tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51906609079124075072024-03-13T17:49:08.069-04:00John A. - Past, Present, FutureJohn Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-56990365848611811112014-06-02T10:54:00.000-04:002014-06-02T10:54:15.104-04:00Worship Leader Confusion? I have been tweeting and commenting on Facebook lately about the seemingly unending blog posts and articles written about all that worship leaders do wrong (or could do better) in leading their congregations on Sunday. As a worship arts pastor and worship leader for over 8 years, I must say that while some of these posts and articles do offer some insight, many address all that is wrong or that which should be corrected. Carlos Whittaker made some really good points <a href="http://ragamuffinsoul.com/2014/05/worshipok/" target="_blank">here</a> which got me thinking... <br />
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Leading others in worship through song is already a tough job. Most of us pour tirelessly over our repetoire week after week to choose just the right message in just the right key leading to just the right transition so our congregations can have a meaningful experience. Most of us rehearse for hours so we are well prepared for rehearsal! And finally, I would suggest that most of us worry endlessly about whether or not we are really hearing from God as we plan, and worry even more about whether or not what we do is making a difference in someone's spiritual journey; and these are just the tip of the iceberg.<br />
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Here's a few topics that usually get addressed- <br />
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<b>Worship leaders must guard against performance:</b> I've heard it said about a mega-church in our area that they are all about performance. Over 10,000 people go there every week and they are getting bigger and bigger. That number represents a person in the seat singing songs with biblical content and hearing a message from God's Word; performance or not. Only God knows the heart of the person on the stage (Jer. 17:10). I sang my first solo in 6th grade and knew early on that I was going to be a performer - I love the stage - whether acting, singing, leading worship, preaching etc. and I guess I have been gifted in that area; it's very natural for me. Someone asked me why Mick Jagger would bother going on tour at 71 - though I'm sure money is one motivator, Mick is a performer; he <i>has</i> to be on stage, that's what he does. So yes, worship leaders can be performers and unfortunately, some people do have the wrong motives for leading, but let's not forget what Paul says in Philippians; <i>"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way,
whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of
this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice..."<span class="p"></span></i> This though, is not an excuse for our worship leading motives to be focused on us. <br />
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<b>Worship leaders must worship while leading: </b>This is a good concept but also a challenge if you are talking about worship in the traditional sense. A friend of mine put it this way... it's really difficult to truly enter into a spirit of worship while leading on Sunday. Are we keeping with the click? Do the singers know the harmonies are only on the 2nd half of the bridge? Are the lyrics moving too slow? My guitar sounds sharp with the capo on... praise you Lord Jesus I'm worshipping! Sorry, I know that's sarcastic but my friend made a good point - <i>someone</i> has to concentrate on all these elements for the good of the whole; we worship in our serving, in our attention to detail, in our desire for excellence; this is worship too! I'm reminded of the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant; I would assume they were just a little concerned about the task at hand... that didn't go to well for Uzzah! (2nd Samuel 6:1-7) <br />
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This post is already too long but I could go on. Most of us have self-esteem issues as it is (that's why we're on the stage!) and to continually read about what a bad job we're doing is discouraging. And I must say that I know that those sharing their thoughts about worship have good intentions. We need though, to encourage each other and talk about what is good. A young man who is considering becoming a worship leader told me that he's on the fence because everyone makes it so hard - like an impossible task. God knows our hearts and our abilities. If we are truly walking close to him and seeking him as best as humanly possible, he'll put us where he wants us to be, even as we struggle with our motives and our egos; he's not surprised by what we bring to the table. In the words of Carlos Whittaker; worship is going to be OK." <br />
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<i><b>"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him." Psalm 40:3 </b></i><br />
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John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-69433179599332277402014-03-24T13:42:00.001-04:002014-03-24T13:42:21.279-04:00Monday Morning: America's Four GodsYes, you read the title correctly - America's Four Gods. So I'm one week into yet another challenging grad school class and I've already had my eyes open to some religious realities. I'm only going to talk about one today, and that is the title of this post.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Four-Gods-about-God--/dp/B007SRWAR4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395682339&sr=1-1&keywords=america%27s+four+gods" target="_blank"><i>America's Four Gods</i></a> is the title of a book written by Paul Froese and Christopher Bader. This was required reading for my Doctrine of God class and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it. The authors embarked on quite an extensive research journey to find out how Americans view God today. <b>This book doesn't have much to do with the Bible or Christianity per se, just about belief in God. </b><br />
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Here's something interesting - a quote from the liner notes: "<i>Despite the hype surrounding the New Atheism, the US remains one of the world's most religious nations. In fact, 95% of Americans believe in God - a rare consensus in American life." </i><br />
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First of all, this is encouraging news. I'm sorry, but most Christians believe that non-believers and atheists are taking over and running our country into the ground. As a country, we are getting further and further away from the biblical standards and morals of our forefathers for sure, but at least a belief in God is still prevalent in American culture, as the above data suggests. A belief in God though, does not mean a belief in Jesus Christ. <br />
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So what are America's Four Gods? It's one God, viewed four different ways by Americans:<br />
1. The Authoritative God: engaged in the world and judgmental<br />
2. The Benevolent God: engaged in the world and non-judgmental<br />
3. The Critical God: judgmental but disengaged<br />
4. The Distant God: non-judgmental and disengaged<br />
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If you're into this kind of stuff, I suggest you get this book!<br />
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<i>I believe God did intend, in giving us intelligence, </i></div>
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<i>to give us the opportunity to investigate </i></div>
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<i>and appreciate the wonders of His creation.</i></div>
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<i>He is not threatened by our scientific adventures.</i></div>
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-Francis Collins, Human Genome Project leader </div>
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<br />John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-55213787440182005042014-03-17T10:32:00.000-04:002014-03-17T18:03:18.800-04:00Monday Morning: Grace<br />
