BabuLife

Thank you Blondestar

Here's a good one a friend sent me.  Sorry blondes!
Download blondestar.wmv

Blogging Impact

Something to be mindful of about blogging.  As churches begin to use blogs as a way to communicate, it might be a good thing to visit some policies about blogs.  They can have a tremendously positive impact, or a crushingly negative impact.  Be careful what you blog about and how much you connect yourself to an organization.

Check out the story here.

Resignation from Grace

Gary Lamb over at Mad Babble from a Church Planter/Pastor of Ridge Stone Church...told me that I must resign as a worship director since I am not a fan of the hair band genre. 

I mean if there were a community of hair band people out there looking for a hair band church...and they were all here in Johnson County...I might consider taking the time to make sure my makeup looked good and my hair stood at the right height and my leather was tight and shiny enough.  But alas...when looking around, I just don't see that community of people anywhere.  Maybe in 1984-88, but man, just not anymore.

So before I turn in my resignation, I thought I'd ask if this would be a supported move?  If I had to choose between being a hairband worship leader or a natural haired worship leader, I'd have to resign and stay natural.  I can't wear eyeshadow and 3 feet tall bangs!  Please tell me you don't want a worship band that looks like this photo at Grace Church!

Check out Gary's post and the comments here.

Ministry Focused Blogs

This week we're trying something new for our Weekend Service Team.  We're starting a blog for our team to connect us even more efficiently.  Unfortunately, I'm not opening this up to the blogosphere for anyone to look at.  I don't want this and this to happen to us!

Have you utilized a blog in your area of ministry?  If so, would you say it has been a success?  Are you considering using one?  What benefits and problems do you think a weblog might bring to your area of ministry?

View From the Stage: Teamwork

I've posted before about how I believe I work with some of the most incredible people on our Weekend Service Team here at Grace. After reading a post over at Rebekah Herzog's site, I was reminded again of the incredible team I work with. You have a guy like Doug Howey who will stay up Saturday night until 3am finishing a video for the weekend service.  Or someone like Jim Shrader who will fill in on lights even though he's never done it before. Heath Casey, who shows up just to help out if needed.  Dudes like Darryl Sims and Scott Stanley who show up every week at 6:50am to start setting up the audio equipment. Bekah, Keelie and Chelsea (Chelsea is more than just a church-attending youth) help take care of needs that NOBODY would even consider.  Many times cleaning up the messes created during the setup process with the audio and video folks.  Keith who is a one man lighting team who takes the time to chart out a lighting system that the school owns and takes extra care in creating a great experience rather than just set the lights and walk away.  Our praise team is truly a group of wonderful musicians and great hearted people.  I am always amazed at how we can transform a stale school auditorium into an incredible worship center. 

Today, Rebekah has an awesome post on her site about one key ingredient that has helped us transform our teams into one body.  Please take a moment to check it out here.

4 Years Later

I remember watching the towers fall while at work.  I'll never shake that memory, nor do I think I ever should.  Strangers became friends that day and family became top priority for many.  It's interesting to see how many people in America have forgotten the lives lost and the devestation on 9/11.  In case you might need a reminder, here's a great blog detailing the daily life of an American soldier by Michael Yon.  If you know an enlisted person, thank them today.

Check it out here.

Andy Stanley Responds to Criticism

Andy Stanley has been posting comments on someone's blog.  He was responding to someone's post  and several comments about the negative side of the "mega church".  You can check out the original post and comments here.  It's been an interesting conversation.  I don't think the guy hosting the blog had any idea his site would be "pirated" for a Q&A with Andy Stanley. 

For a quick look at Andy's response to how small churches should focus their ministries, click here to see Bob Franquiz's post on this. It's really great information challenging all of us churches to consider where we are at and invest in the areas we have been successful in.  Don't try to do it all at once.  This only creates mediocrity. 

Grace On the Radio

Cool news!  The Grace Church lead pastor, Tim Howey and Pastor of Small Groups, Tom Herzog, will be appearing on the radio this Sunday in Kansas City.  You can hear Tim on 710AM at 6:30am.  You can also hear him on Oldies 94.9FM at 7am.  They were interviewed about the effort Grace had through GraceHelpingHand.com.  Click here for more details.

Hope for Tomorrow

A verse of hope that one day all this "stuff" is going to be wiped away.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

The other day the band got to share a song we wrote at the Hurricane Relief.  Here's a verse:

There is a place where death and sorrow will never be in my tomorrow.

And all the world will then proclaim worthy is the Lamb that was slain.

I hope you can all sing this song in your life.

Caption Game: Goofy Crooner

This pic was taken at the Hurricane Relief Drive on Labor Day.  So, y'all know what to do...hit me!