3 Chords & A Bunch Of Friends

Thanks to all of you who made the trip over to Shenanigans to support 3 Chords on Tuesday night. We're not really sure where the whole contest thing stands, I suppose we'll learn something from Randy who runs the thing at some point.

The most important thing is that we had a great time because so many of our friends came out and joined us. Thanks!

We're hoping to have some pictures, audio and video ready to share on the blog soon. In the meantime, here are some comments we heard about the evening.

A regular Shenanigans patron to Jim as we were leaving: "You guys are leaving this place better than you found it."

Another regular as we finished our set: "Thank you! You guys made me smile. I needed to smile today."

A woman in the doorway, repeated often, we think to Jesse... though maybe directed towards Dan or Jim: "Hey Curly! Hey Curly!"

A woman up on the bar level, hanging over the rail as we finished the Jimi Hendrix tune 'Fire': "You guys are @#$%^& awesome!"

One of the Christ's Church elders in attendance: "Maybe we should move our elders meetings over here."

A Christ's Church member who would like to remain anonymous: "All the (Christ's Church) drinkers are here."

Again, thanks to you all for coming out and sharing the evening with us. We look forward to seeing you again next time!

Technorati Tags: 3 Chords & A Cloud Of Dust, Rock-N-Roll, Missional

Going To Church On Easter Sunday?

Are you planning to go to church on Easter Sunday? Plan to have the right apparel and equipment with you when you go.

For some folks going to church on Easter will mean getting their Sunday suit pressed.




For others it means heading out to the local department store and picking up just the right Easter dress. Why here's a beauty. Precious will look... well, precious in this little number!







Most folks will want to bring their Bibles with them. They will want to underline important words and dog-ear key pages so they can look back over them when they get home.



And don't forget a cool highlighter to mark important words... like 'but', while the preacher preaches!


There is at least one church in Southern New Hampshire, where if you are planning to CELEBRATE the resurrection of the Lord, extra considerations may be in order.



Accessorizing, for instance, might include a set of these...






...and a pair of these...





...and maybe one of these...





...and you may want to have a few of these.






See you on Easter Sunday when we will CELEBRATE the resurrection of our Lord! He is risen!

Technorati Tags: Christ's Church of Amherst, Resurrection Sunday, Easter

The Church: 'Ya'll Come!' or 'Get Going'?

Earlier this week I spent a bit of time visiting with a family newer to Christ's Church, getting to know them a bit, and hopefully helping them get to know us a little better. (By the way, should that family read this - thanks for a great visit!)

During our conversation we spoke about many things but one area in particular has continued to stir my thoughts. What are the differences between a 'missional' church and an 'attractional' church? Why are we more missional than attractional?

As you have probably figured out, I have some very clear answers to those questions. But, before I bully-pulpit the issue, what say you? What do you think of those two terms? Do you think CCA fits one more than the other? Let me know what you think and I'll take this matter further in a day or so with a follow-up.

Technorati Tags: Missional, Attractional, Ecclesiology

In The Aftermath Of The Storm

I spent last evening with my brother Dave, hearing more about the February 2nd tornadoes that devastated the community. He gave me the highlights about the storm itself, as he remembered it. But then he went on to tell me about the amazing things that are happening since the storm.

First, the storm itself. Dave was awakened at around 3AM because the lightning was so frequent it lit his bedroom like it was daylight outside. He turned on the television and the local Doppler radar was tracking a massive system on a track that would bring it right through Deland. He made a few quick preparations and went out on the back porch to see what he could see. Just a bit of hail - and as quickly as it came up, it was gone. His phone rang a couple of hours later saying he should get out to one of the church family's home, as it had been heavily damaged.

What followed was confusion. When Dave arrived there was much misinformation given by rescue workers. There was confusion as to whether Dave would be allowed into the perimeter that emergency workers had set up. But in the next couple of hours they managed to get the answers, and the access that they had hoped for - but news they had hoped not to hear.

The aftermath, however, continues to be a marvelous story. The local churches in the community came together in a way never seen before. The churches found out where needs were in the community and mobilized together to meet them. They partnered with the Red Cross is being among the earliest and most committed responders. The community noticed.

Dave learned some valuable lessons. First, he became an unofficial information officer of sorts for many family members and friends. He hadn't anticipated this, but when he forwarded his church phone number to his cell, and was on the scene, he became the man with the most up-to-date information. He recalled having to tell many loved ones and friends that this family was gone. He learned that there are right and wrong moves in being among the first responders - things that you can do to help, or things that you can do that would hinder emergency officials. He learned that the Red Cross offers training for first responders that teaches all this important information. At present, a number of people in his congregation, and a number of people from other local church congregations are taking the course - so should there be a next time, the church will be even more ready to be on scene and making a difference.

There's nothing like the church bringing light to the community!

Technorati Tags: Florida Tornadoes, Mission

The Preacher Brought A Good Word

I ran across Bono's acceptance speech for an Image Award he was honored with by the NAACP on March 2. I love the opportunity to tip my hat to a good spoken word. HT Bono.

I especially liked the line about Dr. Martin Luther King, that he "refused to hate because he knew love would do a better job". He asserts a challenge at the end, "God is with the poor, my friends, and God is with us if we're with them." Give the clip a watch and let me know what you think.

Technorati Tags: Bono, HIV/AIDS, NAACP, Missions