Currently doing life in CA, working at Bayside Covenant Church. I'm excited about what God is doing in this region and love that I get to be part of that. I can't pass up great coffee, a killer book, a great live show, or time with friends.
I love that it was an unplanned and organic response from celebrities. I love that it’s a song that was obviously familiar language to them. Most of all I love that they were declaring and naming what God has meant to them or done in their lives:) Take a watch…what do you think?
We are on the home stretch of one of our largest summer events here at Bayside, our Breakaway kids camps! This summer we offered 5 sessions of camp, 3 of Breakaway (our version of VBS) and 2 of Breakaway games (half day of sports and other activities). I’ve been leading the team that produces that rallies that happen everyday. It’s a full on good time with dancers, singers, dramas, hosts, and videos. In all honesty, those 25 min can have more cues than a weekend service sometimes! So with 34 rallies under our belts (and just 16 to go) here’s what I’ve been learning from our pirate ships & wrist bands.
You can never over communicate Purpose.
I want every person to know why it’s important for them to do their one part right. For this event our purpose is to put on a rally with excellence so that every kid will hear and experience Jesus…bottom line, it’s that simple. So…
Why do the lyrics need to be synced? So that they kids know what to sing.
Why do you need to put new batteries in the mic? So that we know it will work and the kids will hear whatever is being said.
Why do you need that video to play right? So that it is isn’t distracting.
Share the Red Flags.
No one needs to wave a red flag alone. If you share the burden of the production / project with your team you have all the more brains to help solve the red flags that come up. After we run through things we will ask the group, “anyone see any red flags?” And then if someone spots one, you use the group to solve it. No time for one person to bear that weight alone.
Fight for the Culture of Your Team
Team team team team…I can’t say it enough…team team team. When you are working 15+ hour days you need to fight for the culture of your team. I want anyone who serves with us to leave that long day feeling good about what we did together. Not leaving feeling used or not appreciated. Don’t underestimate a slurpee run, matching wristbands, or a 60sec Beiber dance party. Whatever it takes for your team to feel ownership and identity will carry you far in pulling off the event together.
Today is rainy and slow, feels like a chance to catch my breath a bit. I was just looking at Facebook and realized that my Grandma’s facebook is still active. That’s a little sad but I also think it’s a little reflection of the fact that she was one hip and active lady all the way to the end. As our family spent time together remembering my Gma we found so many amazing photos that captured so much life. I’m sad that she is not in our lives anymore but we all realize that we owe her thanks for our own adventure filled lives. Those are my rainy day thoughts.
I love these shots, ‘twas a great night!
Isaac…rocking a wicked white suit top and just standing on that piano.
(via wenbysocki)
walking to stage in Edmonton
When Ben and I were younger, there was a Saturday when we got up early and stood in lines to get tickets to see U2. Then we saw them and it was amazing. This only fueled my love of live shows and set the bar high for the level of production and musicianship that I want to see on a stage. In the years since then I have been to many shows with my brother and I’ve also watched him develop into a performer and musician himself. The whole process had done nothing but make me more and more proud of him and the skills that he is refining.
That all came full circle on Saturday when I got to stand on the field of Mile High Stadium (some call is Invesco) and watch Ben play on U2’s stage. I know they were nervous but they worked hard and the brought their all and it was awesome. And if that weren’t enough we then got to watch U2 do their 360 tour show. And again I was blown away. Those 4 guys know what it means to capture a crowd (of 70,000+) and take them on a journey for 2.5 hours.
Twas a surreal night, still taking it all in. But I do know that I’m prouder than ever of my concert going partner and brother.
My Grandpa told me today that he and my grandma had their first date on July 4th, 1939 and “we have never parted since”…until this week. I’m so glad their epic love story is the base of my family tree.
“Hospitality exists when you believe the other person is on your side. The converse is just as true. Hospitality is present when something happens for you. It is absent when something happens to you. Those two simple prepositions - for and to - express it all.” Danny Meyer in Setting the Table
This past weekend we launched our communication to our congregation about Easter this year. Let me tell you, it’s looking unlike any Easter I’ve ever been to or been apart of. For some folks the fact that we are going to an arena feels different and unsettling because it’s outside of the normal “easter experience” box. But I watched an interesting thing happen in people’s faces as they realized that we had considered some details to make that morning for them. It’s my personal opinion that a church should be the place where hospitality exists the most and where the details are considered with real people’s needs in mind. It shouldn’t be that you get this experience at the restaurant or mall down the road but not with your church community. So, I’m going to try to remember that a little goes a long way - what would you want to happen for you?
Last night was such a great night, very cool event!
Bayside-Mikuni Fundraiser for Japan Tsunami Relief (March 30, 2011) (by kshearer1)
