RUNwithGOD

How the Dolphins "Changed the Culture"

So how does a football team go from 1-15 to 11-5 and win their division? They changed their culture.

On Wednesday (12/31/08) at a Dolphin Press Conference, Chad Pennington (#10) was asked about changing the culture. Below is his response.

Coach Sparano has talked about changing the culture to all of us... Trying to help us understand what it actually takes to change the culture... you just can't talk about it. There's a lot of different things you have to take into consideration, and then make it happen... and change. We talked to us about it on individual levels, and he talked to us on a team level. All of our guys have bought in. All of our guys wanted to change the culture. And all of our guys wanted to find out what this winning thing is all about, and what success is all about, and how it creates confidence and momentum...

More in the video embedded below...

Ten Personal Goals for 2009

2008 was nothing like I thought it would be. Caitlyn arrives, Economy crashes. 2008, in a word, EXHAUSTING. Back in January 2008 I said "This blog is about RUNNING, so 2008 is going to be a year of RUNNING)." And it was about running. What is 2009 going to be? Here's a peek...

1- Don't work harder, work smarter - I don't think it's possible for me to work harder in 2009. I probably averaged 65 hrs a week in 2008, peaking (often) in the high 70s-low 80s. I need to find a way to get 65 hrs of work accomplished in 45 hrs a week. Maybe I should rename my blog from "RUNWITHGOD" to "SPRINTWITHGOD"?

2.1- Build systems
2.2- Let go of details - In 2008 I failed at this. I built a solid system, but I failed to let go and let the system run itself. Instead, I clung to the system, preventing the system from working, from growing. The system's roof became my own limitations. The only thing this accomplished was system breakdown because I was choking it. It's time to let go.

3- Work myself out of a job - Honestly, I think I would be ultimately satisfied with my work if I was told "Jeff, you've done such a good job training CF Volunteers that we don't need you anymore. You're fired!" Not sure how I would pay for life's luxuries like food and diapers, but we'd find a way. :)

4- Change the culture - I'm not tipping my hat on this one, yet. You'll find out soon enough.

5- Books are for reading - So long Christian Bookstore! Can't wait for the chance to read books to read books, NOT to read book excerpts so I can figure out how many I should order.

6- Create a new identity - Nothing has plagued my 2008 thoughts more than this. "irunabookstore" has been my online since I, well, started to runabookstore. (Funny story. Ask me later.) I will soon nolongerrunabookstore and I have been struggling to come up with an acceptable identity.

7- Take many SHORT vacations instead of a couple LONG vacations - 2008 I had two long vacations. One in May, and the second was Caitlyn's arrival. I think 2009 will be more 3 day wknds, mid-week getaways, or just cuddling up on the couch with myBabyGirls for a day... and... (see #8)...

8- Play golf - seems silly to call it a goal. I love golf, and I was decently good at it (my mid-range game sucked, but my driving and 50yards to pin game was respectable.) Honestly, I don't think I've played golf since April 2007. Reason why? I don't think I've had a 4-hour block straight through when I didn't have anything to do.

9- Love myBabyGirls - I love both my girls. Coming home at the end of the day has a purpose that it never has before. I will not allow my workaholic tendencies to affect how both myBabyGirls view God, the "church", or me. If there is a line drawn in the sand, this is it.

10- Trust God more - Maybe it's the new job... or the struggling economy... or this whole parenthood thing... but 2008 was filled with questions like "God, are you sure?" "God, why are you putting me through this?" "My God, what now?" Turns out that my questioning Him only got me more frustrated... In His time everything is resolved...

What does your 2009 look like? How drastic of a change is it from your 2008?

How often can Penn say "proselytize"?

As a Christian, I am encouraged, discouraged, and encouraged again by watching the movie below. This is "Penn" from Penn & Teller, sharing from his video blog.

Penn, thanks for the challenge. May we all find people in our lives to pray for and invest in, and may God change lives through us.

Thanks to Ed Stetzer for the find.

