Run with God

Free Berch Ringtones (or Jeff's attempt to jump on the Gesundheit Bandwagon and kick a man when he's down)

Berch,

Dude. Straight up. I went to the Duplication office today to pull the DVDs from last week's 12:30 service, so I could give you the copies. Someone told me what you said, and felt like the screwup didn't need to a matter of public record. I didn't realize Eric had put the video online (side note, Eric, way to flex that techie muscle on your blog)...

So, since it's now a part of the blogosphere...

Feel free to download Berch's Gesundheit-screwup and use it as an iPhone Ringtone. Yes, you too can listen to Berch lead by saying "Lift your hands, dance, sing, gesundheit " over and over again.

Don't believe me, call my cell phone this wknd... I'm making it my default ringtone. It would probably be helpful if you were standing next to me when you called.

Sadly, this beauty is only available for iPhone users. The rest of you, well, need to upgrade to the 3G iPhone coming out in less than a week.

Berch, just to show some love... I'm also giving you ringtones for Victory and Just a Taste... two songs that you wrote for the Live at Christ Fellowship CD that debuted last month. Quality stuff.

So enjoy.

And Berch, if you're wondering where this idea came from... I got an email from Your Mom's B. (Is that correct usage? I can't remember)...

(Photo cred: Z$)

UPDATE: After getting multiple requests, I am giving you the MP3 file for Gezhuncheit, so you non iPhone users (was there life before the iPhone?) can use the ringtone as well.

10 things missing from Google Apps for Non-Profits

I've discussed Christ Fellowship's move to Google's Apps for Non-Profits (I termed it CF+G). We started the transition over a month ago, and I am genuinely surprised at how easily CF's staff has adapted to the new interfaces and adopted to the "Google" way of thinking. I still cannot believe we didn't do this sooner, and cannot think of a mid-to-large size church that I would not recommend this system to.

With that being said, I got ten things Google needs to fix. Yo Google, pay attn!

10) Google Notifier for Windows doesn't work. Notifier (Windows Version) won't accept Google Apps user/passwords...

9) Unable to "merge" existing Google accounts with Google Apps accounts. Several of our users have pre-existing Google/Gmail/Blogger accounts... It'd be nice if they could merge their accounts with their new Google Apps account. One username/password is a lot easier to remember...

8) No support for Palm. I know, I know. I thought Palm was dead too. Evidently they're still around. I still have users using Palm... I need an easy way for Google Apps to sync with Palm...

7) Limited support for Outlook 2000. Crazy request. To upload Outlook data to Google Apps you need to have Outlook 2003. Most of our users used to use Outlook 2000. It'd be crazy to upgrade to 2003 only to ditch the software... come up with a way to upload Outlook 2000 data to Google Apps!

6) Google Docs unable to edit PDF. I'm probably asking the world here, but we should be able to edit PDFs through Google Docs, not just read them. Google, I want you to: accept an uploaded PDF, scan to editable text through OCR software, then let our users edit, collaborate, and view text.

5) Task Management Software? Why is it no software companies (Google, Apple) understand that people use To-Do Lists? Remember the Milk is great, but it's not Googleesque. Buy them out and merge the software...

4) More control over the "Start page". What Google Apps is missing is a true "Intranet" site. Google Start Page has the potential, but there's no way to Administer the page globally... to add, edit, delete modules or text on the page across all users simultaneously...

3) Calendar Reminders only work on the Primary Calendar. Reminders (Email, Pop-Ups, SMS) only seem to work for the primary calendar (top calendar), and not on "shared" calendars. It would be beneficial if the Reminders would work on all calendars, whether primary or not.

2) Calendar Pop-Up Notifications get Snoozed. Sometimes we get a reminder, but we don't want to deal with it immediately. Just like alarm clocks... sometimes you need another 10 minutes...

1) Google Sites upload limited to 20megs. Also, only able to upload one file at a time. Of all the Google Apps, Sites has me the most excited. HOWEVER, you gotta open up the file size to larger than 20 megs! Photoshop files are MUCH LARGER, especially with print. 20 megs is ridiculous! In addition, GIVE US BATCH UPLOADING!!! Who has time to do one at a time!

Finally, as an afterthought, if you (Google) could figure out how to get my Starbucks Grande Iced Coffee Black No Cream No Sugar delivered to my office by 9am, you would easily replace Apple as my favorite tech company. Thank you for your consideration.

VJs Wanted...

I need some help. (Please, hold the jokes...)

At CFPB we've expanded one of our media volunteer positions, the VJ (Video Jockey).

We switched recently from using EZ Worship (ugh) to ProVideoPlayer. PVP isn't new to CF, (CFH has used PVP since it launched last year). The ability to manipulate the hue, saturation, speed, brightness, contrast of a video virtually on the fly... well, this is another reason that the guys at Renewed Vision are my heroes!

