What to Do with Your Hands When the Spirit Moves

This has been around awhile, but it’s still funny. Enjoy!

What to do with your hands when the Spirit moves you in worship …

• If you’re Lutheran, you don’t show anything, but you move your toes in rhythm with the music lest anyone find out that you really do have a beat.
• If you’re Reformed Church in America or Christian Reformed Church, you can do anything you want to with your hands with one unbreakable rule: No hands above the waist.
• If you’re Roman Catholic, you make the sign of the cross.
• If you’re Episcopalian, you thrust your hands nervously in your pockets and dig, scratch, or scrape.
• If you’re nondenominational, you clap.
• If you’re Wesleyan or Evangelical Free, you cry.
• If you’re Nazarene, you laugh.
• If you’re Seventh-day Adventist, you sway slightly with eyes shut.
• If you’re United Methodist, you extend your hands, palms upward, but arms are never raised above the belly-button.
• If you’re United Church of Christ, you stand erect with arms crossed and face scowled.
• If you’re Presbyterian, you place one hand under the chin, a la Rodin’s The Thinker.
• If you’re Unitarian Universalist, you go on and pretend nothing has happened.
• If you’re Southern Baptist, you hold hands with people across the aisle.
• If you’re American Baptist, you tap your feet.
• If you’re United Church of Canada, you clasp your hands behind the back.
• If you’re Salvation Army, you lift your hearts to God and your hands to whoever’s around you.
• If you’re Quaker, you get real quiet.
• If you’re Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), you raise one hand to the heavens as if you’re hailing a bus or waving a hankie.
• If you’re Pentecostal, you lift both hands high above the head and make the wave. (By the way, do you know how they vote at Pentecostal conventions? They put their hands down.)
• If you’re postmodern, you've done all of the above at one time or another.

And if you’re more visual, here’s a YouTube video of Tim Hawkins and his take on hand raising: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK2_ezOBa2A

Regardless of what your preferred style of worship is, God only asks that you worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: Southside Summit for Church Revitalization, February 19 - http://www.southsidesummit.org/

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: Baptist Association of Christian Educators (BACE) 2015 Conference, April 9 & 10, 2015, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church/Marietta, “Prescriptions for Spiritual, Family, and Church Health” - http://www.baptisteducators.org/

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: Nine Concerns about Church Members Who Withhold Their Financial Gifts by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://thomrainer.com/2015/02/04/nine-concerns-church-members-withhold-financial-gifts/

FOR CHURCH DEVOTIONALS: DevoHub is Coming! Church devotionals delivered directly to personal devices - http://www.devohub.com/?emid=BL-BSI-DevoHub-20141118

FOR NEW BELIEVERS: The Beginning -http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: 2015-18 Plans for The Gospel Project unveiled – A Chronological Journey for all ages! -http://www.gospelproject.com/2015-2018/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: 3 Times When a Leader Should Keep Quiet by Rick Howerton - http://biblestudyinsider.com/2015/01/15/group-leader-skills-3-times-a-leader-should-keep-quiet/#.VNi79S5GR9Y

FOR DISCIPLESHIP/EVANGELISM: Life on Mission: A Simple Way to Share the Gospel - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/life-on-mission-a-simple-way-to-share-the-gospel-leader-kit-P005717346

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Counter Culture by David Platt - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/counter-culture-leader-kit-P005703479?intcmp=Counter-MTX-Text-Kit-20150109

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/fight-back-with-joy-celebrate-more-regret-less-stare-down-your-greatest-fears-leader-kit-P005699446

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Like Glue: Making Relationships Stick by Ben Mandrell - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/like-glue-making-relationships-stick-leader-kit-P005681343?intcmp=LikeGlue-MTX-Text-Kit-20150107

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Counter Culture by David Platt - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/counter-culture-student-leader-kit-P005647994?intcmp=Counter-MTX-Text-StudKit-20150109

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Virtuosity: A 40 Day Devotional Guide for Guys - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/virtuosity-P005720882

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: 5 Goals You Should Set for Student Ministry by Ben Trueblood - http://www.lifeway.com/studentministry/2014/11/10/5-goals-you-should-set-in-student-ministry/