Musings way too early Christmas Morning

I love my job. Palmetto Bay's services last night were solid. Great to see volunteers step up and make the service happen. I love that our staff continually comes up with ideas that stretch our volunteers! I love that our volunteers have a standard of excellence that's higher than mine...

Homestead did an outdoor service at Losner Park last night. If you've ever produced an outdoor concert, you can appreciate what they went through last night. Jorge, Oscar, Berch and the CFH crew blew me away last night. Honestly, when I heard they were doing the service outside, I was expecting CHAOS on an APOCALYPTIC scale. Of course, there was chaos... but the crew did a great job dealing with it. Around 400 people from the Homestead area were there. It's a beautiful thing! I took a ton of pics at the CFH service. Hit me up on Facebook if you want to see.

Cold Hot Chocolate is really nothing like Chocolate Milk. If you think otherwise, you're wrong.

Put together myBabyGirl's first Christmas gift last night. I went against my instincts. Amy and I read the instructions. I know, I know, I'm a disappointment to myself as well.
(I'm including a pic of myBabyGirl in this post. Does it have to do anything with this post? No. I just like to show off...)

It's A Wonderful Life is still my second favorite Christmas movie (behind A Muppet Christmas Carol, of course). Except it's so HONKING LONG. Yes, George Bailey, your life sucks, but it gets better... we get it! Hurry up and get to the suck part! What does that say about today's culture. We so want to see the "suck part"...

4:30am one of my neighbor's house alarms went off, for about 10 minutes. My first thought? Wow, Santa forgot to enter the code. My second thought? Geez, how drunk are you that you can't turn that alarm off by now? My third thought? Hope someone isn't pulling a "Grinch"... Yes, I can pull three thoughts at 4:30am. Unfortunately, that's why I'm awake at 6:21am...

In the quiet parts of this AM, I reflected back on my year, on my blessings, on the meaning of today. And I found myself thanking God for putting into motion His plan, for allowing me to be part of His purpose. I could not imagine my life any other way. Then, I did my personal 2008 Christmas tradition. I sat in a dark room and played two songs over and over. "I Celebrate the Day" and "All is Well" (both included below)... I will not comment if there were tears...

And with that I hear myBaby Girl cooing in her crib, so I am off. May your Christmas be intentionally focused on the bearer of the Gift.

ProPresenter + iPhone = ProRemote

Renewed Vision has released ProRemote, an iPhone app that pairs with it's award winning ProPresenter software.

ProRemote basically has two different features for the user:

1) "Controller" - the ability to control to ProPresenter from your iPhone. Honestly, I had done it before via MANY different VNC software (JAADU is my current favorite). It is easier to scroll/skip slides using the ProRemote... but we always have ALL OUR SLIDES IN THE RIGHT ORDER... well... most of the time they are in the right order...

The interface for ProRemote to "Control" slides is very similar to EZWorship's interface. Personally I'm not a big fan of the interface, but the text is EASY to read on the iPhone screen (which I guess is the goal)...

2) "Observer" - or the ability to look at the slides w/in a ProPresenter Library WITHOUT affecting what's on the screen. To me this is HUGE. 10 minutes before service. Band is in Green Room, and wants to make sure that ProPresenter has "Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Chorus"... they can check that WITHOUT affecting what is going on in the service. So they can browse the entire set from the Green Room, making sure things match up. Beautiful! No VNC software can offer that!

What I like about ProRemote is that the Administrator has the ability to put different passwords on each feature. In other words, maybe I don't want my drummer to accidentally start firing slides from the Green Room. I will just give him access to the "Observer" mode.

To use ProRemote, you'll need to upgrade ProPresenter to 3.5.1 (which will be available on Renewed Vision's Website very soon). Then have fun.

Thanks, Renewed Vision, for constantly making your products better!

The 10 Commandments of a SRVC Walkthrough

I'm making myself become a stickler of details. Our staff and volunteers work hard to create the elements of the services, and I would HATE for something to be not executed because we didn't check ahead of time.

