Rule of thumb: You can think it but you'd better not say it!
YOU CAN THINK IT BUT YOU BETTER NOT SAY IT
Watch this guy stick his foot in his mouth on the Today show. He won't ever guest on there again.
Leadership Summit--Greatest Moments #1
I'm missing the Leadership Summit this week. For the first time in 5 years, I won't be glued to a large screen transmission coming from the home base of South Barrington, Illinois. This year the schedule for the summit got sandwiched between a couple of church projects and a much needed family vacation.
So, I thought for the next few days I would reflect on the talks at Leadership Summit that have meant the most to me.
Here's what I'll be missing this week:
It will be hard to name them in order of importance in my life, but here are the ones I think stand out to me.
Leadership Summit 2007-Marcus Buckingham (Go Put Your Strengths To Work).
This was the second time that I had heard Marcus Buckingham speak at Leadership Summit. He is a fascinating speaker and I'd hear him again and again. This talk was a follow up to his Strengths Finder talk in 2004 (?) and was based on his book of the same name. This talk gave me some practical steps to follow in implementing the strategy to get to use more of my strengths in my job and in my other responsibilities. I've never discovered another tool that so completely describes each individual that takes the test and then give such practical application to implement these findings. I have encouraged many in my life to take the test and then follow the plan to make these results real in your life. Marcus could talk for 3 hours and still leave us wanting more and more from him.
Points of the talk:
Myth#1=As you grow, your personality changes and so does your strengths
Truth- As you grow, you become more and more of who you really are
Myth#2 You grow most in your areas of weakness
Truth- You grow most where you are already strong
Myth#3 A great team member puts his strength aside
Truth- Great team members volunteer their strength
I loved this line: "Talk about your strengths without bragging and your weaknesses without whining"
Friend of God--A worship leader's encouragement
I received one of the best emails today. A friend of mine wrote that her 3 year old awoke from her nap singing "I Am A Friend of God" and after investigating, the toddler said "I am a friend of God. He calls me friend".
We sang this song Wednesday night to begin our Family camp this last week in Galveston. With no words on the screen (because of our Media Shout fiasco) we sang it over and over again. Evidently it made an impression on this little one.
There are many times that I wonder if the songs that we are singing and teaching these days have any impact. I continue to get the occaisional comment of "it was better in the past than it is right now" and frankly some days I'm discouraged.
But, a little email sent this afternoon encouraged me that indeed I'm helping the next generation connect with the God that calls us friend.
This video is for my little worshipper friend. Turn up the volume and let her sing!
We sang this song Wednesday night to begin our Family camp this last week in Galveston. With no words on the screen (because of our Media Shout fiasco) we sang it over and over again. Evidently it made an impression on this little one.
There are many times that I wonder if the songs that we are singing and teaching these days have any impact. I continue to get the occaisional comment of "it was better in the past than it is right now" and frankly some days I'm discouraged.
But, a little email sent this afternoon encouraged me that indeed I'm helping the next generation connect with the God that calls us friend.
This video is for my little worshipper friend. Turn up the volume and let her sing!
Something Old, Something New
Something Old, Something NewThis post is usually one of the first that I do on Monday morning, but since my Sunday night ran into my Monday morning, I'm just now getting around to it.
Here goes!
Something Old:
Randy Elrod- I searched back through my SO/SN posts and can't believe that I've never given props to Randy and his blog. Randy is a creative, dreamer and go-getter in Franklin, Tennessee. He's the "BLOGFATHER" to many who blog now and hosts his annual Re-Create Conference in Franklin in February. To those who already know him--you know his stuff. To my new readers--you'll want to check this guy out. He's inspiring.
Something New:
Brad Gartman- I've already posted about Brad (he was our camp pastor this past week), but you need to connect with him. He's the Co-Pastor of The Church @The Springs in League city. This church has taken a radical approach to ministry and community. They meet bi-monthly and the other Sunday's are dedicated to Family and ministry to the community. He say's their unofficial theme is "The church who gives time back to you".
25 Cloth- This company made our t-shirts for family camp, and you may be saying "Big deal". However, a portion of your shirt costs is forwarded to an ongoing project to relief suffering around the world. Makes you feel better about wearing that shirt now, huh? Check'em out.
