Its the MOST Wonderful Time of the Year...

... so many pop culture references so little time to blog. Anyway- we are putting some creative fuel in the tank for our December Series & Christmas Eve-type service... So big question here that needs a response... Favorite Christmas Carol - past and present, old school or new school...

What are the carols of Christmas that you love, adore, cherish, revere, ect? And why.
Everyone who responds will be entered into drawing for a special Creative Team Blog Comment prize... Its a secret, but here's a hint: it is worth more than $24.99 & less than $25.01... And can be redeemed locally for goods and/or services. SO blog early and often!

Get Caffeinated!

Ok Creative Team... It's time to put some serious horsepower into the next series - its only 3 weeks away! This one is going to be BIG... We are talking about some really cool things to reinforce the fact that, as Christ-followers, we should be living CAFFEINATED lives - full of JOY!

Some initial ideas:
-Premium Coffee Bar in Hospitality Area
-Jittery Joes Compass blend coffee
-Special seating areas in the worship center
-Ikea Couches/coffee tables
-Set design – coffee shop feel… brick wall, art hanging, metal, wood, coffee bags
Roaster on stage?? Jittery Joes roaster feel
-Coffee station in the parking lot/driveway
-Special printed coffee cups or wraps
-“Free Coffee” flyers for community handouts/bills posted
-Coffee that makes a difference
-We are also talking about t-shirts... really cool t-shirts.

So the big two questions are:
1. What can we put in everybody's hands to invite people back for the series?? (Hand painted invites on individual coffee beans has already been suggested)
2. How can we impact Athens in a meaningful way during this series?

Its THAT Time Again!

Hey team-
Another great series this year is almost in the books... This week we will wrap the Mythbusters series with the question, 'If I Follow Jesus, Everything Changes?'... Thanks to all whose input really made this a great series- a week did not go by where I did not hear someone tell me that they felt like the talk was directly for them. Great job!

On another note after this Sunday, everything will be changing again! A new series, a new set, a new opportunity to connect with people and lead them into a growing relationship with Christ... After spending some time in prayer at our staff retreat, there is a strong desire to fuel the passion of the rapidly emerging 20somethings that are calling Compass home, and growing & learning here.

We are still planning to cover the amazing power of joy-filled living through a study of the book of Philippians in November, but we wanted to hit some topics for the 20somethings that we could all use to learn and grow... So, drumroll- BUMPER STICKERS are back... We are really sensing the rapid advancement of the 20something crowd on Sundays - 2 filled out guest registries that I am following up with tonight...

That said, we need some driving creative input as far as bumper sticker favorites (if you can find/take an image somehow that would be amazing) and some creative thoughts for set design. We are narrowing the field of topics, but generally we will be looking at relationships (forgiveness, grace)/dating/spouse selection type issues, work/money/lifestyle issues, future/plan/what am I here for issues, and leadership/priority issues...

Obviously there is a lot for everyone in these topics, from youth to senior adult... But really impacting on the 20something crowd...

So, the forum is open for set design input, logo input, imagery, and of course.. bumper stickers.
Comment soon and often. Please.

PS - Set change next week... Sunday Tear Down, Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday set build.

Mythbusters Set Design

We begin work on the new mythbusters set next week... Any ideas? I am feeling an industrial look, with lots of metal and shiny shiny... How about some input team!

FOR LAUGHS: the iBible

Okay, Bryan -- how long before this gets shown at the 706 or in church? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8wRIcv6esY

Mythbusters: The Development

This series is beginning to shape into a kickin' way to start this Fall! Here is an overview of the topics that are on the table beginning August 19 (remember each topic is a "myth" of Christianity or following Christ that will either be "busted", "confirmed", or found "plausible" each week- the thinking is that these are obstacles that hold some people back from fully following Christ and growing in their relationship with Him)... Here is what is out there so far:

If I follow Christ, I can't go Downtown.
If I follow Christ, I have to weird my friends out.
If I follow Christ, I have to check my brain at the door.
If I follow Christ, everything changes.
If I follow Christ, its all about heaven.
If I follow Christ, its all about the money.
If I follow Christ, I have to vote republican.
If I follow Christ, I can't ever sin again.

Please comment on any of these or ad one of your own....

We would also like to do some **funny** videos each week based on some urban legends or email forwards that are out there... Please reply to this post with some that you have heard.... Some that we have thought of are:
Diet Coke & Menthos explosion
Pop rocks & Pepsi explosion
Cell phones unlocking your car doors
Bathtub full of ice/missing kidney*****
Impossible to drink a gallon of milk in 15 minutes
Can a human voice shatter glass?
Walking on water
Dipping hand in warm water/wetting the bed

***** Please note that we will need to be able to test these myths/legends out, so major medical operations or anything that costs money is not worth posting.

