Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts

12 May 2017

Hillsong Worship Album Let There Be Light




We've broken down the album 'Let There Be Light' by Hillsong Worship for you to discover the albums individual songs.

1. Behold 

Lyrics:

Behold the Father's heart
The mystery He lavishes on us
As deep cries out to deep
Oh, how desperately He wants us
The things of Earth stand next to Him
Like a candle to the sun
Unfailing Father
What compares to His great love
Behold His Holy Son
The Lion and the Lamb given to us
The Word became a Man
That my soul should know its Savior
Forsaken for the sake of all mankind
Salvation is in His blood
Jesus Messiah
The righteous died for love
It wasn't over
For He is the risen one
Then sings my soul
Then sings my soul
How great Your love is
How great Your love is
Then sings my soul
Then sings my soul
How great Your love is
How great Your love is
Then sings my soul
Behold I have a friend
The Spirit breathing holy fire within
My ever present Help
Speaking truth when I can't find it
Light up this broken heart and light my way
Till my time on earth is done
Oh Holy Spirit
Breathe in me like Kingdom come
Oh Holy Spirit
Let Your work in me be done
Then sings my soul
Then sings my soul
How great Your love is
How great Your love is
Then sings my soul
Then sings my soul
How great Your love is
How great Your love is
Then sings my soul
Then sings my soul
How great Your love is
How great Your love is
Then sings my soul
My God
He who was and is to come
Prepare the way
Until the work on Earth is done
Watch as the clouds He rides swing low
Lift up the sound as He makes our praise His throne
Behold the Lord our God will lead us Home


2. Love So Great

Lyrics:

Your love so great
Jesus in all things
I’ve seen a glimpse of Your heart
A billion years
Still I’ll be singing
How can I praise You enough?
How can I praise You enough?
You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh nothing else compares
Creation calls
All to the Saviour
We are alive for Your praise
In Earth and sky no one is higher
Our God of wonders You reign
Our God of wonders You reign
You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh nothing else compares
You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh nothing else compares
Not to us but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
Not to us but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
Not to us but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
Not to us but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh nothing else compares
You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh nothing else compares
Not to us but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
Not to us but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
Not to us but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
Not to us but to Your Name
We lift up all praise
You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh nothing else compares
You are the Lord Almighty
Outshining all the stars in glory
Your love is like the wildest ocean
Oh nothing else compares


3. Look To The Son

Lyrics:

Oh we look to the Son
Set our eyes on our Savior
See the image of Love
Sing His praises forever
Oh we look to the Son
Oh we look to the Son
Salvation
Tearing through the dead of night
See the kingdom burst into color
At the speed of light
Freedom
Shaking up the atmosphere
As the shadows fade into nothing
As the day appears
Beyond the skies above
Love reaching out for us
The Everlasting One
Jesus our God
Oh we look to the Son
Set our eyes on our Savior
See the image of Love
Sing His praises forever
Oh we look to the Son
Creation
Waking up to Kingdom come
See the hope of Heaven
Shining like the rising sun
Now forever
Lifted up from death to life
There's no fear in love
And no darkness in His endless light, Jesus
Beyond the skies above
Love reaching out for us
The Everlasting One
Jesus our God
Oh we look to the Son
Set our eyes on our Savior
See the image of love
Sing His praises forever
Oh we look to the Son
Oh we look to the Son yeah
Beyond the skies above
Love reaching out for us
The Everlasting One
Jesus our God
Beyond the skies above
Love reaching out for us
The Everlasting One
Jesus our God
Oh we look to the Son
Oh we look to the Son yeah, yeah
Oh we look to the Son
Set our eyes on our Savior
See the image of Love


4. Crowns

Lyrics:

There is a hill I cherish
Where stood a precious tree
The emblem of Salvation
The gift of Calvary
How is it I should profit?
While He is crucified
Yet as His life was taken
So I was granted mine
My wealth is in the cross
There’s nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now
For I counted up the cost
And all my wealth is in the cross
I will not boast in riches
I have no pride in gold
But I will boast in Jesus
And in His Name alone
My wealth is in the cross
There's nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now
For I counted up the cost
And all my wealth is in the cross
Yes all my wealth is in the cross
And when I stand in glory
My crowns before the Lord
Let this be my confession
My wealth is in the cross, hallelujah
My wealth is in the cross
There's nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now
For I counted up the cost
And all my wealth is in the cross
There's nothing more I want
Than just to know His love
My heart is set on Christ
And I will count all else as loss
The greatest of my crowns
Mean nothing to me now
For I counted up the cost
And all my wealth is in the cross
Yes all my wealth is in the cross
My wealth is in the cross
Yes all my wealth is in the cross, hallelujah