I'm a person who worries too much. I worry about my weight, I worry about my finances, I worry about my wife and kids, I worry about the challenges of owning an older home, I worry about my ministry pursuits and school work; all of which cause me to worry about my lack of faith! I admire people who are able to roll with the punches and just accept life's challenges as blips on the radar screen; I'm just not wired that way; yet.<br />
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Yesterday in church, we showed a video called <a href="http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/22608/Pictures-Of-Grace" target="_blank">Pictures of Grace</a>. I found this video as a transition piece to lead into the song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn5zk3yCRr0" target="_blank">This is Amazing Grace</a> by Bethel Live. The video is sound bites of ordinary people who explain what grace means to them. In my verbal transition after the video, I asked "what does grace mean to you?" Christians are really good at throwing the word "grace" around but I would submit that this word in the context of Christianity is not self-explanatory. A quick Google search brought this definition of grace in regard to Christianity: g<i>ift from God to man - "generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved". </i>That undeserved gift is the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.<br />
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What is my picture of grace? God granting me forgiveness of sins and eternal life, after living a life as far away from being a Christian as possible. Grace is God granting me stability in my marriage and home life. Grace is God allowing me, a goofed up guy (who struggles with trust - see above!) to be a worship pastor at an amazing church<i>, </i>where I can stand in front of God's people and define the word, <i>Grace</i>. Worrying too much about the things on earth don't get us anywhere. <i> Grace </i>does it all. <br />
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What is your picture of grace? I'd love to hear your thoughts.<br />
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<i><b>"For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves,</b></i></div>
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<i><b> it is the gift of God, NOT by works, so that no one can boast."</b></i></div>
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<i><b> Ephesians 2:8-9 </b></i></div>
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John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-33108168629283241182014-03-10T11:34:00.000-04:002014-03-10T11:34:14.253-04:00Monday Morning Doughnut & CoffeeIt's Monday again. Mondays are not like Mondays for me like they are for most people because I work on Sunday. It's not quite a full day on Sunday but it is usually a 6 hour day or so, so Monday for me is like Tuesday for you... kinda.<br />
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I've been thinking. There are so many different facets to working in a ministry. Yesterday was very stressful because we had a few challenges in the morning preparing for our services. It was almost funny to see how God showed up, calmed everyone down, provided the necessary personnel and a great worship experience. Yesterday evening, I was blessed to play a few worship songs for our middle and high school students; it was such a joy to hear them sing. Today (my Tuesday, your Monday) we are preparing a funeral service for a dear Mainstreet member. There seems to be a sense of reverence or quiet around here today as we get things ready for the people who will arrive to pay their respects. I get to play the mandolin and sing in a gospel trio for the service - yet another facet of ministry. <br />
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That's what I love about ministry - the different facets. Weddings, funerals, celebrations, worship services, music, preaching, teaching... all in an effort to bring to life God's Kingdom on earth. First and foremost though, to introduce people to Jesus Christ and secondly, to be His hands and feet on earth. What a blessing, honor and privilege.<br />
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<b>What a day that will be</b></div>
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<b>When my Jesus I shall see</b></div>
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<b>When I look upon His face</b></div>
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<b>The One who saved me by His grace</b></div>
John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-83694473450360544582014-03-03T13:24:00.000-05:002014-03-03T13:24:13.765-05:00Monday Morning Doughnut & Coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My doughnut and coffee arrived as usual on time today. Wow I really appreciate that from our amazing volunteers at Mainstreet Church. Today though, is a different kind of Monday. Today, March 3rd marks what would have been my dad's 84th birthday had he lived past 74. I have many, many fond memories of my dad and it's hard to believe I haven't seen him in almost 10 years. The last few years of his life were lived through a tough battle with cancer. With all the fighting and struggling and chemo and radiation and everything else, it claimed his life anyway. For me though, I rest on the truth that when it's your time to go it's your time to go. King Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a time for everything; our days on earth are numbered.<br />
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My dad (Jack) did his best to be the best dad he knew how to be. His dad was an uninvolved alcoholic so he didn't have a very good role model. He taught me how to throw and catch a baseball, how to throw and catch a football, he taught me how to cast a line and reel in anything that might be on the other end. He also taught me how to be kind, honest, a hard worker, and how to love my wife and kids. He taught me the importance of going to, and being involved in church- which was a priority for him. <br />
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My dad worked away much of his life to support his family - he worked two jobs as long as I can remember. He still though, found time between sleep and work to coach my little league baseball team, eat dinner at the table every night, take us on vacations every year and church every Sunday. He was a man of few words and no formal education but left a mark on all who were blessed to know him. Happy Birthday Dad! I'll see you again someday! <br />
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As John Mayer sings: <br />
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<b>Stop this train,wanna get off and go home again</b></div>
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<b>I can't take the speed it's moving in </b></div>
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<b>I know I can't, but honestly</b></div>
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<b>Won't someone stop this train?</b></div>
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<br />John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-28207990041911756962014-02-24T11:09:00.001-05:002014-02-24T13:14:02.257-05:00Monday Morning Doughnut & Coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Friday or Saturday I'll review the upcoming Sunday morning service and jot down notes for verbal transitions in between songs or other elements for the church gathering. It's a common practice among worship leaders (or should be) to think through what you're going to say before, after or in between songs so there is a logical flow or thread tying the songs and themes together. This week we were coming out of the up beat song "All Because of Jesus" by Steve Fee going into an updated version of the hymn "It Is Well" as done by Todd Fields. After a challenging week, it was pretty easy to compose the transition!<br />
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First, I haven't felt well and last week was a good example of that. I even left work a little early on Thursday and took a sick/work from home day on Friday which is rare for me! With that, we had the torrential downpour and melting snow which caused our basement floor to become soaked as water seeped in. Man what a drag! We'll probably buy a canoe or kayak and keep it tied up at the bottom of our basement steps so we can paddle over to the washer when this happens again. The carpet in my music/workout room will probably have to come up and tile put down - right now the room is unusable and I've been wet-vacing several times a day and a fan is running 24/7. <br />