While we used to just do one ambience/environment video every song (on center screen), now we're using three, four, five + videos per song... not to mention that we are now aggressively synching stage lighting with environmental videos and using intelligent lighting as well... yeah... the position has gotten a lot more necessary as our services expand.

But I digress. I need four volunteers who are willing to step up and help create the worship environment at CFPB each weekend (one per service). Experience isn't necessary. If you can 1) read 2) click a mouse - then you're perfect! If you're willing to volunteer at the service you attend, or at one of the other services... holler at me online or call the church office - 305/238-1818.

Thanks to all of our media volunteers who help create a worship environment audibly and visually every week!

Live @ CF CD/DVD Releases

Back in April Christ Fellowship had a special worship service, Night of Worship, where all of our campuses came together in worship of the One worthy of the worship. It truly was an incredible night.

We recorded the event... and after re-editing the video and remastering the audio, the CD/DVD combo - retitled Live @ CF - is finally releasing.

The $15 CD/DVD Combo will be available at CF Campuses this weekend. They will be available at the Living Word Christian Bookstore on Monday, June 16 at a discounted rate of $14.97. They're also available for purchase online through CFMusic.org

BTW, Media Crew, if you worked the event, I'm comping you a CD/DVD. You deserve that, and much more. Thanks for helping to make this happen!

To further tease you, here is the video JR Lovins' song, Living For Your Glory. Don't tell anyone, but it's my favorite song on the project.

10 Tips for CF Staff on switching to Google

I've talked about Christ Fellowship's transition into using Google for our communication (or as I've branded it, CF+G). It's been a great experience thus far. I'm currently doing some training sessions teaching our staff how to use the Google suite for all that it's worth.

Here's a list of 10 things that are worth repeating from the training:

10) Google Notifier
If you use the web-based email application, or you use the calendar, then you REALLY NEED to install Google Notifier on your computer. Even if you're not logged onto the website, you get immediate notification when an email arrives. Notifier also makes the web-based email option become your "default email" application. Works for Mac & Windows - sans Windows ME users...

9) Never delete an email
Straight up, you have almost seven gigs of email space. Unless it's junk mail or spam, DON'T DELETE! "Archive" your mail instead!

8) Search, and you will find
The strength of Google is their ability to catalog and analyze text data (ever use their search engine?). Feel free to search your entire email system. Type the name of a person, or their email address, or key words that would be found in an email. See what happens.

7) REPORT SPAM button
Occasionally, SPAM will trickle through. DO NOT DELETE SPAM. Instead, click on the checkbox next to the email, and click on the "Report Spam" button. By doing this, you will help Google prevent other people from getting SPAM. Good for you!

6) Multiple Calendars, one user
The strength of Google's Calendaring system is that you have the ability to share appointments with other people. But maybe I don't want everyone to know when Amy's birthing classes are going to be. If I create a separate calendar for my personal events, I then can share my work calendar with the work folks, and keep my personal calendar just for me (and Amy).

5) Text Messaging is your friend
Can't tell you how many times this saves me. Get a text message 15 minutes before a meeting reminding you, "Yo. Dummy. You got a meeting." (Note: SMS=Txt Messaging)

4) Remember the Milk
One thing missing from Google's suite is a good Task Management (read: to-do lists) option. Vivian pointed me to RememberTheMilk.com. Stupid name. Great site. If you use to-do lists. Go sign up for this. Great stuff! Plus, it integrates into start.cfmiami.org

3) ACS Integration
Speaking of start.cfmiami.org, you can easily integrate ACS into your start page. Check out the info below (thanks to Debbie for finding this.)

Visit start.cfmiami.org - click on add stuff, and then copy/paste the URL into the search field...

My Church Life - http://gadgets.acstechnologies.com/mychurchlife/google.xml

Small Group Metrics - http://gadgets.acstechnologies.com/smallgroups/google.xml

2) Separate Email Account to register on all websites
The best way to cut back on SPAM is to never give your email address on any website. I promise you, if you've ever put your email address on a website, mass email list, discussion board, chat room... they've sold your email address to someone else, or better yet, their database was broken into and data stolen (that happens, too!)

The way around this is to have a separate email account that you JUST HAVE FOR SPAM/JUNK MAIL. Since you're familiar with the gmail account interface, sign up for your free extra account here. For some of you the damage is already done, but if you take the measures above, the SPAM should get better over time.

1) Outlook? Never heard of it...
The #1 Tip I can tell you is that you should totally forget that Outlook is on your computer.

Qs, you know where to find me.

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye

I feel like a small part of me has died inside.

For the past five months, this has been the view from my office. By my office, I mean JR Lovin's office. Since I came on staff @ Christ Fellowship in January, well, I didn't have an office. My office was, well, an occupied storage closet w/no power, no phone, no AC, no Internet, no paint, no lock... so, yeah... storage closet...

