BabuLife

The Worship Planning Tool has Landed

It has arrived.  The latest worship planning tool for the Grace Weekend Service Team kicked off this past Sunday.  At the close of 2007, we moved our online service planning to PlanningCenterOnline.com...and I'm hooked.  Here are just a few of the great features:

• Volunteer Scheduling - This is a must.  However, I've found this tool is only as useful as your volunteers use it.  I love the automatic email reminders it sends to team members about rehearsals and playing dates.  The "block out dates" feature is also extremely helpful.  Volunteers can mark dates they are unavailable which then flags them for me if I assign them to a date.
• MP3 Playback - This is what I'm really digging.  The ability to upload audio files of new songs where team members can log on to their account, click on their scheduled date and if there's a new song, they can listen to it.  No more CD BURNING BABY!!!  Again...this tool is only as useful as the volunteer makes it.  Here's to hoping our team uses it...hear me WST...use it!
• Chord Charts - This dumbfounded me.  I can't believe how easy it is to keep chords and lyrics.  Not only that, but when you copy and paste the lyrics and chords into the planning center, you can create another arrangement within the same key.  What does that mean?  Well, if you're a capo freak such as myself and you've got a song that is played in the key of G but you want an alternate chord chart for playing with your capo on the 5th fret in the D chord structure, just indicate the alternate chord structure within the key and make your "capo 5th fret" note and voila...it automatically creates a separate arrangement for the capo.  These can be downloaded as PDF files.  Unbelievable.
• Songselect - If you're a member of the CCLI and use the Songselect site, you can export the notes on songs to your computer then upload them to the Planning Center site and all of the important info automatically gets updated on that song.  Author, year, publishing company and CCLI number.  All the stuff you're supposed to be displaying on your video screens during services to be copyright compliant.  This is the easiest tool I've seen for this.  Also, if you're in a reporting period with CCLI, Planning Center can automatically report printing and play dates to CCLI.  How cool is that?!?!  By the way, if you aren't using Songselect, go get it here.
• Video Training - They have done an awesome job at creating training videos.  I've had all my questions answered instantly by watching the vids.  Good stuff.
• Ministries - Not only can this tool be helpful to the Grace Weekend Service Team, but we can add various ministries under the same account.  For instance, if the youth ministry planned worship services and wanted to use this tool they could.  And their team could log in only under the specified ministry.  Great for CCLI reporting which comes every 3 years or so.  I think we're going to give this a shot with the children's ministry when their ready to make the leap.

I'm sure as we go along I'll find something that is missing or would be good to add.  They've got a great forum where you can make your recommendations and they listen.  I highly recommend this tool for anyone involved with planning services with a worship team.

Try PlanningCenterOnline.com

I Touched the Hand of Bono

Well...at least it looked like it. I caught the U23D movie last night with my friend Lance and Jim.  Sort of a late show celebration for keeping the church afloat while Tim and Brian were gone.

Do you remember the silly 3-D movies that came out long ago?  I recall my first 3-D experience being Jaws 3-D.  I think there was a Freddy Krueger movie that had a portion of it in 3-D where they flashed an icon on the movie screen telling you when to put on the flimsy colored glasses.  These two experiences have soured my perspective on the technology advancement of 3-D in film.  There have been numerous rumors of films being redistributed in this new format, but nobody has taken the plunge. I have been converted and am a believer in this new technology.

U23D was unbelievable.  I've never experienced anything like it.  At the beginning of the film the text flashes on the screen while images are jumping out from you. The 3-D technology isn't abused in a tasteless way like many other 3-D movies in the past.  The technology isn't being used to just throw something at your face, it's used to visually enhance what is already there.  At one point Bono is singing and looks into the camera reaching his hand out as he typically does during their live performances and it literally looks as though you could grab his hand.  I think I heard Jim next to me say "Wooah...hello Bono."

The film was recorded during a live performance on their How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb tour.  Really of any band to explore this technology, who better than one of the most popular bands of the past 20 years?  If you're not a fan of their music, you might not be as entertained as I was.  However, if you're at all curious about experiencing this evolving technology, you might just want to catch it anyway.  It may well be worth the money.

Check it out here.

Worship Confessional: 1/27/08

Today ROCKED!  I don't know what it was, maybe the new tune, maybe wrapping up this financial series with a renewed dedication to prioritize what it's important and how we should redeem the time God's given us.  Whatever it was, but all you Grace folks were ready to worship today.

We rolled out a new tune "Salvation is Here" by Hillsong United.  I think this will be a mainstay in our rotation for sure.  To our bass player, Jimmy-Luv...AMAZING.  He nailed those bass parts.  Nicely done.

