Category: Worship (Page 22 of 28)

Living the Gospel In Corporate Worship

April 15, 2009 / Allan / 0 Comments

In speaking against the evils of “worship wars” within God’s Church, John Mark Hicks, Johnny Melton, and Bobby Valentine say arguments and divisions over corporate worship practices are a sign of immaturity. Their book, A Gathered People: Revisioning the Assembly as Transforming Encounter, argues that our Sunday morning assemblies are fundamentally sacramental. They are encounters between God and his people that act to form and transform us more into the image of his Son.

Arguing over the many various styles and practices, they say, denies that basic premise:

We must learn to not only tolerate this diversity but to appreciate it and even learn from it. Diverse worship styles are one of the ways the body of Christ bears witness to the one gospel among diverse cultures and subcultures. As long as we are regulated by the gospel, we should value diversity as it reaches people beyond the limits of our own settings. But this demands maturity. The gospel calls us to put the interests of others above our own. As we walk worthy of the gospel, this calls us to listen to each other and prioritize others’ — including unbelievers. This demands mature discipleship.

The first level of maturation is tolerance. Can we tolerate different tastes and styles even when we do not like them?

A second level of maturation is mutual consideration. Can we not vary our styles out of respect for what touches the heart of another even if it does not touch ours?

The third level is appreciation. Can we appreciate what a particular style does for one even though it is not as meaningful to us?

The fourth level is appropriation. Can we practice what is uncomfortable for us for the sake of the other? The gospel demands that we do because Jesus himself endured great discomfort — to put it mildly — for our sakes. As disciples of Jesus, we must follow him into that kind of discomfort, even suffering. To say that we must “suffer through” a particular song for the sake of another trivializes the cross of Christ but to deny that song to others simply on the basis of our own comfort and tradition is to reject the cross of Christ for narcissism.

I long for the day when all of us — ALL OF US — mature to the point of worshiping together in Christ-like unity and mutual encouragement. What if the teenagers on the third row begin singing How Great Thou Art with great energy and gusto? Not because they love the song. Not because it particularly speaks to them at all. They may actually really dislike the song. But they sing it at the tops of their voices because they look across the worship center and see how that song really impacts an older man. They enjoy singing it because they recognize that the middle-aged woman behind them sang this at her dad’s funeral. They delight in encouraging the others. They understand that their singing is, first, their offering to God, and, second, their offering to their brothers and sisters.

What if the older people stood and sang and clapped to Days of Elijah? Not because they enjoy the song. Not because they think the lyrics are especially moving. They may personally dislike standing and clapping. They may have a list of 40 things wrong with the song. But they see very clearly how that song speaks to the young people. They observe the joy it brings to others around them. They understand this is the song that some of these teenagers rock out to on the way to school in the mornings. So they sing loudly and robustly. To bless God and to bless their younger brothers and sisters.

What if?

What if we all began to grow in the Spirit to the point of understanding that everything we do in our corporate assemblies is an offering to God? Our songs are our offerings to our Father. Your grumbling or non-participation is a clear message to our God and to your brothers and sisters around you that you’re putting yourself first. That’s the only way to say it, right? Is there another way to view it?

Our prayers, our readings from Scripture, our time at the table, are all offerings. These are the things we bring and offer to God. Your brakes-off, full-steam-ahead, all-in participation is a way of acting like Christ. And it’s a sign of your spiritual maturity.

So, sing!

Peace,

Allan

Risen With Him

April 10, 2009 / Allan / 0 Comments

This Easter Sunday we’re planning to join the majority of God’s Church in celebrating the Resurrection. This central doctrine, this fundamental Truth, this focal point of our preaching and teaching, this historical fact in which we find our hope and courage, our strength and our assurance, is the proof of our salvation from God. It’s in the Resurrection that sin is defeated, death is conquered, and eternal life is guaranteed. The reality of God’s promises are all manifest in the Resurrection. Our Holy Scriptures tell us clearly and unapologeticaly that without the Resurrection our preaching is useless and so is our faith. Without the Resurrection, we’re without hope. Everything rides on the Resurrection.

Our baptism is what connects us to that Resurrection. Going into and coming up out of that watery grave in faith is what ties us to Jesus’ Resurrection and what gives us the power of God’s Holy Spirit that raised Jesus on that first Sunday morning.