JR was nice enough to offer to share his office with me. And by office I mean the couch in his office. But after five months of staring at the back of JRs head and listening to him have constant arguments with himself (talk about freaky) I'm finally ready to move into my storage closet office.

Don't know if it was the most productive arrangement for either of us, but at least it was educational, enjoyable, a glorified frat-party that occasionally allowed for serious time, an experience.

Thanks, JR. jreed

Rock Show, Revisited

"Rock Show? We prefer worship experience."

I overheard a conversation after our Saturday Evening Service. "The worship was incredible this evening. I thought I was at a rock concert..."

I've been "producing church" for a while now at big churches as well as small churches, and every time I hear "rock concert" in church context, I flinch. I know my heart, and the heart of those that I work with on stage as well as those that work behind the screens scenes... and to call our worship, our sacrifice, our offering to God a rock concert... well, I think the person is missing the point.

Don't limit what we do by calling it a "concert". Make no mistake, at Christ Fellowship we do use a different style of music (than most churches today do), BUT we are still worshipping God.... and the hours of sacrifice from our staff AND VOLUNTEERS is directed not at an audience for their personal enjoyment but in worship of One to bring Him glory.

I invite you to come worship with us. Use the environment we've worked hard to create to help you connect to God.

BTW, enjoy the raw video (Future's Decided) from our Worship Service Saturday night... Thanks to the MANY of you that help produce the worship environment at CF's twelve weekly worship services across Miami.

The Question of Tomorrow

A friend of mine, RC, posed a question on his blog several weeks ago: "What are life's biggest questions?" Being the smart-alek that I am, I commented on his blog "What does tomorrow hold?" RC decided to run with it, writing the post Google & Life's Biggest Questions - Tomorrow...

If you're unfamiliar with RC@Strange Culture, he's one of my favorite reads. Check him out.

Enjoy the post, enjoy the conversation (jump in!), and enjoy his view pop culture... I promise you, he's unique.

Identifying with International Cultures

Lately I've enjoyed the Internationality of Miami. Truthfully, it was the reason we moved out of Texas... I love seeing all cultures blended together into the chaos that is Miami.

That carries over at Christ Fellowship as well. I knew the stats at one time, but we have something like 70 nationalities represented in CFs membership. And that statistic was done way before we went multisite. No telling how many there are now.

So there is always a struggle on staff with how to connect to the different nationalities. How can we connect with them?

One would think multilingual small groups (done it). Others would think multilingual worship (done it).

We go a step further at CF. We ask all our pastors to grow a massive amount of chest hair in attempts to connect with the Cuban community here in Miami. After all, if you got a rug on your chest, with some massive bling resting on top, you must be Cuban.

Thank you JR for raising the bar in multi-ethnical, missional ministry.

Thanks to Oscar Roque (a true Cuban) for providing an awesome entertainment break.

Is that a Google in your in box?

Email is really the bane of most companies/organizations' existence. No, not kidding. If you've ever had to deal with Blacklisting, Spam Filtering, Mass Emailing... you know where I'm coming from. It was one (of many) reasons why I'm no longer doing eBeliever.

After seeing the headaches (and dealing with the latter part of some of them) I started pushing to move CF email and other connectivity apps to Google Apps. GMail, Google Cal, Google Docs, Google Talk, etc... Fortunately, I didn't have to push very hard.

Very excited. Other than moving CF's communications to the leader in global communications, this will make our lives easier.

* Easier to access info from home, multisite locations, other office locations, anywhere!

* Electronic collaboration! Don't have to deal with printing on paper to proof!

* Scheduling/Appointments now on a platform that works on multiple Operating Systems (Mac & PC) - Microsoft? Who's that?

* More options for accepting credit cards online (25% of our CF: Live Preorders came from online transactions)

* Intranet-based information located on an Internet-based page... with integration of ACS database!

The best part is, as Google gets better, so will we. Okay, that's not the best part. The best part is the six gigs worth of server space that Google gives EACH EMAIL USER for free. Yes, free.

Honestly, if you are any sort of organization that does any sort of communication online... I have no idea why you don't do this. Check out Google Apps Organization page for more information.

CF Miami + Google's Launch happens this wknd.

Mommy @ CF

I'm on an abbreviated lunch/gum break, and remembered a couple things that needed to be said:

First off, an early Happy Mother's Day out there to all the Mommies... weird that my wife now falls in that category. I missed them like crazy when I was in Atlanta this week. And to my own Mommy, thank you!

Speaking of my Mommy, it's been cool to see her around the CF office a lot lately. She's designing a super hush hush project called CFConnect - think CF meets Facebook - so she's been in a bunch of mtgs during the day.

