Beautiful the Blood
- Steve Fee
Welcome / Reflection - Corinthians 14 / Corinthians 12 - "at the foot of the cross we're all the same"
At The Cross - Daniel Renstrom
Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin
Jesus Paid it All - (arrangement Alex Nifong/Kristian Stanfill)
Jeff gave a great sermon on Corinthians 12. He brought to light all of our tendencies to compare ourselves to each other which, if left unchecked, leads to either pride or inadequate. It was a great challenge for us, the church as a whole, and really any community in general. Jeff, thanks for your hard work serving us in the way you do each week.
In the days prior to and since Sunday, my reflecting has lead me here: When the gospel hits us in the midst of this tendency we realize that we all stand at the foot of the cross looking on our savior. In that moment we have no right to feel "better than" anyone else or "less than" anyone else. Something happens when you realize that the creator of all things had to and did die for you. It was meant to "right things" that have gone terribly wrong and to, among other things, put us back together again.
May you humbly realize the love God has for each one of us. May you realize the depths he has gone to to show each of us that love. May you receive it. May you find the joy in giving it. Amen.
Love and Peace,
-Jason
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
I Twitter
I do Twitter. I do think it's an interesting social phenomenon. Actually, I don't think that. Most people in the world know we like ourselves and think what we do is really important so "why wouldn't everyone want to know." That isnt a phenomenon. It's social media thriving on our "normal tendencies." I also like twitter for some other reason but either way this video is hilarious... more thoughts on twitter later. But for now.. enjoy. It will make you. Laugh out loud. Smiley Face.
(this is a real band. they are good. listen to them.)
winkey face,
-Jason
(this is a real band. they are good. listen to them.)
winkey face,
-Jason
Saturday, July 04, 2009
A baby video for your enjoyment
Our kids are hilarious. They laugh a lot. Here is some evidence.
Please disregard the annoying sound I was making as the babies seemed to really enjoy it (it's similar to the sound from dumb and dumber that is claimed as the "most annoying sound in the world."
Also realize this... I have found children seem to empower you to do really... uhmm... dumb things.
Enjoy!
Love,
Jason and Diana
Please disregard the annoying sound I was making as the babies seemed to really enjoy it (it's similar to the sound from dumb and dumber that is claimed as the "most annoying sound in the world."
Also realize this... I have found children seem to empower you to do really... uhmm... dumb things.
Enjoy!
Love,
Jason and Diana
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Corporate Worship Sunday - 6.28.09
I had gotten away from this for a while but have been getting some emails about names of songs we are singing as of late within Visio Dei. So without further ado...
Week of 6.28.09
Not to Us - Chris Tomlin
All Because of Jesus I'm Alive - Steve Fee
Cannons - Phil Wickham
Doxology - Thomas Ken (arrangement varies)
From the Inside Out - Hillsong United
Now, I was not leading/present Sunday but I have heard great things regarding the band and their time of leadership. Band was Jon Hathaway, Jon Pritchett, Ben Davis, Zack Van Hoy, Larry Dempsey, and Julie Watkins. We have such a gifted church community. I pray God is glorified through the gifts He has given us.
I have also heard Shannon did an incredible job teaching. More on this later today.
I hope you're having a great week!
-Jason
Week of 6.28.09
Not to Us - Chris Tomlin
All Because of Jesus I'm Alive - Steve Fee
Cannons - Phil Wickham
Doxology - Thomas Ken (arrangement varies)
From the Inside Out - Hillsong United
Now, I was not leading/present Sunday but I have heard great things regarding the band and their time of leadership. Band was Jon Hathaway, Jon Pritchett, Ben Davis, Zack Van Hoy, Larry Dempsey, and Julie Watkins. We have such a gifted church community. I pray God is glorified through the gifts He has given us.
I have also heard Shannon did an incredible job teaching. More on this later today.
I hope you're having a great week!
-Jason
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Session Notes
This past Friday and Saturday I had the privilege to lead a breakout session at a Conference here in town. I (purposefully) didn’t have notes for the session and told the folks there I would post the notes to my blog (in a shameless attempt to build my blog traffic. ;)
The topic I was asked to speak to was “Worship Leading in a Church Plant." I am by no means an expert but merely a guy offering things from my journey in serving in this capacity and learning from others who have doe the same. I would also like to add that this in no ways a "Theology of Worship" as that is not what I was asked to do.
If you are a worship leader, pastor, or starting a new ministry I pray this finds you as beneficial. If you are not, we ll then you just might not be all that interested in this post. Consider yourself warned ;)
Begin Notes
I broke this into 2 Parts and the notes are below. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
Worship Leading in a Church Plant:
2 PARTS
Part 1 – Vision – why do you do what you do?
Part 2 – Practical – Tensions, Obstacles, Opportunities
PART 1
I) Vision – It all starts with vision.