Below are the 10 Commandments of the Walkthrough, the 10 things that we check ON THE DAY OF our services:

1. Thou shalt check how loud the band is.
2. Thou shalt check all "talking mics" (teaching mic, campus pastor mic, backup mic).
3. Thou shalt check lyric arrangements and backgrounds in ProPresenter.
4. Thou shalt check the sermon notes, manuscripts, slides and insert.
5. Thou shalt check all In-service videos (countdowns, pre-sermon videos, illustrations, announcements, etc).
6. Thou shalt check the verbal announcements, making sure that all slides are present.
7. Thou shalt check the pre-service announcement loop, making sure all announcements are in place.
8. Thou shalt check all transitions within your service (worship to teaching, teaching to commitment song, etc.)
9. Thou shalt check video teaching, confirming in-point, out-point, and audio level.
10. Thou shalt check your watch, ending all rehearsals 20 minutes prior to the services. Clear stage of unnecessary items to allow for a clean, professional look onstage.

CFPB Middle School... a Frankenstein Production...

Wednesday afternoon I had the opportunity to hang out with Todd Breiner, CFPB Middle School Pastor - along with several volunteers and students in the CF Students Middle School Venue. I was blown away...

Several of their volunteers approached me about using our old Standard Definition video equipment. "Sure, why not. We may still sell it. I may take it back, but have fun until then." Well, evidently these guys have turned a 200 person Middle School venue and turned it into a living, breathing production facility using scraps from all over CFPB. Unbelievable.

What are they doing? Five cameras. Some manned. Some static. Plus Alpha/Chroma keying lyrics/notes on top of camera... all this for middle school students. And they are still pushing to do more. Incredible.

How do they run this? Who makes all this happen? Evidently the CFPB Middle School Ministry has 40+ media volunteers every week. I'm hoping to swing by a worship service this weekend. Can't wait to see the creativity of these kids realized.

If Middle School wanted to go High Def, they could not afford five cameras. They could not afford a HD Switcher/Scaler... or the cabling involved... Instead of limping into HD and putting together a weak production, Middle School decided they were going to be KING of STANDARD DEFINITION and go overkill with old equipment that still functions.

Lesson Learned: Sometimes, quantity trumps quality. And there's nothing wrong with resurrecting old gear! CFStudents Middle School, way to go!

CFWired.com - The Christ Fellowship "hookup"

Eric blogged on a new CF website launching this week, CFWired.

CFWired.com, is Christ Fellowship's Church Resource website, which allows ANYONE the opportunity to get hooked up on Christ Fellowship stuff... Whether it's chord sheets from our Live @ Christ Fellowship CD, or our newest Small Group Material, or a Children's Skit book...

Most things are free. Some do have a nominal fee. Ultimately, we'd love to share with you how we do what we do in hopes that you can use it at your church... or even be inspired to do things bigger and better than we do!

Enjoy the Resources!

FOH Audio Procedures for Teaching Soundchecks

Concerning Front of House Audio, it's amazing how tiny mistakes can be covered over during a worship set. 92db Worship can be very forgiving for the sound engineer.

The scariest thing for me is the teaching. One wireless open mic for 40+ minutes. In this scenario, there is no forgiveness in the room. Every glitch, every hiccup is heard by the worship center, by the audience viewing at other venues @ Video Teaching, by audiences at home watching on TV.

The smallest of details can send everything in a downpour, and allow an audible distraction to break the connection between the teacher and the audience.

Here's CF's checklist, which will show the detail that we check to make sure that the teaching goes smoothly... that the technology aids (not distracts) from the spreading of the message.

On the Teacher

• Replace Batteries every day in Microphone Beltpack, In-Ear Monitor Beltpack, Backup Microphone.
• Check lead wire to Countryman Microphone, making sure strong connection to Earpiece, and to Beltpack.
• Check Countryman microphone earpiece, making sure mouthpiece is appropriate distance away from face.
• Ensure Countryman windsock in place.
• Make sure lead wire has plenty of slack, allowing for teacher to have movement.
• Put backup microphone in place on stage, reminding teacher location of microphone.