I’m afraid that we have many, many more songs in our Christian sacred song canon about the crucifixion of Jesus than we do his Resurrection. Why is that? A lot of our songs mention his coming out of the grave in a second or third verse here and there. But how many of our songs are actually centered around this foundational Christian doctrine? I know we have “Low in the Grave He Lay” (up from the grave he arose), but not too many others. In fact, I can’t think of another song other than “Resurrection” (#241 in Songs of Faith and Praise) that is primarily centered on the Resurrection.

There was a time in the early centuries of Christ’s Church that people would wait until Easter Sunday to be baptized. That was the preferred day for baptisms. The connection with Jesus’ Resurrection was important, the symbolism there was huge. Living a resurrected life in Christ. Living as a new creature. Being alive in Jesus. Baptism, as the entrance rite into the Church, has much more to do with Resurrection than crucifixion. So everything about the Church’s worship and life had more to do with the Resurrection than the crucifixion. (Even the table. Especially the table. But that’s another blog. Or forty.)

We’re anticipating at least two baptisms here at Legacy this Sunday. We’re going to personally witness at least two resurrections. Up close. We’re going to see it. Two lives being raised from the dead to walk in newness of eternal life. How cool.

Dead unto sin, alive thru the Spirit,
Risen with Him from the gloom of the grave,
All things are new, and I am rejoicing
in his great love, his power to save.

Sin hath no more its cruel dominion,
Walking “in newness of life,” I am free –
Glorious life of Christ, my Redeemer,
which he so richly shareth with me.

Dead to the world, to voices that call me,
Living anew, obedient but free;
Dead to the joys that once did enthrall me –
Yet ’tis not I, Christ liveth in me.

Your Favorite Song Right Now

April 8, 2009 / Allan / 0 Comments

“Music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. Thus, it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one forgets all wrath, impurity, and other devices…the Devil, the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the Word of God…I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of songs…I would allow no man to preach or teach God’s people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song.” ~Martin Luther

“It Is Well With My Soul.” That’s my song. It’s my favorite song right now. I think it’s been my favorite song for over 20 years.

There was a short time in 2005 when “Blessed Be Your Name” was my favorite song. I was (we were) going through a real time of transition which ultimately led to our move to Austin Grad and then here to Legacy. But for several months, things were really up in the air. And that song helped stabilize me (us). “When the sun’s shining down on me” and “On a road marked with suffering.” Very Habakkuk-esque. “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” Powerful. That song taught me and encouraged me and helped me remain focused on my God, my strength and my very great reward.

But I always come back to “It Is Well With My Soul.”

Peace like a river or sorrows like sea billows: either way, whatever my lot, it is well. I belong to my God. He is my Father. And he loves me and is taking care of me. I trust him.

The joy, the bliss, of the reality that all of my sins — not just a few of them, not just the big ones or the little ones, ALL of them! — are nailed to the cross and do not belong to me anymore. How does anyone even vaguely aware of his sin not sing these lines and fall down on his knees in gratitude for the unmerited grace of our Lord? Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

When I sing the third verse with a crowd of disciples I can SEE the clouds rolling back, I can HEAR the trumpets sounding, I can PICTURE our Christ coming to get us and take us home. On that glorious day, that day that is certainly coming, my faith , our faith, will be made sight. Everything we talk about and preach about and sing about and pray about will be right in front of us. Visible. We’ll see it and touch it and smell it and hold it. In the presence of our Father. Sharing the glory with the Son. One huge eternal grin! Yes, my Lord, haste the day!

What’s your favorite song? Right now, what’s your favorite song?

Our songs teach us, they encourage us, they form and inform us. Our songs reflect our moods and our beliefs. They mirror the things we think are important.

What’s your favorite song? Click on the comments link up there and let us know. I’m curious as to what’s moving us nowadays.