Worship Post-Fessional- August 3, 2008
Today, I didn't lead worship... I was the media guy. We just finished our Family Camp at Galveston (watch for more detailed posts about this trip later this week).We finished the morning with pictures of the whole group on the beach (our shirts were ORANGE--so you couldn't miss us!) and then individual pictures of families.
Our worship time was a reflection time of what God had done in our families this week. One of the girls in our group came to know Christ last night with her parents at the beach. There were opportunities to witness to folks who wondered who these 160 mad people were running around the hotel and more.
We made it through-Media Shout and PC cratered on Thursday---thank goodness for MAC and that other presentation softwares which is making me think hard about Media Shout!
Ok--now to worship
Today we sang-
Help Me! (Pringle is the author I think)
Grateful (Rich Smith's kids' song)
Everyday
Blessed Be Your Name (Redman)
You Never Let Go (Redman)
Here at home--worship was led by a friend of mine from a former church that I served.
He sang
Everlasting God
Our God Saves
How Great Is Our God
How Can I Keep From Singing.
This post is part of Sunday Set-List over on Fred McKinnon's site.
Anything Goes--- Production This Week
This article was published today in the Lubbock Avalanche JournalBoth of my girls will be in this production this weekend.
More to come!
HT: Lubbock Online
Family Camp 2008
I apologize for my absence from the blogosphere the last couple of days. I have been in transition to Galveston for our Family camp which began on Wednesday. Tuesday was travel day here and set up--I think it was an 18 hour day--but who's countingWe have 36 families here for a short week of instruction and encouragement. It is very multi-generational from babies to grandparents. That makes it interesting in programming, but our worship leader Rich Smith is doing a great job of hitting all of the groups. It's great to see the little ones worship (they do with us each morning) and the older kids got into the action last night on a new arrangement of HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION that Rich wrote for his new album Sacred.
Brad Gartman, Community Pastor from The Church @The Springs in League City has been our camp pastor. He's very creative and has given the kids something to do each night in worship while talking to the adults. Brad is a blogger too--check out his site here. He's blogging about the experience here at Family Camp 2008 this week. You'll want to read it!
Other than some initial technical issues with Media Shout and PC (they both died on me) and having to jump to a demo version of ProPresenter to fill out the week--it's been ok. Technical things have a way of making you crazy.
The internet connection here has been iffy. Right now I'm on the patio of the hotel catching some WiFi and listening to families argue with each other (not ours!) as they get ready to head to the beach.
I'll try to upload some pictures later today of the camp. We're doing a cook-out tonight for the entire Condo project as an outreach to families here that aren't part of our camp.
Thanks for hanging with me--I'll be back to my regular posting schedule soon!
Something New
This week I'm devoting this post to some of the new sites and friends that I made last week at the National Worship Leader Conference in Austin.ShaunGroves- Shaun is a Christian artist, blogger and descriptive writer of our times. He taught the Advanced Blogging seminar at NWLC and gave some great tips on increasing readership to blogs. He also works with Compassion International- setting up bloggers to go on trips with Compassion.
Russ Hutto- Russ was one of our traveling companions last week. He is from Valdosta, Georgia where he serves as the Music and Media Coordinator at the Houst of Joy. I really enjoyed getting to know Russ--we shared some smiles and jokes during Fred Mc Kinnon's class on Web 2.0
Chris wasn't at the conference...but gave his input via Twitter. Chris is Media Guru at St. Simon's Community Church in Georgia. He creates lots of graphics and loves to give them away--we love Chris!
This is a flickr account where Church Media folks share the goods--and by goods-I mean goods. Graphics, logos, print and publication pieces--all for the sharing. Thanks guys!
The Sticks Conference popped up on my screen last week and looks very interesting. Churches doing large things in small towns! Check it out--and if you go--Blog!
What new sites have you seen this week?
Worship Post-Fessional, July 27, 2008
This post is part of Sunday Set List over on FredMcKinnon.Com. Each week worship leaders post what their sets were for the week. I met Fred in person last week at the NWLC. This is the first Sunday for Set List--I'm anxious to see what others are doing.
When we go to conferences like NWLC, I'm always heartened that our church is singing some of the best songs written today. And, we continue to polish up the old hymns and do them in new ways so as not to abandon our past. Just a thought here....
Here is our list this week.