Plus she was up here today filming an interview for Rick's sermon! Now, I'm never one to let the cat out of the bag, but if you want to see my Mommy on the big screen, come to CFPB, CFH, or CFR this weekend (CFDT, CFWK later this month).

I don't have time to tell you all the reasons why... but Mommy... thank you...

Superhero Characters and Volunteer Thank You(s)

First off, thanks to the TONS of volunteers who serve on a weekly basis @ CF. Honestly, we could not do what we do without you all. CF would not exist, and I for one say thank you.

Now, I said that I was going to dress up as a Superhero/Villain, and I needed your help. Who should I be?

Captain Geiger of the Spaceship CF Enterprise... iJeff... MacMan... Bibleman... Six (the Cylon from Battlestar Galactica)... Duct Tape Man... all great ideas...

I was going to back out of dressing up. Really torn in what to dress up as.

I decided that I was going to go with Lex Luthor. I'm bald. I'm smashing in a suit. Should be a slam dunk. The problem is my big 'ol honkin eyebrows. Luthor lost all his hair in the comet crash in Supermandome... so my eyebrows and chest hair gotta go. Relax, I'm not that guy. I don't wax. The Goatee? well, maybe that's expendable...

So I struggled with who to be. Leave it to Paul Ronda for the save. "Luthor? You look more like Kingpin!"

Kingpin, in Marveldome, is a huge, bald villain/crime boss who goes at it against Spiderman, Daredevil, and a ton of other superheroes. He's a beast of a man, and if he's coming at you full steam ahead, you better move... I'm really not 6'7" and 450lbs, but you get the idea.

Yeah, that's who I am. Kingpin...

So thank you, Paul, for hooking me up with the idea. I LOVE IT! BTW, Paul, You get the giftcard hookup that I aforementioned in my blog. Tell me which store you want it from. AND since I don't think you read my blog, if someone could tell Paul he won, that'd be great.

So did I pull it off? Eh, it could've been better. But I win the COMMITMENT award for shaving the Goatee just for this event!

Thanks again to all our volunteers, especially our Media crew! You are greatly appreciated!!!

CFPB's Camera Directors' MTG

I've got a Camera Directors' meeting in about 18 hours. Here's the plan:

* Watch CF's Night of Worship Imag Feed (side screens center screen feed)

* Watch parts of CF's Night of Worship Edited Video (Imag feed + "B Roll" Cameras). Video edited by Hector Huyo

* Discuss: camera angles, tempo, movement, aesthetics, effects (yes, effects)

* Watch samples from other churches

* Go home (early) and (happy)

New CF Sites launch...

A couple new sites are launching at Christ Fellowship...

1) CF Worship & Media is launching a new website... CFMusic.org. Replacing Worship343, CFMusic.org will have easy access to Planning Center Online, plus news, blogs, etc...

2) re:Launch of Sammy's Blog... Sammy's been blogging for some time, but he's taking blogging a step further, and now you can find his stuff at SammyFlores.com. (If you use a RSS News Reader to keep up with blogs, here's his feed...)

3) Not new, but I apologize to Berchman Paul... evidently I had accidentally deleted him from the Blogroll. Was wondering why he wasn't writing anymore... uh, my bad!

More coming, I'm sure...

Closure Revisited: CF's Night of Worship

Thanks to everyone who contributed to making CF's Night of Worship happen.

Side note, does anyone else notice that the only woman in the picture is my wife?

God, thank You for bringing these people into my life. Thank You for the lessons learned, and thank You for being the reason why we do this. May You find our sacrifice pure in motivation, and worthy of who You are. May our worship not only be limited to a night, or even a day of the week. May our worship resound out of who we are.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. - Romans 12:1

Closure: CF's Night of Worship

God, thank you for the opportunity to worship You...
not through voice or musical instrument...
thank You for being worthy of our work...
and our praise...

CF's Night of Worship

We're just a couple days away from CF's Night of Worship, and it has been extremely exciting to see how God is bringing things together... lots of stress, lots of long days, but it is worthwhile as we are setting the stage, creating the environment for worship for God... and is there any better cause?

On a side note, I really need to give props to my lighting guys... Keith Thomas and Stephen Farr have gone above and beyond the call of duty for even staff members in redesigning our lights... Phenomenal...

In total, close to 30 Media Volunteers will be working during CF's Night of Worship. Thanks to all of you for giving of your time...

We are recording CF's Night of Worship on CD/DVD... if you're interested in pre-ordering the packaged, 2-disc set for $15, click the graphic below.

$15.00 - CF's Night of Worship (1 Copy) $30.00 - CF's Night of Worship (2 Copies) $45.00 - CF's Night of Worship (3 Copies) $60.00 - CF's Night of Worship (4 Copies) $75.00 - CF's Night of Worship (5 Copies)

Worship Leader "turned" Cameraman

Okay, so with this being Spring Break many of my Media volunteers were out of town... it was a scramble to put four teams together for all for CFPB services, and fill in gaps at the multisites...

