Church Video Ideas

Yesterday was a great day. I taught “Communicating to Those that Listen with Their Eyes” and “Church 2.0″ - both went well. I’ll teach them both again tomorrow. This morning I’m teaching “Leading and Planning Multi-sensory Worship”.

Today from noon to 3pm is the Church 2.0 Local Forum - Chicago. Sponsors for this gathering are Park Community Church, The Shema Movement, iStockphoto and SermonSpice. If you can’t attend, but follow me on Twitter, feel free to text me questions during the 3 hour frame of our gathering.

Tonight, Jonathan and I are going to try to catch one of Willow Creek’s last Wednesday night services.

What a city! Today I (along with my intern, Jonathan) will be heading to Chicago. This will be my 5th year speaking at the Moody Bible Pastors’ Conference. I look forward to this conference every year and really enjoys the times of worship and the amazing preaching each main session. This will be Jonathan’s first trip to Chicago, so we’ll have to hit up all the tourist’s spots.

While I’m in Chicago, I’ll be hosting the 2nd Church 2.0 Local Forum. This will take place a Park Community Church in Chicago on Wednesday from noon to 3pm. If you’re in driving distance - please join us!

EXTRA:
I called the Celtics at the beginning of the season - I still got them all the way. It’s going to be like old school: Lakers vs. Celtics. Celtics will win the title. You heard it here!

I started to title this return blog something like “Resurrection” or “I’m Back”, but I feel “American Idol” is more appropriate. You would not believe all God has been showing me while my laptop was in the shop for over a week.

Here I am, Mr. Church 2.0 and a tech guy and then my laptop crashes. The first couple of days I was mad - really mad, then I started figuring out what God was up to.

Don’t think God had anything to do with my computer crashing? I do and I have a story that I’ll share another day. For now, I’ve used up my “online time” catching up on emails.

This blog is something God has called me to do and something I take very seriously. Don’t worry - I’m not going anywhere, but I will be spending less time in-front of this screen at home. My God, my wife and my kids deserve more time from me. I get that - loud and clear.

More to come soon. Today I’m working on my classes that I’m teaching next week at the Moody Bible Pastors’ Conference in Chicago. I’d like to again thank my sponsor for this conference: EasyWorship.

And yes, there will be a Church 2.0 Local Forum in Chicago - We are officially booked now. Please join me this coming Wednesday from noon to 3pm at Park Community Church. Lunch will be provided for FREE. Spread the word!

Park Community Church
1001 N Crosby
Chicago, IL 60610.

PERSONAL:
Last night I attended my oldest daughter’s PTA meeting - the meeting part of it sucked. Really sucked! But it ended with getting to see my daughter sing and dance and I couldn’t have been more proud.

I’m back in Dallas - got back late and am exhausted, but had a great time. Where do I start? So much was packed into my 3 days there. Today will be a little long, but I’ll just cover Thursday. I’ll blog about Friday and Saturday tomorrow. Here goes…

Day 1 (Thursday): Thursday I arrived at LAX around mid-morning and drove straight from the airport to the Dream Center. I have heard a ton about them, got to catch one of their services once on TV and heard Dr. Phil talk about them last week when I was home sick. After hearing how boldly Dr. Phil endorsed their ministry last week on national TV, I determined I was going to work them into my trip.

Dr. Phil talked about the difference they are making in their community - about how many homeless and hungry they feed EVERY day (hundreds). He went on to talk about how they give people a place to stay, clothes and many other opportunities (medical, physical and spiritual). As I drove up to the church, this was confirmed by the huge line of homeless people I saw stretched around the building and down the street. Each person was waiting to receive a meal and receive from the clothes and hygiene products they give out.

The Dream Center was founded by Tommy Barnett (who I have a great respect for) and his son, Matthew. You may remember Tommy Barnett’s name as the one who is ministering to and leading the restoration process of fallen pastor, Ted Haggard. Tommy also ministered to Jim Bakker.

