we gathered the noisemakers and washed them. Our folks are looking forward to the next time they're handed a noisemaker with their bulletin.
Cindy Minnich
Ocean Community Fellowship
Toms River, New Jersey
Will You Have this Man, Jesus …
We asked a couple who were married in our church recently to leave up the decorations in the sanctuary and fellowship hall. On Sunday we had a vow renewal ceremony for our church. Not the usual recommitment of husbands and wives, this was the commitment of the Bride of Christ to the Bridegroom.
We entered to the strains of wedding music. I preached on the pledge Christ has made to the Church, and what he expects of us. Afterward we adjourned to a traditional reception, complete with a wedding cake. Many people have said the most special part of the service was the vows we recited after the sermon:
"Will you have this man, Jesus, to be your Savior and Lord, to live with him after God's plan of the holy state of salvation?
"Will you obey him, serve him, love and honor him, and forsaking all others, keep only to him until death brings you together with him for all eternity?
"If this is your vow, say 'I do.'"
Allan Rundel
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada
Got an Idea?
If it works for you, it works for us! Share your bright idea.
If we publish it, you'll receive up to $50.
E-mail your success story to: LJEditor@leadershipjournal.net.
Or strap it to a snail and dispatch to:
Ideas that Work
Leadership
465 Gundersen Drive
Carol Stream IL 60188
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
|
|
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
