There are 7 e’s that Accelerate Church is working towards as we gear up:
The message must be
- Engaging – the message must be relevant to those that are listening. Jesus spoke to people through what they knew and understood. He related to them. That’s why so many of his stories are about fishing and shepherding, the industries of the day. If he were here today, I’m sure his message would be the same but his examples would be vastly different.
- Encouraging – Salvation is all about hope. Give people hope. Make sure that everyone knows that everyone is important to God. He wants a relationship with each of us.
The music has to be
- Energetic – if your worship team isn’t bringing their best towards God, no one listening will either. I’m not talking about style here. That will continue to change as we move forward. I’m talking ENERGY, no matter what song, chorus, or hymn you’re singing…. BRING IT!!!
- Exalting – Newsflash: wherever the church is meeting, in a home, an auditorium, a traditional building, it is ultimately there to worship God. If you’re not praising God, whaddya doin’? That’s what we were made to do.
The children’s program must be
- Entertaining – adults need to hear a great message but so do the children AND it’s got to be packaged in a way that makes them want to come back. A church’s children’s ministry is successful if mom and dad say “let’s go to Disney today” and the children say “but what about church?” That’s a lofty goal but I’ve seen so many churches where the worship center looks great, the lobby looks fantastic and yet the children are sent into a room with shabby to no furniture and they get “story-time” for an hour. Think about what resources children have today and make certain that they don’t leave church bored.
- Enticing – As entertaining as the children’s message must be, it also must entice the parents in such a way that they want their kids to hear this message. Imagine a child sitting in the back seat of the car on the way home not being able to wait to tell about what they learned today. That’s letting mom and dad know that there kids are getting something out of church.
As good and necessary as these three ministries are, there is one more ministry that is a MUST for Accelerate Church. We’re calling it the IMPACT team. Who will be on the Impact team? Everyone involved with the ministries already mentioned but also those that are involved with making an impression on whoever walks through the doors of Accelerate Church. I’m talking the individuals who are responsible for making a clean and comfortable environment. I’m talking those that meet people at the door and make them feel welcome. I’m really talking about anyone and everyone that serves at Accelerate Church.
The IMPACT team must have the 7th E and they must have it in spades. What is the 7th E? Probably the most important E of them all:
- Enthusiasm – it’s contagious, it’s positive, it’s disarming and it’s absolutely necessary for success. Who are the best at what they do? Those who have enthusiasm. Teachers, bus drivers, janitors, doctors, politicians, professors, homemakers, truckers, athletes, and everyone else. You may have knowledge and skill but if you don’t have enthusiasm, get out! Can’t use you! Don’t want to! Paul says in I Cor 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Love what you do and if you love what you do, you’ll be enthusiastic.
Those are the 7 e’s!