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Which brings me back to the transition into "It is Well." Now your thinking, "I see where this is going," and you'd be correct. As I thought through what to say between songs I was reminded of how I haven't felt well and the disaster in the basement (among many other challenges) and immediately Jesus' words from Matthew 6 came to mind; <span class="text Matt-6-19"><span class="woj"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-6-19"><span class="woj">“<i>Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.</i></span></span><i> <span class="text Matt-6-20" id="en-NIV-23303"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"></sup>But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-21" id="en-NIV-23304"><span class="woj">For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</span></span>" </i> <br />
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Secondly, I was reminded of the story of Job - everything in his life a total loss but he refused to "curse God and die," he worshiped in spite of the hardships. There was my logical transition into "It is Well." <br />
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<i>When peace like a river attendeth my way</i></div>
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<i>When sorrows like sea billow roll</i></div>
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<i>Whatever my lot, you have taught me to say</i></div>
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<i>It is well, it is well with my soul </i></div>
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Given my personality, it's a challenge sometimes for me to take these words to heart (just ask Donna)<i>, </i>but with God<i>, </i>all things are possible<i>. </i></div>
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<br />John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-8319432355189910832014-02-17T11:17:00.000-05:002014-02-17T11:17:08.448-05:00Monday Morning Doughnut & Coffee It's been on my heart for quite some time that I should take a few minutes at least once a week and jot down my thoughts in what used to be my active blog. Well, it's been inactive for quite a while. It's not like people are flocking by the thousands to read my posts and I haven't made "The Huffington Post" yet or even some worship leader's forum (nor do I strive to), but I enjoy writing so what the heck; I can do it for my own enjoyment right? On with the post...<br />
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Every Monday morning at Mainstreet, a lovely retired lady named Carol brings me my particular favorite doughnut and a McDonald's coffee with cream - just the way I like it. She doesn't just do this for me... we have a volunteer cleaning team that brings doughnuts and coffee for the staff and their own team each week. Carol just happens to know what I like and brings it to my office each Monday; I know, I'm spoiled. I like to enjoy my doughnut and coffee as I'm doing my morning prayer and devotions in my office. <br />
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Today I was reading from the book of Mark in the New Testament. In chapter 4, Jesus shares the parable of the sower. Briefly, Jesus says that some "seed" is thrown on the path where birds eat it, some falls in the rocks with little soil so it doesn't grow, some falls in the thorns and gets choked and some falls on good soil and brings a good crop of grain. His buddies weren't sure what he was talking about so he explained to them that the seed he was referring to is the Word of God, the Bible. <br />
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<b>Jesus says that the truths that he shares;</b><br />
- are heard but immediately after, Satan takes them away (you forget)<br />
- are heard and received with joy but the minute something goes wrong they're forgotten<br />
- are heard but the cares of the world and the desire to live the way you want chokes it<br />
- are heard and are accepted; life is lived by them AND they bear fruit. <br />
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I think most of us waver back and forth between some of these if you want to really be honest. The last one says it - the mark of someone really living by the Word of God is bringing others to a relationship with Christ. Although getting there is a process, it should be what all Christians are striving for. <br />
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What do you think? Where do you stand on the "seed-sowing" path? <br />
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BTW- my posts won't always be of a spiritual nature and I have no intention of trying to bring "deep spiritual truths" to my posts... I write what happens to be on my heart and for fun! <br />
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<br />John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-72061311473048559522013-05-22T10:11:00.000-04:002013-05-22T10:11:01.578-04:00I really wish I could keep up with this blogging thing. I just noticed it's been a few years since I've written anything... really? A few years? I guess the things we deem important are what we make a priority; I really wish I would make this a priority. <br />
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There has certainly been a lot of changes in my life over the last few years... lots of ups and downs that's for sure. But in the end, God is still in control and it all comes out in the wash as they say (do they still say that?)<br />
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I read a great Scripture passage this morning which prompted my desire to write again - especially in light of the things that have been going on in our world and in my life the last few years. <br />
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Nahum 1:7-8a says this...<br />
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<i>"The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of trouble; he protects those who take refuge in him, even in a rushing flood."</i><br />
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I don't know about you but I need to hear these words and be reminded of God's faithfulness every now and then - especially when I see so much heartache and sorrow in our world and even in my own life. Take those comforting words to heart as you go about your day today. John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-51372824128605557792011-02-07T14:29:00.005-05:002011-02-07T14:59:09.593-05:00Past and Present: Snow Daze<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy-a04rTbx7pWLLYgkKj5N0kaVeZEBcPeW-_wGUK4OnubAr9NCSboAHDgVNqzglZ7ycwBqgbPAoauX1irGrZhovfgjibbc215mP2Se2EHYOhD8RcXcXcfvSBWsntSRiEkih4Mg_jLT1jZ/s1600/Photo0256.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571039072482636626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy-a04rTbx7pWLLYgkKj5N0kaVeZEBcPeW-_wGUK4OnubAr9NCSboAHDgVNqzglZ7ycwBqgbPAoauX1irGrZhovfgjibbc215mP2Se2EHYOhD8RcXcXcfvSBWsntSRiEkih4Mg_jLT1jZ/s200/Photo0256.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Man, we've been blasted around here with snow lately. That's one of the perks of living in this part of the US; snow. Not to mention the lack of sunshine, temperatures barely going above 30, slush, shoveling, freezing, scraping, school closings, accidents, power outages... need I go on? But before I talk about snow, I have a question that no one seems to be able to answer. This area was very rich in American Indians. Chippewa, Shawnee, Delaware, Ottawa and others called Ohio home. Since we know that winter was a difficult time for Indians, do you think they ever knew that they could walk about a month south and never brave another Ohio winter? Hmmmm...</div><div></div><br /><div>OK, now to Thoreau Ave. in Akron, circa 1968 or so. All of us kids on the street LIVED for the snow. Our street was somewhat of a hill so if it got real slippery, you could ride your sled down the middle. Granted, it wasn't much of a hill so you really didn't go very fast but you did move some. The best thing though, was the woods that surrounded our neighborhood.