Today's Set
Stir Up A Hunger (Baloche)
Who May Ascend (King)
Holy Is The Lord (Tomlin, Giglio, Reeves)
Here I Am To Worship (Hughes)
Offering (Baloche)

Good set today. Lighting went great. Crowd was a bit dead, but hey, who cares about them anyway! We did a neat transition from Holy Is the Lord to Here I Am To Worship. I learned it off of MODEX. It would have been smoother if Kathy would have been there to transition with piano, but it still went okay. Carol preached, which is always different from what our people are used to, but it was fine.

Our numbers were back up, which is good. I ran the numbers through Excel this morning and found out that our monthly average is up by 13. Mike is on vacation for the next couple of weeks, but we're kicking off a "Marginal Disciples" series when he gets back which should definitely be cool. (I still need to learn a Ginny Owens song for the service on August 14.) I didn't get a chance to listen to this morning's recording, but I'll grab it tonight.

Tonight is the last night for Kyle and Adam to play OSM. Romack will be there using percussion and loops. He'll also fly in My Lips Will Sing and Glorify to my Roland so I can mess with those.

Stayed up late changing guitar strings and watching The Vilage. I had also gone by the church around 11 to finish up projection and listen to the CD I made of our Thursday rehearsal. Got to bed around 2. Jonah was up around 5 something, so I got him some milk and he went back to sleep. All in all, the Wrights got up at 7:22am.

We ate breakfast, Krist cleaned up a bit, Jonah watched the "Backyardigans" and I slept for about half-an-hour on the couch. Nice.

Got up, threw on my old sneakers and went out to work on the yard. Ran the weedeater for about half an hour, then discovered a giant hive of honey bees in our water meter. After attempting to kill them all and only angering them, I came in. (Will mow tonight.)

Jonah and I went to the church to play on the playground. We played for about 45 minutes, then drove over to the worship center to grab the rehearsal CD and use the restroom. Found some ice cream in the youth fridge, so we had ourselves a little snack. Then we went back to the playground for a bit, then left. We swung by Brookshire Brothers to grab some bread and then came home.

We all ate lunch. Jonah and I played a bit. Kristen is rocking him now. If he goes to sleep, I think I might have to grab a little nappy-nap of my own.

The Kind of Posting You Know and Love

Woke up at 7:30, which is a little late. Krist and Jonah were crashed on the couch, so I snuck in and woke them gently.

Work was busy, but not that bad. I had my weekly planning meeting w/ Mike (my associate pastor,) so I stopped by Burger King on the way to the church. I had it my way.

Our meeting was good. I am constantly impressed with Mike's humility. I'm also very excited at the things he's getting done. In one week, we've ordered the MediaShout Update, got cleared for a brand new computer up in the soundroom, plus we're getting an Avid Pro (video something) and Avid Mojo (another video something.) The only problem with meetings like today's is that I leave really overwhelmed. There's not enough time for me to serve this church the way I want to!

After work, swung by Brookshire Brothers for a couple of frozen pizzas. I don't know if I've mentioned it, but Kristen is pregnant, and as of late, she has been really sensitive around food. Listen, you don't have to tell me twice to get pizza. Frozen, homemade, restaurant - I don't care. I love it.

So we all ate pizza at the house, then I showered and went to worship rehearsal. It was pretty good. Kathy, our pianist, was out, but it went okay. We're doing Ross King's Who May Ascend. I did it in G, which ended up being WAY too low for me, but it gave me the chance to let my guy singers carry the song. We also brought back Offering, which we haven't done in awhile. It took a couple of tries, but we got it.

The band wanted to run the set again around 9, so we did. Into the second song, the cell phone rings. Kristen's calling to tell me that my mom is taking my dad to the ER with serious pain around his waist. I call my mom, find out what's up then pass the phone to Mark. He listens, says it's probably kidney stones. I shut the practice down, check back in with Kristen. I came home for a minute (Mom seemed to think everything was okay.) While I'm home, Forrest called.

I'm so proud of him. He's doing it - chasing his dream. We talked a little bit about songwriting, which got me real fired up about the next demo set I want to send his way. I hung up and drove over to the hospital. My grandparents and I sat in the waiting room a bit, then I went back to see Dad. He was severely medicated. I kissed him on the head and talked to my mom a bit.