So I picked up the phone, following a hot tip that CFH's own Berchman Paul was interested in learning camera. Got B's vmail. "Yo B. Heard you wanna run camera. You're on. Wear Black. CFPB @ 5pm. I'll teach you."

Berch did an awesome job. Check out his testimonial...

I've heard good reports. Looking forward to seeing B's handiwork again in a couple weeks.

Following another hot tip, drummer-turned-bookstore employee Chris Beckford will be zooming onstage next Saturday night...

What about you? Are you interested in running camera? sound? lights? computers? Now's the time! There are plenty of openings, and we need your help. Holler at me...

CFPB Debuts HD, New Control Room

Need to give props to the CF Media Staff and Volunteers...

CFPB debuted our new control room, new HD equipment, new systems for Worship Lyrics and Sermon Slides, tripled the number of cameras... and the service went phenomenal. Couldn't believe how well everyone adapted to the new control systems...

We're not quite at 100%, but we're close. Black burst is not quite working yet on some video inputs, and we're missing a "key" component... our second switcher!

Check out the video below to see a sample of our services...

CFPB Miami Easter Service from Jeff Reed on Vimeo.

Special props need to go to Hector Huyo, who put in a ton of extra hours to get the services working. He really did an incredible job. Kudos to volunteers Charlie Bearham and Juan Musino for directing in the new setup... they adapted very quickly.

On another note, check out Vimeo.com, a challenger to YouTube... I like the compression algorithms MUCH BETTER, although it took well over an hour to upload this video.

Jeff the Superhero/Villain

I've got a challenge for you, my readers...

CF recently announced that the next Ministry Rally/Volunteer Festival (in May) is going to be a SUPERHERO theme, and since I'm the comic book junky... I HAVE TO DRESS UP FOR THIS ONE... I'm usually not the guy that gets hyped up for dress up parties, etc... but come on, this is superheroes!

Since it's been established that I'm not that creative... I'm opening the floor to you... who should I be? It could be an existing superhero (Superman, Batman), a "hero" that's not Super (Locke from LOST) or someone you made up... (Captain Underpants). I'm even cool with being a VILLAIN!

Please be sensitive to the fact that I am a LARGE, bald man with a goatee... no one wants to see me in a Catwoman costume... and if you do, then you've got other problems... Just make me: 1) Culturally relevant - 2) Cool looking in my proposed costume - 3) Irresistible to women, well, maybe not.

The winning idea will get a $50 giftcard to C28 or The Living Word... winner's choice. After the winning idea is chosen (by myself and a panel of my choosing) I will open the floor again to costume design ideas...

Comment, email, or call in ideas...

CFHomestead @ Campbell Drive Middle School

I may have mentioned this in passing, but CFH is moving to Campbell Drive Middle School. For the Worship & Media at CFH, this is a HUGE GAIN! We have a full built-in stage, permanently installed seats, and an opportunity to permanently install speakers and lighting. The venue, when the dust settles, is going to be awesome! We've just got to get it there.

Check out Berch's firsthand account, but also check out Travis Johnson (Pastor, LifePointe Church)'s comments on CFH encroaching on his space. Travis was instrumental in us coming into Campbell Drive Middle, even though we are now DIRECTLY ACROSS CAMPBELL DRIVE from the Movie Theater where his church meets. Instead of being upset at another church muscling him out, Trav has been one of our largest supporters in the Homestead area. Cannot tell you how refreshing it is to work together and support (as opposed to ankle-biting and trash-talking) other churches. Trav, thanks for your support!

To seeing Homestead changed, from Campbell Drive out...

For the first time in months, I produced all four services at CFPB this wknd. Priscilla Armas led worship, Kenzie Moore sang backup. Yep. Both did awesome. Didn't look nervous. Seemed to be comfortable. And the audience connected with them in worship. Eric taught a great message on suffering. As part of our MasterPeace sermon series, it's hard to view God as "Master" over bad things... Natural Disasters, Suffering, Disease, Death, Evil... Check out the message. (Note: it should be online Tuesday - 3/11).

Media Reach Beyond

A couple weeks ago, I coordinated a Reach Beyond for the Media Ministry. Several people heard the story, and I quickly found myself on the other end of the camera. Note: I hate being on camera. And thanks again to the many volunteers who sacrificed a Friday night to come serve Miami.

Check out the video below. Thanks to Hector for making me look good. Believe me, that's not an easy thing to do.

Chain Smoking Pastor

"...That whole week I chain smoked as I prepared my sermon..."

Hilarious true story from one of CFs Teaching Pastor's during todays All-Staff Worship. I'm not going to out which one, but imagine a young man, nervous about speaking for the first time that buys a carton of Marlboros to calm his nerves as he prepares to preach the week before his first sermon...

