Ordinary People - Exraordinary God (Spiritual Gifts Part 3)
One of the things that I love about planting a church is the time that I get to spend leading worship. If I wasn't a church planter, a person who starts new churches, I think that I could really find fulfillment in a ministry that revolved around leading worship and evangelism. Leading worship is one of the most fulfilling activities during a Sunday service for me. It is especially good when you have a great team to work with. Musically speaking our band is well above average, not good enough for a record deal, but good enough that I would play with them anytime, anywhere, in front of any crowd - and that is awesome! But when it comes to worship I believe that the band at Crossroads is one of the best I have ever seen, and definitely the best I have ever been a part of. The band at Crossroads is made up of ordinary people, serving an extraordinary God!
Take Chris and Melissa Leccese for instance. Here is a couple that live an average American life. Chris is retired military, Melissa is still serving in the Army. Yet every weekend they take time to come together with the rest of the band to practice and learn new songs so that they can lead the congregation before the throne of grace. Or take Jennifer Noennig, a single parent of three kids, who makes a living working in retail sales. Being up in front of people is not Jennifer's style, but God has called her to this ministry, and he has enabled her to answer the call by his grace and power. You might even look at Tia Hurt, a recent college graduate turned school teacher, who learned how to play the bass guitar for no other reason than to be a part of the worship team at Crossroads so that she could glorify God through it. Tia's husband Mike even serves as a sound man for the band.
Lastly you could look at my family. Sara runs a daycare out of our home, works tirelessly as a mother raising our three kids. Add to that a little boy David that is living with us while his real mother is in drug rehab, a husband like me who drives her nuts, yet every time she sings her heart out, plays the tambourine, and runs the powerpoint. You might even look at me. A young man, only 31, who never finished his college degree. I served in the Army doing satellite communications, learned to play the guitar as a hobby, and even worked as an industrial maintenance man for a while.
The whole band is pretty normal people, but the God that empowers us is so awesome that he can take this band of average brothers and sisters and use us for his glory and honor. I am so proud to serve the Lord with these folks that I just can't put it into words. May God grant you spiritual gifts, and wisdom to use them in service to him as he has done for us. This is what the apostle Paul means when he says, "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8
Take Chris and Melissa Leccese for instance. Here is a couple that live an average American life. Chris is retired military, Melissa is still serving in the Army. Yet every weekend they take time to come together with the rest of the band to practice and learn new songs so that they can lead the congregation before the throne of grace. Or take Jennifer Noennig, a single parent of three kids, who makes a living working in retail sales. Being up in front of people is not Jennifer's style, but God has called her to this ministry, and he has enabled her to answer the call by his grace and power. You might even look at Tia Hurt, a recent college graduate turned school teacher, who learned how to play the bass guitar for no other reason than to be a part of the worship team at Crossroads so that she could glorify God through it. Tia's husband Mike even serves as a sound man for the band.
Lastly you could look at my family. Sara runs a daycare out of our home, works tirelessly as a mother raising our three kids. Add to that a little boy David that is living with us while his real mother is in drug rehab, a husband like me who drives her nuts, yet every time she sings her heart out, plays the tambourine, and runs the powerpoint. You might even look at me. A young man, only 31, who never finished his college degree. I served in the Army doing satellite communications, learned to play the guitar as a hobby, and even worked as an industrial maintenance man for a while.
The whole band is pretty normal people, but the God that empowers us is so awesome that he can take this band of average brothers and sisters and use us for his glory and honor. I am so proud to serve the Lord with these folks that I just can't put it into words. May God grant you spiritual gifts, and wisdom to use them in service to him as he has done for us. This is what the apostle Paul means when he says, "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8
posted by Pastor Jerry at
7:02 AM
2 Comments:
What about all your poor friends that have to put up with you... Poor Larry, he never knows what you will do next.. Poor Me!! You just want to work my poor little fingers to the bone... Love you lots Jerry, You are one of the best friends that anyone could ever have....
By
Anonymous, at 12:45 PM
HELP!!! Can't remember my password.
By
Anonymous, at 12:47 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home