</div><div></div><br /><div>Thoreau Ave. dead-ended right into the woods. You could walk into the woods on level ground for several hundred yards, but then the woods dropped steeply into a valley type of thing with a creek at the bottom. This made for some killer sled riding hills - right in our own backyard. </div><div></div><br /><div>Back in those days, there were no plastic sleds and everyone had the wooden-slatted sleds with metal runners on them. You could either lay flat or sit upright with your feet on the steering handles. We would go blasting down the hill in the woods and have to be careful we didn't fly into the creek at the end. Now this happened to me once. I couldn't stop and my sled and I went out onto the creek and my foot promptly broke through the ice and my boot filled up with freezing creek water. Well, that was the end of my day of sledding, and I cried all the way home with a frozen foot while the neighborhood kids laughed and laughed. </div><br /><div></div><div>Another time, my good friend Lori Vannatter and I had an accident on one of the hills in the woods. If I'm not mistaken, she ran over my ankle and somehow my sled cut her ear open - hahaha! I can't even imagine how that happened! I think we both stomped out of the woods mad at each other. </div><div></div><br /><div>Ahh, those were the days. We would literally stay outside from morning till dark and play in the snow; sledding, shoveling driveways for cash, building snow forts and snowmen and on and on. </div><br /><div></div><div>For some reason, the snow isn't that fun anymore. How about you? I'd love to hear your comments and snow stories! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-63799512976165981252011-01-12T11:38:00.006-05:002011-01-12T12:24:11.130-05:00Really Big YearThis will be a really big year for me. Well, I don't know if the year will be really big but there is at least ONE day in February that will be really big... that's the day I turn 50. There. I've said it. JOHN'S TURNING 50! So I said to Donna the other day...hummm, I've been on this planet for 50 flippin' years! That is a really long time.<br /><br />It's funny - I don't feel like I've been on this planet for 50 years. Well, I guess I do kinda feel like that. My knees hurt sometimes when I walk up stairs...I've got to be really careful that I don't blow my back out, my hearing stinks, I have bi-focals, I love to take naps. So maybe I do have the symptoms of being 50 but in my mind I don't feel that old.<br /><br />I'm reading Donald Miller's book called "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." In the book he talks about how we only remember little snapshots of our lives; usually the milestones or triumphs or tragedies. Sure, I can remember Mrs. Claytor, my 4th grade teacher at Voris Elementary in Akron. She had to be close to 90 and walked all hunched over with a cane. Everyone was terrified of her. I had a 33.33 chance of having Mrs. Claytor or one of the other two 4th grade teachers, and low and behold, I cracked open my report card envelope at the end of my 3rd grade year in anticipation of who my teacher would be next year...imagine my dismay when I saw her name. The thing is though, I don't remember much else about my 4th grade year. Same with 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th...see what I mean? We only remember (as Donald Miller says) little snapshots of our lives.<br /><br />His point in the book is to live every day as significant and memorable - to write a story with our lives. Is your life a story worth telling? Are you making a difference? Are you building into someone else's life? Are you making your kids, your spouse or coworkers feel valued? Are you sharing and showing unconditional love to those who don't look or believe the way you do? I need to ask <em>myself</em> these questions as I look at my 50 years on this planet and consider the time I have left.<br /><br />"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:3-4<br /><br />Wow, I wish I could live out the verses above for the remainder of my time here - that could be a life lived with significance.<br /><br /><br />What do you think? I'd love to hear your responses.John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-73703228627237499802010-09-22T10:20:00.013-04:002010-09-22T14:55:37.714-04:00Past and Present - Plan B<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGazmd_3f06HwUqKHHIuCRJ2rYoZFzD_4_xmZkSDV4IpjzHBE7KV2ZDtmwC6_9Xre2YLVaPvitClOvHM3wBWPMtuBc9t-gGBKGuyv_wJ-21BNrk7xGoSotKioIOH3HYdf0pm7siUgBQ2b/s1600/Plan+B+dvd+label.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519752996821296274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGazmd_3f06HwUqKHHIuCRJ2rYoZFzD_4_xmZkSDV4IpjzHBE7KV2ZDtmwC6_9Xre2YLVaPvitClOvHM3wBWPMtuBc9t-gGBKGuyv_wJ-21BNrk7xGoSotKioIOH3HYdf0pm7siUgBQ2b/s200/Plan+B+dvd+label.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>We've started a new message series at <a href="http://www.mainstreetlife.org/">Mainstreet Church </a>based in part on the Pete Wilson book, <a href="http://withoutwax.tv/">Plan B</a>. Plan B is about when your life takes a different direction than you had thought. Things like divorce, an illness such as cancer, job loss, a wayward child etc. can force us to rethink our direction and change the plans we had in mind for ourselves. As I've worked through the different weeks of the series planning our church gatherings - music, drama, videos and such, it has caused me to consider my own life, and if it's gone down the path I had in mind.<br /><br />I can remember as a very young child telling my mom that I was going to be a doctor; I know... just about every kid says the same thing. When we started going on vacation to Florida and I saw the ocean, I decided I was going to be a marine biologist. And in my early teens, as I got really involved with church stuff and attended Christian school, I just knew I was going to be a missionary. Of course, all of that went right out the window (including my church involvement) when I discovered the guitar; now I was going to be a rock star!<br /><br />I bought my first guitar from Staff Music on Canton Rd. in Akron in about 1974 or so - a Yamaha FG75 acoustic. The first rock song I learned all the way through was Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd; I was on my way. In 11th grade, I sold everything I had and bought an Ibanez Les Paul 59'r from Akron Music. I even paid the price on the hang tag (I never forgave Roger for that one) and I was <em>really</em> on my way. At some point in my blog I'll detail out my 15+ years in the NE Ohio band scene, but for now, suffice it to say that my "Plan A", becoming a rock star didn't pan out; I guess I'm living in Plan B.<br /><br />"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11<br /><br />I've certainly had some amazing adventures in my Plan B and long ago came to the realization that God's plan for me (my REAL Plan A) was to work full time in ministry, which I've done now since 1997. The really amazing part of this plan is that right now, music and playing my guitar are a main part of what I do for a living - hmmm.<br /><br />God's plan is always better than anything we can dream up. I was thinking this morning that I never, ever thought I'd be a worship pastor at a church, it never crossed my mind, but I can tell you that I wouldn't change God's plan for anything.<br /><br />So, tell me about your Plan A and Plan B - how has your life turned out for you? Please respond! </div></div>John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-12713181904091961632010-05-13T11:37:00.004-04:002010-05-13T12:39:35.517-04:00Change of Life 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBy1fYEF7N67gzFW-D8ObxmJsH_61cXQUgcFbXE5c0ZdM80HOCy9Qr9CKzsFeNsksL00lQHO7ul4UlDvFXGxAdOGR5YLNW2k0xaIcxfd1LK-tk_c0G-9De5W2_TrfyeR7tRCNPcSWlxwl4/s1600/Brandon.