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