It is here. This is basically a "re-blog" (RB, for those Twitter users...)

On Twitter, we have themes for specific days, such as Music Monday (#musicmonday) and Follow Friday (3followfriday) are a few examples. One of my friends is wanting to start a Worship Wednesday theme, where we proclaim specific Scriptures, songs or things God is doing in your life. Read more about it here.

What is God doing in your life? Share it. See what people are here.

Labels: #worshipwednesday, blog, microblogging, scripture, themes, twitter, worship

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

I have been out of town (Orlando) for the last week, and sadly I was not able to join my home church, First Orlando (physically) in their worship services this weekend. I did, however watch the stream online on Saturday evening. This morning, I was able "multi-worship" and attend two churches here in Atlanta that are very dear to me.

I was blessed by visiting Buckhead Church this weekend. The scenic atmosphere was ingenious, as it always tends to be. They had a rig on stage that consisted of truss', plasma displays and LED light fixtures. It was a nice setup, which wasn't a surprise.

Todd Fields led the worship set this morning. It was great experiencing his worship style again. I have not been in a worship service with him for sometime now...probably the last time was back in the day when I was at a 722 service!

The churches in the North Point family, have moved toward a new technique of letting their congregation be a part of the sermon. Instead of the Satellite churches being a week behind NPCC...or whichever church Andy or the speaker was at, they elected to invest in simulcasting each week. I am not sure of your knowledge of streaming audio / video, but this is a major task! I am not quite sure on the technical setup they have for this new option, but all churches have to be timed right in order for this to work appropriately. I am sure they have some type of DDR (digital disk recorder) that each facility uses "just in case" something goes unexpected. I know when Shane Stevens took me on a tour of the NPCC facilities early 2008 he was mentioning doing something like this. I guess it finally happened!

Simulcasting allows for members at all satellite churches to hear the same message the same week, which makes everyone feel included moreso than a delayed message. It was interesting to see the audience's reaction to the sermon. Andy Stanley (Senior Pastor of NPCC) had a question time, and people answered aloud the questions and even laughed out loud at jokes...just as if he was preaching at Buckhead!

It was a great experience. I hope that one day, I am lead into a ministry that not only am I broadcasting God's message...but incorporates streaming to multiple venues. It will be an exciting experience.

After the service concluded at Buckhead Church, I traveled over to my home church, Rehoboth Baptist Church. After visiting around with my kids, the Minister of Music (Andy Newsome) approached me and asked if I was willing to go CG for the service. I accepted. **It turned out that Michelle (Andy's Wife) was not feeling well and was unable to make it to the service. Michelle is usually the CG masterette...and take care of those responsibilities week-to-week. It was very humbling to be trusted enough by someone that you have never worked for to just up and ask you to do something major for a worship service. That went well. Although, it would have been more convenient to have ProPresenter, they have Media Shout...which is fine, but I do prefer the GUI of ProPresenter much more. Plus...it works on a Mac... :)

I was impressed, though with the state of the technology at that church. Most of that equipment is older than me, so it is good to see A) that it is still functioning after all these years and B) that the staff at RBC is using the stuff...to assist the worship experience. Nothing is worse that having something **sit** because it is not up to today's standards. Put it to work! It cost good money. You should not waste it, if it is still meeting your needs.

Tonight, I will be attending the evening service at Rehoboth. I am really looking forward to that as well.

-Ken

Labels: Andy Newsome, Andy Stanley, Buckhead Church, church, MediaShout, North Point, Pastor Rusty Womack, ProPresenter, Rehoboth, sermon, simulcast, streaming, Todd Fields, worship

One of my most cherished events of any week is being able to serve the broadcast ministry at my home church, First Baptist Church of Orlando each Saturday night. In serving in such a ministry, you are able to bring worship to many people through both television and streaming online for people who either can't make the service or live in another part of the country or world.

There is nothing more satisfying that being a part of a ministry that brings the Word of Jesus Christ to many people. Recently, the church upgraded their website. I would encourage you to check it out! The video streaming service was upgraded as well and now it is done on Adobe Flash...and not that old-school Microsoft stuff anymore :). The 1K stream looks beautiful, and is just like you are watching it on television.

I also would like to put my heart out to the Uth family, as David has lost his father this week. This must be a bitter-sweet moment for him and his family, but David's father is in a better place...with no pain or sufferings. My prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.

Anyway, I am going to get back to worshiping along with my church. Thanks for stopping by!!

-Ken

Labels: David Uth, First Baptist Church Orlando, Flash, streaming, suffering, worship

A week ago...last night I showed up to serve at church. But...there was a problem. The lighting system had somehow failed.

I sat and watched the service, and I was impressed how the lighting team worked together under pressure to find a solution for the problem...in a little over an hour before the service began! The best part is...a small group of folks stayed all hours through the night to rig lights and trusses for the following Sunday morning services. It is great to see people that are passionate enough to give above and beyond the calls of ministry in order that others can worship the Lord.

Is it an absolute necessity in order to have "lights" in order to worship the Lord? Well...no. It is an amenity that sadly most of us overlook most of the time. But in fact, at this church, the lighting aspect is a large aspect of the service for many reasons. One, broadcast...without lighting, the Message cannot be spread to home and venues of people watching via television or internet broadcast. In addition to that, lighting is also pivotal to the service in order that it sets the mood for the worship environment.

In conclusion, I would like to thank those that served above and beyond in order to allow others to worship last Sunday morning. Your willingness to serve has not gone unnoticed, and you will be rewarded. Thanks again.

-Ken

Labels: 316 networks, failures, First Baptist Church Orlando, lighting, worship