As today is Good Friday, an old hymn reminds me of what Christ did for me on the Cross. Here are the lyrics:
"The Power of the Cross"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
"The Power of the Cross"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
American Church part 2
Here is the rest of the statistics of the study:
Staff
The number of paid staff for the average congregation is three. But nearly half of all congregations have one paid staff member.
58 percent of congregations have a youth minister, and half of these youth ministers are volunteers.
Pastors' Commitments
The head pastor spends, on average, 2.4 hours each week in community organizing, 3.6 hours in visitation of members and their families, 1.8 hours interacting with prospective members, 5.1 hours visiting the sick and shut-ins, 5.7 hours counseling, and 11 hours in sermon preparation.
In an average week, head ministers work slightly more than 40 hours. However, if we only consider ministers that are paid for their work, the average head minister works nearly 45 hours per week. Of course, some ministers are paid for part-time work. That explains why the median hours worked by all paid ministers is actually higher than the average hours. The median pastor who is paid by the congregation works about 50 hours per week.
Worship
On average, congregations hold about two worship services per week. About 61 percent of congregations have important differences between services, such as a traditional and a contemporary service, or services in different languages.
In almost all congregations, about half of the attendees stay after the worship service to socialize for about 25 minutes.
62 percent of congregations have prayer services throughout the week.
53.4 percent of congregations have small groups meeting regularly. The most common purpose for small groups is Bible study, group prayer, and church planning.
Staff
The number of paid staff for the average congregation is three. But nearly half of all congregations have one paid staff member.
58 percent of congregations have a youth minister, and half of these youth ministers are volunteers.
Pastors' Commitments
The head pastor spends, on average, 2.4 hours each week in community organizing, 3.6 hours in visitation of members and their families, 1.8 hours interacting with prospective members, 5.1 hours visiting the sick and shut-ins, 5.7 hours counseling, and 11 hours in sermon preparation.
In an average week, head ministers work slightly more than 40 hours. However, if we only consider ministers that are paid for their work, the average head minister works nearly 45 hours per week. Of course, some ministers are paid for part-time work. That explains why the median hours worked by all paid ministers is actually higher than the average hours. The median pastor who is paid by the congregation works about 50 hours per week.
Worship
On average, congregations hold about two worship services per week. About 61 percent of congregations have important differences between services, such as a traditional and a contemporary service, or services in different languages.
In almost all congregations, about half of the attendees stay after the worship service to socialize for about 25 minutes.
62 percent of congregations have prayer services throughout the week.
53.4 percent of congregations have small groups meeting regularly. The most common purpose for small groups is Bible study, group prayer, and church planning.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
American Church part 1
It seems that I have not been posting and well for the few followers that read my blog, I apologize. Life has been busy and God has really been pressing different things on my heart. (Tune in into future posts to find what these are) One thing that I have learning lately is that God is sovereign over all creation and over my life. He is and always will be faithful to me where the only question that lies is will I be faithful to Him in return? My desire and hope is that I live for Him and Him alone for His glory alone. May I never stop seeking Him no matter how tough times may get. He can handle all my burdens and then some. He is my comfort in the storm and my guiding light in good times and bad.
On another note, I found these statistics on one of the blogs I've been reading and found them fascinating so that is why I will share them with you. There was a study conducted by the Notre Dame Congregational Study done on American churches. Here are the statistics: (I found it interesting and maybe you will too)
Leadership
95 percent of congregations are led by a head minister, while about 4 percent by an assembly of congregational members.
About 80 percent of head ministers are male, and 20 percent are female.
Head ministers have held their positions for an average of 8 years. Of course, some ministers have been at their congregation for a significantly longer number of years (the highest is just over 50 years), which may make the average number of years misleading. The median number of years at the congregation is 5, which essentially means that half of pastors have been at their congregation for less than 5 years and half have been at their congregation for more than 5 years. The average age of head ministers is about 52 years.
Membership
207 people regularly participate in the life of the average congregation. However, several very large congregations pull up the overall average. Interestingly, the median congregation has 77 people who regularly participate in the life of the congregation. That is, about half of congregations have less than 77 regular participants, and half have more than 77 participants.
Of course, many more people are associated with the congregation than regularly participate. On average, 522 people are associated with the congregation. Again, this is high due to a few extremely large congregations. The median congregation has 150 people who are associated with the congregation in some way.
On another note, I found these statistics on one of the blogs I've been reading and found them fascinating so that is why I will share them with you. There was a study conducted by the Notre Dame Congregational Study done on American churches. Here are the statistics: (I found it interesting and maybe you will too)
Leadership
95 percent of congregations are led by a head minister, while about 4 percent by an assembly of congregational members.
About 80 percent of head ministers are male, and 20 percent are female.
Head ministers have held their positions for an average of 8 years. Of course, some ministers have been at their congregation for a significantly longer number of years (the highest is just over 50 years), which may make the average number of years misleading. The median number of years at the congregation is 5, which essentially means that half of pastors have been at their congregation for less than 5 years and half have been at their congregation for more than 5 years. The average age of head ministers is about 52 years.
Membership
207 people regularly participate in the life of the average congregation. However, several very large congregations pull up the overall average. Interestingly, the median congregation has 77 people who regularly participate in the life of the congregation. That is, about half of congregations have less than 77 regular participants, and half have more than 77 participants.
Of course, many more people are associated with the congregation than regularly participate. On average, 522 people are associated with the congregation. Again, this is high due to a few extremely large congregations. The median congregation has 150 people who are associated with the congregation in some way.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Football Skills
As the football season comes to a close, I came across this clip that is quite amazing:
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
UNFAIR
In my readings I have been reading a book called Consuming Love by Steve Harrison. It has encouraged me, convicted me, and I thought I would write down a passage that really struck me. Note: This was on an actual billboard in Portsmouth, Virginia.
UNFAIR
A multitude of exploited minorities strive to obtain their rights. Many cry out against oppression. Yet one minority is the most rejected of all.
It is the minority of one. His writings have been burned, his philosophies suppressed. Those who have dared to stand in support of him have been thought insane. His major spokesmen, including his own son, have been murdered. Through all of this, he has responded with love to those who have opposed him.
For too long man has concentrated on his own selfish interests, without concern for the rights and feelings of others; especitally for the one who loves man most.
We object to this unfair treatment of the Creator of the Universe, the God of the Bible!
We stand unashamed and fervent in support of the cause of Jesus Christ.
"
UNFAIR
A multitude of exploited minorities strive to obtain their rights. Many cry out against oppression. Yet one minority is the most rejected of all.
It is the minority of one. His writings have been burned, his philosophies suppressed. Those who have dared to stand in support of him have been thought insane. His major spokesmen, including his own son, have been murdered. Through all of this, he has responded with love to those who have opposed him.
For too long man has concentrated on his own selfish interests, without concern for the rights and feelings of others; especitally for the one who loves man most.
We object to this unfair treatment of the Creator of the Universe, the God of the Bible!
We stand unashamed and fervent in support of the cause of Jesus Christ.
"
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
10 Things Not to Say When Buying a Car
I found this article very interesting and hope it will to you also in the outside chance you are thinking about buying a car in the near future.
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