We made the switch too HD!

  HD clear tape that is!  After using this HD clear tape I don't think I could go back to regular clear tape.  The difference is CLEAR. 

It just makes me laugh to see how businesses assume people will buy something over another product by putting a "cool" adjective in front if their name.  Sadly I've seen this principle applied in churches today.  Many rely on adjectives to define ministries.   Sometimes we focus so much on the adjective that we forget about noun.  Lets call it what it is tape is tape. If we pour our resources and passion into our name the adjectives will come.   I challenge you this week to focus on the nouns in your life rather then the adjectives.  

One Jammed Pack Sunday!

So sitting here watching the Eagles vs Cowboys shootout and I'm still feeling the aftermath of yesterday!  The day started out with a phone call from Mitch at 5:30 am,  we had to take down a 13ft x 20ft banner we had hanging in the sanctuary.  Here it is setup for the volunteer banquet.

I got to experience service from from the back of sound board.  This brought my respect and love for sound man to a new level.   It's really easy as a musician to think that the sound job is a breeze.   I have never been so nervous.  I soon realize that It takes more then knowing what gain knobs or phantom power are.  It takes nerves of steal and some patience. Thank God I made it through all three services with no big hick-ups, just a couple of stares.   To every church sound person out, I LOVE YOU.  Keep doing what you do and crank up that ELECTRIC guitar!

Rick finished the series off by talking about Religion as a Roadblock.  I think this illustration sums it up well.  How there use to be the gap of sin separating us from God.  But know we are living in a post-christian society where the Christian Sub-Culture needs to be crossed first.  Probably one of the most thought provoking sermons I've listen too, please take some time and check it out here. 

After service staff and volunteers stayed to setup for the volunteer banquet that took place two building down.  A great time to thank the volunteers for their commitment.  Last year Rick challenged us to wrench it up and it showed.  Around 300 volunteers came out.  We look back at some images from last year and some of the stories of life change.  Before the night was over Rick challenged us to wrench it up some more by launching the "Church I See Campaign".  More to come on this as the weeks go by.  Needless to say we will be busy this week working on a new stage set, I'm anxious to see what is to come in the next few months.  

This post is part of Creative Chaos on Ragamuffinsoul.com

iJoe gets some blog love!

I spent some time skimming through a few of my favorite blogs.  Occasionally I like to go to the original sites to see if there is anything different or sometimes just to give me the break of looking over boring feeder test.  There is this great site churchmarketingsucks.com aka CMS (name explained here).  

As I scrolled my way down the page, pass the story of the sky diving pastor and pass the church who refused $600,000 from a lottery winner, something took me by surprise.  There in the middle of the page I began to read one of the lines.  "Palm", hey wait a second I know what those are they're all over our building and I've seen them for sale on North Conway all the way to the flea market.  Then, "Valley" like in the RIO GRAND VALLEY.  By this time the adrenaline started kicking in and sweat began to roll off my fingers unto my keyboard as I waited in anticipation.  When I finally got to the word "Church" It click, that's me!  

I couldn't believe it!  One of the logos I had been working on for PVCGroups was on there.  I submitted it to the Church Marketing Lab through flickr to get some feedback on it.  With the labs help I was able to address some of my flaws in the design and came up with a polished piece I was proud of.  

The CMS site has been a valuable resources since I've stepped into church communication world.  They do a great job of making relevant articles available on anything having to do with church marketing.  From practical articles on multisite venues too ones that make you spin around and say, "you can do that at church!" there is sure to be something for everyone.  Ewh that sounded like like a bad advertising line from my newspaper days.  

As a growing designer and church marketing lab has been a vital sources of feedback, critique and inspiration.  There is a wide range of people in this group: pastors, volunteers, artists, CEO's of design firms and even the occasional church secretary.  From a wide background of experiences and denominations.  But all with the same goal to see the church better its communication. 

As I sign off I'd like to formally thank CMS for all they are doing and for making me look ten times smarter at our creative meetings.  And the lab for always pushing my designs instead of settling for "good enough".  But most importantly to God, for being the creative genius behind everything and for bring these groups together.