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBy1fYEF7N67gzFW-D8ObxmJsH_61cXQUgcFbXE5c0ZdM80HOCy9Qr9CKzsFeNsksL00lQHO7ul4UlDvFXGxAdOGR5YLNW2k0xaIcxfd1LK-tk_c0G-9De5W2_TrfyeR7tRCNPcSWlxwl4/s200/Brandon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470795137643543026" /></a><br />It was about a year ago I wrote in a post about how my life was changing due to the fact that my inlaws and nieces were moving here from Florida. Well, they have settled in nicely this past year and we are really glad to have them in our life - and yes, our life has certainly changed with their arrival. With some new things that are coming up in my life yet again, I've taken a minute to reflect back about how we go through many "changes of life" as we pass through our short time on this planet. <br /><br />Think about your changes of life; like the kindergarten experience. I remember I cried like a kindergartener when my mom took me to Voris Elementary and introduced me to Mrs. Gray. That day is followed by milestones like your first crush (Joyce Houston), your first fight (Chuckie Martin) and your first really nasty school teacher (Mrs. Trustly) and even your first trip to the principal's office...my best friend Joe Scaglione and I saved our lunch money in 5th grade and snuck off the playground to buy candy at the gas station on Waterloo Road. Boy did we freak out when Mrs. Armoroid came on the loud speaker later that day "Mrs. Kinney? Will you send John Authenreith and Joe Scaglione to my office please?" How did she know? Then of course comes junior high (yuck - Rosswell Kent Jr. High) and high school (Garfield) and hopefully if you've done what your supposed to do, high school graduation. Which brings me to my current change of life.<br /><br />My little boy Brandon is graduating from high school in a few weeks. Mourn, wail, sniff, sniff. I can't believe we are already at this point in our journey of life. It seems like only yesterday I was cutting his umbilical cord with a weird pair of scissors (those things are really thick), taking him to his first kindergarten class, blessing him at Confirmation, beaming over him when he graduated from 8th grade at Salem School in Tomball Texas and dropping him off for his first day of high school at Concordia. <br /><br />We have so much to be proud of. He is a great kid errr...former kid. He's very smart, fun to be around and has made our life and our family a joy these past 18 years. Now he's off to his own change of life as he heads to Bowling Green State University in the fall. Way to go Brandon - your mom and I are very proud and love you tons.John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-84047407109590502732009-09-23T08:51:00.013-04:002009-09-28T16:54:43.002-04:00Present: Worship Lessons<div align="left">It's so easy to plug along week after week in ministry and lose sight of why we do this in the first place. I have to continually remind myself (or be reminded by God) why I <em>really</em> do what I do. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />I'm reading a book called "The Cross and Christian Ministry - Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians" by D. A. Carson. The premise of the book is whether or not the Cross is truly the center of your ministry. I'm only a 3rd of the way through the book and God has "reminded" me of areas of worship that can, little by little, head off course. Here's a few examples from the book (I'm paraphrasing)- <br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">"We have become so performance oriented that it's hard to see how compromised we are. Here's an example: In many churches, prayers now function as the time to change the set in the sanctuary. The people bow their heads and when they look up a minute later, the singers are all in place or the drama group is ready to perform. It's all so smooth - it's also profane. We are in prayer addressing the King of heaven. In reality, some of us are doing that (addressing the King of heaven) while others are tip-toeing around the stage - still others are wondering what happy configuration will confront them when they open their eyes. Has the smoothness of the performance become more important to us than the fear of the Lord? Has polish displaced substance?" <br /><br />OK, I'll be the first to admit it...I've used prayer as a transition. <br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">A little further on he writes: "As long as people are impressed by your powerful personality and impressive gifts, there is very little room for you to impress them with a crucified Savior." <br /><br />OK, I'll admit this too - I sometimes worry about how "well" <em>I'm</em> doing when I'm leading worship. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />Wow. I need to be reminded of these things continually. I DO worry about smooth transitions in a worship service and sometimes forget the important things. I also have to continually be aware of my human need to "perform" and keep my purpose as a worship leader in check - an on-going battle with my human nature. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />I love it when God reminds of things and keeps me in check - I need it and I'll be the first to admit that I've got a long way to go. How about you? I'd love to hear your thoughts... </div><div align="justify"></div>John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-1982904759572549482009-09-11T14:16:00.007-04:002009-09-11T15:09:25.903-04:00Past and Present: Summer is Over<div align="left">Summer was always such a great time of year for me as a kid. I absolutely loved playing outside and would go out from the time I got up until I had to go in when it got dark. Riding my bike was a favorite activity as well as playing cars in the Cramblett's sandbox, kickball in the field behind my house, "olden days" in Kent woods (at the end of my street) where we acted like we were settlers, and on and on. Most of the families on Thoreau Ave. in Akron had lived in their houses for years, so I grew up with mostly the same bunch of kids from the time I was a toddler until they either moved away or graduated from high school - I never moved. Today when I think of summer I often think of the kids on Thoreau. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">There was Timmy Simmons, the red-haired kid who lived next door until he moved away in 5th grade. One time I pushed him off the front porch (see earlier post about the porch) into the bushes and he had to get stitches on his back. He was also friends with my future wife Donna when she was in junior high - strange. Curt Cramblett and his sister Colleen lived across the street until they moved away; Curt was younger than me and we didn't often get along too well. I accidentally (?) put my fist through their storm door window and almost had to get stitches myself. Next to the Cramblett's were the Vannatters; another anchor family that lived in their house for many years - we loved the Vannatters and all four of us Authenreith kids hung around with them at one time or another. Lori was a best friend from kindergarten until high school, and her brother Kelley was great friends with my sisters and even became close to my mom and dad later on. There were the Colliers who lived two doors up (lots of stories there) and Kim was a good friend up into high school.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">There were other "anchor" families on Thoreau: The Mays, the Goodwills, the Hackets, the Saunders, the Falveys, the Glasses and many more that I can see in my mind - and see their house, but can't remember their names! Some of them may still live there today.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">For my boys now, summer is a little different. We've had the curse or the blessing (depends on how you look at it) to have lived in 5 states in the past 12 years - all for my job/ministry locations. I hurt sometimes when I think that my boys never really got to experience very many "Thoreau" summers because they were always the kids that moved away. I look at my time on Thoreau as a pretty positive growing up experience and have often wished the same for Brandon and Marshal. Fortunately for Donna and I, they are very adaptable and have done well with the moves and school changes - praise the Lord for that.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">So summer 2009 comes to a close. The boys are back in school and all the fall activities are starting up. I know we are only on this earth for a brief time compared to eternity, but why does it have to go by so fast?</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />How about some thoughts and comments? </div><div align="justify"></div>John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-43628181590444051402009-07-20T19:03:00.005-04:002009-07-22T10:44:41.338-04:00Present: Back in Texas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgAVs0pKRP85Rz96cZl_q-panGYxShuSax0nYTMPKWGmEZbOSz4oHU5IQFjQK9KRvS1vw-Vs6xEOiFO3ScbSC2ktRElnWpewHiV2wFhbXOnB7O1tcXdANgSgLJpE5QgMHblLXQSCTcMgE/s1600-h/tomball.