• Infant Ba— Ur, Child Dedication

    This morning we had a packed second service as we were having a baptism and a few child dedications.

    I don’t know what happened. But I was doing the call to worship and my mind was still thinking about the baptism and how cool it was to see that step of faith. And I almost said something really dumb. I started to say "Today, we are celebrating infant ba…." and then I caught myself. "Child dedication."

    Oops.

  • Kidnap a Gnome Details

    Gnome
    This is the message that just went out to the Light Force list about tonight’s "Kidnap a Gnome" night. I’ve gotten so many questions about this event on Facebook and AIM that I’ll be bundling it all together and releasing it this week on Monday Exchange.

    I’ve gotten a number of detail requests about this event, so here
    are some clarification points: (And to remind you how much fun this
    event will be!)

    • This is a Light Force event. We’re inviting any student in middle and/or high school.
       
    • No, Light Force is not providing the gnome. You will need
      to borrow a gnome and/or lawn ornament for your team. So spend some
      time today scouting out a gnome in that one weird lady’s yard on your
      block. (Every block has one, right?) It doesn’t have to be a gnome…
      it could also be that scary deer thing or a pink flamingo or any other
      lawn ornament that is looking to get out on the town. (Yes, you should
      ask her if its OK to borrow it. Invite her to church while you are at
      it. People who like lawn ornaments need Jesus as much as you/me.) You should not bring the gnome with you, going to get a gnome is part of the game.
       
    • The judging will be a points based system, so start being creative now.
      (So, taking the gnome home and getting a picture with your mom will be
      worth 100 points. But taking the gnome to the mall and having his
      picture taken with the mall security guard will be worth 500 points.)
    • A general reminder for the pyros and those who like to blow things up… the event is called "Kidnap a Gnome" and not blow up gnomes, burn gnomes, crush gnomes, or drop gnomes from tall places.
    • Your team will have two hours to get as many pictures/videos with your gnome and/or lawn ornament as you can.
      You’ll have to decide how far you want to go. But I’m pretty sure your
      gnome has never been to CVS, Meijer, Sheena’s, Blockbuster, Caribou,
      Wal*Mart, Dollar General, Bruce Township Fire Department, Romeo Coney
      Island, a hot tub, AMC 30, Subway, Wendy’s, the play area at
      McDonald’s, or ordered food at the drive through at Arby’s. But he has
      been to K-Mart because all gnomes and lawn ornaments seem to come from
      K-Mart.
    • Yes, your team can make a rap video called "Chillin’ with My Gnomies, Talkin’ about My Homies" Just make sure your gnome doesn’t have potty mouth. Videos are worth more points.
    • Yes, your parents can come because we need drivers. No, I won’t make your mom be in your car.
    • Yes, I know there were two typos in the handout I gave you. The event is November 10th and not 11th. And I meant "of course" and not "of coruse." Mrs. Miller from 3rd grade at Madison Elementary would be very disappointed.

    I’m really looking forward to this as it’ll be a great time! We hope to
    have a bunch of small teams who are ready to be creative and HAVE A
    BLAST giving a gnome the night of his life.

    From 5ish-7ish you’ll be out and about.     From 7ish-8ish you’ll come back to the church to share your pictures and videos, eat pizza, and find out who the winners are.

  • Crowder in St. Louis

    Since I’m kind of on a video tear this morning anyway. Here’s what all the excitement is about leading up to the National Youth Workers Convention. Thousands of youth workers cutting loose and enjoying themselves. Yes, that’s a youth worker crowd surfing! No responsibilities, no counting students, no making sure they aren’t making out, just a really long weekend of fun like this. (Of course, there is content too… but you get the gist.)

    HT to Stuart Delony

  • Saturday Tunes

    Saturday_tunes_2Today is a semi-busy day for me as I have lots of little things to do for next week, an event tonight for Light Force, a video to finalize for baptism tomorrow,
    and of course… spend time with my family on my "day off." At any rate, here are the next 10 songs pumping between my ears as I PhotoShop the morning away.
    As always, no cheating and ratings are included.

    1. Broken Cup by Sandra McCracken ****
    2. Sing Like the Saved by David Crowder Band *****
    3. Flowers (For Molly) by Jason Harwell ****
    4. We are broken by Paramore ****
    5. Forever You by Vineyard UK *****
    6. Outro by Jake Smith ****
    7. New Creation by Tree63 ****
    8. Oh the Glory of It All by David Crowder Band *****
    9. All Blues by Miles Davis *****
    10. Vertigo by U2 *****

  • First Semester Spanish Love Song

    I was just going to put this on my "shared links" to the left, but this is so good I want to make sure you watch it. This makes two funny videos in a row for those who are keeping track at home.

    This is also a good time to remind my audience that I got a D- in Spanish at Moody. Second semester I applied myself more and got a D. I’m happy to report I can translate all of these silly statements.

    HT to ysmarko

  • If Good is the Enemy of Best, What is This?

    Janet Jackson eat your heart out.

  • Circles and Facebook

    FacebookI’ve spent a fair amount of time talking about Facebook this week. It’s truly amazing to me the connections I’ve been making.

    Kristen’s dad wrote a book called "Circles of Blessing" where he describes their missionary story in Indonesia, his dreams for one day reaching into Soviet Russian, and God’s annoying habit of doing amazing things because you are simply faithful to His Word and calling.

    Thanks to Facebook and taking some seminary classes I’ve been able to paint a beautiful picture of something God did simply because I was faithful to His Word way back in 12th grade.

    I really got on fire for the Lord in 11th grade while living in Germany. But some circumstances led to my
    coming back to the U.S. and re-entering the school that I grew up going to for my senior year. That’s where the story takes some twists.

    (more…)

  • Web 2.0 ministry in a Web 1.0 church

    Web20workshopLess than a week away until I head down to Atlanta for the National Youth Workers Convention. Among the myriad of things I’m excited about (having a booth for YMX, seeing dozens of friends, fantastic time of worship and renewal, a road trip with Todd, making new friends) I am also pumped about an opportunity I have to lead a discussion at one of the Late Night Options.

    My topic… I hope some people even show up… has a nerdy title but is actually going to be quite relevant to youth workers as they learn to get better at interacting with their students using the internet and internet devices.

    Here are 3 reasons I think my 1 hour session is worth coming to

    1. Most youth ministries are not doing a good job interacting with their students on students internet turf.
    2. Most youth pastors, as savvy as they are, have no idea how to use Web 2.0 utilities.
    3. Most youth pastors need more information to convince their bosses that internet ministry can be an effective means of reaching the students of their communities. If nothing else, using some web 2.0 tools will make their communications with students more effective and faster.

    If you are planning to attend, you can RSVP here. All of the notes, videos, and other stuff will appear right here on my blog.

    (more…)

  • Kidnap a Gnome This Saturday


    Kidnap a Gnome promo, originally uploaded by mclanea.

    This is in a couple of nights and I’m geeked about it. I’ve been doing this about 10 years and I’ve learned that sometimes the simplest events are the most fun. I hope that’s the case here.

  • MainStreet Love

    Construction_webLast night’s MainStreet rocked. I’ll say it again… "The process is scary but the product is great." Going into the night I was convinced that it was going to be a disaster, but I was horribly wrong. It may have been our best yet.

    The thing I like most about it was that the game after the production was perfect for the night and the snack… divine! (Chocolate covered pretzels shaped like tools) I felt like Hannibal on the A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together." Minus the cigar, please.

    There are so many good things happening at Romeo right now, it’s really hard to accurately describe them all. MainStreet is definitely head of that class.