CF Media Update (& Concert)

Open letter to CF Media Volunteers (all campuses)

It's been a crazy couple months, and in typical CF fashion we're not slowing down. CFWK launches this week, CFH is relocating to Campbell Drive Middle School next week, CFDT and CFR has it's official launch in mid-March, Easter is just around the corner, and the CFPB Studio Relocation is in it's final, final stages...

With all that going on, I've got some great news...

CF is having an All-Campus Worship Service and Live Recording Saturday, April 12 during the CFPB Worship Service. The Concert will include all original music from all of our Campus Worship Leaders (Sammy, JR, Berch, Abiel, Carlos, Brandon) and is going to be a phenomenal time for us to bring all our campuses together, under one roof, and celebrate our God!

On top of the concert, we are producing a live recording in our new Recording Studio (ProTools HD rig) and we are also producing a DVD of the Worship Celebration...

All the effort that we have put into Easter Pageant in past years we're putting into this Concert, and I am excited about the ministry opportunities and evangelical outreach that we are gearing up for through this event.

In the Media, this is an opportunity for all of our Directors, Coaches and Volunteers to work together, to serve together, to produce this Worship Environment. It will also be a great opportunity as Worship and Media people from all the campuses to come together and use our gifts, talents, and skills to create a worship environment, to worship God.

We're going to need help. Help building stages. Help programming lights. Help designing props. Help creating video vignettes. I'll be sending out some notices requesting some volunteer help in the coming weeks. If you're interested in helping, drop me a line.

We cannot do this event without the help of our volunteers. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness!

Superbowl @ Church? What Church?

Last year I posted an article about how the NFL was putting pressure on churches for having unauthorized Superbowl parties. Evidently the NFL believes they should restrict the viewing size of the game (limited to 55 inches), and church projection screens are TOO BIG! There was a great quote from a local pastor that the ruling by the NFL was "totally whack".

Well, times are changing, and now the NFL is allowing Superbowl parties to show on larger screens. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell evidently had a change of heart, or maybe his lawyers told him there's no way to enforce it... who can tell?

Which begs the question... THEORETICALLY next year where do I want to watch the Superbowl... which Christ Fellowship campus will get the nod...

CFPB: Potential huge gathering, electric atmosphere. Theater seating is a plus, sound system a major positive, screens so far away from audience is negative for football viewing.

CFH: Intimate, close family group. CFH is a portable campus and the fact is I'd be stressed that I had to tear everything down after the game.

CFWK: Huge honking screen. CFWK meets in a movie theater, so it really doesn't get any bigger than that. Unfortunately, the screen would likely be showing some chick-flick, and not the game of the year.

CFDT: Arguably the brightest, clearest screen of any in Christ Fellowship. Stained glass and historical landmark do help create the worship environment, but not so much football watching.

CFR: Beautiful screen that takes up more stage space (percentage) than any other screen. Audience is very close to screen. The players will literally be larger than life... Comfortable seats. Intimate atmosphere. And, knowing these guys, they'd be having a barbeque before the game.

It's a tough call for who would win this THEORETICAL contest... Gun to my head, I think I would attend CFR, but more because I'm a sucker for smoked brisket... and knowing that crowd, I bet we could convince them... stay tuned!

Buy Gear? Do I have to?

Alright. I think I'm done. Other than a couple VGA cables and some minor adapters that I've probably forgotten to buy, the buying for the multisite campuses are done.

Thank God.

I used to be the guy that loves gear. I'd flip through the newest B&H or Sweetwater Catalog... drool through the MacZone flyer or the CDW ad...

And now, after buying for four campuses (CFH, CFDT, CFR, and CFWK) and creating multiple venues on each campus (Anchor Harbor, Way Station, Revolution, and the Adult Venue) the CF Crew has bought A LOT of gear over the past year.... 16 venues worth...

Happily, I'm done.

No more specs. No more diagrams. No more charts. No more salesmen. No more descriptions.

It's time to stop. Stop acquiring and start using...

Of course, there is still CFPB's Studio Relo, and a ProTools HD Recording Studio we're currently building... so I guess the buying never stops!

Buying... You can't stop it, you can only hope to control it.

What just happened here?

Tonight, I witnessed 700+ people from all over Miami gather together to share their excitement about God...

Sure, it was one of the few times all five CF Campuses come together.

Sure, the band was all of the CF Campus Worship Leaders (+ JR) combined.

Sure, Media debuted HD Video tonight, and my crew had little or no time training on new equipment.

Sure, we had a little fun on the sound board, pushing levels beyond our standard norm.

Sure, the crowd applause was actually louder than the worship music itself.

Sure, we could focus on each of these elements individually. Instead, what I saw was a Church who is excited about God, and are not afraid to show that excitement on a multitude of levels.