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361295452460022722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgAVs0pKRP85Rz96cZl_q-panGYxShuSax0nYTMPKWGmEZbOSz4oHU5IQFjQK9KRvS1vw-Vs6xEOiFO3ScbSC2ktRElnWpewHiV2wFhbXOnB7O1tcXdANgSgLJpE5QgMHblLXQSCTcMgE/s200/tomball.jpg" /></a><br /><div>It's really hard to believe that we've been gone from Texas half as long as we lived in Texas. To come back is always a blessing - we have so many fond memories of the six years we were here.<br /><br />Every year in July I have the opportunity and privilege to come back to Tomball Texas and help with a preschool teacher's conference called PTAC - Preschool Teachers Adventure Conference. About 800 preschool teachers from all around the U.S. gather for three days to get better at what they do. It's three days of speakers and workshops covering topics like safety in the classroom, CPR , quick and easy snacks; and everything in between. I was asked to help out with the technical a/v stuff about 4 years ago or so, and have been coming back ever since.<br /><br />This year was an added blessing - I brought Donna, Brandon and Marshal with me for a mini-vacation. Donna was here last year but the boys haven't been back in almost 3 years. It's great driving around and seeing all the new stores and restaurants, driving by our old house, seeing old friends and eating at our favorite places with our favorite foods - Mexican and Barbecue!<br /><br />We miss Texas but we know that God has moved us on for a reason and we love Ohio. I've already been booked for PTAC 2010 so hopefully Donna and the boys can come back with me next year.</div>John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-80876943229977044262009-06-26T12:51:00.011-04:002009-06-26T22:20:51.404-04:00Present: Change of Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRvemOZYkd5xLlXHAFLNi1e5Wvqdl9fgY2nNUts6iHIz_XcteseimhmUunsRiEYs6mPY0587i24jJ12XYbfhXmf1xk2Ru2UbBXkeCrJWIWwSqD8hbIHS9hFfCOCJmLfwdFkzx6lZaqbTq/s1600-h/Alyssa+and+Sara.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351688164609919170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRvemOZYkd5xLlXHAFLNi1e5Wvqdl9fgY2nNUts6iHIz_XcteseimhmUunsRiEYs6mPY0587i24jJ12XYbfhXmf1xk2Ru2UbBXkeCrJWIWwSqD8hbIHS9hFfCOCJmLfwdFkzx6lZaqbTq/s200/Alyssa+and+Sara.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Even though I'm about through the middle-age thing (unless I live to be 100), I am experiencing a "change of life" right now. As for the real mid-life crisis we experience, I still want a tattoo really bad (I designed a "godly" Fender Stratocaster that a tattoo artist drew up for me - can't spring for the $100 to get it done), and I'm jonesing for a backup guitar, (can't spring for that either.) Other than that, I never wanted the sports car or the 20 year old college chick. My change of life has come in a different way... Donna's mom and dad and two granddaughters have moved to Walbridge. Now for the first time in 13 years we have family living in the same town as us. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">It has already been an amazing experience. They have plugged along for too many years trying to raise Sara (11) and Alyssa (7) on their own, and God opened the doors for them to come here, so we could jump in and offer them the help they so freely gave us when we were first married. We picked out a house for them (scary I know) which they love, we've helped them with contractors, buying furniture and appliances, helped them get familiarized with the area, the boys have kept their yard mowed and on and on - it's such a great joy to give back to them. The biggest and best blessing of all? We are beginning to introduce them to Jesus Christ.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Our small group and church family have already shared Christ's love without even mentioning His name - through food baskets, cards, visits; and the two girls from our church that live across the street have become Sara and Alyssa's good friends. Another young girl from the church has taken Sara to the movies and had her over to play; I think they are starting to settle in.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Please pray for them - God has never been a part of their family but get this...they all came to church last week and the message was about raising your kids in a godly household. It couldn't have been any better. This is a <em>welcome</em> "change of life." </div>John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-26413681549818026602009-05-11T15:14:00.006-04:002009-05-11T16:25:25.419-04:00Present: Week after WeekYou know... it's really difficult to plan and prepare worship experiences week after week after week. Sunday comes every seven days and here at Mainstreet we throw in extra services throughout the year; like for the past few months we've added a "1st Wednesday Worship." I don't think that most people understand what it takes to pull worship off every week unless you are involved with planning a worship experience yourself.<br /><br />Used to be in the old days you picked three or four hymns and selected which 5 of the 15 verses you were going to sing from each one. Even with a hymn book filled with hundreds of hymns you still only sang about 15-20 different ones over the course of a year. And of course you sang all 6 verses of "Almost Persuaded" every single week at the altar call; waiting for that last lost soul to bravely slip out of their row and head down the aisle - all eyes watching.<br /><br />Which reminds me - remember this? "Every head bowed, every eye closed; no one looking around; just slip your hand up saying yes pastor pray for me...I see you in the back thank you, just slip your hand...yes over there to the right, I'm praying for you...anyone else...don't be afraid; every head bowed...yes young lady I see your hand and so does Jesus (choir looping back around to verse 1 of Almost Persuaded quietly in the background.) It always seemed like this went on for an eternity...everyone by this time was starved, so some people either made their way down the aisle or raised their hand week after week just so the thing would finally end.<br /><br />There was always a fiery sermon straight from the KJV Bible and a solo sang at the pulpit by a operatic soprano (sometimes my own mother), or maybe the house quartet would do a special, and after the aforementioned altar call they'd read the names of those who received Jesus or joined the church and off we'd go (we usually came back at 7 for the evening service)...ah the good old days!<br /><br />Church is a little different nowa days. First of all, our pastor labors endlessly over what his message (not called a sermon any more) topic should be for the culturally relevant series we're going to do, then he brings a "bottom line" to the planning team. We can spend hours just deciding on what the title for the series should be, and it's got to be one that would make an 18 year old want to get out of bed and come to church - totally cool (err sweet) and totally connected to something in the culture.<br /><br />Once we have a series title we labor over graphics...something grungy with a broken font and maybe a close-up of a skateboarder doing an ollie or something from Rock Band - (uber sweet). Then and only then do we start planning individual services. "How about a secular song for a prelude...Aerosmith..." "Yeah, but don't they do drugs? What if someone thinks we're promoting drug use..." "No, not anymore, they all went to rehab in the 80's... it'll be fine - let's do Love in an Elevator." "We should probably do a drama for week two and shoot some man-on-the-streets to tie each week together." "Hey, the new Miley Cyrus song has a great message..." "Yeah, but doesn't she do drugs?" And on it goes...week after week.<br /><br />We do have a particular challenge putting services together. Cirque Du Soleil (which I love) can spend months and months preparing their show, and they do the same show over and over night after night. But they have one advantage...a different audience for every show. We have the same audience week after week...some of which still long for the old days. How do you keep it fresh and interesting week after week? Church was rarely fresh and interesting (sorry) when I was a kid but we went...week after week and so did everyone else.