Looking Ahead and Transition

Hey there again everyone,


Yes it has been awhile, but I've been busy just like everyone else. We church workers are not exempt from the usual workload being expanded or even from being fired. The first part has occurred yet, it the load may change at a moments notice... only God knows. Anyway, overall things are going well; just been wondering and thinking about things. I ran across an old e-mail (been working on cleaning up my backlogged of some newsletters lately) part of it dealt with planning a worship service particularly a brainstorming session. I watched a video of the team doing that and thought "I so wish that would happen here at my church." I'm not saying it does not; we do plan things out though not as best. Everything could be improved even inside the church in regards to events or worship services across any denomination or whatever. I saw that clip and my heart was happy yet aching at the same time. I got a bit teary eyed too. That video was how it should be and I hope that we here at my church will reach that point..... All in good time.


I've been also wondering and thinking about what's next for our church and focused on the media team aspect of it. I'm the IT Guy yes, but also in charge of the media team. The team helps put together the PowerPoint presentations or MediaShout scripts for the various worship services on Sunday's or other special events such as VBS for example. I wonder if we'll grow, get more people, find new ways of doing things, or what will it look like down the road in 5 years? Granted that there are transitions occurring in various aspects of my church and I have a sense that we are going to enter another transition if not already are in one yet, just don't see it at the present time. One key aspect of transitions is the difficulties. I've seen some already and there is more on the way too. The word challenge spikes comes to mind in what Bill Hybels said that the 2005 Leadership Summit. Every leader goes through those periods be it in church work or outside of the church. Those points will make or break a leader and see how he or she handles the storm and comes out of the other side. They'll add passion as well as guts once they emerge from the storm into the sunlight on the other side. I hope to be the best leader I can be in what the Lord wants me to do. There are some challenge spikes going on at the present time yes. They're not fun and make the minds (the leaders even more so) question as to what's ahead and wonder even more. I just like everyone else have to keep my feet planted on the ground with my eyes looking upward for strength and peace from the Lord. Not just during the hard times, but every time. Granted easier said than done, but every single day is another opportunity to get it right.


If you're a leader or even a volunteer going through some challenging times/ challenge spike let me just say you're NOT alone. God's with you throughout the whole ordeal no matter how great or small. He'll help you and see you through no matter if its something inside the church, workplace, or home. May God give you strength, peace, and courage to help you through your own challenge spikes.


Thanks everyone and have a great week! :)

Why Do People Hate Change

Hey gang,


Sorry for not updating in awhile just been busy with things. One thing that came up today, as was many other stuff, is that some chairs were moved by someone only to be put back in their original position. This moving caused a few individuals to get upset and wonder why someone would want to shift the chairs back every week. I've been kicking that around and the obvious answer is that people don't like change. Granted I'm sure some of you all out there are saying "Duh! JB!." Yes, it can seem that way, but what is the reasoning behind it? One is the fact of things not being normal i.e. out of one's comfort zone. I have trouble with that as I'm sure you all do. Another thing is habit. Keep things the same and don't change anything. The rut syndrome I suppose one could call it. What about you? Do you like change? I know I do at times and others not at all. Yet, life is about change and moving forward. If we didn't change we'd still be using old cars with tires that blew out every 30 miles or so plus not air conditioning. The key point to remember is to stay flexible and embrace change as best you can. I'm not saying to say change, change, change non stop no. Rather be flexible and let things shift. See how you or other people react THEN make a decision about change. As the old saying does don't bash something until you try it.

Have a good week everyone. :)

Prayer

Hey there once again gang,


Tonight at church we had our usual prayer time where anyone can come in for an hour and pray. It was interesting in that during the day I was feeling disconnected and just out of it plus not really wanting to do church stuff. I'm sure that you all who are in the church area know what I'm talking about and let me say that I'm right there with ya on those days. Well, after that period of time I was speaking with another staff person about it. I told this other staff person that it was funny how after just an hour of prayer time with other people (church members and non-church members alike) that I felt better and had more... strength is the word that comes to mind. I guess that the lesson is that no matter how you're feeling yet, especially if you're feeling drained, or just out of it etc ask God to give you what you need to finish out the day strong and at full power.

Until next time everyone. :)

Vacation

Hey there everyone once again,

I've been busy and that is why I have not posted anything recently. In regards to church work especially since the church runs more on volunteers than anything else people will become burnt out. Let me say that I have been there and done that so I know the feeling. I came back a few days ago and today I am in what I like to call vacation withdrawal mode. Still wish I was there in Chicago and just having fun. Life and work must go on though.


