Church and School

Tonight I found myself thinking about Church and school. Many of you know I work for my almater Greater Atlanta Christian. A very fine Christian institution, and tonight like every night this week I was face with a dilemna. Whether to wear shorts or not? I know this is not a big deal for many. I considered myself a visitor tonight and have seen some their own members wearing shorts. I was running late tonight returning my nephew home and running back to hear Randy tonight. I still had my shorts on, but went home anyway to change into jeans. What is appropriate to wear to services? Because many of my students attend along with their parents, I changed clothes. My norm would have been to wear what I had on and if anyone had a problem with it, it would just be their problem. I am glad I still wear whatever I want at East Cobb, but even there, some would love for me to wear a suit. I always tell those that their next worship leader will wear a suit. Anytime they are ready to find him, let me know. Suit no more, only on those occasions( funeral, wedding- where I am the groom)

I have mentioned Texas in my previous post, where I received a lecture before being hired full time as a worship minister on what is appropriate to wear not only to church but in the office setting. I don't mind dressing up, but I don't get the whole outside appearance means more than substance. Anyway, how has any of you dealt with this in your adult life? A big reason for me to love teenagers is relationship. They will tell me when my hat don't match my clothes or shoes not matching clothes. The teens don't really focus on that but the relationshi(ok, most of the time) . Why can't we as adults do that? Why did I have a dilemna tonight! I don't know! Randy was good again, but this is what was on my mind tonight. Sleep well, TerryD

Looking forward to July

This summer, I am helping with a day camp that has served me in a way to outreach to the community around the school I teach. This has been exhausting(physically)which is alright since I need the exercise, but has been very rewarding. In July, I will be taking a month off from my worship leading duties to reflect, pray, vacation, and whatever God takes me to on Sunday. I am a person who loves to travel and experience new things. I am 36, and sometimes feel like I am 66, tied to all of my different responsiblities. Tim Spivey said it well in his blog listed here http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2068372/19030256. I am looking forward to July.

Update on Randy tonight: He presented the story on the prodigal son. Again, an excellent lesson presented like we had never heard it before. I feel like Randy, that I am like the older brother in the story, who has done all the things right and tended to those who were hurt, and then this punk comes and we throw a party for him. Randy is good! I felt very convicted tonight to give up control and see what God has planned for me. Everything I get to do is great! I wondered if I am prepared to receive the people Randy talked about tonight in the service. He mentioned worship wars of the future being more about Punk rock, rap, and etc. Are we ready for this? As a worship leader, I was challenged tonight. I was thinking tonight how nondiverse the worship team was tonight. Here is a church wanting to embrace the community but have a very lily white praise team. They have a Korean ministry, Hispanic ministry, and a meals-on-wheel for people staying in extended stay hotels- and no diversity on the praise team. This is not a cut on this church or the worship leader who I believe is awesome. He along with his team will be coming to East Cobb sunday night. So, I mentioned it here as an observation and a direct call to put up or shut up as I continue to digust Randy's lesson tonight. Randy encouraged them to go for it. Don't be afraid. Please join me in prayer not only for this church, but all christians as we think about our responsiblity and respond to Luke 15. It was a great evening. Terry

Randy Harris @ Campus Church tonight!

He was awesome as always. I am amazed everytime I hear him. I put him up there with the great preacher/speakers of my limited 36 years of life. My favorite all time speakers are( in no particular order): Randy Harris, Mike Cope, Patrick Meade, Don Mclauglin, Jeff Walling, Fred McClure, Terry Rush, Marvin Phillips, Dr. Ken Neller( The very best short preacher sermons I have ever heard)Late Bro.Reginald Dulin, Keith luttrell and Harold Washington. There are so many. Who would be in your top ten?