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Understanding the Basic Characteristics of Kids by Bill Emeott - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/2014/11/21/understanding-basic-characteristics-of-kids/?emid=lcurtis-LWK-newsletter-20150107

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: VBS 2015: Journey Off the Map Preview Events and Resources – http://www.lifeway.com/n/Vacation-Bible-School?intcmp=VBSSite-Shop

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 6 Steps for Taking Your VBS to the Next Level by Jerry Wooley - http://blog.lifeway.com/vbs/2014/12/11/6-tips-for-taking-your-vbs-to-the-next-level/?emid=lcurtis-VBS-newsletter-20150114

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Freefall to Fly by Rebecca Lyons - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/freefall-to-fly-a-breathtaking-journey-toward-a-life-of-meaning-P005563243

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Priscilla Shirer Live, April 25, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Priscilla-Shirer-Live-Simulcast?type=events&emid=BL-BSI-PSLsim-20150113

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: The Main Event 2015 will be in THREE locations! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/The-Main-Event?type=events&emid=BL-BSI-MainEvent-20141230

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: 33 The Series: A Man and His Marriage - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/33-the-series-volume-5-a-man-and-his-marriage-leader-kit-P005644086

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: 33 The Series: A Man and His Work - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/33-the-series-a-man-and-his-work-leader-kit-P005558775

Steps In Selecting a Bible Study Apprentice

If you are interested in growing your church (and who isn’t), you know the importance of creating new groups. In fact there is a website whose entire purpose is to stress the importance of starting new groups and how to keep them healthy.  If you haven’t been to the website, here’s a link to it – www.groupsmatter.com.

One of the steps in starting new groups is training new leaders. Below is a great article by Rick Howerton about how to enlist Bible study leader apprentices who will become the leaders of new groups you create.

Apprentices are the key to a Bible study small group ministry that grows numerically while also making disciples that make disciples. An apprentice is a future small group leader who is mentored by the current leader of the group the apprentice is currently attending. In almost every instance, it is best if the small group leader determines who the apprentice for his or her group will be. But very few group leaders know what to look for when determining who will fill this vital role.

Ask these questions to determine who will be an effective apprentice:

·         Are they fully on board with the vision of the church and the small group strategy your church utilizes?

·         Are they in agreement with the theology and doctrinal perspective of your church?

·         Is the Bible their guide for life?

·         Do they have the heart of a shepherd? That is, will they nurture and protect a flock/small group?

·         Are they engaged in daily spiritual disciplines?

·         Is the possible apprentice a person of integrity? That is, do they live by the ideals they verbalize?

·         Do they know and understand the gospel? Are they able to explain it? If not, are they willing to allow you to aid them in learning this essential aspect of Christian leadership?

·         Are they teachable?

·         Do the other group members listen attentively when they speak? If so, this is a good sign that they are already perceived as having leadership qualities.

·         Are they willing to fall under the authority of the church leadership, be directed by them, held accountable by them, and attend training and events that are made available to them?

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: 15 Books Church Leaders Should Read in 2015 - http://www.briandoddonleadership.com/2014/11/23/the-top-15-books-christian-leaders-should-read-in-2015/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BrianDoddOnLeadership+%28Brian+Dodd+On+Leadership%29

FOR EDUCATION MINISTRY LEADERS: 2015 BACE Conference, Johnson Ferry Baptist/Marietta, April 9-10, 2015 - http://www.baptisteducators.org/conference/

FOR CHURCH DEVOTIONALS: DevoHub is Coming! Church devotionals delivered directly to personal devices - http://www.devohub.com/?emid=BL-BSI-DevoHub-20141118

FOR NEW BELIEVERS: The Beginning -http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: 2015-18 Plans for The Gospel Project unveiled – A Chronological Journey for all ages! -http://www.gospelproject.com/2015-2018/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Ordinary by Tony Merida - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/ordinary-bible-study-kit-P005644105

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: VBS 2015: Journey Off the Map Preview Events and Resources – http://www.lifeway.com/n/Vacation-Bible-School?intcmp=VBSSite-Shop

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: D’Now resources -http://www.lifeway.com/n/merchandised-landing-page/DiscipleNow?intcmp=DnowSearch-MTX-Button-ViewAll-20130227

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: LifeWay Girls Conference, Nashville, TN, February 20-21, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Student-Event-LifeWay-Girls-Conference-Nashville-TN

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin  -http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-sermon-on-the-mount-leader-kit-p005644877

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: What Love is by Kelly Minter - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/what-love-is-the-letters-of-1-2-3-john-leader-kit-P005635537

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: The Main Event 2015 will be in THREE locations! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/The-Main-Event?type=events&emid=BL-BSI-MainEvent-20141230

Are You a Grinch or a Scrooge?

