April 2006 - Posts
We are working through the book of Acts as a church. We have a cool way of studying through the bible together as a church family so that if you have been here for several years you will have gone through the majority of the scriptures in the process. Every week the chapters we are studying together are designed to be part of the personal daily devotion during the week (available on-line at http://www.chcchurch.org/devo/), studied in detail in the Bible Fellowship on Sundays, preached on in the service, and applied in the home groups. This model was originally orchestrated by my dad when He was an elder here. My brother Ralph used the model in his church in Nebraska and tweaked the system to cover the scriptures in a timely manner.
There is a synergy that happens when the whole church studies this flow of the scripture together. It helps us “get on the same page” literally. We not only grow individually but there are community applications that are impressed on our church. Inevitably, it always seems that the right scripture is scheduled for just the right time. There are some huge transformations the Lord working in this body right now. The book of Acts is just what we need now.
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Resurrection Sunday morning was wonderful. After all the work, 200+ man-hours of lighting and sound system rigging, it was good to finally worship together. 2,832 people showed up to share the morning together. That is 400-500 more than last year. Pretty much everything went off without a hitch. Most of all, it was just good to celebrate the greatest victory in the world in the presence of the One who brought it about. Big thanks to Lynn, Courtney, Gary, Mitch, Gary, Ron, Terry, Isaiah, Adam, Bree, Ricky, Piper, Jason, Ryan, Jonathan, Steve, the choir and orchestra, and and a host of other volunteers that pitched in. What an incredible morning!!
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Every year our church leadership gets away for a weekend to worship, rebuild relationships, and listen to where the Lord is calling us. What a refreshing time! We laughed a lot, prayed a ton, and talked about our flock who was taking care of things on their own back in Joplin that Sunday. Howard Boyd from International Renewal Ministries helped us by facilitating a season of prayer Sat AM. It was so rich, as was the worship on Sunday. What a blessing to have and love this solid core of 80+ leaders.
This Sunday our whole church family will be meeting together at the Leggett and Platt Facility at MSSU. What a blast to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord together in one service. Most of the preparation is done. We rehearse the service with the choir and orchestra Wed. and then the huge set-up begins on Friday, bringing in the staging and chairs, hanging the system and lighting trusses, getting ready for the “Dwelling Place” to arrive on Sunday...“How beautiful is the Body of Christ.”
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Well, GMA week is over for this year again. It was so good to catch up with everybody. The highlights keep running through my head. I was up late instant messaging with Simon the night before. I woke up this morning singing a bridge to a song I have been needing. I counseled with Hutch about a situation in his church. Meeting with Casey was so encouraging...dissecting what is going on in the worship music publishing world and my venture into it. I ran into Chad, the married man!!! (what a lame excuse for not getting back with me yet about the second verse I sent him). The day ended with “the big bear hug” from John M. and talking about a co-write with one of his artists. Next year I want to take in the awards ceremony if I can work it out. I was sorry to hear that things didn't go the way I wanted for my friends who were nominated.
We loaded up and headed to Paducah last night. It's good that Mitch was driving. I am always processing the trip on the way home and occasionally when I do that, I take the turn to Louisville or double back to St. Louis without realizing it (read navigationally challenged). If you can believe it, while we were driving, the choir and orchestra called me on my cell phone during rehearsal to sing and play for me. It's so humbling and cool to realize how many people are praying for me...nothing like the love of Christ in people.
I'm headed home to the our church leadership retreat this weekend. Somehow “retreat” is the wrong word...advance? These are exciting days at College Heights...Lord lead us! I know he is leading me.
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Cool things of the day at GMA
Connecting with practically everyone I was hoping to today and even some I didn't expect.
I was waiting for my meeting with Sue and Rick Cua came up to me and asked if we had met. Maybe Casey introduced us when he showed me around EMICMG a while back. Or maybe I have been to GMA week so many times...who could forget this mug?
Sue showed me the new WOW cd with her cut on it. WOW is right. That is huge! Way to go, Sue, David, and Travis.
Sue and I met the Write About Jesus Gang for Lunch at Jack's Barbeque. Jaylene, Ericka, and Kate were there. Kate also invited a writer from Australia, Theresa. She runs a music college there and knows the Hillsongs folks. Terry showed up by phone.
I met Louie Gigglio today and told him about Brad...“No way!” He and Chris Tomlin were getting ready to do a radio interview, so we just talked for a few minutes.
I also ran into the Annie Moses Band. Robin, their mom and I went to college together. We are going to try to connect when I am back in Nashville. You need to check out their page. They are one of the best live shows I have ever seen. http://www.anniemosesband.com/ they are doing about 100 shows this year. You simply have to catch one of the sometime.
Another cool treat, listening with Sue and Rick Shelton to the Talley's sing her new song (#3 on the SG chart right now). Also Brain Free and Assurance sang one of hers. We had a whole row of BBMP there. Twila, Holly and Joel showed up.
I saw Guy Zabka at the late night stuff. Fun day!
more tomorrow....
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Another great day at GMA. I got to see some of my favorite people today. Casey McGinty at EMI- He has been such an encouragement and counselor in my pursuit of songwriting. Kate White, (who played violin backed me up in the WAJ worship time) and I got to spend some time sharing about what is going on in our worlds. Seems like I see Shawn Tyler Gray and his parents everywhere I go.
The biggest treat tonight??? I got to see Joel Lindsay and Twila Labar listen to their new song "Orphans of God" by Avalon in concert with the full band tonight. Twila flashed me this big smile when the bridge payed off. That was worth the whole trip.
I was right, my old friend Brad Sitton (who was in my campus ministry group) did some of the powerful video work for the Passion/ Six Step led night of worship.
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It was the first night of GMA Week (Gospel Music Association) in Nashville. It is always great to take in the night of worship. Tonight it was led by the crew from EMI/Passion Network...Louie Gigglio, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Charlie Hall. Of course they have been very sucessful in the worship radio hit world this year. The high definition wide screen graphics behind them were incredible and moving. Singing and traveling through the milky way is cool. The media director Brad, who does their video was in my campus ministry 10 years ago...small world.
I called my friend, Gary during the concert and let him listen in. I also called Lynn and Drew.
The songwriter's showcase was fun as usual. I ran into some of the BBMP gang there. Holly opened up and introduced Mathew West who was the Master of Ceremonies. Sue S., Tony W., Brian W. were there. I sat by James Tealy and Michael P.of Universal we had a chance to catch up a bit.
It's late...more tomorrow,
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