At the Board

• Verify Wireless Receivers/Transmitters are on, and both antennas are picking up signal.
• Verify Teacher is on a compressor (MANDATORY), and settings are accurate for teacher.
• Verify In-Ear effects/reverb is working (CFPB only).
• During mic check, set appropriate level for teacher in-house.
• Mark appropriate level with a pencil on the board.
• Leave mic at that level throughout service, allow compressors to adjust mix.
• Mute channel when done, to ensure consistent audio level during teaching.

"The Day That True Love Died"...

Three different groups of people asked me tonight... "Hey, where's that song from?" So, I thought I'd answer the question for you en masse... it's Phil Wickham's "True Love" on the Cannons album. Great song. Great album.

You can buy the song through your local brick and mortar shop, or just buy it through iTunes Music Store (like everyone else does...)

Carlos did a great job finding the song, putting the video together, and helping Simply Christmas find an identity...

Missed the Simply Christmas Intro Video? Here you go...

Google does Social Networking

Toyed around with the blog last night. Google released some new Social Networking options, and I wanted to see how it works...

Check it out. Come be my friend. Visit http://www.runwithgod.com (if you're not already there) and check out the "friends of JReed" section on the RIGHT of the screen (below my photo...)

Enjoy. Thanks for being my friend.

Intern isn't the word I'm looking for...

As I've mentioned in Twitter several times, I've got me some Interns, Free Labor, Puppets, Volunteer Staff that I am very excited about.

Jonathan Concepcion: Love this guy. Current/Former employee at The Apple Store, Jonathan has a world of knowledge in the world of Media. Jonathan is an audio stud, and will be working with our existing FOH Audio Guys to get a more consistent sound in our CFPB worship center.

Jake Kaetterhenry: Learning to love this guy. Jake has been volunteering in our CF Audio Studio and has done a great job producing our second CF Generations Project... so much so he wanted to do more projects. Jake will be working with our volunteers to create a TON of ORIGINAL music for our Creative Staff to use on projects.

Looking forward to using, abusing these guys 20+ hrs a week, inspiring, buying these guys lunch, working with these guys.

Side note: VOLUNTEER STAFF = UNPAID

Will your wireless mic work in 2009? Revisited

Shure is offering rebates on everyone who got screwed on the FCC banning of the 700MHz frequencies... (with some minor stipulations). See the press release below.

NILES, IL, December 1, 2008 — Shure Incorporated today announced a rebate program of up to $1,000 for the trade-in of Shure 700 MHz frequency band (698-806 MHz) wireless systems and other related components purchased before February 1, 2007, and for any other manufacturers’ qualifying 700 MHz frequency band wireless systems and their related components.

“Our number one priority is to provide our customers with the highest quality products, service, and support,” said Al Hershner, Vice President and General Manager of the Shure U.S Business Unit. “We’ve known for some time that the ‘700 MHz band’ would be reallocated for new services following the DTV transition on February 18, 2009. Although a final decision from the FCC is still pending, we felt the need to assure our customers now that we will take care of them regardless of the outcome.”

Customers may submit their rebate forms with the purchase of the following new replacement products: UHF-R®, ULX®, MX690/SLX4L, PSM®700 (H3, L2 bands), and PGX.

For a complete summary of the terms and conditions of this rebate program, to learn which products are eligible for the rebate program, and to obtain a rebate form, customers should visit the Shure website at www.shure.com/rebate.

“There has been a great deal of confusion for wireless microphone users regarding the political and technological developments surrounding the DTV transition and the 700 MHz auction over the past few years,” added Hershner. “As always, Shure has a team of sales, customer service, and technical support staff available to answer any questions people might have about this rebate program or their products.”

For information about rebates or trade-ins for in-warranty Shure wireless systems purchased on or after February 1, 2007, please contact 800-25-SHURE (800-257-4873).

Thanks to Anthony Coppedge for breaking the story...

Simpsons v. Apple Computers

This was on Simpsons last night...

Great shot at Apple. Love it... Thanks for referencing the hammer throw (circe 1980s Superbowl Commercial...)