I met Pastor Matthew Barnett’s personal assistant in the parking lot and she waited for me to park, welcomed me and guided me upstairs to Matthew’s office. He was on a flight and returning that evening for their worship service. She went on to tell me a little of her story - how God had used the Dream Center to change her life and how after graduating from their one year discipleship program she came on staff.

FYI - Everyone I met there was as friendly and hospitable as could be. We found out that one of their daily tours was just beginning so I quickly joined the tour (with a couple from Switzerland). For the next hour, the tour guide took us around their campus, told us stories, would point out different ministries going on and where people (of all ages) were living and introduce us to various staff and people that were in their discipleship program and living there.

After the tour, I went to go take a closer look at their recording studio. On the tour, our tour guide mentioned that they have recording studios where youth can come in off the street and record their music for free. What an outreach! I found my way in and stumbled upon their worship band, which work in the studio and played some of their original music for me. Their worship band, Press Play, just signed a deal with Universal and will be coming to a store near you soon.

As I was hanging out with some of the band, the lead singer of Press Play and head Creative Arts/Worship Pastor, Dave Hanley, walked in and introduced himself. I got to talk with him for a while, catch a little of his heart and vision (I believe he’s been at the Dream Center for 12 years) and hear one of his newest songs.

They invited me to come hang out at their rehearsal for that night’s service, but I had to leave and go meet a friend for college that I hadn’t seen in 11 years. Many people also invited me to their Thursday night worship service, but I had already committed to hang out with some LA friends.

I drove away thanking and praising God for what I had seen with my own eyes - such an amazing ministry. I’ll be mentioning them for sure in my “Church 2.0″ book. If you EVER get to LA, please go and visit the Dream Center. I think all Church leaders should go and spend some time there. I’m looking into going back for a week of ministry with them. To find out more about what God is doing through this amazing ministry watch the promo video below.

Day 1 continued: Thursday went on to include catching up and eating dinner with a friend from college and then meeting Tom Rice ( media producer, writer, filmmaker and Founder of eight20eight) who had invited me to an improv comedy show at the Groundling Theater in Hollywood.

What a night! I had a blast and could honestly go watch them every night. The theater is a cozy and intimate setting and you feel very close to the stage and involved as an audience member. It was kind of like “Whose Line is it Anyway?”, where they would call various actors forward and ask the audience to give them scene ideas.

Besides the amazing Groundling cast, I was wonderfully surprised by their special guests for the night: Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live), Michael McDonald (MADtv) and Gary Anthony Williams (Malcolm in the Middle).

That was a full and fun day topped off with a stop at In-N-Out Burger (you know I had to hit it once). It gets better - more details about Friday and Saturday on tomorrow’s blog.

PERSONAL:
To my friends, family and anyone interested - below is a video of yesterday (me baptizing my daughter). Grace was the first person ever to be baptized in our new baptismal pool. Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions, as we also had a baby dedication and surrounded a couple in prayer who are 7 months pregnant with their son, who is expected to die at birth or shortly after.

Today I’m reflecting on John 15:5 - “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” Nothing. It’s Christ IN me and through me. May you bear much fruit.

Yesterday at church, one of our stage managers offered me 2 free tickets to the Texas Rangers baseball game. I gladly accepted and took my 5 year old son, Tommy. This was my first Rangers game and my son’s first baseball game.

I can not the describe the feeling of when we walked into the stadium. We arrived during the first inning. Just as we walked through the chute and out into the open, Milton Bradley hit a homerun and the crowd went crazy. They started playing the song from the movie “The Natural” (I’m not lying) - just as we were walking out of the chute. It was like a Hollywood moment. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.

For the next few hours we watched the worst team in baseball (they really are) play like they were on fire. We got to see 2 more homeruns (experiencing the roar of the crowd, fireworks and the song from “The Natural” each time) and to everyone’s amazement, the Rangers won 10-0. Maybe Tommy brings good luck?

