The CBC 3-2-1: Our Shared Rule of Worship
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we're called to reflect on our spiritual journey and recommit ourselves to growing in Christ-likeness.
That's what the CBC 3-2-1 is all about. To listen to Charlie's message on this topic, click HERE.
That's what the CBC 3-2-1 is all about. To listen to Charlie's message on this topic, click HERE.
What is a Rule of Life?
The concept of a 'rule of life' - an intentional plan to keep God at the center of everything we do - offers a powerful framework for spiritual growth. Drawing inspiration from Saint Benedict's response to tumultuous times, we're reminded that discipleship requires discipline.
In a world that often celebrates self-indulgence, we're challenged to curate our hearts, paying attention to what we truly love and value. The disciplines we practice aren't meant to restrict us, but to free us to more fully embody the life Christ calls us to.
In a world that often celebrates self-indulgence, we're challenged to curate our hearts, paying attention to what we truly love and value. The disciplines we practice aren't meant to restrict us, but to free us to more fully embody the life Christ calls us to.
The disciplined life is the discipled life.
And if we want to move into Christ-likeness, that doesn't happen by accident.
If we're not intentional and attentive, we will lose sight of what's really important. Part of our job as a church is to come alongside one another and ask the hard question - how are we protecting what we know gives value to life: to see and share the goodness of God?
The church is a collective group of people saying, we have a common purpose together. And it requires individual responsibility and corporate direction coming together at the same time. That's where we meet our highest level of good.
So this year, we want to call ourselves into a corporate rule of life when we worship together - our shared "Rule of Worship".
The church is a collective group of people saying, we have a common purpose together. And it requires individual responsibility and corporate direction coming together at the same time. That's where we meet our highest level of good.
So this year, we want to call ourselves into a corporate rule of life when we worship together - our shared "Rule of Worship".
We're going to call it the CBC 3-2-1.
The 3 stands for "catch all 3"
Before the sermon on Sunday mornings, we typically structure our service to have one worship song, then announcements and responsive reading, then two more songs - but often the room doesn't fill up until the third song.
We know this is for a variety of good reasons - running late trying to get your family to service, talking with friends in the lobby, getting that all important cup of coffee - but we believe "catching all 3" songs prior to the message is for our good for several reasons.
Before the sermon on Sunday mornings, we typically structure our service to have one worship song, then announcements and responsive reading, then two more songs - but often the room doesn't fill up until the third song.
We know this is for a variety of good reasons - running late trying to get your family to service, talking with friends in the lobby, getting that all important cup of coffee - but we believe "catching all 3" songs prior to the message is for our good for several reasons.
- Worshiping together has a purpose. As we sing out loud, it binds us together as a community. Research shows that people who regularly sing together have a stronger sense of community ties, higher levels of civil engagement and a greater sense of belonging.
- There's a reason why we sing - God divinely instilled song in your soul that you might remember His Word more. It's the idea that music resonates with our souls in a way that the spoken word doesn't. It's why most of the Psalms were sung. Songs do something to our souls.
- Finally, when we're in the sanctuary on time, it reminds us that our church isn't just about us. It pushes us past the proclivity of me to remind us of the good of the community gathering together.
Being on time is our act of service to the other people in the room.
We show up for each other.
The 2 stands for "say hi to two"
We recognize that our job is to see and to share the goodness of God. Romans 12:13 says, "share with the Lord's people who are in need, practice hospitality."
So when we say "say hi to two", we specifically mean a certain kind of two.
We recognize that our job is to see and to share the goodness of God. Romans 12:13 says, "share with the Lord's people who are in need, practice hospitality."
So when we say "say hi to two", we specifically mean a certain kind of two.
- We, of course, want you to say hi to someone you know. You're probably going to say hi to ten people that you know. We've built a beautiful community at CBC and we encourage and love the deep relationships we have together.
- The second one is harder but just as important, and it challenges us to push outside of our comfort zone. We want you to say hi to someone you don't know each and every week as well. We want CBC to be a welcoming place where new people can feel like this is a church for them, too, and this requires us to be others focused on Sunday mornings.
We want to challenge people to look outside of themselves and remember that our mission is to share the goodness of God with those we know and those we don't.
The 1 stands for "have one focus"
When we show up on Sunday morning, we are admitting and acknowledging that God is worthy of our attention amongst all the other goods.
But that's difficult because we've got a phone in our pocket. It means that we have a divided attention. It's so easy to tune to something else when things slow down for us.
The problem with that is the gospel warrants and deserves an undivided attention. Psalm 16:8 says, "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. I will not be shaken". We are a distracted people. And in a culture of distraction, the discipline of focus is needed ever more.
So we're going to remind each other that on Sunday mornings, we want to have one focus all the time. God is moving. The question is, are we listening?
When we show up on Sunday morning, we are admitting and acknowledging that God is worthy of our attention amongst all the other goods.
But that's difficult because we've got a phone in our pocket. It means that we have a divided attention. It's so easy to tune to something else when things slow down for us.
The problem with that is the gospel warrants and deserves an undivided attention. Psalm 16:8 says, "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. I will not be shaken". We are a distracted people. And in a culture of distraction, the discipline of focus is needed ever more.
So we're going to remind each other that on Sunday mornings, we want to have one focus all the time. God is moving. The question is, are we listening?
Having one focus honors God and honors each other.
So as a church, we're going to "catch all three" because it's good for our souls and it shows us that us gathering is about more than just me.
We want to "say hi to two" - somebody you know and somebody new - because we're a community that shares the goodness of God with everyone.
And we're going to be a people who "have one focus" on Sunday morning, shutting out the other distractions that demand our attention, because that's what God - and our community - deserves.
We want to "say hi to two" - somebody you know and somebody new - because we're a community that shares the goodness of God with everyone.
And we're going to be a people who "have one focus" on Sunday morning, shutting out the other distractions that demand our attention, because that's what God - and our community - deserves.