Worship & Production

Finding the Spark and a Giveaway!

Friends, I have a confession to make.

I've found myself in a busy season that seems to have squelched any spark of creativity.  I don't really want to read, write, or even listen to music . . . I'm feeling kind of artistically blah.

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  

I'm not worried about that spark coming back, mainly because I'm hard at work looking for it.  But losing that spark happens to the best of us, and usually at the most inopportune times!  Just when you really need your creative juices to be flowing is when they inevitably seem to dry up!  What's a person to do?

Here are a few of the things I've tried over the years.  Some have been more successful than others, but they've all helped me, in one way or another, to get past that creative block that can be so frustrating.

• Fill up!  I find that most of the artist work that I do requires that I pour something out/give something of myself away.  When I'm empty -- physcially, spiritually, emotionally, or intellecutally, I don't have anything to offer.  I'll grab a book, eat lunch, get away for some quiet time, or call a friend and fill that tank back up.  When I return to my work, there's something there to be given away.
• I go outside.  The sights, sounds, and smells of nature never fail to remind me of the creativity of God, and I almost always encounter something that sparks an idea.
• I find a new place. There's great value in having a place that is your work space -- your brain and your body know that when you get there, you are there to work.  But sometimes I need something new and fresh so I can approach an idea in a different way.  I find a new place to work and something clicks and I'm able to start.
• I get rid of my "go-to's" and do something unexpected.  Along the lines of the bullet above, sometimes what usually works won't work for some reason. I'll listen to some music I've never listened to before, I'll put away the books that usually help me get un-stuck and grab an economics book or a book on the inner workings of the U.S. military.  Anything unexpected that might shake something loose.
• I make myself WORK.  I will set a timer and won't get up or take a break or walk away until I've put in the time.  I may not always get a good product out of it, but eventually I find that working produces something -- even if all it is is a reminder that this is NOT what I wanted, I've still got a starting place.

What do you do/turn to when you're stuck and the spark won't strike?

Here's the giveaway:  I have 2 of these PIP's -- Personal Idea Pad's from The Accidental Creative. They're neat little products to help spur creative thinking by making connections between seemingly unrelated things.

Leave a comment on this blog, answering the above question and on Friday, two of you will be chosen (out of a very literal hat!) to receive your very own PIP! 

Staff Announcement

Friends --

It's moments like these that we know what the word "bittersweet" really means.

Many of you have already heard the news but for those of you that haven't, Jon Lloyd and his wife, Michelle, are leaving Prairie Lakes Church at the end of June.

This is a decision that they have been prayerfully considering and it's become evident that this is the direction in which God is leading them.  They are leaving one chapter of their story behind and entering a new one -- and what better legacy to leave behind than to listen to and follow when God calls?

Here's a short excerpt from Jon's personal blog:

Over the past several months we’ve been feeling God pulling us in a new direction. We’ve been constantly asking ourselves the question: Where in our life is God asking us to take the risk of trusting Him in a freefall? Where is God wanting us to be obedient to what He’s calling us to do? After taking time wrestling and discerning what God’s doing in our lives and where He’s leading, this is clearly the next right step.

They'll be leaving for Arizona where Michelle plans to go back into the classroom to teach and Jon is going to pursue some opportunities to do some creative coaching and consulting as he looks for a position.

We're sad to see them go but so very grateful that we had these three years with them, that as they go they are taking lifelong friendships with them, and that they are the kind of people willing to go when God says "Go."

Blessings to Jon and Michelle as they prepare for the next part of their journey!

What FAQ Might Jesus Have For Us?

Pastor John wrapped up our FAQ series this weekend by addressing some of "the big ones" -- some of the recurring questions we received from you throughout the last few weeks.  As I was thinking about some of the questions we saw and preparing to evaluate what we did and how we did it (something we do weekly,)  I felt a prompting to consider a different kind of question.

What are the "FAQ" that Jesus asks of me?

I think very often, we choose to believe that he looks at us like a cross school-teacher, with his hands on his hips, glaring at us over his bifocals, and shouting, "What is the MATTER with you?!" But I don't think that the frequently asked questions that Jesus would have us answer have anything much to do with our behavior.  I think they're much deeper--and much more difficult--than that.

Here's what I think he is asking: 

Do I reflect and embody Jesus to the people around me?  Are people drawn to the Jesus they see in me, or do they see him in me at all?  Do people crave the presense of Jesus in me -- do they sense that there is something I bring with me to our conversations and our relationship that is different and somehow more than other people?  Am I like him -- not just in my deeds, but in who I am?  Do I love like him?  Am I like him not only in his actions, but in his motivations and in his spirit?  

