February 12, 2008 by Matt.

So, as I ave mentioned a number of times I am still very new to the blog thing. There are parts of me that really enjoy the freedom of being able to open up and share a bit of who I am in this blog thing. However, how much is ok to share. As a guy it is very difficult for me to open myself up to others. I am sure that the other guys out there (that is both of the guys that actually read my blog) can understand what I am saying here. Anyways, so is a blog just a fun place to let people know what is going on in your life. A place to share your thoughts on things. Or is a blog a place where you can open up and truly share what is going on inside you. Is is appropriate to open yourself up to every single person that has internet access. As I type this I think, “No, it is not anyone elses business what is truly going on inside me.” On the other hand, this is a format that would allow a person to really say what is on their mind without interuption, without having to hear any immediate response. Sure, people are going to read it and some may even post comments, but this gives you the chance to formulate a good response where as unloading to someone in person doesn’t necessarily allow you the luxury of time to consider you response. If you open yourself up to much, at what point do you cross the line and become like a bad talk show? At what point to you become like an episode of Jerry Springer.

So, I say all this to ask. How much of yourself is it appropriate to reveal in a blog?

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February 9, 2008 by Matt.

I think we have all heard the old saying that if you live by technology, then you die by technology. Well, this past Sunday that was put to the test at my church. All seemed to be going well, we finished our first song, I spoke briefly, even cracking some kind of a joke, then we finished the second song. That was when it started to happen…. Pastor came up to do the offering thing and the lights began to flicker. They went out two or three times before going out and staying out. As I stood on the stage having never faced this kind of problem before I began to get kinda nervous. Then I decided that the show must go on. We were doing a song that most people knew anyway so I stepped to the front of the stage and addressed the congregation. I told them that when Jesus walked the earth they did not have electricity, or fancy keyboard, projectors, computers, microphones, or any of the tools that we use each Sunday, yet they still managed to worship God; so we were not going to let this stop us, and I began to sing. This was one of the rare moments when I actually get to hear the congregation so I was taken to a very worshipful place. We were singing “There’s Just Something About That Name,” being a fairly short song I decided to repeat the whole thing. Well, the second time we sang it I looked out over the congregation and saw something wonderful. Without the distraction of the MediaShout, or for that matter the sound system, the instruments or anything else, I noticed that there were a lot of people with their eyes closed, worshiping. It was a beautiful moment, but it made me wonder if we as leaders of worship ever actually get in the way? Have you ever had a boss, or coach, or leader in any role that you felt was holding you back, preventing you from reaching your full potential. I try very hard to remember that what I do each Sunday is not about me. I remind my team regularly that it is not about them either. I think that many leaders of worship would agree with me on these two points. However, are we instead making it about the presentation? Do we place more attention on the MediaShout, or on the fancy instruments that we use, or the killer sound system? I don’t think that any of does that on purpose, but if we don’t take steps to avoid that, then we are still guilty.So, what do we do about it? I think that the answer is simple. First make sure that your heart is in the write place. If your heart is truly to do all you do to glorify God, then you are on the right track. However, I also think that we should step aside every now and then. So remove anything that might be a distraction and let the people really connect with God…..

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February 9, 2008 by Matt.

Ok, I must admit that when I first started blogging I was very knew to the concept. At that point I wasn’t even reading any blogs. Well, just in case any of the two or three people that read my blog regularly ever wanted to comment but didn’t want to go through the process of registering (and who would it was a pain), you no longer have to do that. I have figured out how to make it so that all you have to enter is you name and email and you can now leave a comment. So, feel free to comment away (somebody please comment so that I don’t feel like quite as muh of a looser.

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