Came home, hung out with Kristen, put her to bed, then checked the blogs. I was planning on walking on the treadmill, then finishing 2nd acoustic tracks for My Savior and then I wanted to lay down some stuff for a couple of new songs...Your Someone, Wash The Dishes, and Home Tonight. I knew that stuff needed to be done, but I wasn't looking forward to another hour or two being awake. Then, thankfully I realized my guitar was at the church! So, tomorrow night, I'll try to finish up. I seriously need a better, more consistent recording/writing schedule.

I've decided to adopt a new criteria when it comes to selecting songs to send off. I've decided to send songs that worked even in their first acoustic stages. Songs that moved me as I played them alone back in the spare room tend to stand above other things I've pieced together at work or in the car. In short, I think the things that I've stumbled upon have worked better than the things I've thought up. Certainly, writing requires a great deal of thinking and editing, but if I stick to the ones that were powerful even in their most humble stages, I think I'll have a better chance at seeing them utilized. I still plan on doing the "band" versions of My Savior and My Lips Will Sing. These two and The Cross of Christ (which is already done,) are ones that I'm planning to pass to my contacts within the Methodist church. Their very simple demos, but worship demos just come alive with a little creative arranging and instrumentation.

Worship Leader Survey

Okay, worship leaders:

What worship song would you like to lock in a metal box, bury and forget for the rest of eternity?

Come on, I know you've got some....

Emergent Services: Does "Contemporary" Still Work?

Emergent
1. Coming into view, existence, or notice:
2. Rising above a surrounding medium, especially a fluid.
3. Arising or occurring unexpectedly
4. Demanding prompt action; urgent.
5. Occurring as a consequence; resultant:

One of the first things you'll hear in a speech class is how bad it is to open your speech with something from dictionary. There's wisdom in that - the dictionary bit is kinda' tired. However, in the case of "emergent services," I think its wise to look at what a word really means.

Don't get me wrong, I like resources. I like reading about techniques and tips what certain "ideas" look like. But as with any case of church marketing, we can get misled. We get fed the idea that an "emergent service" has to include...

• Candles
• Songs from the 15th century
• Ancient Liturgy by way of Modern day technology
• High emphasis on the arts (especially the more abstract ones)

But look at the definitions of emergent - couldn't it be argued that a service is emergent as long as it's attempting to stay aware of what's rising in the hearts of the congregants? Additionally, how different is that from the term "contemporary?"

The church has got to be careful about wasting time on words. The church has got to start to taking these rather abstract terms and seeing how they fit into local ministry. I'm not even talking about what futurists or authors or consultants say (although they are often great resources.) What's emerging in your backyard? For my church, we've recently found that are people are hungry for change in the following areas

1. More expository preaching
2. Better flow of worship/atmosphere (specifically through lighting and sound)
3. More events to connect with people from other services/walks of life

Yeah, we use candles. We like it. But that's not being emergent. Being emergent is asking God to help you find ways to connect with people so that you can share the truth in a way that's sincere and applicable.

I don't have anything pierced. I don't lead from electric guitar. I don't have a giant cross with me up on stage. And you know what?

I'm still just as about as emergent as they come.

Today's Set
Great Is Your Love (King)
Rejoice (Foote)
Sing to the King (Foote)
Glorify (Wright)
Beauty of the Lord (Anderson)

Good service today. Had lighting problems AGAIN. I'm supposed to talk to Glenn Arnold this week about taking on the role of "floor director," so maybe that will help things out.

It was a weird day. It was one of those times where the band hit all the changes, the mix was good and everything went according to plan...but it just felt boring. Truthfully, I think we're finally getting to a level as a band where we're able to navigate our way through the set without any breaks or mistakes. The crowd seemed to enjoy it, so I guess it was just one of those times where we could pretty much do it in our sleep. It was weird. I didn't get the "charge" that I normally get from a bang-up set.

I did learn one really cool technique for transitioning between songs. If you're a worship leader, put this one in your book and give it a try...

We went from "Rejoice," which is in E, to "Sing to the King" which is in F. One the last beat of "Rejoice," I had Mark go to straight kick drum (U2-ish.) These two songs in particular are similiar in meter, so it worked well. As Mark played the kick, the E chord decayed and I quoted Psalm 47:1 and encouraged the poeple to clap their hands. After the old chord was good and gone, I started playing the intro to "Sing to the King" in F. Half-way through the 1st verse, Mark went to toms and we added bass. At chorus 1, the whole band came in.

So, if you're trying to meld two songs that just will not work in a chord transition, use the drums! Thank goodness for the old kick drum!

