Who has been the most influential person in your faith journey?

A few weeks ago I polled my congregation on who they considered the most influential person in their faith journey. It was supposed to be a forced choice (they only could pick one) but many people wanted to put more than one and I went with it. I got 30 responses and the results were what I expected. Here's the list in descending order. Number of responses out of 30 is indicated in parentheses.

A parent (20)
Pastor (11)
Sunday School teacher (8)
Friend (4)
Grandparent (4)
Television preacher (3)
Spouse (3)
Church camp counselor (2)
1 vote each for: Sister, coworker, aunt & uncle, parachurch ministry, employer, cousin

I anticipated that parents would be the highest. The point of the sermon that morning was that parents play a key role in the faith journey of their children.

Biggest surprises: How highly pastors rated and how low church camp counselors were rated.

This was, of course, an unscientific survey of a very limited sample group. But the responses were consistent with statistics I've read on the subject (otherwise I would not have run the poll to prove my point!).

How about you, my virtual friends? Who has been the most influential person in matters spiritual? Let me know through the comment link below.

Taize Worship in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Here's a Taize style worship service our congregation held this evening that addressed, in part, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Welcome

Call to Worship

All Sing: "In the Lord"

In the Lord I'll be ever thankful,
in the Lord I will rejoice!
Look to God, do not be afraid;
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near;
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near.

Prayer for the Day

An Old Testament Reading: Psalm 46

All Sing: "Nada Te Turbe/Nothing Can Trouble"

Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting.

Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
God alone . . . fills us.

Silence

All Sing: "Come and Fill"

Come and fill our hearts with your peace.
You alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace.
Al-le-lu-ia.

Prayers for Intercession

As part of this time we used a prayer written by John H. Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.

All Sing: "O Lord, Hear My Prayer"

O Lord, hear my prayer; O Lord, hear my prayer.
When I call, answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer; O Lord, hear my prayer.
Come and listen to me.

The Lord is my song; the Lord is my praise:
All my hope comes from God.
The Lord is my song; the Lord is my praise:
God, the well-spring of life.

A New Testament Reading: Mark 4:35-41

Silence

All Sing: "Nada Te Turbe/Nothing Can Trouble"

Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall never go wanting.

Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten.
God alone . . . fills us.

Service of Holy Communion (in silence)

All Sing: "Take, O Take Me As I Am"

Take, O take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart and live in me.

Dismissal with Blessing


It's not all that original but use it with my blessing.