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Context and Expectation

I recently read a blog post from Pastor Kirk Bowman at The ROCK in Asheville, NC about Context and Expectation. He referenced an article in the Washington Post about how people respond differently when greatness is taken out of the proper context.

What first came to my mind is WOW! It does not matter how powerful a message, illustration, sacrament or prophetic word is if it is not presented in the proper context…

Now that I have your attention, let me elaborate. In the Washington Post article, they asked world renowned classical violinist Joshua Bell to don street clothes and perform an incognito performance as a street musician in the L’Enfant metro station in Washington, DC. On the day of his performance, he brought along his $3.5 million dollar Gibson Stradivari violin and began by playing “Chaconne” from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Partita No. 2 in D Minor. This 14 minute piece is considered to be one of the most difficult violin pieces to master. What would happen as one of the world’s greatest masters of the violin performed? Would a crowd gather? Would his open violin case seeded with a few dollars garner more money?

Throughout his 45 minute performance only 7 of the 1070 people that passed by stopped for at least one minute to listen to this maestro. Only 27 people gave money for a total of $38 and change…

They were too busy to stop and witness greatness. This talent that easily commands over $1000 per hour made a measly $40 in the subway. His message was taken out of context and so the expectation was lowered. Dress him up in a tux, put him in a beautiful concert hall and people will gladly pay $100 or more for “cheap” seats.

Too often we take a “God thing” and lessen it’s impact by putting it in the wrong context. I believe this does a disservice to the message, the recipient and our God. If the message, prophetic word, drama, baptism, communion, baby dedication, small group lesson, children’s or youth service are important and possibly lifechanging, shouldn’t we put them in the proper context so people have an expectation of greatness?

Last year we held our first public water baptism at Wrightsville Beach where 27 people were baptised. We moved it outside the walls of our church and created an event that drew people with an expectancy. People invited their friends and family. My youngest son’s football coach brought his family to watch Adam and another teammate get baptized. We created an environment that raised people’s expectations.

Every week, we are raising the level of expectation for what God is doing at The ROCK. I am excited about it and I hope you are as well. Invite everyone you know to come and see what God is doing through His people in our church. Are you expecting something amazing to happen?

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My head hurts…

It’s frustrating, you know… having so much in me that I want to say. I feel that I have all of these years of study, prayer and preparation just waiting to be released. I want to run faster, go farther, see more saved, baptised, discipled, equipped and fulfilling purpose. I want to train leaders to do the job and watch them succeed. I want to speak with passion. I want more…

Yet, when it is time to sit down and have one message that doesn’t get lost in a sea of sermons only to be forgotten, my head hurts. Each Sunday, we have just two hours to make an impact on those who attend that will last all week long. It is a huge task and we do not take it lightly. I love doing it. But, I have to tell you that it is pretty taxing most of the time.

I think I will go take some ibuprofen and get back to praying and studying for my message this Sunday. I hope you will be there to hear it.

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Two more…

Here are two more amazing bloggers for everyone to harrass. Matthew Ray and Carolyn Mejia are a part of the amazing creative team at The ROCK. They are two more of the reasons I enjoy coming to work each day.

Their blogs are Did I Just Say That? and Foolish Notions. Make sure to show them some comment love to spur them on!

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Introducing my sister the blogger

I would like to take a moment to introduce my sister, Abbye Printy, who has just entered the blogosphere. She is one of my favorite writers (just after Dr. Seuss).

Let’s welcome her and show her some comment love.

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Angels watching over me…

ANGELS by: Amy Grant

God only knows the times my life was threatened just today.
A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way.
Near misses all around me, accidents unknown,
Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home.
But I know theyre all around me all day and through the night.
When the enemy is closing in, I know sometimes they fight
To keep my fight from falling, Ill never turn away.
If you’re asking what’s protecting me then you’re gonna hear me say:

Got his angels watching over me, every move I make,
Angles watching over me!
Angels watching over me, every step I take,
Angels watching over me…

I have heard this song running through my head today. You may be wondering why that song occupies my mind. This morning, I left for work on my motorcycle just as the boys boarded the bus. I was heading in early to get some work done before everyone else arrived. I did not get far though. As I turned on to the main road in our neighborhood, my bike hesitated and then lurched forward only to fishtail, turn up on the front wheel and dump me unceremoniously on the asphalt.

Let me take you through my thought process as the bike lost control (this will be in real time):
This is going to be impressive…
This is probably going to hurt…
Yep, that hurt.
Hey, there goes my boy’s bus…

So, I called Jen, had her turn around to come home and then pushed the bike the block and a half back home. After going to the school to let the boys see that I was alright, we headed out to get X-Rays and such. I was very fortunate. I only ended up with a possibly fatal blow to my ego, some bruised ribs, arms and legs and a pretty banged up bike.

All in all, I think my angels worked overtime today. Thank you, God, for taking care of me.

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