O Worship The King (Tomlin)
Sing To The King ( Foote)
I Will Sing of My Redeemer (Ortega)
Show Me Your Ways (Fragar)
What Can I Do (Baloche)
I Stand Amazed (Jernigan)
The Wordle above is from this morning's teaching in Proverbs 6--can you guess what the topic was?
So, how was your Sunday?
Blogging For Your Health
Now only if they could find that blogging took 20 pounds off you-we'd all be doing it!
HT: Brody Harper
Make New Friends--Meeting Up With A Fellow Bloggers and Twitter Buds
(Pic from www.fredmckinnon.com)This week I got to meet some of my fellow Twitter buds. They are left to right: Fred McKinnon, Worship Pastor from St. Simons Community Church in GA; Chad Wright, Photographer and Artist from Cedar Park,Tx and Snyder native; and Russ Hutto, Media Guru from Valdosta, Ga.
It was great to put names and faces together and to make the in person connection. We all laughed that we had been teased that meeting people from the net would be equal to meeting a slasher or such.
What I've found is a community of believers, pastors, artists, dreamers and just authentic people who want to share this journey together. My realm of friendship has been widened and my pool to draw from has been deepened. I'm a better man for it. Thanks guys for a wonderful week. Here's to the journey together in faith.
NATIONAL WORSHIP LEADER CONFERENCE-Thursday-Final thoughts
(Pic via fred mckinnon's twitpic)ISRAEL HOUGHTON LEADS WORSHIP IN AUSTIN
Tonight wrapped up the week of worship sessions and teachings at the National Worship Leaders Conference. It has been a busy week, but a full week of great worship and connection with worship leaders from all across the globe.
There were 21 nations and 41 different states represented at this conference.
Highlights from Thursday were:
Worship/Web 2.0 class--led by Fred Mc Kinnon. We twittered and did a live video feed via Mogulus where I found even more twitter buddies. Will the fun never end?
Lunch--Jason's Deli again. Ok-we're tired of chicken!
Afternoon-Worship with the Daniel Doss Band-man can they sing
Supper--Texas BBQ. This was a worship experience in itself!
Night--Tommy Walker (he was the real deal) He sang " Lord I Believe In You", "He Knows My Name", "We Will Remember"--a fantastic set; Cici Winnans and Israel Houghton closed out the night with a great spirit filled concert.
Annie--In production
While I am away this week, my middle child is getting ready for the production of ANNIE this weekend. My wife sent me these pics from her phone during this morning's dress rehearsal.I can't wait to get home and see it.
We'll be posting more pictures as the production comes together.
NATIONAL WORSHIP LEADER CONFERENCE--The Tabernacle Experience
One of the things that I was looking forward to the most of the trip to NWLC was the Tabernacle Experience. Carlton Dillard had already told me that this was part of the conference and I couldn't wait.
It took until last night to get in. They only allow a certain number of people to go through and experience it at a time. I snagged the last ticket of the evening and thought I had missed it because of a sudden shower storm. But I didn't.
What I experienced was incredible! I already knew about Prayer stations and such, but this one was so invigorating for me. To actually walk through the steps of the tabernacle and the things that the priest would do when he would enter into the most holy place were very moving for me.
Some highlights:
1. Offering a burnt offering (a piece of wood) into the fire of the Burnt Offering--wow!
2. Washing my hands in the laver in front of the temple
3. Lighting the lampstand (which reminded me of the scripture in Rev. where it says that heaven needs no light--because Jesus is the light!)
4. Taking communion at the Table of Bread
5. The Altar of incense---I once thought this was an irritating smell--not so anymore.
6. The Holy of Holies---to actually see the smoke and the incense surrounding the throne was very moving.
Then I headed into worship and Don Moen led us in a sweet time of worship where we sand " I Just Want to Be Where You Are" and "Thank You" and "I Offer My Life To You" (as a pleasing sacrifice. You know that I was undone at that point--tears were really flowing but my mind was still going through the experience of the tabernacle. So much more to think about--but I thought I'd share this experience with you today.
You can learn more about the Tabernacle Experience here.
NATIONAL WORSHIP LEADER CONFERENCE-Wednesday Highlights
It's late Wednesday night, and anyone thinking that I'm laying by the pool getting a tan before Family Camp next week is crazy. We leave the hotel about 7:15 AM and get back here around 10PM--so it's a long, long day.