<br /><br />Guess what...I think worship at Mainstreet is usually fresh and interesting. Oh, sometimes we fall into a routine and have to change things up a bit, but generally? I like the music, the grungy graphics, the videos, the messages, the dramas... I like to go to other churches to see what they're doing too. God is so creative and He has given us creative people - I love hearing creative ideas flying around the worship planning table and see it come together on Sunday morning.<br /><br />Many people received Christ and built the foundations of their faith on the church services of the past. It's a privilege to use all the things at our disposal today to help people connect with God - I wouldn't change it for anything. But you know? The Bible says..."faith comes by hearing and hearing from the Word of God..." Hummmm.<br /><br />Thoughts? Comments?John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-32418456859138278462009-04-23T13:25:00.009-04:002009-04-30T14:14:28.980-04:00Past: Sunday School<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_-pnOFuX1lrc7zXh9pyo-lhhGN1Its2nlKNwpRBJl_gkpww3CO-bOOIc37zTPqmyYaKpo55Tu9M7gWCP3SEaXWDTpadyMyLi1NIkzPpWS47dC3hWV-403djQ6h-fGv8biEUjzU6NOerq/s1600-h/ABT.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327958957412679154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_-pnOFuX1lrc7zXh9pyo-lhhGN1Its2nlKNwpRBJl_gkpww3CO-bOOIc37zTPqmyYaKpo55Tu9M7gWCP3SEaXWDTpadyMyLi1NIkzPpWS47dC3hWV-403djQ6h-fGv8biEUjzU6NOerq/s200/ABT.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I think I've been to thousands of church services over the last 48 years. My mom and dad used to drag all four of us kids to the Akron Baptist Temple each week whether we wanted to go or not. Sunday school is not quite a church service but I think it still counts; I racked up hundreds of hours there - what do you think?<br /><br />The Akron Baptist Temple (ABT) was actually in the Guiness Book of World Records when I was growing up, as the church with the world's largest Sunday school - wow did I think we were cool. I remember there were nearly 40 full-size church buses parked out back that picked up thousands of kids all over the city on Sunday morning - affectionately known to us as "bus kids." The Sunday school was housed in a bunch of connecting buildings (added on as the church grew) and you were assigned appropriately to a floor in one of the buildings with kids your own age. On your floor was the main "worship" area and then several dozen classrooms surrounding the worship space. We'd meet in the middle at the beginning, sitting on long, hard, high-backed slatted benches to sing the classics...The B-I-B-L-E, If You're Saved and You Know It, Jesus Loves Me, I am a C, I am a C-H, I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N (Amen!) and on and on; usually accompanied by a 300 year-old lady on an upright piano in a print dress that had been going there since the place was still woods, and a Rodney Dangerfield-looking song leader that never made it as a soloist in "big church," always trying to be funny. After 15 minutes of songs and announcements, it was off to the lesson time.<br /><br />Every fall during Sunday School promotion time, (when you got promoted to a new age group and shuffled to another floor in the complex) it was always a time of anticipation to see what teacher you would get for the next year, and to see what kids were going to be in your class - including bus kids. Usually, the teachers were nice and used flannel graphs to tell Bible stories, and after a month or two they would remember your name. I would do my best to go every week (like I had a choice) because you got a cool prize if you made it 13 weeks in a row. Can you imagine that now? Thirteen weeks is like an eternity - would that be defeating to an 8 year old trying to win something? What if you were a bus kid? I'm sure that parent advocates have passed some sort of Sunday school law against that 13-week-perfect-attendance thing by now. Thirteen weeks was a huge investment when all it got you was a white plastic bank shaped like a church that glowed in the dark (eternal benefits not quite understood.) Be that at as it may...I had quite a collection of glow in the dark banks. Eventually when I got old enough, I would shoot for a voucher for $2 off the price of a week at church camp (the prize got better as you got older) - that's about 15 cents per Sunday...tough economy back then. Hey, some years those vouchers almost covered the whole cost of camp for me - that's a lot of 15 cent Sundays.<br /><br />The thing is...I had no reference as a kid for what was really happening at Sunday school. I was learning the truths of God's Word from that Sunday School teacher. Rodney Dangerfield and the long ago-passed-away piano lady were helping me discover God's magnificence and learn about God's creation through song. And all of that seeped deep into my spirit, so that when the time was just right, Jesus Christ became Lord of my life.<br /><br />Keep watching.<br /><br />Hey, you can leave comments you know... I'd love to hear about your Sunday school adventures.</div>John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-50536838536001282922009-04-18T08:33:00.010-04:002009-04-20T16:59:27.289-04:00Present: The New Saturday Routine<div>Life has changed a little at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Authenreith</span></span> household. I used to get up whenever I wanted on Saturday morning (still usually before 8am), make a pot of coffee and throw myself on the couch until I "felt" like doing anything. I have a full schedule at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mainstreet</span></span> - working Sunday through Friday with a few evenings thrown in, so Saturday was my only official day off; notice I say <em>was</em>...<br /><br />I'm always looking for opportunities to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">supplement</span> my income as many of us do, and through the years I've been asked by different people here and there if I give guitar lessons. My personality type leans towards the cautious - "don't try anything you think you will fail at" so I've always said no. One day several months ago, I was in Marty's office (my supervisor) and he asked me out of the blue if I ever considered giving guitar lessons - he thought there was a bit of interest by people in the congregation, including his son Marty Jack. After a some prayer and much discussion with Donna, I began the research to see if I could pull this off.<br /><br />I started with an online forum I belong to called The Gear Page, (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">TGP</span></span>) which is a forum of, for and about anything having to do with guitars. I've been an active participant on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">TGP</span></span> for almost two years - learning about different guitars, playing techniques, amps, pedals... you name it. It's a blast for someone like me who lives and breathes guitars, and it is has proven to be very beneficial to me as a player and as a worship leader. I started a thread on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">TGP</span></span> - "How Do I Become a Guitar Teacher - help please," or something like that, and with thousand and thousands of guitarists active on the forum I received plenty of responses from those who teach - almost all of them positive, with most saying that teaching guitar is a very rewarding activity. I also got advice on what to teach each week - (a piece of theory, an exercise and a piece of music) and practical things like how to handle students who don't practice, etc. One of the great things I was turned on to was a marvelous beginning guitar book, "From Liverpool to Abbey Road - Beginning Guitar with the Music of the Beatles." Wow, how can you beat that. So - I had my friend Lisa Feather design some cool business cards, Donna and I spruced up the basement, and I ordered my teaching materials - along with a book calle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3WGA0KTPpfpSYNwTH7EkUVcPXoPyebVB-ib-c0aJQN46Ak4wtcBqrVh-8SEcoA6k1FrneAZd5H42GZAN2rxWfyoL7rSnW0qOM9SlZhHomFxBbDNLl9rGOzS3FFpuSdtWOGDDd8J0pqGv/s1600-h/John+Business+Card+sample.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326880408361776434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3WGA0KTPpfpSYNwTH7EkUVcPXoPyebVB-ib-c0aJQN46Ak4wtcBqrVh-8SEcoA6k1FrneAZd5H42GZAN2rxWfyoL7rSnW0qOM9SlZhHomFxBbDNLl9rGOzS3FFpuSdtWOGDDd8J0pqGv/s200/John+Business+Card+sample.jpg" border="0" /></a>d "How to Make Money Teaching Guitar," (another invaluable asset to my venture) and off I went.