Also, any thoughts as to set design? Thinking industrial warehouse like setting for show?

Church Mythology

No, this is not a class I took in seminary... In preparation for our Fall series (working title: Mythbusters) what are some of the popular cultural myths about the church or following Christ?

Some examples we came up with at the meeting on 6/7 are:
-Christians dont drink or dance.
-Following Christ: Be Happy Don't Worry
-You must be poor/rich to follow Christ
-God hates fags
-Many ways to Heaven
-Follow Christ = Never Sin
-Jesus: Good Guy, Not God
-Its all about Heaven
-You Have to Check Your Brain at the Door

WATER series set design ideas...

Okay guys, based on last Thursday's meeting our new series is WATER. Water plays a huge role in the Bible as setting and symbol of so much. So we are going to explore some of the GREAT stories of the Old and New Testaments through the lens of water. We need to begin to work on some set ideas and visuals for this... So, have at it!

Here are some thought generating questions:
1. What are some words or associations with water.
2. How can we communicate water, without communicating water?
3. What does it look like when someone's "water breaks"... Just kidding thats gross.

Set construction begins Monday June 25... and runs all that week...

Jesus Junk?

Friday's Real Fusion Video discussed a new website: Godtube. A Youtube for Christians?

Well Russell Hafer sent his opinion of Godtube, and Godtube posted it. Some rather thought provoking comments.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f768e1ebee3edde01ea7

Not too long ago, I heard Ryan Dobson discuss the whole idea of "Jesus Junk" in a pretty negative light.
(Show #39 & 40: http://www.korministries.com/podcast.html)

And let's not forget Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis (which Russell Hafer references). Rob Bell has some pretty brilliant sounding ideas against labeling anything "Christian."

But don't things like Bible Man and WWJD bracelets touch some people's heart? Ed Young says, "Sometimes Corny works." Are we wrong to call some music "Christian," even if we think it's bad music? Does God even care if it's "bad art"? Is it a "travesty" (as Ryan Dobson calls it) for "Christian bands" to sound like secular counterparts?

And what about the t-shirts. When I was in middle school, I got really excited about "wearing my faith." Was I wrong? Was it just getting in the way of my witness? Is my "My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter" bumper sticker just turning people away from Jesus? Is the sign in front of the local church that reads, "Jesus Died for Myspace in Heaven," just a road block for non-believers? What is the truth about all this "Jesus Junk?"

Life is too short...

..not to love.
...not to doodle.
...not to play.
...not to read.
...not to pour/serve/give.
...not to fish.


What imagery/thoughts/phrases/emotions do you find when you think about that list?

Someone else who was at the meeting explain this series for those who couldnt be there...

The Road Ahead

Okay CT - in preparation for next week's meeting & for those who will not be able to be here... We need to begin to throw some ideas out for the next few months. Specifically:
- Mother's Day to Father's Day run (6 weeks)
-Summer run... Week After FD until Back to School (8-9 weeks)
-Back to School series... Big hook to start Fall

In that Summer run section we need to brainstorm some guest speakers or alternatives for the dates that Jim will be gone... The first post will include some of his & B's thoughts on this.

So there you go... If you are reading this, please pray & share some thoughts... Show Sonny & Billy some love! See you Tuesday, thanks for your time!

The Coming Weeks...

We need to begin some dialogue about the coming topics in the office series... This week 4/15 is "The Critical Person"... We are also going to be talking about "The Hypocrite" "The Needy Person" and the "The Manipulative Person"... So some questions:
1. Give an experience in your life with one or more of these people.
2. What do you think the reason/cause of those actions are (other than lost as a kickball)?
3. When did Jesus encounter such people?
4. How do you confront/deal with them?

Why Burnout?

This Blog posting is intended as an ongoing conversation to discuss one of the most plaguing issues in ministry for both church staff and volunteers. It’s not exclusive to Compass, but grips and shackles so many servants of God. Many of us have experienced the feeling of burnout before, but rather than recognizing the normality of the subject, I pray we look towards those who have overcome and conquered this issue and strive for “Extraordinary Excellence.”

Why does the epidemic problem of burnout overtake so many in the church, or more specifically—our church?

How and why do we feel abused and used by the very people we are called to serve (and the very family we are apart of)?

What can we do to not only protect ourselves, but also those who are under our leadership and those within our influence?