And to top it ALL off - we sat on the 4th row, right behind Nolan Ryan and the Rangers’ owner, Tom Hicks, gave Tommy a game ball. Then after the game, Tommy got to get on the actual field and run around the bases. What a day! What a day!

EXTRA:
Thank God the tickets and parking were free. What a blessing. 2 Cracker Jacks = $7.50, 2 sodas = $9.50, 1 hotdog and chips =$8.25 - the look on Tommy’s face = Priceless.

Check out the pics (forgive the quality - they’re from my cell phone):

Rangers’ star Michael Young on deck — Nolan Ryan in front of us

Tommy running to home plate —— Tommy in his Rangers’ outfit

OUR HOTEL:

Today I fly to Las Vegas to speak at NAB. I bring with me a crew of friends: my Video Intern - Jonathan, Brian Davis (Tech Director at Fellowship Dallas - who’s sharing a hotel room with me and my intern) and the volunteer leader of our Video Team - who’s going with his company. His company, Splash Media, just finished a huge project that you may have heard about - Adobe TV. I’m proud to say that our Video Team leader just headed up this project and oversaw the production of the videos you see on Adobe TV HERE.

My friend and member of our local tech director group, Kip Kendrick, arrived this past weekend and so we’ll catch up with him today, too. You know I’m a networker and love hanging out with peers, so I’m pumped about this trip. I have several tech director friends from around the country that I’m meeting up with and hanging out with.

Here’s a brief overview of my schedule for the next 3 days:

• Today - Arrive this morning in Vegas. Go to NAB and walk the exhibit floor. Check into our hotel, walk around the strip a bit and go see the Blue Man Group at night.
• Tuesday - We have a tech director lunch at 11:30am, where tech folks from around the country will meet and greet and eat! At 3pm, I lead a class on worship presentation software, where EasyWorship, MediaShout and ProPresenter will go head-to-head. Tuesday night, I bring 5 friends with me to see KA.
• Wednesday - At 9am, I teach my first “Church 2.0” class. I’ll be teaching this a few more times this year, but this will be the first time. I’m excited about this. I believe we’re going to try to video it and put it up on YouTube and GodTube for those of you that can’t make it to watch. Wednesday evening I fly back home and reunite with my family.
• Thursday - Meetings and playing catch-up at the church.

EXTRA:
Sometime this week, we plan on experiencing the following: The fountain show at the Bellagio. The Lady of the Lake show at the Wynn and the restaurant and rides atop our hotel, which you can see HERE. For more technical info on what it takes to do the Lady of the Lake show at the Wynn read THIS (scroll to the bottom).

EXTRA, EXTRA:

Yesterday’s service was great. Our pastor’s dad, Stuart Briscoe, preached and was a blessing to us all. Our pastor, Pete, and his parents have a radio show called “Telling the Truth“. You can listen to them daily online or via your local radio station. For more info go HERE.

BONUS:
I put some bigger (easier to see) pictures up of our Good Friday service. You can go back to the post to see them HERE. I’ll have a few Easter pics soon.

I have been blessed and encouraged many times over the last 6 years to be led in worship by Vanessa Whitwell at Fellowship Church. I also learned from her in several workshops over the years at the C3 Conference.

I was stunned and saddened this week to learn that she died at the age of 34 from a brain hemorrhage. I had just recently met with the creative planning team at Fellowship Church and had lunch with their worship pastor, Pace. I had mentioned to Pace how much I love hearing Vanessa sing and what a blessing she was. She will be greatly missed. I ask that you pray for her family.

Keep praising Him, Vanessa!

Today I’m working on my new class for NAB: “Church 2.0“. I will be teaching this class several times this year, but this will be the first time. Pray for me as I prepare today and tomorrow.

Just a reminder for those of you attending NAB: Tuesday, we have a FREE tech get-together lunch at 11:30am at the Hilton Hotel buffet. Please email Kip (kkendrick@digitalresources.com) to let him know you’re coming.

I really look forward to meeting many of you in Vegas.

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