Of all of the many gifts people offer, one that I believe I lack the most at times is humbleness. Last weekend, I realized that I serve with one of the most humblest men at First Orlando. He cares for the general good of all people, but at the same time, he manages a team very well, keeping in mind their strengths and weaknesses.

If there was a personality trait that I could learn, I would have to say it would be humility. There is nothing more encouraging and welcoming that someone walking into a room and you knowing that they respect you, care for you and want your best. It is an honor to server under him. I have learned many things from speaking with him and working with him each and every week, I have also seen what makes up a true and respectable man.

-Ken

Labels: A New Man in Town, FIrst Orlando, gifts, humble, learn, multi-part blogs, personalities

Please take a minute or two and watch this incredible video...



This is a very humbling performance...by a nine year old girl. For those readers who are not attenders of First Orlando or do not know the story, Gracyn started becoming ill on Christmas eve, 2008. Her and her family found out that her heart was not going to last much longer. After spending a long three months in the hospital, she is doing very well and sings the song "Healer" at First Orlando. It was a very encouraging experience.

This may be a song that has been performed well by many singers and/or church worship teams, but when it is sung by someone who has been "healed" it is much more prominent. I know how God has worked in my life and "healed" specific things, but that is only a fraction of what He has done for others.

If you struggle with anything in this life, God will bring healing. That is a guarantee. It may not be in a for that we desire, but God will work out His plan accordingly on each and every situation. Trust Him...and He will bring healing.

Last night, First Orlando had Kari Jobe in to lead worship for a unique worship experience. She led many of her songs, but in addition to those, she invited the parents of Gracyn up and they shared their story about their family's battle over the last year with their daughter's heart. After they shared, Kari invited Gracyn up to sing "Healer" once again. It was a wonderful few moments of worship. A beautiful sight.

What has God healed you from? Would love to hear how God has used a situation in your life to show His greatness. To GOD be the glory!

-Ken

Labels: Change in my Life, First Baptist Church Orlando, FIrst Orlando, God, gracyn, healing, life lessons, miracle

Today, we are often faced with many challenges that inhibit us from attending a church on Sundays. Many churches that I am in communication with are now having a worship service on Sunday evening, that have two main goals. One of those being to allow members/attenders to worship because they are not able to make it on Sunday mornings. Two...to give room for more people to attend on Sundays.

Another option I have noticed here more recently is the advent of streaming the services online. This seems to be a more cost efficient method with the popularity of the Flash video encoding. This allows the video/audio image to be crisp and clean, yet not too bandwidth consuming. Even so, the turnout seems to be good for the services.

Many people have family situations or have to work in this day and age on Sunday. They can still connect with the church via a video stream while also allowing them to worship and be fed spiritually at the same time. This is hopefully another reason that churches allow streaming of their services.

Back in the 80's and 90's, many churches had to pay a lot of money to have their services broadcast on television stations. This was a lot of work and expense. Trust me, I worked at a church doing this. I think with the advent of the internet, it is more feasible for churches to send a live video and audio feed to the online community. This would require about the same amount of money up front to purchase and maintain the systems, but at the same time, internet broadcasting is a much cheaper medium of sharing God's message. Plus, you are not limited to a specific time block. You can stream the entire service because the ministry controls what goes out there.

I "attended" a church stream about a month ago. I was fascinated with how it worked, mainly because this church had a chat room contained within. Viewers could chat with pastors and seek prayer for specific needs that the person had. I thought this was a great asset to add to the streaming service. That way, it makes the viewer feel more connected with the church's broadcast ministry.

I want to hear from you guys. What do you think about online worship services? Do you have any experiences that you would like to share?

Thanks for taking the time to read.
-Ken

Labels: 316 networks, Buckhead Church, Chapel Hill, church, digital, FIrst Orlando, Flash, God, gospel, informative, internet, internet growth, Media, North Point, Orlando, Scott Link, simulcast

This blog is difficult for me to write. I've been burned with this very thing. Needless to say, I have learned a very painful lesson, and honestly...glad that I did. So let's jump right in.

During tonight's message at First Baptist Orlando, Pastor David Uth touched on a topic that I have struggled with in the past, and still do. This is not word-for-word what he said, but paraphrased... "Instead of talking "about" someone when you have a problem with them, try talking "with" them."

I am not going into details, on my experience, but I am going to give some observations. Still to this day, I dislike severely confrontations. I remember when I managed a Chick-fil-A. I had to do a large amount of confrontation. It is not fun for me, and I am taking a wild assumption here that there are not many people that would find it fun.

(**Disclaimer: I am using the word "people" in this paragraph not calling anyone out. I am talking to myself as well.**) I see it time and time again. Person A has a problem with person B, and they do whatever means they see fit in order to "call out" that person, but tend to forget the appropriate way of dealing with the problem. Going to that person in private and discussing the matter in which is an issue. How does this help share God's love? How does God look at this? Can the action cause more harm than good?

So, let us keep in mind, we do not have all of the information. I spoke with Scott tonight, and he gave me an example of a situation he was it where a lady wrote a letter to a group of people because he was misquoted by the news media. Scott explained himself to her and told her the situation, and she understood. But did she go and do the correct action to make it right? No.

In my own life, I find that I am a person that will deal with major confrontation issues, but a majority of the time I just let them go. That is something I need to work on. It is the fact that I am completely uncomfortable in those situations. Trust me in saying that I had a situation that happened YEARS ago in which I handled incorrectly and that still comes up to bite me. Did I do what I needed to at the time? Yes. But the person has refused to forgive the wrong doing I inflicted toward him, therefore hindering the friendship from going any further.

If you have never listened or took to heart anything that I have ever said, please take this snippet and apply it to your life. "Instead of talking "about" someone when you have a problem with them, try talking "with" them."

Thank you for reading.

-Ken

Labels: careers, Change in my Life, christ, church, David Uth, experiences, FIrst Orlando, forgiveness, friendships, ministry, Scott Link, stubborn

A couple of weeks ago on a Tuesday night, I was able to experience Hillsong United at First Baptist Orlando. It was an amazing experience to see the collective body of Christ...some who may have never set foot in our worship center collaborate together and praise our Savior and Lord.

Before the show, I was able to help the crew setup for the event. I was surprised, the equipment they used I could have probably operated flawlessly. It is all of the same toys that I am learning in my study at Full Sail. It was mind boggling the amount of gear they brought into our venue for their performance.

The worship experience was wonderful. Even though that is my home church to worship at from week to week, it is always special to have other leaders come in to lead worship.

Lets hear from you . . . Who else attended a show from Hillsong United on their latest tour in the states?

-Ken

Labels: concert, First Baptist Church Orlando, FIrst Orlando, Hillsong, show, worship

The Memorial Day weekend services at First Orlando were absolutely top notch! I was there to witness most of them, and going into the services, we were unsure of what was going to happen. These services are very special to most people in the congregation and especially our Senior Pastor, David Uth. Changes were made to each service minutes before the Sunday services. It is amazing to see what a little prayer can do. That is proof that God is in control. If we were to do these services out of our flesh we would fail each time. This Memorial Day, let us celebrate in thanks those who have fought for and served our country out of love. It takes much passion and fear to serve this country, and I am thankful each day for their service.

Also, lift up Doug Pierce, one of the worship leaders at First Baptist Orlando. He has a medical condition, but I have every confidence that God will heal him and be a testimony to His power. Doug, I am praying for you and your family. Thanks for all that you do for God's ministry. Your church family loves you. Have a blessed memorial day! -

-Ken

Labels: America, Doug Pierce, First Baptist Church Orlando, FIrst Orlando, Memorial Day, ministry, production, Remember