Highlights from today:
Morning worship with Bishop Joseph Garlington--amazing talk (and even more amazing presentatation with his keyboardist accompanying him)
Morning class: Planning Center- an amazing product and some even more amazing things being added in the furture
Reconnection: with Mike Paslay--Minister of Music at FBC Fayetteville. Mike and I served together in Johnson Association in early 1990's.
Lunch: Jason's Deli--I called it early in the day in my twitter
Afternoon: Some video class.....I forget what it was
Afternoon worship with Rita Springer and Gordon Mac Donald
Supper--Chick-Fil A
Experience: The Tabernacle---wow! Do that right before evening worship and I gurantee you'll be filled up. More posts on this later. I'm still digesting
Evening Worship: Don Moen, Gateway Worship, Chris Tomlin and Lincoln Brewster--wow again.
Tomorrow--it's classes again with my new worship/twitter/blogging buddy Fred McKinnon
NATIONAL WORSHIP LEADERS CONFERENCE:Tuesday Afternoon-Marcos Witt
Worship led by Rush of Fools
Marcos Witt
What did people say about David behind his back? (1 Sam 16:18)
1. He plays skillfully---artists must practice, pray and play together
2. He's a courageous man-- you'll never have to look for a Goliath in your life--they come looking for you!
3. He was a warrior - worshipers engage in warfare--stand, sing, lead like a warrior!
4. He speaks well... He's prudent in matters (good judgement). He makes wise decisions and measures what he speaks before he says it.
5. He is a good looking man - Not just outward beauty, but the inner glow of character and a godly personality
6. And the Lord was with Him! -David's strength came from God
NATIONAL WORSHIP LEADERS CONFERENCE: Tuesday Morning--Dr. Leonard Sweet
Tuesday at the NWLCToday opened with a sweet set of music from the Riverbend Choir and Fernando Ortega as they presented songs from The Odes Project. Fernandos worship set was sweet as he did as only he could do
Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
I Will Sing of My Redeemer
Then Len Sweet brought an amazing talk on the Metaphors that will reach this generation for Christ. They are:
1. Design--everything is designed today and we as the church must embrace the process of design (not the product) in order to communicate the gospel. I blogged about design last week on Watercooler Wednesday.
2. Transformation (the oyster)--we are all becoming by the power of Christ
3. Pilgrim (Journey)--we need more followers of Christ--not more leaders (ouch!)
4. Connections (Web)--we are all more connected (1/2 of the world's population uses a cell phone--not to mention the connections via web (aka-Twitter and blog world) I met two fellow twitter buds today at the Planning Center booth.
5. Organic (Apples instead of Oranges). We don't live in segmented societies anymore.
6. Wind (Spirit)--we operate more out of flesh than spirit.
7. Harmony (the energy of God )--I know this sounds a little new age, but I don't think that was his intent. We all sang (can you imagine 4000 worship leaders singing in harmony) JOY TO THE WORLD and listened to the harmony of singing together and experiencing the presence of God.
My morning session was with Mike Harland of Lifeway Music Group as he talked about 25 years in Ministry and how he has changed and what he has gone through. I knew Mike back in Carrollton, so I know some of the back story he refers too. This was a good reminder to me of some principles of ministry that I need to visit again.
I'm off to the Advanced Blogging session with Shaun Groves in a few minutes. More tonight after I get back to the hotel.
National Worship Leaders Conference-Austin
We arrived here in Austin about 3:30 this afternoon. Boy was it hot and muggy! After some great food at PEI WEI (that was worship itself) we headed to Riverbend church for the conference opener. Here's the line up tonight
"the Love of the Lord"
Sarah Kelly
Matt Redman
Blessed Be Your Name
You Never Let Go
Mighty To Save
Skip Hertzig--the Priority of worship
Paul Baloche
Hosanna
Because of Your Love
Your Name
Something Old, Something New
Today, I'm on the road to the National Worship Leader Conference in Austin--so I hope this will post while I make my way there.Something Old
This is the blog site of Jim Houser, manager for Steven Curtis Chapman. He is giving us regular updates on the Chapmans and specific things to pray for them.
Something New:
This resource came as an ad in the last Collide Magazine. For $99 per year you have access to their entire library of motion, still and countdown graphics. Cool! We're using them now and at our Family Camp in 2 weeks.
Camron Ware is an amazing artist with the video projector. I blogged about his creations here back in March. Camron has joined the blog world and I can't wait to hear what he's got to say.
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