Remember how the Grinch hated Christmas so much that he didn't want anyone else to enjoy it? Remember when Ebenezer Scrooge only begrudgingly gave his employees half of Christmas day off? Does your own family or friends think you’re a Grinch or a Scrooge?

To avoid being labeled as one of those maligned characters, try to emulate the qualities that made them change by the end of their respective tales (and take note of the biblical principles demonstrated).

1.       Learn from your past mistakes. Scrooge traveled to different stages of his life to figure out what had made him the way he was. But in the end, he didn't allow those experiences to control him, and he changed. “When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

2.       Treat others better than you’d want to be treated. Pretty much everyone in Whoville shunned the Grinch because he didn't want anything to do with them. But even the most bitter person doesn't really want to be a recluse. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

3.       Realize that having fun is easier than being a grump. Think of the energy both Scrooge and the Grinch wasted making everyone else’s life (and their own) miserable. Learn to enjoy life. Laugh a little! “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).

4.       Watch how children enjoy life, and follow their lead. Cindy Lou Who single-handedly helped the Grinch’s heart grow. And Scrooge had Tiny Tim to warm up his stone-cold heart. “Let the little children come to me...for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

5.       Throw a great party. One of Scrooge’s dreams took him back to observe his old boss, Mr. Fezziwig. This was a man who enjoyed life and knew how to throw a great party. Scrooge learns from this and buys the fattest goose in town to take to the Cratchitt home for Christmas dinner. “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!” (Philippians 4:4, The Message). _{- Copied}  

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

 FOR EDUCATION MINISTRY LEADERS: GBACE Annual Conference, Lizella Baptist/Lizella, January 22, 2015 - http://www.gbace.org/annual-conference.html

FOR EDUCATION MINISTRY LEADERS: 2015 BACE Conference, Johnson Ferry Baptist/Marietta, April 9-10, 2015 - http://www.baptisteducators.org/conference/

FOR CHURCH DEVOTIONALS: DevoHub is Coming! Church devotionals delivered directly to personal devices - http://www.devohub.com/?emid=BL-BSI-DevoHub-20141118

FOR NEW BELIEVERS: The Beginning -http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Gospel-Centered Teaching Conferencewith Trevin Wax, January 24, 2015 (for those using The Gospel Project Bible study resource) - http://gabaptistsundayschool.org/gospel-centered-teaching-conference-january-24-2015/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: 2015-18 Plans for The Gospel Project unveiled – A Chronological Journey for all ages! -http://www.gospelproject.com/2015-2018/

FOR LEADERS USING EXPLORE THE BIBLE: Free helps for lesson preparation and teaching tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group ministries -http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible

FOR LEADERS USING BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE: Free helps for lesson preparation and teaching tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group ministries -http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/biblestudiesforlife

FOR LEADERS USING THE GOSPEL PROJECT: Free helps for lesson preparation and teaching tips for leaders in adult, student, and kids age group ministries -http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Praying with Paul by D.A. Carson - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/praying-with-paul-leader-kit-P005644096?intcmp=Praying-MTX-Text-LeaderKit-20141031

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke (student edition available also) – http://www.lifeway.com/Product/jesus-religion-leader-kit-P005615715

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: Building a Family Legacy by Dr. James Dobson - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/building-a-family-legacy

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: D’Now resources -http://www.lifeway.com/n/merchandised-landing-page/DiscipleNow?intcmp=DnowSearch-MTX-Button-ViewAll-20130227

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: LifeWay Girls Conference, Nashville, TN, February 20-21, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Student-Event-LifeWay-Girls-Conference-Nashville-TN

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin  -http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-sermon-on-the-mount-leader-kit-p005644877

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: What Love Is by Kelly Minter - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/what-love-is-the-letters-of-1-2-3-john-leader-kit-P005635537