5. What A Beautiful Name

Lyrics:

You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great Your love was greater
What could separate us now?
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
How sweet is your name Lord, how good You are
We love to sing of Your name Lord, we love to sing of who You are
Death could not hold You the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
You have no rival You have no equal
Now and forever Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You have no rival You have no equal
Now and forever Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus


6. Your Word

Lyrics:

Before the Earth knew its foundation
You spoke the dust into creation
Until the end when all has withered
Then still Your Word will endure forever
The lamp unto my feet
The light unto my path
Your Word will not be shaken
Your Word will never fail me
Like a fire in my bones
Like a whisper to my soul
Your Word is revelation
Deep calls to deep within Your presence
When I hear You speak my soul awakens
Your Spirit leads my heart to worship
As Your Word reveals the light of Jesus


7. Let There Be Light

Lyrics:

There's no darkness in Your eyes
There's no question in Your mind
God Almighty
God of mercy
There's no hiding from Your face
There's no striving in Your grace
God of mercy
God Almighty
Let there be light
Open the eyes of the blind
Purify our hearts in Your fire
Breathe in us we pray
Jesus have Your way
There's no borders in Your love
No division in Your heart
God of Heaven
God of freedom
There's no taking back the cross
No regret in what it cost
God of freedom
God of Heaven
Let there be light
Open the eyes of the blind
Purify our hearts in Your fire
Breathe in us we pray
Let there be light
Open our eyes to Your heart
Desperate just to know who You are
Shine in us we pray
Jesus have Your way
Good news embracing the poor
Comfort for all those who mourn
For the broken hearted
We sing louder
Release from prison and shame
Oppression turning to praise
For every captive
Sing louder
Restoring sight to the blind
Breaking the curse of the night
For all in darkness
Sing louder
Proclaiming freedom for all
This is the day of the Lord
Beauty for ashes
Let there be light
Open the eyes of the blind
Purify our hearts in Your fire
Breathe in us we pray
Jesus
Let there be light
Open our eyes to Your heart
Desperate just to know who You are
Shine in us we pray
Jesus have Your way
Let the light that shines above
Become the light that shines in us
There's no darkness in Your way
So have Your way
Lord have Your way


8. In Control

Lyrics:

From Heaven You can hear
I know You're drawing near
As I worship
Held within Your love
The wind and waves will come
But I will stay here
I lift my hands to Heaven
Here my heart surrendered
I tell my soul again
You are Lord of all
And though the seas are raging
You will speak and tame them
In You I find my rest
You are in control
Through valleys I will trust
Your spirit is enough to keep me walking
You guide my every step
Speak life to me again
Lord I need You
Oh, I need You
I lift my hands to Heaven
Here my heart surrendered
I tell my soul again
You are Lord of all
And though the seas are raging
You will speak and tame them
In You I find my rest
You are in control
I will trust in only You
No one can add to Your perfection
You're the beginning and the end
More than I can comprehend
There is no one like You
No one
I will trust in only You
No one can add to Your perfection
You're the beginning and the end
More than I can comprehend
There is no one like You
No one
I will trust in only You
No one can add to Your perfection
You're the beginning and the end
More than I can comprehend
There is no one like You
Jesus
I lift my hands to Heaven
Here my heart surrendered
I tell my soul again
You are Lord of all
And though the seas are raging
You will speak and tame them
In You I find my rest
You are in control
I lift my hands to Heaven
Here my heart surrendered
I tell my soul again
You are Lord of all
And though the seas are raging
You will speak and tame them
In You I find my rest
You are in control
In You I find my rest
You are in control


9. Grace To Grace

Lyrics:

