Author Archives: joelkime

Follow up to “Do we need to stop singing in worship?”

This Sunday we did stop singing in worship!  While our worship leader, Becka, didn’t lead us in singing songs, she did lead us in worship. The reason is that when we hired her, we did not hire a piano player.  If all we wanted was a piano player, it would be clear that all weContinue reading “Follow up to “Do we need to stop singing in worship?””

Do we need to stop singing in worship?

On Sunday we start a new sermon series based on our church mission statement: Loving God, Loving People.  I bet a bajillion churches have that exact same statement, but that doesn’t worry us much.  We had a fairly long strategic planning initiative a few years ago that led us to creating that statement.  Based onContinue reading “Do we need to stop singing in worship?”

Follow up to Saying “No” to Yourself

So how has it been going saying “No!” to yourself? After my story about Turkey Hill Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream, I had one person buy my two containers of it!  Come on, people!  I’m trying to say “No!” to myself too.  I guess you felt the need to help me grow some self-control.Continue reading “Follow up to Saying “No” to Yourself”

Saying “NO!” to yourself

It is one of the hardest things to do.  When there is chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream in our freezer, it is nearly impossible. When U2 releases a new album, it basically IS impossible. What is it? Self-control. Patience.  Two of the most difficult words in the English language.  How many of you struggleContinue reading “Saying “NO!” to yourself”

Follow-up to What does faithfulness to God look like in the middle class?

We had a gorgeous day Sunday morning for worship in the park!  Afterwards the food and fellowship were great too. The only glaring omission was our weekly sermon discussion group…  It is one of my favorite hours of the week.  Over the last couple years since we started it, we’ve had conversations that have rangedContinue reading “Follow-up to What does faithfulness to God look like in the middle class?”

What does faithfulness to God look like in Middle Class America?

I’ll let you define whether or not you feel like you are Middle Class.  When I use the word “Middle Class”, I’m referring to pretty much everyone that is a part of Faith Church.  Not ultra-rich, but not in extreme poverty. So what does faithfulness look like in middle class America, when we are swampedContinue reading “What does faithfulness to God look like in Middle Class America?”

Follow-up to Flipping Out, Losing It, Going Off and other generally mean things

Remember the guy who confronted me when I was putting up door hangers?  Read the beginning of the story here. When he approached me, at first I had to deal with the confusion of what was happening.   It was one of those moments when I started looking around to see if there were other people,Continue reading “Follow-up to Flipping Out, Losing It, Going Off and other generally mean things”

Flipping out, Losing it, Going off, and other generally mean things

Sometimes people are hard to deal with. Six or seven years ago we had an outdoor concert in the grass field behind our church.  Featuring our praise band playing on a flatbed trailer, it was something we had not done in recent years, and we were excited about it. A few days before the concert,Continue reading “Flipping out, Losing it, Going off, and other generally mean things”

Follow up to Joy & Peace (aka “resting in the liver”)

What an amazing Sunday!  We got to celebrate with seven people as they were baptized, proclaiming their faith in Christ and their desire to be his disciples for life.  That visual image of moving from death (under the water) to life (rising above the water) is so clear. Through those baptisms on Sunday we sawContinue reading “Follow up to Joy & Peace (aka “resting in the liver”)”