As simple as it sounds – What is worship leading?
II) From there (Vision) move to - Strategy – “How are you going to get there?”
Again --> Start with vision (what you do) and from there move to the how
PART 2 - Practical Tensions
1) When do I do what?
So, you want to have the passion Rock band – when do you do it?
When do I add drums? When do I add electric guitar?
• Don’t add drums for 10 people, etc
• Story about hungry band
Point – Don’t do something before you are ready --> There is a tension…. Stretch people but not before they are ready.
necessary -->Prayer and discernment.
2) Recruiting Volunteers
I talk to worship leaders at young churches… and even at big churches, especially when they are starting something new… and a big question is… “ How do I get musicians?”
no definite answer… I can tell you what I know other people have done…
• Daniel Renstrom – Hang out at Crusade (College Ministries - away from home and no local church)
• Jason – hang out in bars…
• Mike Passaro – Wait for Jason to find them and then steal guys form Visio Dei
• Stories – Drum Kit on stage and leave it…
• Pray!!!!
• Pray!!!!
• Pray!!!
• I can remember "telling" God – if he would bring talented and gifted people I would give my all to serving them and teaching them in a way that pointed them towards God honoring corporate worship
Point – No exact way – experiment, be creative, PRAY
3) High Ability low Character / High Character low Ability
This is so difficult… you have guys who you know are dynamite musicians but aren’t just all there…
OR – you have a musician/an artist who is the walking picture of Jesus… but is as far from ready to fit into your “strategy”
This requires a few things:
1) a vision (why are you doing what you’re doing)
2) discernment
3) pastoring / overseeing
Point – There is a tension between not using someone before they are ready AND stretching someone and giving them space to lead. The answer is in realizing there is a tension and not going to one extreme or the other.
necessary --> Pray, run through vision, pastor/shepherd those you lead
4) How do work through expanding your team/vision without burning out your volunteers?
The answer is in shepherding. Reason --> It’s impossible to know how and where to grow your team if you’re not in the life of those on your team.
Things you can do with your team:
DO NOT CHEW PEOPLE UP AND SPIT THEM OUT – the church has done this all too much…
Point – Shepherd those God has entrusted you to lead.
As your church grows this will become increasingly difficult yet it is critical in this stage.
5) Develop leaders
another way to expand your team and vision (number 4) is by developing other leaders…
this gets to what your vision is but any leader should be thinking about how to replace themselves….
Our vision at Visio Dei: our vision requires us to develop other teachers / worship leaders (explain)
Much is at stake when we aren't deveolping leaders. One worship leader is not healthy for a number of reasons:
Point – we all only have so much capacity. Multiplying leaders multiplies your ministry as well as Kingdom span.
6) How do you work through the balance of time involved in starting something new (and having a small team) vs. time at home/family?
Start with your family first and don’t waiver.
Andy Stanly – I will give the church40/50 hours and God will have to do the rest
Driscoll – Do what has to be done… You don’t punch a time card.
There is a balance – No right answer all the time however always --> Start with family.
Point – Balance - Run hard… run long… You have great responsibility. You also have to be sustainable. Serve your family first. Love them, serve them, ask them questions. They will know where the line is. We don’t need any more kids growing hating the church because they lost their dads or moms to the church.
7) Your own personal worship – not of yourself ;)
None of this matters if worship isn’t a part of your life. Truly – we aren’t worship leaders… that is reserved for Jesus and really the holy spirit. We are more accurately serving as “lead worshippers.” (in a corporate setting to be exact)
Here are some good questions to ask yourself regularly:
• Matt Redman – “Most likely you can only lead to a place you have gone and are willing to go yourself”
Point - Your church will not follow you on Sunday if they know they wouldn’t follow you Monday through Saturday.
8) Take care of Yourself
Planting a church, starting new ministries, breaking new ground is hard. You will work harder and more passionately than you ever have before. People will question you, doubt you, and maybe even laugh at you. ----> You have to take care of yourself
Point - Planting a church is hard work. Take care of yourself.
Love and Peace,
-Jason
The topic I was asked to speak to was “Worship Leading in a Church Plant." I am by no means an expert but merely a guy offering things from my journey in serving in this capacity and learning from others who have doe the same. I would also like to add that this in no ways a "Theology of Worship" as that is not what I was asked to do.
If you are a worship leader, pastor, or starting a new ministry I pray this finds you as beneficial. If you are not, we ll then you just might not be all that interested in this post. Consider yourself warned ;)
Begin Notes
I broke this into 2 Parts and the notes are below. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
Worship Leading in a Church Plant:
2 PARTS
Part 1 – Vision – why do you do what you do?
Part 2 – Practical – Tensions, Obstacles, Opportunities
PART 1
I) Vision – It all starts with vision.
