Multiple Voices

When we added our third service at Furnace Brook we faced a quandary.

The best arrangement seemed to involve an 11:00 service in each of our two locations, a problem that many other churches have successfully resolved by streaming the live preaching in one location to the other.

             And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.- Luke 9:1-2

​It would not have been impossible for us to do that, and we have no criticism for the churches that do. But we sensed the Lord leading us in a different direction. We are proud to be a church with different voices on our preaching team- but we know it’s a new concept for some. With that in mind, here are some reasons why we value having a teaching team.

Below are five reasons for having a preaching/teaching team.

1. Speaking “with one voice” is less impressive when there's only one voice speaking. True harmony, compelling harmony, is only achieved when we broaden the scope of participating voices.
2. Aspiring preachers need meaningful opportunity for developing their skills. None of us want to get our haircuts or sushi from novice practitioners, and I certainly don't want to be the skydive instructor’s first student. But we can all be grateful for the “Guinea pigs.” Hair grows back and, well, that's where the metaphor starts to break down. The point is, we can better afford the occasional amateurish sermon than a church with no preachers in the wings. In this way, we can also provide a safe space for those exploring their calling to test the waters, and be obedient to God’s leading. ​
3. It keeps the lead pastor humble. He is not indispensable, and the success of a teammate makes that point without diminishing the team’s captain.
4. It makes for a bigger net. People are so varied in how they learn and what they're willing to feel that it takes a varied group of teachers to catch them all. A preaching team increases the likelihood that everyone in the congregation will get to hear someone speaking “their language” at least occasionally.
5. It spares us from being technologically dependent. We love making use of technology in our effort to make more and better disciples for Jesus. But we are wary of structuring our ministry in such away that a glitch might defeat those efforts.

We are confident that the teaching team lends itself to our mission, and will help us make more and better disciples. Please pray for all of the teachers, and our church, that we may be a true testament to God's saving grace and transforming power.

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