One key thing I've learned through my time here at church is that you do need to take some time off. The key point being is that it cannot be once and awhile. At least take some time off once a month or a 3 day weekend a year. Granted that I'm saying it here in my blog even I have not followed my own advice there. Yet, I will and plan on doing that more often. I'd encourage all of you to take a look at yourself for a moment. How are you feeling and especially about your work? Are you tired and not focusing? Does an e-mail pop into your inbox and you grunt and are angry/don't want to do what was enclosed in that e-mail? Is your internal dialogue saying just another task to do until the next one? If so you need a vacation so take one. It doesn't even have to be a big, grand drawn out one. Mine was just 3 days out of town then back so I could get cracking on things for Sunday and into Monday. If that doesn't work out just take a short one on Saturday. Go to a park, swim, read, or shop out and about for a bit. Maybe grab some ice cream who knows. Your decision, but whatever it is: 1. Enjoy yourself 2. Do something for you 3. Bring someone along too if you feel like it Hope that helps you all out there.


Superman

Official Site: http://supermanreturns.warnerbros.com/


Another thing is that while on vacation I was near an IMAX theatre where Superman 3D was playing and all the times where sold out. Would have loved to have seen the movie there yet, I did once I was back in my hometown. It was an ok movie action wise alas the plot was not all the great. One interesting thing that I picked up on was all the symbolism in the movie especially a few spots where Superman was put on a parallel with Christ. Some of the usual symbols easily stood out i.e. the bad guys where doing things with darkness and big thunderstorm systems. It is interesting and I challenge you all to watch the movie and see what symbolism you can pick out. You might be surprised at your findings.


That's it for now and I will be sure to update my blog weekly or more as time permits. Thanks everyone and have a great day/weekend. :)

Funeral Service

Hey there once again everyone,


Today was an interesting day in that I attended a funeral mass for a dear friend of mine who passed away. It was a different church than my own, home one bigger and different to say the least. Its stain glass windows were amazing plus it was good to see lots of people there to support the family during this very difficult time. One thing though while there was the liturgy and how wonderful it was to do a say and response or sing in a kyrie. (Correct me there if I spelled that wrong). Plus hearing all the people there (I'd say 200 some people though I could be wrong) sing and their response. Was just neat to hear and be part of which brings me along to my thoughts and a question: does your church do liturgy, do you enjoy/like it, and if so how well does your church do it?


I happened to swing into the office today and was speaking with a fellow staff member about it and mentioned that I felt weird missing that at times. He said basically that I should not feel weird and that's what it is all about; where we got our roots from. He also said to read the book of Revelation where it is all liturgy. I'm still kicking that around in the back of my head while I write this. That's what we all will be doing (for those of us who are Christian) when we reach heaven. So, we should get used to it and like it don't ya think? :P


I'll answer for myself those questions I asked earlier to you all: Yes, I do, and not well. Granted that a church including mine might not be able to do it just right or as best as the bigger churches around. Still, it is better than nothing, BUT if the liturgy is bad see what you can do to fix or improve it. Granted that one might not be on the board or the head Pastor; at least ask some questions of people in your congregation or of your Pastor is possible. Get a feel for things and just ponder/think about it. Plus I'd also recommend to (granted this might scare some of you) go to another church and see how they do it, even another denomination. By this I mean if you're Lutheran go to a Catholic mass at a church in your area and see how they do it. You might be pleasantly surprised by your findings.

The First Entry

Hey everyone,

Greetings and welcome to my blog. :)

As you may have guessed I'm the IT guy at my church and for those of you who are in that line of church work *tips hat* I'm right there with ya. I also help out with other things at church too due to being a tech guy. Greetings to all my fellow techies out there too. Granted people might not always see what you do nor give you thanks/praise, but from a fellow techie to another thanks for a job well done and keep it up! :D

Was reading an article in Worship Leader Magazine (June 2006 Issue and a very cool one I must say plus here's their website: http://www.worshipleader.com ) about blogging and thought I'd give this whole blog thing a go.


Ok, I'm rambling (hence the name of the blog lol) so now onto the "meat" as it were:



Today was a long day for me as well as numerous other people. At church we had a funeral service for one of our member's who recently passed away. Everything overall went well, and I must say that seeing a whole lot of people praising the Lord while lifting their hands to Celebrate, Jesus Celebrate is still in the back of my head. Pretty cool and a neat sight to see since I was in the back of the sanctuary running sound; that's how I was able to see it. Yet, later on in the day I was speaking with my Worship Director about some things and we got to talking about being connected in that sort of a setting. I stated that it was a mix of both worlds in that 1. I had a job to do/focus i.e. run the sound mix for the mini praise band that was playing 2. That I was saddened at the loss of the church member who passed away. I'm sure all (if not most) can identify with me and my Worship Director there on that note. Either you're all there doing what ya need to do or crying your eyes out unable to do the job ya need to do. I must say that our church will feel a loss with this member's passing; though as Pastor said we will see this member and all those who we love once again in heaven. :) All the more to spread the Good News to everyone we encounter so we don't have to say goodbye rather see ya later.



I'd also like to say a big thank you to all those who helped with this funeral service and the hard work others put into it. I know that it took time out of people's work and a decent chunk of time during practice for it as well as the day of itself. Thanks and a job well done. :)


Well, I think that's enough for my first post here. Check back again for more from my virtual blog desk.