Daniel Ausbun
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What I've Learned From Empty Pews

5/29/2020

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Recording Sunday Evening - May 31st's Sermon
Last Sunday Broadway welcomed back people in the pews. We haven't had an "open service" since Sunday March 15 - that's 9 consecutive Sundays of preaching on Sunday mornings to a live online audience - locked doors and empty pews in the sanctuary.

Here's from I've learned from "online church:"

1). It began exciting and missional, but then it waned. I've always viewed online church as second-best. If you're sick, homebound, you're at work Sunday mornings, you're on an airplane - it's there if you physically can't come to the sanctuary. I believe COVID has changed the attitudes of worship. The doctrine of worship needs to be preached and taught among believers. Online worship shouldn't be a believer's primary worship experience.

I'm seeing many believers who want to worship on their schedules. They might tune in Sunday mornings, but if something's going on, they'll choose to worship Monday or Thursday evening and listen to the podcast. It's extremely consumer-driven and can be dangerous. In Acts 20:7, the early church met on the first day of the week, this is Sunday, the day Christ rose from the dead. Jesus didn't rise on Tuesday, He rose on Sunday. Every Sunday is an Easter celebration. You're remembering the first day of the week that Christ is alive.

2). Age-group ministries, such as children, youth & collegiate can't be tied to public school systems and universities. If churches are waiting to "return to normal" with public schools and colleges, then the school administration or state governor is setting the schedule for a church's ministry. What if the school year for 2020-2021 is 100% online?

The way to avoid this is to pivot from age-group ministries to connection, community life, family and missional living ministries. It's a model that continues to minister to all age groups, but a minister isn't stuck in one lane - and government has less influence on scheduling.

3). Telephone and snail-mail ministry is appreciated. Folks stuck at home have enjoyed a call or card. A note of encouragement carries meaning - let the mailman bring others a blessing. Our children love receiving mail and answering the landline. If you can't see people "in person" you can stay connected without being online. Ministry leaders should be taking extra time on the phone and mailing notes of encouragement.

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3 Reasons 2020's National Day of Prayer is of Most Importance

5/2/2020

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This Thursday, May 7 is National Day of Prayer. I believe this year's NDP is probably the most-important Day of Prayer we've ever lived through. I'm going to list three reasons why the day began by the Continental Congress in 1775 is something you'll want to make time to participate in.

1). Christians should be known for our prayer. Jesus said, "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!" (Luke 19:46). When we fail to pray, we're stealing from God. We're communicating to God and everyone else, "I can do it myself. I'm fine." If Christians don't pray, they won't experience the power of God. No healing, no change, no deliverance from sin, no revival.

2). We're amidst a national and worldwide pandemic. Uncertainty is everywhere. You should be praying that God uses the coronavirus to bring spiritual renewal to America and the nations. Government cannot fix us, politics cannot heal us. Set aside time Thursday to pray for an awakening; pray for people throughout the earth to turn to Jesus Christ.

3). Don't return to "Normal." If your prayer life was in decline or non-existent, now is the time to change your daily prayer habits. This season of isolation and quarantine should provide the time - it should be an encouragement to fall to our knees. Only God can bring change, salvation comes from the Lord (Psalm 62:1). Gather your family on Thursday and pray for your country, your president, your job, your friends, your pastor, your church, your witness, and ask God to use the coronavirus to draw people to His Son.

Set a reminder on your phone. Make Thursday's NDP a top priority.

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