<br /><br />Within a week or two, I filled up my student openings and the new Saturday routine began. I have eight guitar students coming to my house each week for lessons, and we're all working through the great book "From Liverpool to Abbey Road - Beginning Guitar Lessons with the Music of the Beatles." So far, it has been a blast - and as my friends on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">TGP</span></span> said - it's a very rewarding activity. Music and the love of playing my guitar was somehow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">engrained</span></span> in my DNA from birth or something, and being able to share that God-given passion and love for music with beginning students is a great thing. Now if I can just get used to the new Saturday routine it will all be good!<br /><br />Oh, one other thing... the first song you come to in the Beatles book after a few weeks of lessons is "Little Help from My Friends," which I've now heard and played dozens of times. The problem with that song? There's lines in there that talk about activities you can do with help from your friends..."Oh, I'll get by with a little help from my friends... gonna try with a little help from my friends... I get <em>high</em> with a little help from my friends..." Being a worship pastor and all? I've had to scratch that one word out of all of my students books - just to be on the safe side...it's not 1967 anymore.</div>John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-12444609157270284162009-02-25T13:54:00.005-05:002009-02-26T13:08:11.281-05:00PresentSo I get around to writing again. I know, it's been a while. Here's some things on my mind lately. I just turned 48. Yep. That's the big thing on my mind...well, that and about 200 other things. At 48 years old I look back at my life (more of that later in "Past") and you know what, God has been really good to me. There were many, many times that I know for sure that God could have said, "Enough is enough, I'm bringing you up here to heaven to play the harp." But, God is a God of second, and third, and forth chances so He let me stay a little longer.<br /><br /><br />Have you ever tried to figure out what it is exactly God has called you to do, like why he let me stay a little longer? "Why yes, John, I would say you're called to be a worship arts pastor," you might <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">answer</span>. Yeah, that could be true, but that's only part of the picture. But let's look at that first...<br /><br /><br />I have the honor and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">privilege</span> of working with a great team of people to dream, create and execute worship services every single week for about 800 people. I have a pastor who trusts my judgement and oversees, but does not micro-manage the work I do. I am surrounded by incredible teams of people that decorate sets, pick the music, load the lyrics and videos, operate the lights and the sound console, direct and operate cameras, lead with their voices and their instruments, actors and readers, video shooters and editors and on and on. All of this so that those 800 people might catch a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">glimpse</span> of, or just touch the garment of the creator of the universe. God doesn't need any of us to reach people, but He chooses to use us for whatever reason; to allow us to participate, to encourage the use of the gifts He has given us - wow, what an honor.<br /><br /><br />As important as all of that is - that's not the MOST important thing God has called me to do. The most important thing he has called me to do is to love Him. When God gave me that forth or fifth or tenth chance, I fell in love with Him all over again. That's not to say that our relationship isn't up and down. He stands back and folds His arms and watches me make our relationship more difficult than it needs to be. Do I really understand His love for me? Do I really understand unconditional love that would warrant the sacrifice of His Son? I don't think I do. I'm still a work in progress; beating myself up at every turn in the road - making our relationship harder than it needs to be as I said before. Maybe when I'm 58 I'll have different words to write but right now? I've got a ways to go.<br /><br /><br />The second most important thing - that's right, even before my "calling" as a worship arts pastor, is Donna and the boys. Wow. That's all I can say...wow. As selfish a person as I've been for so many years I never could understand why God blessed me so much with my wife and kids. I am just now at a point in my life where I'm realizing that selfish pursuits don't do anyone any good. For me, my career/ministry has called me to be away from my family a good bit of the time. I haven't had a 9-5 job in many years. This, however has all been a part of being able to provide for my family using the talents and abilities God has given me - I don't have a "normal" set of 9 to 5 skills! Donna has been my support - she patiently waited for me to get my degree as we barely had food to eat. She's packed up our house a half a dozen times to move to the location God was calling us, or should I say me to...and she's endured my selfish pursuits in other areas. Same with the boys...do they really mean "that's OK dad," when I tell them we can't watch a movie because I'm playing at a coffee house? I always wonder if that will come back to bite me in the "you-know-what" somewhere down the road. At 48, God is finally getting it through my thick head...God, Family, Others. I hope it doesn't take you that long...John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-74794213501891617292008-12-18T07:42:00.001-05:002008-12-20T09:10:54.726-05:00Past: My Consciousness Flickers to LifeFor some reason, looking through or over the top of wooden crib rails seems to me my earliest memory - when my conscious existence came to life. That crib was located in the small bedroom of Jack and Carole Authenreith - mom & dad. That bedroom was located in the front left corner (looking from the street) of our white, cape-style, 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath home with pink shutters and matching front door. That white, cape-style house was located just about in the middle of Thoreau Avenue on the right hand side, surrounded by duplicate white, cape-style houses. Oh the builders tried to shake it up a bit and give them different characteristics. Some would have two dormer windows on the roof, others would have covered front porches etc. But all in all, they looked the same, and ours had neither of those - just a plain white, cape-style house with a little cement front porch in the middle that my dad called a stoop - and pink shutters with a matching front door. Thoreau Avenue was located in a little out of the way neighborhood in an area called Firestone Park. All of the streets in my neighborhood were named after poets - like Cooper, Lurie, Lauby, and of course Henry David Thoreau; and all of those streets had little white, cape-style houses. Now, the area known as Firestone Park was located on the south side of Akron - which is located in Ohio, which is located in the United States, North America, planet Earth. There's lots of stories to tell about life in that little white cape-style house, and I'm going to take you there - you'll have to keep watching.John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190660907912407507.post-59009308821050873062008-12-17T21:26:00.001-05:002008-12-17T21:32:36.736-05:00Here it goes...Well, I'm new to this blogging thing but since I try my best to be "with it" I thought I'd jump on board and give it a shot. I'm hoping that I can just write about my life, my family, and the journey I'm on and have been on in an attempt to get from point "A" to point "B" - point "A" being my humble beginnings in Akron Ohio and following, and point "B" being when I breathe my last breath on this planet, close my eyes and wake up an instant later in the presence of my creator. And what a journey it's been. Stay tuned for part one of - John A. - Past, Present and Future.John Authenreithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16987988238617101138noreply@blogger.com0