Peace (like a river),

Allan

On Stream, the Team, a Faulty Scheme, and a Magazine

March 31, 2009 / Allan / 0 Comments

Ken Young and Hallal are finally bringing “Stream” to Dallas – Fort Worth! “Stream in the Desert,” out in Midland, has for years been the annual worship and spiritual formation highlight for thousands of disciples. I’ve never been to a “Stream” weekend. But I’ve always been envious of those who have. They always come back talking about it the way I talk about Tulsa. They come back from “Stream” energized, on fire for our Master and his Kingdom. They rave about the singing. They gush over the preaching. Most “Stream” regulars claim it’s the one thing that keeps them going. “Stream” expanded to Tennessee a few years ago. And now they’re bringing it to North Texas.

The dates are August 28-30. It’ll be held at the South MacArthur Church of Christ in Irving. Grady King and the great people over there hosted a bunch of us preachers and worship leaders yesterday for a kick-off lunch. And I’m excited about this.

From what I understand, it’s tons of singing. Lots of singing. Joyful praise and worship. Singing. And then Session One with Jeff Walling. That’s followed by more singing. Lots more singing. Ken Young and Hallal leading us in exhuberant singing. And then more Jeff Walling. I think it runs like this from Friday evening, all day Saturday, and through Sunday morning: singing and Walling, singing and Walling, singing and Walling. I think five or six different inspirational sessions. What’s not to like? Singing and Walling? Two-thousand saints raising the roof? One of the best preachers — ever — challenging us with the Word? I’m in!

And I’m hoping you will be, too. We’ve thrown Legacy’s support fully behind this thing. I hope we can all be a part. Over the next few weeks they’ll be looking for volunteers to work in all kinds of different capacities to help pull this off. They’re especially looking for Small Groups leaders to help facilitate some of the break out sessions. I know we have plenty of those here. Go ahead and put it on your calendar. If you’re reading this from anywhere in the Great Southwest, make plans now to be there. Much more information will be coming in the next few days. And I’ll keep you posted. I’ve also added the “Stream DFW” website to my blog role there on the right hand side of this page.

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We got drove! I’m grateful we don’t have our last names on the backs of our jerseys or “Legacy” on the front. We have real jerseys now with real numbers. But Team Dyniewski didn’t play like a real basketball team last night. We even brought in a ringer to run the point. But once we gave up our lead with six minutes to play in the first half, it was over.

We have plenty of excuses. John had never played with us before. Josh was out of town on business (thankfully, he wasn’t there to berate us). We lost Coker and his Herschel Walker shoes about 90-seconds into the game with a pulled calf. I think I went 0-8 from the field. Aaron was quadruple-teamed every trip down the floor. And we still couldn’t get a rebound or hit an open shot to save our lives. Bad game.

We trailed by nine at the half, 16 with six minutes to play, and wound up losing 50-41.

Whatever momentum we had in this league on the heels of last week’s great come-from-behind win is gone. And we might not get it back. The bad news (yes, it gets much worse) is that the team we’re playing next Monday beat the team that beat us last night 96-32. Oh, yeah. They’re going to hang a hundred on us next week. Josh, you might want to stay in San Antonio.

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A couple of you have asked about my bracket. I went into this NCAA tournament bound and determined to defeat Whitney who unseated me as undefeated Beast of the Brackets in a tie-breaker last year. The good news is that I’ve defeated Whitney. There’s no way she can catch me. The bad news is that our outcomes are already determined because our two brackets are done. Busted. Blown up. It’s over. Whitney picked none of the Final Four teams. I have one: UNC. And I don’t have Carolina advancing to the title tilt. So I’ve finished with 70 points to Whitney’s 63.

But we’re both on the sidelines now watching a new champion emerge at Stanglin Manor.

Right now, Carrie-Anne has 72 points but can only pick up another potential five because she had Duke winning the whole thing. Valerie‘s sitting at 65. But she has three of the Final Four and could gain another 16 points this weekend if Carolina wins and UConn takes the trophy. Carley‘s racked up 70 points right now and can add another eleven if the Huskies win it all in Detroit. If Carolina beats Villanova AND UConn wins the title, both Valerie and Carley will finish with 81 points. And the winner will be determined by a tie-breaker based on the final score.

How is it that it’s going to come down to the two in our house who care absolutely nothing about the games or the teams or even the sport? I’m rooting for Nova and Michigan State. That way it won’t be a blowout.