As simple as it sounds – What is worship leading?
- Whether you are in a church plant or leading in a church 100 yrs old -→ you have to be clear on what your vision is
- You have to start with biblically faithful direction in what you are trying to do / called to do
- So we start with what is worship?
- Why? → You’re gonna be sooo busy in this whole thing you will forget what’s really important
- A common temptation to start is – "if we want to reach these people or worship with these people then we have to sound like… or lead like…"
- We cant start with – how do we get to sound like:
- Chris Tomlin, or Hillsong United, Derek Webb, or Shelly Moore Band
- Those can be preferences
- preferences come out of Values.. and Values come out of vision…
- A certain sound can be a preference, but it has to come through vision first
- This is not just important for you but for your team…
- What are we doing when we worship corporately – in your own words and can be different semantically – should somehow be able to point to this - “reflecting, remembering, and responding to who God is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is going to do”
- Not – playing good, tight, and/or loud music for God
II) From there (Vision) move to - Strategy – “How are you going to get there?”
- What is it that you are trying to do? -→ That is Vision
- Lead people through a worship encounter/experience, to responding to “said vision”
- How do you do what you do? --> That is Strategy
- What do you value? As a church and as a “corporate worship team”
- Authenticity?
- Interdependence?
- Excellence?
- Things to consider when looking for strategy/values/preferences
- Who are you going to be leading?
- Who is your church called / positioned to reach?
- We all would agree we are to lift up Christ, the Trinity, and the gospel so the church could respond – but in what language, in what style
- Pauls says – to jew I became Jew, to the gentile I became a gentile…
- What are you becoming as a church
- How has God gifted you (dont fake something)
Again --> Start with vision (what you do) and from there move to the how
PART 2 - Practical Tensions
1) When do I do what?
So, you want to have the passion Rock band – when do you do it?
When do I add drums? When do I add electric guitar?
• Don’t add drums for 10 people, etc
• Story about hungry band
Point – Don’t do something before you are ready --> There is a tension…. Stretch people but not before they are ready.
necessary -->Prayer and discernment.
2) Recruiting Volunteers
I talk to worship leaders at young churches… and even at big churches, especially when they are starting something new… and a big question is… “ How do I get musicians?”
no definite answer… I can tell you what I know other people have done…
• Daniel Renstrom – Hang out at Crusade (College Ministries - away from home and no local church)
• Jason – hang out in bars…
• Mike Passaro – Wait for Jason to find them and then steal guys form Visio Dei
• Stories – Drum Kit on stage and leave it…
• Pray!!!!
• Pray!!!!
• Pray!!!
• I can remember "telling" God – if he would bring talented and gifted people I would give my all to serving them and teaching them in a way that pointed them towards God honoring corporate worship
Point – No exact way – experiment, be creative, PRAY
3) High Ability low Character / High Character low Ability
This is so difficult… you have guys who you know are dynamite musicians but aren’t just all there…
- Lack of commitment
- Lack of character
- Low view of the gospel
- Untimely or disrespectful of others
- Christ follower yet unrepentant
OR – you have a musician/an artist who is the walking picture of Jesus… but is as far from ready to fit into your “strategy”
- Doesn’t play well
- Doesn’t understand how to play in a band
- Style doesn’t fit
This requires a few things:
1) a vision (why are you doing what you’re doing)
2) discernment
3) pastoring / overseeing
Point – There is a tension between not using someone before they are ready AND stretching someone and giving them space to lead. The answer is in realizing there is a tension and not going to one extreme or the other.
necessary --> Pray, run through vision, pastor/shepherd those you lead
4) How do work through expanding your team/vision without burning out your volunteers?
The answer is in shepherding. Reason --> It’s impossible to know how and where to grow your team if you’re not in the life of those on your team.
Things you can do with your team:
- Eat dinner
- Have coffee
- Vision meeting
- Share time during rehearsals
DO NOT CHEW PEOPLE UP AND SPIT THEM OUT – the church has done this all too much…
Point – Shepherd those God has entrusted you to lead.
As your church grows this will become increasingly difficult yet it is critical in this stage.
5) Develop leaders
another way to expand your team and vision (number 4) is by developing other leaders…
this gets to what your vision is but any leader should be thinking about how to replace themselves….
Our vision at Visio Dei: our vision requires us to develop other teachers / worship leaders (explain)
Much is at stake when we aren't deveolping leaders. One worship leader is not healthy for a number of reasons:
- We all need a break
- Refuel
- Others lead in different ways but equally valuable to your community
- Only person leaves more room for pride
- Developing other leaders increases kingdom reach
Point – we all only have so much capacity. Multiplying leaders multiplies your ministry as well as Kingdom span.
6) How do you work through the balance of time involved in starting something new (and having a small team) vs. time at home/family?