I also saw a multitude of new volunteers show up. Landon had six new guys in the audio booth. Andy had four or five Photoshop guys in his office. Hector had a couple video editors. I get goosebumps thinking about how God is bringing these people together at such a pivotal time in our church, as we reach beyond our boundaries and strive to impact this city for Him.

God, thank you for allowing me this opportunity.

New Respect for Volunteers

This was a humbling couple days for me.

At the Palmetto Bay and Homestead Campus, Rick spoke this week on serving, and how at CF we ask our members to serve, not for earthly benefit, but for eternal reward.

Within the past couple days I've had experiences with people serving above and beyond the established "norm" without so much as batting an eye. And even though they do it selflessly, and not for earthly recognition, their dedication drives me to do more than I already am. Let me give you some examples:

* Willy. Willy helps in the Building and Grounds area at the Palmetto Bay Campus. Having been at CF for years, I've seen Willy around the church many times. Serving. Sweating. Physical labor stuff. I talked with him a couple days ago (he was drenched in sweat) and found out he's not on staff, but he volunteers every week to do physical labor stuff around the Palmetto Bay Campus. Let me repeat that... Volunteers to do physical labor stuff every week.

* Aubrey. Aubrey is one of the humblest, meekest guys I know... For years Aubrey has coordinated the Palmetto Bay Adult Worship Center. Guest Services. Ushers. Room Presentation. He's always one of the first guys there (even before most of the Media) and I have much to learn from his servant attitude. I had a nightmare last night about what CFPB would look like w/o Aubrey. It wasn't pretty.

* Eric & Jason. These two guys are my Media Dynamic Duo for CF Redland. Their drive for excellence in the CFR Adult Worship Venue is pushing me faster than I can move my crew. Pretty sad when the volunteers basically call and harass you because you aren't giving them the information they need to serve God better.

* Keith. Having recently accepting a part-time position as CF Downtown's Media Director, Keith has been putting a sick amount of hours and effort into helping create the worship environment at CFDT. Being sensitive to the time he has put in at CFDT, I recently pulled him away from some projects on the other campuses. Keith chastised me yesterday that while his paid job was working at CFDT, he would still be volunteering/serving on some of the other campuses... and I needed to stop giving his work to other people!

* Landon. Mike C. Mike S. Luke. James. We got some news from the theater where CF West Kendall is meeting. We need to fly some speakers, and were waiting to schedule a time. We were given a window Saturday night. We can install Monday from 6-9am Monday and 6-9am Tuesday. So I needed to find a crew of people who are willing to do hard labor at 6AM w/o even 24 hours notice. Ironically, it took maybe 10 minutes to put a team together. These guys agreed to do it w/o hesitation. (BTW, if you want to help, call/email me).

God, thank you for these and the MANY OTHER volunteers that serve thankless jobs so that we (as a collective) can worship You. Thank you for being worthy of our work, our worship, and our praise.

Ministry Rally in HD

Alright, I'm excited...

In case you're wondering why you should be attending Christ Fellowship's Ministry Rally Friday night, February 8th, I'm going to give you a reason...

HD. Yes, you heard me, HD. High Definition. Sharp. Crisp. Bright. B-E-A-utiful.

Several weeks ago Hector set up a test run of what our cameras will look after the studio relocates to the Worship Center... in a word... incredible.

So, after doing some thinking, talking, and planning, I'm hyped to announce that the Ministry Rally Friday night will be shown in HD. If you weren't planning on being there for the CFPB's debut into HD, change your schedule and be here for the Rally... I promise you, it'll be worth it... if not for the HD, then to see CF Staff make themselves look like idiots!

Haven't signed up yet? Do that here.

This will be the only sneak peek of HD @ CFPB before the studio is officially moved, which is stuck until we get the official permits (electrical, etc.)

Rock show? We prefer Worship Experience

So Landon shows me the house speakers that we are installing at Christ Fellowship West Kendall... and by show I mean cranking them up so loud that I can feel the wind blowing through the stubble I call hair.

Oh wait, I haven't said anything about West Kendall... the 3rd turn 5th campus of Christ Fellowship. Dwntwn and Redland aren't quite done with construction yet, and we're gearing up for CFWK's launch in early March. As you may recall CF West Kendall will be meeting in a movie theater off Kendall Drive and the Florida Turnpike. Prime location.

But I digress. Check out this PA system. Speakers will be permanently mounted behind our 50'+ screen for worship, hung maybe 30 feet in the air. Subs will also be mounted behind the screens. One of the three subs (and the sound board) are actually going to the CFWK Revolution Worship setup, so it won't be as big as pictured... maybe... having heard the setup, maybe there's some way...

Thanks to Guitar Center for the hookup! Gotta love the local guys!