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Dawn (Stanley) Shelton has written a nice article about me and my family in the current issue of VISION, the alumni magazine at Oklahoma Christian University. I was surprised when she contacted me a couple of months ago about the piece. I was honored, certainly. Flattered, even. And somewhat hesitant. My years at OC weren’t exactly my greatest moments. In fact, Dawn joked that they thought about headlining the article “Allan Stanglin’s Doing What?!?”

But it’s a very nice article that, hopefully, illustrates by my life that our God is overly-gracious and kind, that he never gives up on his children, and that he keeps calling us to do his will. I hope it also communicates that our Father will use us in his Kingdom to do more than we can ever ask or imagine. All we have to do is submit to him and his will.

We haven’t recieved our copy of the magazine yet. I’m anticipating getting it today. But it started hitting mailboxes on Saturday. Retha Stark, a kind, sweet sister here at Legacy phoned Carrie-Anne upon reading it this weekend. My sister, Rhonda, called me last night from Edmond. She had accidentally stumbled upon it, flipping through the pages to see if any of her old classmates had birthed any more babies. After she read it, she gave it my 12-year-old nephew, Caleb. He carefully studied the article, soaked in every word, and then looked at Rhonda and said, “I still wish Uncle Allan was in sports radio.”

Peace,

Allan

His Glorious Riches

March 30, 2009 / Allan / 0 Comments

“My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:19

I suppose in every single church family in America — maybe the world, but definitely America — there are naysayers. There are people who say it can’t be done. There are others who say it shouldn’t be done. They rarely smile or compliment. They see a negative behind every action. They detect a problem behind every word. They perceive a wrong motive or a false agenda behind every move that’s made.

And I sometimes take that personally. I sometimes try too hard and spend too much time and energy trying to soothe the feelings of this one-percent who are never happy and don’t act like they want to be happy. Sometimes those negative things bog me down. Sometimes they weigh on me. They burden me. Too much, I’m afraid, most of the time.

I suppose, unfortunately, that will always be the case.

And then yesterdays happen.

Yesterday. Wow.

You know, you pray and pray that prayer that Terry Rush teaches: “God, please just do that thing you do.” And God answers in amazing ways that prove he’s already doing that thing he does, he’s been doing it every day since the beginning of time, and he’s going to keep doing it until time ceases to tick.

$251,318 generously given to fund our local and foreign missions budget for 2009, far surpassing our set goal of $200,000. Unprecedented at this place. Two years in a row, now, we’ve blown our goal out of the water.

1,067 men, women, and children came together to praise God and encourage one another. Largest crowd since August. So much energy. So much excitement.

Robert and Angela Brooks gave their lives to our Lord by being baptized into his death, burial, and resurrection. Two hearts convicted by the love of God. Two lives changed — re-created — right before our eyes. An answer to so many prayers.

Six more families placed their membership with Legacy: 15 total newcomers to bless our church family, to impact our dynamic, to serve and sacrifice with us, together, as we work in the Kingdom.

A cross-cultural communion service at our Master’s table. Christ as our gracious host. Two peoples. Two cultures. Two languages. United in salvation through the blood of Jesus.

Nearly 600 shared dinner together Sunday night, worshiped together, and encouraged our LTC participants together. Loud. Chaotic. Tons of smiles. Lots of laughter. Tables and tables of food. Fellowship. Sharing. Koinonia.

Another $383.50 given for the Academy at Carrie F. Thomas, reaching our stated goal of $6,000 to purchase much-needed document cameras for this under-funded elementary school in our community.

All of this within a nine-hour time frame yesterday at Legacy. Undeniable proof that our God is alive and working with his people. Indisputable testimony to our God’s faithfulness to his children. Crystal clear evidence that his Holy Spirit is transforming his Church.

As blessings pile on top of blessings we are increasingly convinced that our Father is keeping his covenant promises to Legacy and to all of his creation. It’s increasingly obvious that our God is blessing Legacy and planning to bless all of North East Tarrant County and every corner of this globe through this body of believers.

The ministers and staff and every last one of our shepherds and everybody who stopped by the church building today are still riding the wave of energy and enthusiasm and blessing generated by our God’s clear actions with his people here yesterday.

And we intend to ride it for quite some time.

I certainly do.