If love endured that ancient cross
How precious is my Savior's blood
The beauty of heaven wrapped in my shame
The image of love upon death's frame
If having my heart was worth the pain
What joy could You see beyond the grave
If love found my soul worth dying for
How wonderful how glorious
My Savior's scars victorious
My chains are gone my debt is paid
From death to life and grace to grace
If heaven now owns that vacant tomb
How great is the hope that lives in You
The passion that tore through hell like a rose
The promise that rolled back death and its stone
If freedom is worth the life You raised
Oh where is my sin where is my shame?
If love paid it all to have my heart
How wonderful how glorious
My Savior's scars victorious
My chains are gone my debt is paid
From death to life and grace to grace
When I see that cross I see freedom
When I see that grave I'll see Jesus
And from death to life I will sing Your praise
In the wonder of Your grace
When I see that cross I see freedom
When I see that grave I'll see Jesus
And from death to life I will sing Your praise
In the wonder of Your grace
How my soul will sing Your praise
In the wonder of Your grace
How my soul will sing Your praise
How wonderful how glorious
My Savior's scars victorious
My chains are gone my debt is paid

From death to life and grace to grace


10. Elohim

Lyrics:

I stand upon the solid rock
Of faith in Christ
This steadfast hope shall not
Break apart within the trial
I am assured
His promises will never fail
As long as life remains
He is faithful
God is patient
God is kind
He does not envy
He does not boast
His ways are higher than my own
His thoughts consume the great unknown
Of this alone I am sure
My God is love
I draw my breath under His
Created windswept sky
I know my hope shall last
Long after my flesh retires
From dusk until the dawn
He calls His children home
His righteous love outlasts generations
He is Almighty God
Elohim
Maker of the Earth
He is the Lord of hosts
Heaven’s King
God of endless worth
His kingdom stands above
Every power
Every living soul
His love is like the sun
Ever true
Shining over all


11. I Will Boast In Christ

Lyrics:

All I have because of Jesus
All this promise
Won for me
When He paid the highest ransom
Once for always
For my freedom
I will boast in Christ alone
His righteousness
And not my own
I will cling to Christ, my hope
His mercy reigns
Now and forever
Love will never lose its power
All my failures could not erase
And now I walk within Your favor
Grace unending
My salvation
I will boast in Christ alone
His righteousness
And not my own
I will cling to Christ my hope
His mercy reigns
Now and forever
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
I will boast in Christ alone
His righteousness
And not my own
I will cling to Christ, my hope
His mercy reigns
Now and forever
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing but the blood of Jesus


12. As It Is In Heaven

Lyrics:

Whether now or then
Death is not my end
I know heaven waits for me
Though the road seems long
I’ll never walk alone
I’ve got all I need to sing
I know You love me
I know You found me
I know You saved me
And Your grace will never fail me
And while I’m waiting
I’m not waiting
I know heaven lives in me
Should I suffer long
This is not my home
I know heaven waits for me
Though the night is dark
Heaven owns my heart
I’ve got all I need to sing
So I will sing, like I will there
In the fearless light of glory
Where the darkness cannot find me
And Your face is all I see
I will sing like a man
With no sickness in my body
Like no prison walls can hold me
I will sing like I am free
I’ll sing holy, holy
My heart cries holy
As it is in heaven
It is in me
We’ll sing holy, holy
The Earth cries holy
As it is in heaven
So let it be


13. What A Beautiful Name (Acoustic)

Lyrics:

You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my king
What a beautiful Name it is
And nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great Your love was greater
What could separate us now?
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my king
What a wonderful Name it is
And nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
You have no rival you have no equal
Now and forever God you reign
Yours is the kingdom Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my king
What a powerful Name it is
And nothing can stand against it
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful name it is
The name of Jesus


14. In Control (Acoustic)

From heaven You can hear
I know You're drawing near as I worship
I'm held within Your love
The wind and waves will come
But I will stay here
I lift my hands to heaven
Hear my heart surrendered
I tell my soul again You are Lord of all
And though the seas are raging
You will speak and tame them
In You I found my rest
You are in control
Through valleys I will trust Your Spirit is enough
To keep me walking
You guide my every step
Speak love to me again
Lord I need You
I lift my hands to heaven
Here my heart surrendered
I tell my soul again You are Lord of all
And though the seas are raging
You will speak and tame them
In You I found my rest
You are in control
And I will trust in only You
No one can add to Your perfection
You are the beginning and the end
More than I can comprehend
There is no one like You no one
But I will trust in only You
No one can add to Your perfection
You are the beginning and the end
More than I can comprehend
There is no one like You no one
And I will trust in only You
No one can add to Your perfection
You are the beginning and the end
More than I can comprehend
There is no one like You Jesus
I lift my hands to heaven
Here my heart surrendered
I tell my soul again You are Lord of all
And though the seas are raging
You will speak and tame them
In You I found my rest
You are in control
I lift my hands to heaven
Here my heart surrendered
I tell my soul again You are Lord of all
And though the seas are raging
You will speak and tame them
In You I found my rest
You are in control
In You I found my rest
You are in control