Today Jim and I tag teamed the final message in our financial series called "N-UFF Delay".  We talked about the importance of being diligent with the time God's given us on this earth.  And in the area of finances, we've got to count the cost and be prepared for whatever the future may hold. 

Our setlist was probably one of my faves.  We pulled out a really old tune that we haven't played in over a year and a half in "God of Wonders".  We also closed the service out with two songs.  Thanks again to the entire Weekend Service Team for making it all come together.  Great day!

Here's the worship set-list.  Don't forget to click the title to purchase on iTunes:

• Friend of God (D)
• God of Wonders(D)
• You Never Let Go (B)
• Salvation is Here (B)
• Mighty to Save (A)
• Shout Unto God (D)

Can't wait for next week!
-Babu

Wasssup?!?

There's been drought here on BabuLife as time hasn't allowed much blogging this week.  Here are a few things I've seen that I thought I'd pass along:

• Hilarious post from a die hard Packer fan.  Eddie Murphy the prophet.
• Financial Peace University class kicked off on January 13.  Approximately 80 folks are working hard over the next couple of months to get break free from debt and help set others free.  Check out the GraceFPU blog created and managed by Pastor Tom...he's the Packer fan in the above note...go show him a little love and sympathy this week.
• Our lead dude, Tim, has been out of town along with our Executive Pastor Brian Gann.  That means all week Jim and I have been manning the helm. I think the boat's still floating.  We'll see after Sunday.  Thank you to all at Grace who've been so kind in offering to help support us, pray for us (and our families) and to those who were able to provide some support (Marie King and Jen Seagren along with JoAnn).
• Preaching this week.  Yes, since our leader is away, Jim and I will be tag teaming the final message in our financial series "N-UFF" this Sunday.  We'll be talking about the issue of time and how we should take advantage of what God's given us.
• Building 429.  They're offering a free concert tonight at Indian Creek Community Church down the street from my house.  Check it out here.  I'm not going to make it but maybe you can.
• U23D.  Where have I been?  I didn't know anything about this until I saw a poster at the movie theater last week.  Got a note from my friend Lance to check out a screening with him last night but had to decline.  U2 in 3D...gotta see it.  Check out a preview here and maybe you can catch a show this weekend here.
• Salvation is Here. We're playing a new tune this weekend from Hillsong United.  I've had this on the list for quite a while.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the church responds.  Get it on iTunes here.
• Cloverfield.  Saw it...enjoyed it.  Definitely unique and dizzying all at the same time.  Caution: this movie is filmed with what appears to be a cam corder.  Lots of crazy running and jumping.  I think the most hype has come from the intense marketing campaign since the release of Transformers in the summer of '07.  With blogs from different characters, possible rumored links to the television show "Lost" (which I've never seen an episode of) and other websites, it's actually made me want to go back and see it after seeing some of the web marketing.  Oh...and if you saw it, did you kind of get excited about the Star Trek prequel?  Not a huge fan, but admittedly, I thought it was cool.

So that's whassup with me.  Whassup with you?

-Babu

Mystery Mobile Solved

Sunday we received a Connect Card with a question written on it, "Why is there a truck that sits in the same spot every week?"  Unfortunately the individual didn't leave a name or contact number so it's a little difficult to answer the question.  Then this afternoon I spoke with someone in the lobby who asked the same question.  However, I know there are several Grace attenders who frequent this site so I thought I'd let everyone know it's ok.

This truck was donated to Grace a couple of years ago.  You may frequently see the likes of Jim and I loading, unloading, hauling and un-hauling.  The truck belongs to the church.  MYSTERY SOLVED! 

Worship Confessional: 1/20/08

This week's worship was unique in that we had communion before the message as opposed to concluding.  Typically we've had communion at the conclusion as a way to respond to the message folks just heard.  Tim came up with the thought to try something a little different which mean shifting songs around last minute.  Seemed to come off pretty well with the church.  It was actually refreshing to incorporate it into the song portion of the worship service. I think Tim and I had one concern about folks missing it since there are some late arrivers typically at every church.

Music went very well.  With Lynnora on violin this week we added a little different flavor to the music.  Our Thursday rehearsal went very well...however we were missing the key ingredient for much of our transitions in the keyboards.  We really had to hunker down at 7:30a.m. on Sunday to not just do audio checks, but to do a mini rehearsal which lasted up to 15 minutes before the first service start.  Rehearsals are definitely imperative in what we do.  I had an awesome time on the stage just hearing the church sing these tunes out.  We added a few quiet moments to the music which included Thunderfoot's chimes.  He probably had the most work cut out for him transitioning some of the tunes with Chris on Keys.  Awesome job to everyone for making it all come together this week.