I intend to smile at the naysayers and love them and hug them and do my Christ-like best to develop relationships with them. But I will not be deterred. We won’t be slowed down. I can point to yesterday and I can point to a dozen things that happen in the life of this congregation every single day. Every day! Stuff like yesterday is happening all around this place. In our Small Groups. In our Morning Prayers. In our Bible studies. In our lunches together. In our conversations in the parking lot. In hospital rooms and high school gyms. In your kitchen and in my office.

God is doing that thing he does at Legacy!

“To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” ~Philippians 4:20

Peace,

Allan

Tulsa Time

March 25, 2009 / Allan / 0 Comments

Jim McDoniel is leaving the building here at Legacy and heading north for the annual Tulsa International Soul Winning Workshop. And I’m envious. I’m jealous.

For the first time in seven years, Carrie-Anne and I won’t be there.

The Tulsa Workshop is a sacred time and place for my wife and me. It’s in Tulsa where, probably for the first time in our adult lives, we experienced corporate worship of God and mutual encouragement of one another with a couple thousand people who all wanted to be there. You know what I mean? A person has to sacrifice to be in Tulsa. Work and school schedules have to be rearranged. Hotels must be booked. Gas and meals must be funded. Nobody goes to Tulsa for four days because they have to. Everybody there is there because they are overflowing with gratitude and praise for the mercy and grace of our Father. They love to be with and around God’s children. They love to worship. They love to sing and pray. They love to be challenged by powerful speakers. They love to learn new things, to gain new insights, to expand their vision of God’s eternal Kingdom.

And that makes for powerful worship.

100% of the people are singing, not just 60%. 100% of the people are smiling, not just 50%. 100% of the brothers and sisters there are actively participating in the prayers and the sermons and the songs and the readings from Scripture. Fully participatory. Completely interactive.

Not one person attends a worship assembly in Tulsa to fulfill some kind of spiritual checklist, to make an appearance and then leave, to put in his or her time. That’s what makes it so different from the worship assemblies in most of our churches. That’s why worship in a place like Tulsa is so encouraging, so uplifting, so meaningful. Everybody’s in! Nobody judges the person next to him because she may worship a little differently. Nobody complains that a prayer went too long. Nobody criticizes the speaker. Nobody sings just the songs he grew up with and folds his arms and shuts his lips during the others. Not one person there expects to be catered to. Nobody’s there expecting everything to be exactly to their tastes. Everybody gathers in Tulsa expecting God to be glorified, themselves to be edified, and for it all to be diverse and different, chaotic and full of surprises, times of both quiet reflection and meditation and joyful shouting to the Lord. That’s why we come back from Tulsa so energized for our Lord and his Kingdom, so on fire for the gospel of salvation in Christ, so excited about God’s people and the partnership we share with the Creator of heaven and earth.

And we’re missing it this year.

With Carrie-Anne back in school full-time, with our three daughters at three different campuses here, with Missions Sunday coming up this week and our second cycle of Small Groups Church beginning in eleven days, we just can’t make it.

I’m going to miss the kick-off dinner at Memorial Drive tonight when we get to share a meal and get caught up with dozens of great friends from Mesquite and Oklahoma Christian. I’m going to miss the hour-and-a-half I normally spend with about 10 other preachers in Terry Rush’s study on Thursday morning. What an encourager! What a great man of God! What an inspiration to a still-new, still-insecure, still-overwhelmed preacher like me. I’m going to miss the singing. Man, the singing! The glimpse of heaven it is to praise our God in song with brothers and sisters from all over the world! I’m going to miss the great speakers. I’m going to miss it all.

But not next year. Next year we’re going to Tulsa. Next year we’re going to plan a huge caravan from Legacy. We’ll all go together. I’ll book the rooms. Go ahead and put it on your calendar. In bright red, non-eraseable, permanent ink!

I’m envious of Jim and everybody else who’s heading to Tulsa today. And I pray God’s richest blessings on this wonderful gathering of his people.

Peace,

Allan

Category: Worship (Page 22 of 28)

Living the Gospel In Corporate Worship

Risen With Him

Your Favorite Song Right Now

On Stream, the Team, a Faulty Scheme, and a Magazine

His Glorious Riches

Tulsa Time

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