We also taped our service off the house mix (aux 6.) We tried it to tape, which, of course, wasn't ideal, but we'll be able to hook up the CD recorder next week. Primarily, we're trying to get Mike's sermons on disc, but if we can also start archiving band stuff....even better!

Jonah got sick Friday night. Not the throwing up kind, but rather a boiling fever that wouldn’t give up. So Saturday morning, we took him to the doctor.

Now, anyone who knows my son knows that doctor visits are bad.
“Oh, all kids hate the doctor,” you say.

No. When it takes Krist, me and Dr. Fidone just to hold the kid down, we’ve got a problem. I mean, come on, even the doctor is impressed by Jonah’s strength.

When all was said and done, it was decided that Jonah had a pretty bad ear infection. We paid up and got out. Kristen got out at Randall’s to get medicine while Jonah and I circled the parking lot. After a few minutes of driving, I looked back to check on him and it happened.

My heart broke. He looked so sad, so miserable. Dark circles under the eyes, his little Batman action finger clasped in his little hand (which bore a band-aid from the blood test,) his eyelids drooping as he fell asleep.

And at that moment, I realized something. I would do anything for him. He’s mine. I made him. He’s part of me, and there’s nothing that I wouldn't do if I knew it would take care of him. If I knew buying a comic book would make him feel better, I’d clean out Waldenbooks. If I knew $8000 medicine would clear up his infection, I’d start selling stuff that second.

A couple of nights ago, I found a blog of a church member who was talking about “Above All,” the award-winning worship song from a few years back. While I readily admit the song has some problems (primarily in the thematic line and some problems with tense,) I was amazed once again at the standard response to this song that I tend to hear so often.

This lady, like many, has a problem with the song. That it’s a me-centered song. Maybe she’s right…maybe if we all sing “Above All,” we are greedy, selfish hogs careening down the slippery slope of hedonism. Maybe we’ll wake up in some gutter one day, clutching a wrinkled picture of the family we lost, grimy tears crawling down our oily faces…

“If I just hadn’t sung Above All….that’s where it all went wrong.”

Okay, I went off a bit there. Sorry.

But here’s the thing…how can we say that Jesus didn’t think of us? Do we know? And if we don’t know, does that mean that we somehow think its impossible for the Son of God to both fulfill the price His Father required AND actually love each of us before He even knew us?

I don’t know. All I know is that I’m a daddy, and when my child needs me, I’d do anything to meet those needs. And I’m human. Imperfect. Flawed.

How much more will our Father in Heaven do for us?

I'm pretty pumped about the August issue of worshipnotes. In it, we asked various worship leaders, consultants, authors and ministers to comment on five recent worship trends. We're calling the issue Coolhunting. We haven't had a ton of response, but I think the few that will contribute will be offering insight that will definitely prompt some coversation and thought about the issues. Here are the Big 5...

1. Emergent Services
2. Hymns
3. Worship on the Radio
4. Technology
5. Overstaffing

Over the next few days, I'll be giving my own personal thoughts on these trends. I don't necessarily have any desire to post my own thoughts regarding these issues, but if something profound should rise from the paragraphs, perhaps I shall include it!

Painting Services

I know a few worship leaders. I know a few songwriters. However, I don't actually know that many songwriters who also lead worship. It's probably not that odd in a town this size, or perhaps it's that we, as songwriters, are a sensitive lot - we aren't comfortable throwing out those songs to people who actually might not LIKE them.

But for me, songwriting and leading worship are changing. Like any writer, I love using my own stuff in a worship service. It's something that not a lot of people understand, but it is an amazing and gratifying spiritual experience.

But I'm learning to find artistry in the every day. Or perhaps, the every-week. Lately, I've found such contentment in crafting setlists. Not just throwing songs on a page, but thinking about them both lyrically and musically. Doing my best to find ways to present these varied "cut-outs" of God, these small mini-portraits that other's have drawn in a systemic, cohesive and pleasant way.

And discovering this - learning that that same sort of gratification can come even when my own works aren't used - is teaching me something that I hope other worship leaders will discover...

Imitation is not artistry. We can play like Crowder or sing like Tomlin or write like Nordeman - these are good and pleasing things! We can copy the latest, greatest fads of music, but that doesn't make us artists.

I long to to create, but not just on the stage on Sunday morning, but in front of a laptop on Tuesday night. I want to be an artist when I pray for our service. I want to be an artist when I'm know a song in Eb cannot easily go into a song in G.