Here's the worship setlist.  We had a couple of oldies mixed in with two hymns.  Great tunes!  Don't forget to click the song titles to purchase in iTunes:

• O Worship The King (G)- Hymn...we did the Tomlin version.  One of the best Hymn albums ever.
• Holy is the Lord (G)- By Chris Tomlin
• Breathe (A) - As recorded by Christy Nockels
• Wonderful Cross (D) - by Tomlin, Reeves, Watts, Walt
• Not to Us (A) - Chris Tomlin

Discontent is Good...Do Something With It

During last summer's WCA Leadership Summit I picked up Bill Hybel's book "Holy Discontent".  I have yet to crack it open, but I know it's going to be a good refresher on directing my discontent for certain things into a greater cause. I believe there are a lot of folks who have a "Holy Discontent" that God has stirred up within them but have yet discovered how to direct it.

Back in 2000, I had that stirring within me. The discontent and passion to squelch worship that was ineffective at stirring people's hearts for God.  I became passionate about eliminating "lame praise", as I once heard my pastor call it, feeling this stirring within me to implement worship that connected people in a way that related to our culture.  When you have a discontent this strong, you feel there's nothing that can or should stop you from seeing that discontent dealt with.

During our Quarterly Leader's Meeting this morning, I was reminded during our conversations that I need to refresh and revisit my holy discontent.  In essence it's good for leaders to deal with "vision leak" and refocus attention to the calling God's given each one of us.

"Discontent is the first necessity of progress." - Thomas Edison

Check out Bill Hybel's book "Holy Discontent"

Watch this video highlight of the book and discover your "Holy Discontent":

It's Snowing

Here's a shot of the weather here at Grace Church.  This is where all the geese in Kansas stop to eat on their way to warmer weather.  Seriously...I believe EVERY goose in the state of Kansas makes use of our field.  No geese in the pic though...I think I scared them off....

Here's a look at our two day forecast here in Overland Park, KS.  How's your weather?

Super Cool Person of the Week: Lynnora

Back in February of 2007, a new member of Grace made an appointment to show me her violin skills.  I'd always loved the thought of adding a fiddle/violin to the worship at Grace and loved the idea.  I knew it would take someone with a unique talent to be able to transform the way they play classically to our rocky style.  When Lynnora picked up her violin and played with my acoustic guitar "Come Thou Fount" I knew she would do an awesome job.  Her first time on stage was during our March Ignite back in 07.

What I enjoy even more than Lynnora's violin playing is her faithfulness to God and her desire to serve Him.  She has a huge heart for missions along with a heart to lead people in worship.  During the Christmas season Lynnora learned the Transiberran music and did an AMAZING job.  Lynnora has become an integral part of the Grace Weekend Service Team providing inspiring violin playing, an awesome heart for people and a huge heart for leading people in worship.  Lynnora is another reason I love being a part of the WST at Grace Church!

If you see Lynnora this week, be sure to tell her she's SUPER COOL!!!!

Worship Confessional: 1/13/08

Week 2 for our finances series called N-UFF.  Today's message was called "N-UFF Debt".  You guessed it, this was the BIG day on credit card living.  This was no ordinary message.  I was speaking with someone this afternoon who was blown away at how Tim was able to talk about debt relating it to the debt Jesus Christ paid for all of us.  Check it out here.  We had some folks indicate today they trusted in Christ as their savior.  AWESOME!!!

Now...on the side of the music.   There are days when you walk in, ready to lead worship, ready to lead people to God's throne, ready to see lives changed and impacted all for the glory of Christ...and then something happens that just messes with your head.  During audio checks we lost the video projection in the back of the room.  Big deal right?  Yeah, that's what I thought too.  Since moving into the building in April of 2006, I was able to shake the security of the old music stand.  Now that it's been almost two years, I discovered today  I can no longer function using a music stand at all.  The problem I had today was remembering to flip my music to the next song.  On the final song before the teaching, I realized I hadn't turned to the song...after I started into it.  Nothing tackier or distracting than stopping in the middle to adjust music on a stand.  So my great idea was to grab Mindy who was singing with us (great job today Mindy!) and ask her to change my music for me as I strummed the chords to "Everything Glorious".  Great idea except for when all the music floated off my music stand onto the floor causing an even greater distraction than if I would have just stopped and flipped the music.  Ah well...Funny thing is that on the last song during second worship, the projector popped on.  Second service...I just scrapped the stand and craned the neck.  Much better.

Great job to the team for hanging during that mess.  They didn't skip a beat.  Here's the worship set list from today.  Don't forget to click the title if you'd like to purchase on iTunes:

• Made to Worship (B) by Chris Tomlin
• Here is Our King (A) by David Crowder Band
• Son of God (G) by Starfield
• Everything Glorious (C) by David Crowder Band
• Enough (G) by Chris Tomlin