The Celebration Strategy

 

The Celebration Strategy PDF Print E-mail

Climate of acceptance (don’t have to be perfect …  or pretend you are, church for people who are hurting and are willing to admit it…difference between acceptance & approval, hope to have people share each Sunday

Every member a minister (every member has a ministry: greeting, photography, printing, computer, drama, music, etc.)

Location to reach the community (outdoors because that is what initially draws the people)

Educating members in the Bible (Daily bread, Wednesday night Bible study)

Behavioral Preaching (James 1:22: “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only.”) Ever heard a sermon but you couldn’t practice it? Couldn’t do it?

Every sermon will give you something to work with, something to do, ‘5 ways to overcome stress’ points usually have an action verb in them (go do something)

Reaching the community through special days (Easter, Christmas Eve, Mother’s Day, Independence Day, Praise at the Park, etc.)

Affinity groups (small groups with the same interest; a great place to find your ministry; singles, diabetes, retirement, gardening, etc.)

Telling about Christ (using your ministry for evangelism, music, chair set-up, etc.)

Interest oriented services (service geared to specific groups; “Sunset, Sacrament & Sandwiches, etc., services for the beach, park, music services, etc.)

Ongoing 101, 201 & 301 classes (growing our congregation and finding your ministry) reaching our target

Naples atmosphere (casual service style, shorts, no socks, ‘beach’ music, etc.)

“He put a new song in my mouth…Many people will see this and worship Him. Then they will trust theLord.” Psalm 40:3 (NCV)


CELEBRATION STYLE OF MUSIC

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come beforeHim with joyful sounds.” Psalms 100:2

  • No particular style of music is “sacred.”
  • What makes a song “sacred” is its message.
  • There is no such thing as Christian music, only Christian lyrics.
  • We use all kinds of music to bring glory to God.
  • The Celebration style of music is not hymns but popular beach/reggae/calypso tunes with Christian lyrics (this is “our sound”).
  • Believers songs and hymns are sung at the Sunset, Sacrament & Sandwiches (SS&S)
    service.


OUR MUSIC STRATEGY

“Sing unto the Lord a new song.” Psalm 96:1

  • Every true revival has always been accompanied by new music.
  • We encourage members to write new songs.
  • We have replaced the organ!
  • We do not force anyone to sing. However, it is a mistake to remove all congregational singing from a service.


WE WANT TO MAKE OUR MUSIC COUNT

  • At the beach and at the park, there is an incredible power in music to help us focus on glorifying our God and to minimize the many, many distractions.
  • We want music that will reach Naples for Jesus