Let's sweat and slave over our services. Let's be brave and risk creating something truly horrific in the hope that when we step back and observe what we've done, we will see the wrong strokes...see the poorly combined colors...notice the lack of depth and shadow...and then try again.

In the end, I think we'll find an honest and inspiring mural of people who are passionately walking a journey of discovery, joy and ministry.

Although my job has turned a bit ridiculous and the church is unintentionally running me ragged, I feel like I'm getting some pretty solid writing done. Justin's drum track for My Savior is really good, and I hope to track Kristen and bass this weekend. After that, My Lips Will Sing and The Cross of Christ. "The Cross" is already done, so there's little to do w/ that short of compiling with the others.

I've also got a couple of folk/country things that are keeping me thinking. None of them are complete, but it's fun to dream at what they might become.

Even if Dan Keen doesn't pan out, I will probably join back up w/ Taxi before too long. The problem there is time - I guess if I'm serious enough about it, then I'll make time, huh?

The Bluebirds have a stalker now.

I will find him, hunt him down and spit in his direction.

It happens simple enough. Usually as I'm walking Jonah to Sunday School on Sunday morning, it hits me.

Maybe it's the sunlight or the smell of crayons or the sound of a young married couple laughing on their way to a Bible Study...maybe it's a parking lot full of cars or that little old lady who holds the door open for visitors.

It's not perfect. It's not ideal. It's no place that draws observers or consultants. No one writes a book about this place. Nobody grabs my arm and asks me how we do it.

It's church, and I love it.

Every once in awhile, I see this place for what is and what it can be. It's been said that "expectancy is the breeding ground for miracles." I don't know if its true, but for me, for here...

it feels like a miracle is in the works.

Coming February 2006

Yeah, that's right.
We're gonna' have a baby!

Most of our friends here in Lufkin know, but we've tried to keep it a secret from "The Bluebirds," the group of friends spread across the country. (Or something like that.) Now they know and we can boldy declare what we've been holding inside for two weeks.
WE ARE SCARED TO DEATH.

Two kids is a whole different thing. I'm not going to lie to you - over the past few weeks, I've had a couple of minor breakdowns. ("How can I afford two kids? How can I parent two kids? How can I do this? How can I do this?)

But I just go back to scripture - "God helps those who help themselves." And that's gives me all the courage I need.
Well, that and The Prayer of Jabez.

Woke up. Walked. Showered. Worked. Ate at Granny's. Too much.

Worked more. Went home. Went to Golden Corrall. Ate. Too much.

Came home. Showered. Sped to practice. Practiced. With no drums. Went great. Done by 9. Had a singer walk out mad. Tried to call her. Left a voice mail.

Went home. Prepared for another day.

Did 2 miles on the bike this morning before work. Talked to the family a bit and then headed to work. For a change, it was busy. Mad busy. Crazy busy. It was almost like a job or something.

Ran home for lunch (sub sandwhich and a Diet Vanilla Coke.) Krist and Jonah took me back to work where it was even crazier do to some folks who were out on vacation and/or sick children.

Made it to 5. Krist and Jonah picked me up and we headed to the hospital where Kristen's grandmother had outpatient surgery. She was in a room, so we stopped by to see her. Jonah was good. We didn't stay long because Krist had to go to Bible study.

Kristen took us home and went to Bible Study. She called about an hour later and was coming home. Clay had received a call that Melana was very sick (w/ her aunt four hours away.) At the time, it sounded like something pretty life-threatening and Kristen was real upset. She came home, calmed down, then her mom called.

Something went wrong with Kristen's grandmother's surgery and Carol was asking Kristen to come back up to the hospital. Justin came by and picked up Krist while stayed at home with...what's his name...oh yeah, Jonah.

Got him in bed and started Flight of the Phoenix. It was okay, but it just seemed like the movie switched directions half-way through. Oh well.

Krist got in about 10 and headed for bed. I walked on the treadmill and then checked on her. Finished the movie, then went up to the church to do my inventory. I also was going to burn CD's of a new song for worship, but Clay's computer has been a real jerk lately.

That's about all! Good night!

Time for Bed

Maybe it's just me, but every Sunday night, I am completely exhausted. I'm talking that bone-tired, sit in a chair and stare at nothing, collapse-in-bed tired.

I'm headed for the shower and then the bed.

And then I will sleep.

Until I get up.