15. I Will Boast In Christ (Acoustic)

Lyrics:

All I have because of Jesus
All this promise
Won for me
When He paid the highest ransom
Once for always
For my freedom
I will boast in Christ alone
His righteousness
And not my own
I will cling to Christ my Hope
His Mercy reigns
Now and forever
Love will never lose its power
All our failures could not erase
And now I walk within Your favour
Grace unending
My salvation
I will boast in Christ alone
His Righteousness
And not my own
I will cling to Christ my Hope
His Mercy reigns
Now and forever
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
I will boast in Christ alone
His Righteousness
And not my own
I will cling to Christ my Hope
His Mercy reigns
Now and forever
I will boast in Christ alone
His Righteousness
And not my own
I will cling to Christ my Hope
His Mercy reigns
Now and forever
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing but the blood of Jesus


16. Elohim (Acoustic)

Lyrics:

I stand upon the solid rock
Of faith in Christ
This steadfast hope shall not
Break apart within the trial
I am assured
His promises will never fail
As long as life remains
He is faithful
God is patient
God is kind
He does not envy
He does not boast
His ways are higher than my own
His thoughts consume the great unknown
Of this alone I am sure
My God is love
I draw my breath under His
Created windswept sky
I know my hope shall last
Long after my flesh retires
From dusk until the dawn
He calls His children home
His righteous love outlasts generations
He is Almighty God
Elohim
Maker of the Earth
He is the Lord of hosts
Heaven’s King
God of endless worth
His kingdom stands above
Every power
Every living soul
His love is like the sun
Ever true
Shining over all

11 May 2017

5 Christian Easter Songs



1. Because He Lives

Artist: Matt Maher

Lyrics:

I believe in the Son
I believe in the risen One
I believe I overcome
By the power of His blood
Amen amen
I’m alive I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He lives
I was dead in the grave
I was covered in sin and shame
I heard mercy call my name
He rolled the stone away
Amen amen
I’m alive I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
Every fear is gone
I know He holds my life my future in His hands
Amen amen
I’m alive I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Amen amen
I’m alive I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He lives
Because He lives


2. Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed

Artist: Keith and Kristyn Getty

Lyrics:

How can it be, the One who died
Has borne our sin through sacrifice
To conquer every sting of death
Sing, sing hallelujah
For joy awakes as dawning light
When Christ’s disciples lift their eyes
Alive He stands their Friend and King
Christ, Christ He is risen
Christ is risen He is risen indeed
Oh sing hallelujah
Join the chorus sing with the redeemed
Christ is risen He is risen indeed
Where doubt and darkness once had been
They saw Him and their hearts believed
But blessed are those who have not seen
Yet sing hallelujah
Once bound by fear now bold in faith
They preached the truth and power of grace
And pouring out their lives they gained
Life, life everlasting
The power that raised Him from the grave
Now works in us to powerfully save
He frees our hearts to live His grace
Go tell of His goodness
He’s alive, He’s alive!
Heaven’s gates are opened wide
He’s alive, He’s alive
Now in heaven glorified


3. Forever

Artist: Kari Jobe

Lyrics:

The stone was rolled away
His perfect love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting?
Our resurrected King
Has rendered you defeated!
Forever He is glorified
Forever He is lifted high
Forever He is risen
He is alive, He is alive
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
The Lamb has overcome
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
The Lamb has overcome
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
The Lamb has overcome
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
We sing hallelujah
The Lamb has overcome
Forever He is glorified
Forever He is lifted high
Forever He is risen
He is alive, He is alive
You have overcome
You have overcome
You have overcome
You have overcome


4. The Power of The Cross

Artist: Stuart Townend

Lyrics:

Oh to see the dawn
Of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men
Torn and beaten then
Nailed to a cross of wood
This the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross
Oh to see the pain
Written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Every bitter thought
Every evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow
Now the daylight flees
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head
Curtain torn in two
Dead are raised to life
Finished! The victory cry
Oh to see my name
Written in the wounds
For through Your suffering I am free
Death is crushed to death
Life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love
This the power of the cross
Son of God slain for us
What a love what a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross


5. Rise Again

Artist: Dallas Holm

Lyrics:

Go ahead drive the nails in My hands
Laugh at me where you stand
Go ahead and say it isn't Me
The day will come when you will see
Cause I'll rise again
Ain't no power on earth can keep Me down
Yes I'll rise again
Death can't keep Me in the ground
Go ahead mock My name
My love for you is still the same
Go ahead and bury Me
But very soon I will be free
Cause I'll rise again
Ain't no power on earth can keep Me down
Yes I'll rise again
Death can't keep Me in the ground
Go ahead and say I'm dead and gone
But you will see that you were wrong
Go ahead try to hide the Son
But all will see that I'm the One
Cause I'll come again
Ain't no power on earth can keep me back
Yes I'll come again
Come to take my people back

2 May 2017

Faith And Victory Church


Faith and Victory Church is about loving God and loving His people.  We are a medium sized church that wants to spread the gospel in Auburn Washington but also spread the gospel all across the world.  We do this by harnessing the power of social media to preach/write about/video blog/ and proclaim His truth.  This is the beauty of social media, you no longer have to be a mega church to reach the world.  In this blog post, I'll explain some of the ways we are doing that.

My name is Pastor Todd and I'm one part pastor, one part admin, and one part social media ninja.  I first got into social media about 5 years ago as we were redoing our church website.  I wanted way for more potential visitors to find our website.  The thought being once they saw our website they would visit us on a Sunday.  Social media seemed like the best way to do that.  It was a simple yet so powerful idea that has changed the way our church functions.  At the time our services were running about 200 people, today we are running over 400 people per service and our Easter service had about 550 people in it.  That's more than doubling the size of our church in 5 years.  Now social media can't take all the credit for this growth but it has played a major part in the reason why we continue to grow.

Social media meshes really well with what the church is trying to accomplish.  Social media is platform to tell your message to your friends (pretty much the definition of sharing the gospel), social media is a platform to share interesting content (recorded sermons and devotionals), and social media is a place to show (not tell) your friends about what your doing (taking pictures and checking in to church) in a way that doesn't put pressure on the person checking your church out (visiting a church in person is so pressure packed).

Our social media presence starts with Facebook.  Facebook is the largest and most influential social media platform.  Our church page has about 1650 facebook page likes which is over 4 times the size of our church.   So we reach over 400 people per Sunday and then we have the opportunity to reach an additional 1200+ people from Facebook.  Not only that, but because we update our Facebook page frequently all those 1200+ people and potentially all their friends have the opportunity to check out our church without actually having to attend.  THIS IS INVALUABLE EXPOSURE that only costs time and not money.

One of the things we do to increase our Facebook presence is take lots of pictures during our services.  It started out just being me that took pictures.  I'd take pictures of smiling couples, babies, the preacher, and the worship team.  I would tag each picture and make sure to have the location show as our church (so people could click on our church page to check us out)  As time has moved along, I've convinced others in the congregation to join me to the point where now on a Sunday morning to the point of where now there are tons of pictures happening on Facebook from all kinds of different people.  It has an amazing effect.  At least once a month, I greet a first time visitor who says something like this "I saw my friends picture at church and it looked like a lot of fun, so I had to check it out".  The old saying goes "a picture says a thousand words" and I agree.

Another social media platform we use is Twitter.  Twitter is my personal favorite.  Facebook is more about personal relationships, but twitter is about broadcasting your message to the world.  By using an app called crowdfire (free to try), the church twitter account (@FVChurchAuburn) has been able to get almost 120,000 twitter followers.  Most of them Christians or at least having an interest in Christian topics.  The Church twitter reaches about 5 million other twitter accounts per month.  That's massive.  No other social media lets you easily reach that amount of people so easily.  We use twitter to get visitors to our website.  This is important because Google ranks your page in searches depending on how much traffic visits your site.  The more traffic that visits your site the higher you'll be when someone does a search looking for a church to attend.

Last but not least we use youtube to live stream and record our sermons.  Live streaming/recording your sermons gives people that are sick and also those traveling an opportunity to "not be left out".  It also gives an opportunity to give potential visitors the chance to preview your sermons.  Your visitors want to know that you aren't preaching something weird, that your preaching is compelling and interesting, and that you are preaching the word of God.  Live streaming and recording your sermons gives them that opportunity without the "risk" of attending your service.  Time and time again I've talked to first time visitors that watched our live stream for weeks before working up the courage to visit us in person.