If you're on the CFWK launch team... it's going to be a crazy couple months. Get ready.

Licensed? Try twice!

I hadn't talked much about it, but I've accepted a full-time position at Christ Fellowship as "Media Production Director". What that entails I really don't want to go into right now, but I'm serving full-time in a church helping create an environment of worship. This also means I'll be based out of the Palmetto Bay campus on wknds (at least most of the time) and have standard office hours @ CFPB's office Tue-Fri.

I've had a great relationship with Christ Fellowship/First Baptist Church of Perrine over the years, after all I grew up in this church. Today it was obvious how long it's been...

Today was my first day on the job, and JR excitedly pulled me into his office, saying he had something for me. I go in his office and he hands me a plaque... Christ Fellowship has decided to commission me as a minister of the gospel.

Awesome. I was floored. Totally flattered that CF was thinking this for me. Sincerely. Thank you CF.

The funny part is that the same church, then First Baptist Church of Perrine, did the same thing for me almost ten years ago. Then Youth Minister David Parks pushed to get me licensed by the church after I did some Interim Youth Director work for the church.

Which gets me thinking of the changes this church has gone through over the past ten years... EVERYTHING!

I think both certificates will go side-by-side in my office. I love the fact that two generations of Christ Fellowship leadership believes enough in me to give me this honor.

(And no, I haven't sold the bookstore or C28. This blog is about RUNNING, so 2008 is going to be a year of RUNNING).

God, thank you for this opportunity to reach Miami for Your Kingdom.

Guest Blogger: Volunteer & Ownership

I've asked Charlie Bearham to also step in as a guest blogger. Charlie is one of CF Palmetto Bay's Camera Directors in the Media Ministry, and helps with much of Media's Administrative duties. Honestly, CF Media owes much of what it is now to volunteers like Charlie who stepped up into volunteer roles, filling the voids where necessary. Charlie works in management for Jackson Health Systems in Miami, is married to Lydia and has two daughters.

I asked Charlie to share his thoughts on Volunteerism in the Church...
- - - - - - - - - -
I need to be honest. At times the line between being a volunteer versus feeling I was on the church staff has been blurry for me.  Family, work and personal attitude has suffered; but is that our church's fault? No, its mine and my generations lack of ability to set limits on time commitments.

No one at CF has ever said to me "hey you are not serving enough" or tried to lay a guilt trip on me.  But rather each time I have said "I need some time off" it’s been received with "ok we understand."

With that being said, I also believe that there is a difference in volunteering in other kinds of organizations and serving at church. Our mission is greater, our mission is life versus death, and our mission is eternal. So we must take ownership in our church, in our ministry, in our small group and beyond.

It takes both volunteers and church leaders to understand this. When volunteers step up and take ownership, (take the initiative to "lead" versus "being led"), so must the church leadership allow and create opportunities for volunteers to have a voice in setting the direction the ministry will go. Now please don't get me wrong. I fully understand that God has chosen certain men and women to be leaders of the church and we must ultimately follow their direction. But if we are to create a culture of ownership for volunteers, they should be brought into the planning phases, rather than hearing about future initiatives when all is said and done. Buy in comes naturally when the individuals feel a sense of ownership and cannot take the easy way out by blaming someone else for direction the team is going.

So how does this happen when you have different generations serving side by side, Traditionalist (pre-1946), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1964-1979) and the newest Generation Y (1977-2000) known to many as the echo-boomers, boomer babies,  millennials, the entitlement generation, or the digital generation. See Work Place Transformation article written by Cara Spiro.

Leadership has changed and decentralized organizations are here to stay, but there will always be leaders. Once we have tossed aside the crutch of hierarchical authority, leaders need to inspire by enabling others to be leaders. By making room for other leaders “you attract people who aren’t followers, who aren’t looking for the kind of leader who will save them from anxiety of responsibility” according to Michael Hopkins. By the way the millennial generation does not follow. By their nature, they need to lead.

At CF, we are looking for people of all generations to take ownership. Opportunities are endless. So the question is will you take ownership of my church, my ministry, my camera, my sound board, etc. or will you stand by the side of the road and regret that you didn't step up and move on to a greater sense of ownership.

Now is the time, there may not be a tomorrow. Please pray about it, and take the challenges that God has for us.

Rescued by his grace,

Charlie Bearham
Servant, Father, and Christian Business Leader.

CF Dwntwn's Jumbotron

Okay, so it's not quite Jumbotron, but it is nice to enjoy a worship service with a fully functional projector and screen.

I'll have to get you the model specifics for you guys later, but I am VERY IMPRESSED with this projector. (Hector always does a phenominal job on the Video specs). I was not a big Sanyo Projector guy until Hector came along, and they really are great bang for the buck! The projection screen was a Stewart Rear Projection Screen that we had "laying around" not bei