And then I will be gone for most of the day.

And then I will come home. And, eventually, go to sleep.

Until the next day.














And then I will wake up.

Time for Bed

Maybe it's just me, but every Sunday night, I am completely exhausted. I'm talking that bone-tired, sit in a chair and stare at nothing, collapse-in-bed tired.

I'm headed for the shower and then the bed.

And then I will sleep.

Until I get up.

And then I will be gone for most of the day.

And then I will come home. And, eventually, go to sleep.

Until the next day.














And then I will wake up.

Woke up around 7:10, rode my bike while Krist and Jonah slept on the couch. Got back in around 8. Showered, ironed my clothes and we all got ready. We called Butch and Carol to invite them to eat breakfast with us at Golden Corrall.

Met them at 9:15 for breakfast and let about 10. Back home for another 30 minutes changing clothes and getting ready, then we took Jonah to my grandparents and headed to Houston.

We had tickets to Phantom of the Opera in Houston at 2pm, so we were set to head south at 11:15. Then we realized that we hadn't filled up the car OR taken any cash for parking. We filled up and decided to chance it and try to just find an ATM on the way to Houston. Easy, right? Not so much.

Took us forever to find a place with an ATM, but we finally did. (Grimy Chase Bank building. Why is Houston so dirty?)

Got to the auditorium about 1:40 and took our seats.

Show was awesome. I was familiar with about half of the musical, but the stage and effects just blew me away. Krist and I are hooked. Next season will bring in tours of Wicked, The Lion King, and Annie. I bet we'll see at least one of those come 2006!

Got out of the show around 4:50 and headed north. Stopped at an Arby's at the Porter/Conroe exit. (Mmmm...curly fries.)

Made it home somewhere near 7 and picked up Jonah at Carol's.

Krist is reading to Jonah as he winds down - no nap today. After the family is off to bed, I'm heading up to the church to do projection, compile video clips and make sure that everything is okay for tomorrow. Have an early practice (sucks,) but we can't very well get up there without practicing! (Would that I could.)

Woke up around 6:30 and did a morning bike ride. Holy cow. I mean, you ride at night, no problem. Ride in the morning, you end up walking around like you just had a hip replacement.

Got to work a bit early, pretty uneventful morning. Came home for lunch (sub sandwhich and a diet coke) then back to work for a long Friday afternoon. At some point in the day, I started thinking about music and songwriting, and how I would love to get some stuff published and get some money coming in.

So I came to a decision. In all of my co-writing with Forrest, I never had asked him to pass just my stuff to Dan Keen at ASCAP. But today, I did. It was very awkward, but it's a chance I've got to take. Last year, Dan seemed to encourage us to focus on the CCM and/or worship stuff. I've got some stuff that I think might could pitch.

Forrest said it was cool, but I felt really weird about.

So, I called Romack to see if he thinks Reason will be a good enough drummer for any demos. We should track something Sunday night.

Have Laptop, Must Blog

We got a major rainstorm this morning around 4ish. Krist and I woke up for a second just to make sure the house wasn't floating down the street, then we feel back asleep. Jonah woke up at 5:45 and never went back to sleep.

Poor Kristen.

I got up around 6:45 and took over, letting Kristen sleep for about thirty minutes or so. After she woke up, I showered and got dressed and strolled on to work. (Both of my bosses were gone today, so who's worried about being late, right?)

It was quite possibly the most boring morning in the history of government, but I made it through. I played around with some ideas for some story ideas. (Most of my friends know that I secretly have ambitions of writing a book someday.)

Came home for lunch, ate, played, then back to work. Good gried, this day was long.

I'm off to ride the bike a bit, then to the church to complete my "inventory" list for the church administrator. I also need to send some emails for the next worshipnotes issue. I think its gonna' be a good one.

Night!

Do Re Me

Well, I made it through the traditional worship service with only one mistake. Somebody tell me this -
1. How come hymns are written in the stratosphere?
2. And why can't we do medley w/ songs in the same key?

I missed the transition to "Battle Hymn of the Republic," but other than that, worship went okay. I prayed last night and asked God to begin instilling in me more love for these people. I know that I need to be more of a servant to them. I don't necessarily mean in making more attempts to please people, but just serving them in love, especially when in times when I don't want to serve.

Guess God is gonna' make a minister of me yet.

Next week, we try something really cool stuff w/ candles, lighting and making communion a bit more cool. I'm so excited about this service and the impact its making on our people.