Are people different because of the Jesus that is in me?  Am I different?

There are lots of questions that are worth asking and answering.  There are a lot of things that are worth understanding.  There is a lot of knowledge out there that we would be wise to gain.  But all of it is for nothing if  we can't answer the other questions.

 

It's time to celebrate!

VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION

Please re-read the graphic above.  It says, "We love our volunteers".  And it's true.  It's SO true.  We can't say, or show, often enough just how honored we are to serve alongside each one of you.  But, we'd like to keep trying!  You should have received an invitation in the mail to the Volunteer Celebration at your campus [if you didn't - be sure to check with your Worship/Tech director and make sure they have your correct address on file].  We're looking forward to celebrating you and enjoying a fun night together!

• Cedar Falls - Thursday, April 26th
• Osage - Wednesday, May 2nd
• Waterloo - Tuesday, May 8th

Please let us know if you are planning to attend, so we can best prepare for the night!  You can RSVP online HERE [by April 23rd for Cedar Falls/Osage and by April 27th for Waterloo].

PLANNING CENTER UPDATES

Summer is approaching [although it seems like it's already arrived], and we know that celebrations, vacations, bonfires, and camping are bound to happen.  So, we'd love it if you would take a minute to update your Planning Center availability by blocking out any dates you are unavailable to serve over the next few months.  This helps our team schedule more effectively, so we really appreciate you taking the time to help us out!

SUMMER ALL TEAM MEETING

Please check in with your Worship and Tech Director to get the summer schedule for All Team Meetings at your campus! 

Also, be on the lookout for dates and information about our Annual All Campus Fall Retreat!

Programming for Multi-Site

We've had a lot of conversations recently, here in W&P, about what we do, how we do what we do, and how to continue to do it better.  The end goal is, of course, to have services where what we do is to make beautiful space in which people can encounter and engage with our Creator and Creative God -- who makes all things new and who is making us new.

One of the big questions we've encountered is how to responsibly program for a 3, soon to be 4, campus church with limited local resources.  We want to know that all of our congreagations have been invited into a similar spiritual journey, while giving each campus ownership and responsiblity to choose the particular tools they use to craft that journey.

Below is a brief explanation of the elements of the journey we've identified, and the questions your ministry staff are considering as they craft these journeys.

 

*Call to Worship: This element asks and seeks to answer the questions, "Where are people when they enter our services?", and "What do they need to help them begin to bridge the gap between the 'busyness, brokenness, and two-kingdom life on the outside, to the peaceful, whole, and one kingdom life on the inside'?" They were up late worrying about bills, their marriage, their kids, or their health.  They're rushing to get ready, fighting on their way to church, and dropping kids off at check-in.  They're busy and distracted and all over the place.  The Call to Worship asks them (and gives them permission and space) to begin this journey.

*Uniting: This element asks and seeks to answer the question, "What do people need to move closer into community, unity, and oneness of spirit/mind?" The idea here is to continue to move people together and toward a common experience.  This doesn't mean that this portion of the service will eliminate anything new. Just as most people likes ice cream but people have different tastes in toppings.

*Worship/Sacrifice: This element seeks to ask and answer the question, "How do we invite people to engage with the glory and greatness of God in a way that awakens and engages their deep heart, emotions, and understanding?"  This is costly and requires a sort of sacrifice.  We want to invite them and engage them in the challenging and costly aspects of worship that requires their response.  

*Resolution/Transition: We want to bring the journey to a resolution (although hopefully not to an end) in a way that responsibly returns them to a place where they're ready for what is next.  

As we craft these jouneys we'll use tools like scripture, stories, space/silence, explicit instruction or invitaions, song selection, musical arrangements and instrumentation, video, spoken word pieces, lighting, stage design, spacial orientation, truth-telling or admonition, choices in leadership, etc.  What this means is that Song A may stylistically fit better in a service for one campus while Song B fits stylistically better at a different campus, but both lyircally and tonally accomplish the same thing -- creating safe space for people to draw toward God. 

What kind of spiritual journey does God have you on these days?

 

Monday Soup

I love Sunday afternoon's spent scouring my notes and clipped web pages for these posts.  They're quiet and full of all kinds of interesting and amazing things.  Enjoy this week's scavengings.  And as always, do your own scouring and let us know what makes up the latest and greatest in your world!

