Thursday, November 30, 2006

Giving Thought to Planning

Ah…’Tis the season for giving. So far I have been given a pounding headache and a bad attitude. It stems mostly from the “YOUR poor planning becomes MY problem” department. Everyone has some kind of Christmas production they want to present. Some put a lot of hard work in planning and preparation and even let me in on it to practice with them. Others do not plan, prepare, practice or let anyone know what they are thinking until it is too late to present a program with excellence. Everything we do is for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When are Christians going to realize that? I have come across some excellent posts on other blogs that I want to share that speak to hard work, planning, practice and excellence.

Practice Makes Better
By Tony Morgan
I read a fascinating quote from K. Anders Ericsson, a professor of psychology at Florida State University, in the November issue of Fast Company. He was talking about the importance of practice.
"Successful people spontaneously do things differently from those individuals who stagnate. They have different practice histories. Elite performers engage in what we call "deliberate practice"--an effortful activity designed to improve individual target performance. There has to be some way they're innovating in the way they do things."
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Do It Right The First Time
By Jim Walton, Church Tech Matters

Creating An Experience
By Perry Noble
From time to time we will have a pastor/church leader call NewSpring & want to know what in the world we are doing to reach so many people.
I have had this conversation with many people…and I have seen many walk away from that conversation either discouraged or disappointed because I could not give them a magic formula or a program.
The bottom line is that if a church wants to impact a community–IT TAKES WORK.
For far too long the church has been lazy…that’s right…LAZY. We have sat back on our butt and done nothing, asking God to “do it all” and claiming to be “led by the Spirit.” And then people walk into our boring, lifeless and predictable services and we give “God all the glory” (or the blame!)
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Monday, November 27, 2006

Thankful in all Circumstances

On Friday I was still being thankful as I shared with our media ministry team that although we are always thankful for the good things such as family, health, job etc. we should also be thankful for the adversity and challenges that God puts into our lives. I used 1 Thessalonians 5:18 as a key verse which states;

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

God says in all circumstances. Because we believe that God is working in all things we can know from His word that He is working in all circumstances for our good.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

Unfortunately by Saturday afternoon I was not so thankful anymore. If you have noticed my blogging has almost come to a standstill. My responsibilities have increased greatly to the point that my days are filled to capacity. That doesn't leave much time for blogging and seems to be common theme among many bloggers here lately. After a while the work load takes a toll when there are so many irons in the fire you don’t know which one to grab first so you end up just reacting. Unfortunately our lack of planning and almost non-existent communications once again was evident this weekend. For some reason I took it personal this time. I know it is not because I know everyone else is way too busy as well. I was disappointed in some people but by Sunday night I realized that I had also disappointed others. Because of my busyness I had failed to follow through on some things I had said I would take care of.

I’m thankful once again for that adversity to show me where I need to improve and areas that we need to address in media ministry and our worship services and productions as a whole.

What really cemented my realization of this weekend’s problems is when God led me to Ecclesiastes 2 this morning.

18 I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. 19 And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! 20 So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world.
21 Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. 22 So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? 23 Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.
24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

It is not about me or my work. I need to take satisfaction in that what I do, I do for my Lord. He is the source of happiness and joy. He is the reason we are doing all that we do. Media ministry is for God and God alone. I hate that I lost sight of that but very thankful that I worship a God that lets me know when I go astray. I'm thankful for this circumstance and that God is still working it for good.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

HOW To Sound Workshop Looking For Host Sites

I wanted to forward this message that I received recently. This is a workshop that I can personally vouch for. The workshop is led by Mike Sokol who is as outstanding a recording engineer as you will find. He teaches gain structure a little differently than I do but the entire workshop is rock solid information and very valuable training for anybody who wants to know about sound. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced you will get something out of How To Sound Workshop from Fits and Starts Production. I'm definitely looking forward to someone to sign up as a host in my back yard of Charlotte, NC. Please read the following:

Dear Church Sound Leaders,
We're currently booking our 2007 tour of the HOW-TO SOUND WORKSHOPS and looking for new host sites for January through April 2007 in the eastern United States. Please join us in this important ministry by becoming a host site.




We're looking for host sites in or near the following cities during the months of January through April 2007. For course content and other information, please visit www.howtosound.com.




PA: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
MD: Annapolis-Bowie-Crofton-Odenton
DC & VA: Alexandria-Arlington-Suitland-Annandale, Richmond
KY: Louisville, La Follette, Knoxville, Chattanooga
NC: Charlotte, Wilmington
SC: Charleston
AL: Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery
GA: Atlanta, Savannah, Macon
FL: Tallahassee, Bradenton-Sarasota, Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Naples, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami
WV: Morgantown

Hosting a workshop is a great way to show your members you care. We make it enjoyable for you and your staff. Please call or e-mail me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Hector La Torre
Fits & Starts Productions, LLC


email: hector@fitsandstarts.com
voice: 732-741-1275