Hopefully I've given you a few ideas to help grow your own church through social media.  Sharing the gospel through social media is my passion.  I'd love to connect with you there and also answer any questions you may have for you, your ministry, or your own church.  Send me an email, message, picture or tweet on any of the social media platforms below.

God Bless

Pastor Todd Sommer
Church Webpage - faithandvictory.com

29 Apr 2017

How To Save America by Paul Brownback


Paul Brownback’s writes a blog at www.hopethatsreal.com. His Twitter page is @paul_brownback.

America Needs Saving

Pres. Trump has stated repeatedly that Barack Obama left him with a mess. That constitutes the ultimate understatement. Our economy, international relations, military, healthcare system, and immigration policies are in shambles…and so the list could go on ad infinitum. In seeking to resolve these problems, Pres. Trump is confronted by an overwhelming set of obstacles: the “Deep State” with Obama lurking in the shadows, Democrats and RINOs in Congress, a cadre of liberal judges, and a hostile and dishonest media. In addition, Obama has booby trapped our government so as to make undoing his destructive policies very difficult.
Even more significant, our nation is beset by moral and spiritual bankruptcy, It has become the divorce capital of the world, functions as the number one smut peddler, and uses its resources to promote abortion and homosexuality worldwide.

What Made America Great in the First Place

Making America great again requires that we identify what made America great previously. My book, Counterattack: Why Evangelicals Are Losingthe Culture War and How They Can Win, makes the case that the society’s culture determines its success or failure and that America’s Christian culture produced its success.
At the heart of Christian culture we find agape love, which is not predominantly a feelings-oriented entity, but rather consists of intention and action designed to benefit others. Those who have received Christ and are filled by God’s Spirit become salt and light in a society by propagating agape. A culture characterized by agape engenders success. This type of Christian culture produced American greatness.
Beginning with the 60s, America entered a post-Christian era, replacing our previous Christian culture with a secular one. Consequently, America has fallen prey to the woes listed above and more. Making America great again mandates America’s rejection of this 60s cultural orientation and the restoration of our Christian culture.
Though Pres. Trump may succeed in solving many of the political problems facing our nation, we cannot expect him to restore Christian culture. Only the church can achieve that. And if that is not achieved, any political victories will be short-lived. Recall that despite the substantive political gains of the Reagan administration, only a few decades later America reached its national nadir under Barack Obama. Political victories are not sufficient to reinstate American greatness. Restoration of America’s Christian culture comprises the indispensable foundation.

What America Needs to Be Saved From

The problems listed above resulted from our entrance into a post-Christian culture, which is philosophically rooted in the hippie culture of the 60s. The philosophy of that movement can be summarized in its two predominant slogans: “You have a right to do your own thing,” and “If it feels good, do it.”
The first mantra assigns to the individual total autonomy. He should be able to do whatever he chooses with impunity. That assertion manifested itself not only in the sexual promiscuity endemic in that movement but also in its general anti-authoritarian orientation.
Granting autonomy to the individual might not be too devastating if the autonomous person is encouraged to function rationally and responsibly. The second slogan cited above, however, does just the opposite. Instructing the individual to follow his feelings eliminates the reason and will as the human guidance system. Since God designed human beings to guide their lives predominantly by their reason and will, the 60s worldview undermines and diametrically opposes a biblical approach to life. This arrangement is especially destructive because feelings are the worst human guidance system. They almost invariably lead us in destructive directions, promoting selfish objectives. Consequently, this approach to life is antithetical to the Christian agape-oriented, other-centered lifestyle.
Though the hippie movement only lasted about five years, its philosophical orientation took root in the American culture, migrating from hippies to yippies to yuppies, from the back of Volkswagen buses to board rooms of corporations such as Google, Amazon, and Apple, arriving at the White House in the person of Bill Clinton, and imposed on America in the form of Barack Obama’s fundamental transformation. It represents the orientation driving the news and entertainment media, public and higher education, and a substantial segment of Congress, the judiciary, and the “deep state.”
This worldview put down especially deep roots in the soil of American culture via the psychology of Carl Rogers. At the heart of his personality theory resides the belief that human beings possess a subjective internal guidance system Rogers referred to as the Self-Actualizing Tendency. Following this subjective guidance leads to success. Notice that this perspective validates the second hippie principle above, following our feelings.
Rogers also taught that human beings need unconditional acceptance, which will enable them to accept themselves unconditionally. Failure to receive it results in psychological sickness, and granting it provides the cure.
Though at first blush this appears to constitute a wholesome and magnanimous approach to relationships, further consideration reveals that unconditional acceptance assigns autonomy to human beings, making it compatible with the first hippie principle described above. As noted there, autonomy gives the individual license to do whatever he pleases with impunity, which usually results in selfishness.
This theory is of practical importance because it purports to provide psychological (read scientific) justification for the hippie philosophy. Reasonable individuals might conclude that granting the individual the right to do his own thing, especially that which feels good, will lead to societal meltdown. Rogers’ theory contends that human beings were designed to live this way. Therefore as individuals are accepted unconditionally and follow their Self-Actualizing Tendency, the result will be healthy human beings, a healthy society, and even a healthy world.
I demonstrate in my book, however, that even Rogers’ own research graphically demonstrates that his theory is seriously misguided. Nonetheless, it remains a dominant force in American post-Christian culture, dominating our perspective on morality and the American lifestyle.