• I love stories of redemption, and this is one of the best I've ever encountered.  If you've not seen The Mission, or if it's been awhile since you watched it, change that this week.  You won't regret it.  Here's a clip of one of the most powerful moments in the movie.  
• Jeff Goins is a blogger and a writer I read and admire.  This is a fantastic post about the power of words.  Writer or not, it's worth the read and the reminder.
• Creative Theology is a website and blog that brings those two ideas -- creativity and theology -- together.  Lovely!
• This is SO TRUE!   
• I know we're not all poetry readers, but as we approach Easter I wanted to include a beautifully written portion of one of my favorite poems, Four Quartets, by T.S. Eliot.  It comes from the second quartet, "East Coker":

IV

The wounded surgeon plies the steel
That quesions the distempered part;
Beneath the bleeding hands we feel
The sharp compassion of the healer's art
Resolving the enigma of the fever chart.

Our only health is the disease
If we obey the dying nurse
Whose constant care is not to please
But to remind us of our, and Adam's curse,
And that, to be restored, our sickness must grow worse.

The whole earth is our hospital
Endowed by the ruined millionaire,
Wherein, if we do well, we shall
Die of the absolute paternal care
That will not leave us, but prevents us everywhere.

The chill ascends from feet to knees,
The fever sings in mental wires.
If to be warmed, then I must freeze
And quake in frigid purgatorial fires
Of which the flame is roses, and the smoke is briars.

The dripping blood our only drink,
The bloody flesh our only food:
In spite of which we like to think
That we are sound, substantial flesh and blood-
Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good.

Such a beautiful reminder.

News-day, Tuesday

AUDITIONS

If you or someone you know is interested in auditioning for the Worship Team, you're in luck!  Auditions are right around the corner and here's some information on those upcoming dates:

• Cedar Falls Campus - Monday, March 5, and Tuesday, March 6, starting at 7 p.m. in the Cedar Falls Worship Center. Contact wnpcedarfalls@prairielakeschurch.org to schedule an audition.
• Waterloo Campus - Tuesday, March 6, starting at 7 p.m. in the First Lutheran Worship Center. Contact wnpwaterloo@prairielakeschurch.org to schedule an audition [auditions are booked in 15 minute time slots].

ALL TEAM MEETING

In Cedar Falls and Waterloo, NEXT Thursday, March 8th, we'll be having our All Team Meeting. Come share a meal and great community time with folks at your campus!  Email your worship or tech director with any questions. 

PLANNING CENTER UPDATES

We're nearly in March... and that means Spring Break, Easter and Summer Vacation are rapidly approaching.  So, this is a good time for a reminder to take some time to go in Planning Center and block out any dates you are unavailable to serve.  This helps the Worship and Tech Directors a lot when scheduling for the weekends!  Thanks, in advance, for taking some time to help us out!

All Team and Auditions!

Here are a few reminders of some upcoming events in the W&P Community:

• In Cedar Falls and Waterloo, THIS Thursday, February 9th, we'll be having our All Team Meeting.  Look forward to seeing you there!
• Coming soon, we'll be holding auditions for Worship Teams at each of our campuses. 

If you would like details about your campus' All Team, OR if you are interested in auditioning, please contact your campus Worship Director for details!

W&P All Team

 

If you've served in the W&P community, you may know what we're talking about when we say "All Team."  If you're new to serving, if you just signed up at All Access, or if you've just never attended an All Team, you may wonder what all the fuss is about.

All Team is our monthly ministry gathering.  Each campus' All Team looks a little different, but essentially it's a chance for all of our serving teams (hence the name!) to get together, enjoy some community, catch some vision, and get to know each other.  (There's usually food involved, too!)

Because W&P requires  something more than a "show-up-and-serve" committment, and because it's so vital that our tech and worship volunteers operate as one team on a weekend, we really need you to be part of the W&P community.  All Team is one important way we do that.

Depending on your campus, you may find yourself serving a meal, being asked to teach a lesson or write an article for our Inspired Wednesday's here on the blog, or grilling for the rest of the teams.  Sometimes we just hang out and have a good time!

If you're a current or prospective volunteer, please make every effort to attend your campus' All Team this month!  You'll find a place to connect, a place where you can learn, and a place where your artistic or technical expertise will be developed and applauded.

Contact your worship leader or tech director for more information about times and dates at your campus!

Monday Soup

 

Another one bites the dust, huh?  I can't believe that before the week is out, we'll be in February!  My mom always told me that time moves quickly, but it still never ceases to amaze me how quick "quickly" really is!

Here are some recent finds for your creative brains.  Enjoy!

• A great article at Relevant about whether there is a place for creative Christians.  Loved the interviews.
• One of my favorite blogs of all time.  Parker Young is a photographer in NYC and sees the world through a beautiful lens.  
• Great infographic on color!Courtesy of NowSourcing, Inc Great infographic!
• And an album I've very much enjoyed in the last few weeks.