Start with your family first and don’t waiver.
Andy Stanly – I will give the church40/50 hours and God will have to do the rest
Driscoll – Do what has to be done… You don’t punch a time card.
There is a balance – No right answer all the time however always --> Start with family.
Point – Balance - Run hard… run long… You have great responsibility. You also have to be sustainable. Serve your family first. Love them, serve them, ask them questions. They will know where the line is. We don’t need any more kids growing hating the church because they lost their dads or moms to the church.
7) Your own personal worship – not of yourself ;)
None of this matters if worship isn’t a part of your life. Truly – we aren’t worship leaders… that is reserved for Jesus and really the holy spirit. We are more accurately serving as “lead worshippers.” (in a corporate setting to be exact)
Here are some good questions to ask yourself regularly:
- Are you a lead worshipper outside of a corporate gathering?
- Do you understand the gospel?
- Are you repentant?
- Do you confess your sins?
- Are you worshipping God in the day to day
- Do worship and Justice connect for you – (explain)
• Matt Redman – “Most likely you can only lead to a place you have gone and are willing to go yourself”
Point - Your church will not follow you on Sunday if they know they wouldn’t follow you Monday through Saturday.
8) Take care of Yourself
Planting a church, starting new ministries, breaking new ground is hard. You will work harder and more passionately than you ever have before. People will question you, doubt you, and maybe even laugh at you. ----> You have to take care of yourself
- eat
- sleep
- workout
- learn your craft (dont forget to learn and practice)
Point - Planting a church is hard work. Take care of yourself.
Love and Peace,
-Jason
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
FIrst Trip to the beach
***For clarification this was the first trip to the beach for Aidan and Addison. Diana and I have been more times than we could count. Just to clarify.***
Our friends, the Gould's, were nice enough to invite us to the beach with them for Memorial Day. By nice enough I mean - even though we have 2 infants who could be difficult to manage on a long day trip, they still invited us. We had a great time and got some great pics / video.
Thanks to the Gould's for inviting us and to the Schlieman's for allowing us to use your crib (while Jon worked ;)
Here are some pics / video from the day:
In our new bathing suits...
Addison and mommy...
Addison's first time in the Atlantic...
Aidan loving it...
Sir in the back, please stay out of my family photos... and stop staring at my wife.
Addison after a long morning...
Aidan resting up...
A video of Aidan's first time in the Ocean. Note 2 things... One - Addison is crying and ready to go take a nap. Two - Aidan is totally loving it until the second wave (not a wave), which has a bit more force than the first, makes contact.
And now you can see - Aidan fully recovered from this traumatic experience that we put him through.
We have great kids. We are extremely thankful.
-Jason
Our friends, the Gould's, were nice enough to invite us to the beach with them for Memorial Day. By nice enough I mean - even though we have 2 infants who could be difficult to manage on a long day trip, they still invited us. We had a great time and got some great pics / video.
Thanks to the Gould's for inviting us and to the Schlieman's for allowing us to use your crib (while Jon worked ;)
Here are some pics / video from the day:
In our new bathing suits...
Addison and mommy...
Addison's first time in the Atlantic...
Aidan loving it...
Sir in the back, please stay out of my family photos... and stop staring at my wife.
Addison after a long morning...
Aidan resting up...
A video of Aidan's first time in the Ocean. Note 2 things... One - Addison is crying and ready to go take a nap. Two - Aidan is totally loving it until the second wave (not a wave), which has a bit more force than the first, makes contact.
And now you can see - Aidan fully recovered from this traumatic experience that we put him through.
We have great kids. We are extremely thankful.
-Jason
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Happy Birthday Tanner!!!
Most of you probably know our family pup, Tanner. Today the mighty Tan Man turns 2 years old. Tanner, simply put is an awesome dog. He brings a lot of hapiness and a lot of joy to our family. He's got tons of energy and drive and all he wants to do is have fun, love his family, work/play, and keep the "bad people" away. I felt it necessary to throw up some picks form the last 2 years in honor of the boy. So here we go:
The boy at about 8-9 weeks.
1st time on the couch...
An early on tiring day at the lake.
before the ears were standing up....
first driving lesson...
will me ears ever stand up?
Yes!!!! Ears up!
Loving his mom...
Playing with Harley (my mom's little chi wha wha)
Please come out....
this is not as it seems, I promise...
Tanner loves the dog park... he also loves it when his friends comes with...
Seasons changing...
Merry Christmas!!!!
Tanner loves the new additions to our family...
gentle giant with the babies...
always close by protecting...
still lounging when he can...
looking good...
2nd Christmas with Tanner... 1st with the babies!!!
always focused...
always nearby.
Tanner, we love you bud. Thanks for a great 2 years and we look foward to many more.
Cheers Mate!
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