How the Church Must Change to Save America

Eradicating this cultural orientation and replacing it with our historic Christian one will require that the evangelical church in America exercise its full capacities as salt and light.
Since the American church, especially its evangelical contingent, probably possesses greater size and more resources than the church in any other nation, one wonders why it failed to block America’s embrace of the 60s culture and why it is currently losing the culture war.
Two factors are responsible for these failures.
First, the American evangelical church has become infiltrated by the 60s philosophy, which has resulted in its contributing to the problem rather than advancing the solution.
Evangelicals have adopted a Christianized version of Rogers’ psychology, which asserts that God accepts us unconditionally and that consequently we should accept ourselves and each other unconditionally. This teaching in essence gives the believer autonomy, allowing him to live as he pleases with God’s blessing. It asserts that our performance has no impact on our relationship with the Lord, i.e. His attitudes or actions toward us.
We are assured, however, that this license will not lead to promiscuous living by a second contemporary evangelical concept, the insurance that we will live godly lives not because we have to, which is viewed as legalism, but because we want to. We are told that as believers experience God’s unconditional acceptance they will desire to display the love of Christ.
My book demonstrates that these perspectives are not compatible with Scripture nor do they work in real life. For example, the believer is not told what to do when he does not feel like obeying Scripture, an inclination experienced by most of us many times a day, e.g. eating a second helping of tiramisu that we don’t need.
These erroneous contemporary evangelical concepts have resulted in spiritual sickness and loss of power that is preventing the church from fighting the culture war effectively. Saving America requires that the church again teach biblical perspectives, which in turn will restore evangelical vitality.

What the Church Must Do to Save America

The American evangelical church is also losing the culture war because its approach is ineffective. Though many Christians are fighting hard to save America, these initiatives are not coordinated and therefore unsuccessful. Principles of war teach that engaging resources piecemeal will result in loss. Evangelicals can only win if they are unified in fighting the culture war. An umbrella organization must be formed to coordinate evangelical initiatives.
This organization must identify a leader. People tend to follow human beings; not organizations. Only as the evangelical cultural war effort is spearheaded by a qualified individual will it succeed.
Lack of unity has left evangelicals without a comprehensive strategy. To my knowledge, no evangelical group has developed a master plan for victory. Without one we are sure to lose. Such a strategy needs to be formulated by the best evangelical minds in all of the salient disciplines such as theology, politics, marketing, media, messaging, management, etc. I believe God has given His church sufficient power to restore America’s Christian culture, and therefore, if it fights strategically, as just described, possesses the potential to make America great again.

What I have written here represents an inadequate discussion on how to save America. My book, Counterattack: Why Evangelicals Are Losingthe Culture War and How They Can Win, offers necessary additional detail. For example, missing in this description, but highlighted in my book, are the salient roles that must be assigned to the local church and prayer. I suspect you might struggle with some of my analysis of the contemporary evangelical church. I believe that if you would read the detailed assessment in my book, you would better understand the basis for my conclusions.
We cannot afford to miss this chance that God has given us to save America. I believe that Donald Trump is doing all he can to fight the political forces assailing him in his efforts to make America great again. The question is whether the church in America will do its part in restoring our previous Christian culture. This may be our last opportunity.

Paul Brownback’s writes a blog at www.hopethatsreal.com. His Twitter page is @paul_brownback.