Losing My Religion for Easter

When it comes to Easter, I think I may enjoy it even more now as a pastor than I did in my pre-pastor days. That may sound strange, considering it's really one of the busiest days & weeks of the entire year for a pastor. But it's hard to beat getting to be in packed services (3 for me!) of people celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, hearing them sing out praises together, and getting to speak to them about God.

I still remember vividly last year's Easter service at our campus--still one of my favorite ever. We did a killer version of Daughtry's "It's Not Over" which fit perfectly with this dramatization we did. Then I got to get up and tell this powerful story to completely silent and focused room. This year I think we did it again--we had a beautiful version of "Falling Slowly" (from the Once soundtrack, one of my new favorite albums and movies!), along with great worship. And I got to deliver the message where I got to challenge everyone to "lose their religion"!

We talked about how all religions have one thing in common--they focus on YOU and YOUR performance, and how if you perform a certain way, things will work out a certain way for YOU. We talked about how Christianity is not another religion to pick from with a deceased founder--it's meant to be about a person, Jesus, the one and only to defeat death. So we told people to lose their religion and find a person!  I'm extremely passionate about this topic, so it was amazing get to teach on it. And in the end, I hope and pray some people did!

This week i get to teach on week 2 of "Losing My Religion" to our students at our Wed. night Stuco service. I actually get more nervous to speak to the students than the adults (because I have the extra pressure of hoping I'm relevant enough for them!), but I'm excited. 

Comments

[jean]

Nathan and I thought that this weekends message was right on! You guys hit it on the nail! I'm excited to see how God will continue to grow West and everyone there, including Nathan and I.