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Web 2.0 ministry: Facebook
July 30, 2008
This is the first in a series of articles that will explore how Web 2.0 is changing the effectiveness of ministry within the church.
We are going to take a look at the social networking site Facebook. This site, a competitor of Myspace, was originally targeted at college students. However, now it is open for anyone to join. Facebook has become a great platform for connecting with people and it is not littered with all of the garbage that you can get bombarded with on other sites.
Lets get into what Facebook can do to change your ministry.
Worship Leaders of The Bible, Part 1: John the Baptist
July 29, 2008
A lot of people think John the Baptist was Baptist. You know, like, a member of the Southern Baptist Convention or the Georgia Baptist Convention or whatever- you get the idea. This, obviously, is not the case. “Baptist” here means something more like baptizer or washer. A preacher who communicates regularly for my church often refers to him as “John the Washin’ Man.” He was the one who baptized followers of Jesus’ way- even before Jesus arrived on the scene! And, just as a side note, John’s worship leading is of a much different style than you’d find in your average Baptist church- the one I grew up in included. John the Charismatic could have been a more appropriate term were his name a reflection of his denomination or worship flavor as some have supposed. Maybe John the Pentecostal, I don’t know. Anyhow, John the Baptist is an extremely influential lead worshipper we see in scripture, yet there’s not one mention of him sitting at a piano or holding a guitar. John did two things well, two fundamental, essential things well, and if you or I ever hope to become effective lead worshippers for God’s glory we’ve got to begin modeling our worship leadership in large part after what we find John (a) implementing and (b) having success with.
Confessions of a Tech Director
July 28, 2008
I wear a lot of hats here at St. Simons Community Church and at the Gathering Place where I volunteer regularly. My job title is Technology Director. My roll is WAY more complicated. I am involved with everything audio, video, lighting, IT, software, graphic design, video production, event production, service planning, content planning, and a few other things I am missing. I like the multitasking, I like the every-day-is-different, I like the freedom & responsibility. (This is where I must mention the two guys I work closely with: Bo and Chris, they share an equal load in tech direction in the church and I/we couldn’t come close to doing it without them.) What I don’t like is how it has fostered a critical nature in me.
Musicademy Worship Guitar
July 28, 2008
Had the privilege of spending some time with the Andy Chamberlain, the Director of Musicademy in London England. This week’s Featured Video is a Trailer from their popular Worship Guitar Song Learner DVD.
Musicademy Worship Guitar Song Learner DVDs Trailer from Musicademy on Vimeo.
Book Review - “Engaging With God: A Biblical Theology of Worship”
July 24, 2008
What am I here for? Why am I walking around this planet? What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose for being here? The way a person answers these questions has dramatic ramifications on the way they choose to live their lives. By the grace of God and the illumination provided by his Spirit, Christians have to understand that the reason we were created was to worship God and enjoy Him forever.
10 Tips for Worship Leaders: How to Enhance On-Stage Presence
July 24, 2008
If you’ve ever seen a group of children perform a song for a gathering of parents and spectators, you’ve seen the teacher or leader who places his or herself directly in their line of vision and proceeds to mouth (very clearly and expressively) every word and indicate every gesture at the appropriate time so that the children can follow along and all look like they know what their doing.
Interactive Worship, Part 2
July 21, 2008
So what theology / methodology / philosophy is the idea of “interactive worship” born out of?
The Importance of Understanding Music Theory
July 17, 2008
We’ve all been there. It fills us with fear and stops us in our tracks. It makes us wonder why we ever got into this job in the first place. It is a question that we dread hearing. “How do you play a Cdim7?”
Good to Great: Onscreen Lyrics and Notes - Part 1
July 15, 2008
Open your software of choice. Add the lyrics. Play.
So is the preparation of the typical church using lyrics presentation software. It works. The lyrics are on screen and God is sung to and about. But what if a few simple treatments could be applied between “Add the lyrics” and “Play” to take these good presentations and turn them into great presentations?
Praise God “what if” is a reality. Here are a few things to try.
Worthy
July 14, 2008
Have you ever thought about beauty? What is it about the shimmering snowy peaks of a mountain range that makes us stand in awe? Why are we so moved by a beautiful sunset, or the cry of a newborn baby?How many of us have ever stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon and actually felt significant in comparison? If you’re like me, you arrogantly marched to the canyon’s edge, but then dropped to your knees to cling to the earth in response to its immensity. It is beauty of that magnitude that just inspires awe.
