Arts Blog : Life in Ministry

Praying for Weekend Services

Pam Howell — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:50:00 GMT

Lord, for those servants who are preparing for services, we ask that they draw on Your strength. Give boldness to Your teachers. Give wisdom, discernment and love to Your leaders. Give peace and confidence to Your artists. May You be raised up high in...(read more)

DISINVITING TEAM MEMBERS

Nancy Beach — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:20:00 GMT

I just got off the phone with an arts leader from a church in western Canada. He is trying to take his music worship team to the next level and believes that some of the faithful current team members do not possess the music skill required. Of course...(read more)

BOOMERS STEP ASIDE?

Nancy Beach — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:47:00 GMT

Last week's edition of Newsweek magazine included a 2-page article at the very back, written by long-time columnist Anna Quindlen. For 9 years, Anna has been writing "The Last Word" piece every other week for that magazine. While I don't...(read more)

Creative Leadership from the 23rd century

Tony Kim — Mon, 11 May 2009 08:07:00 GMT

I enjoyed a weekend of watching Star Trek not once but twice. It’s been over 15 years since the valiant crew of the original Starship Enterprise had sought out new life forms and civilizations. It was worth the wait. It is sure to please both long time...(read more)

A Challenging Combination

Pam Howell — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:23:00 GMT

Families. The best of them are challenging. They can bring the best out of you and easier than we would care to admit they can bring the worst out of us. Families & ministry. There is a challenging combination. Both incredibly wonderful. Both incredibly...(read more)

Checking In

Pam Howell — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:31:00 GMT

I'm still thinking about the message this weekend ... because I was producing the services this weekend I heard the message 3 times. The phrase I am still wrestling with is "Let's be real clear, we are doing this for Christ." I think...(read more)

Soil Testing

Pam Howell — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:39:00 GMT

I have a very limited background in agriculture. My grandfather had a glorious backyard garden but my contribution was primarily eating the fruits and vegetables. However, as I have grown older and attempted a garden myself I have learned the significance...(read more)

A NEED FOR A RESPONSE

Nancy Beach — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:19:00 GMT

Yesterday I participated in my first audio webinar for Worship Leader magazine . I have done some video kinds of training, but this was the first time I had to simply speak into a phone receiver and communicate essentially without seeing any faces. At...(read more)

DO RIGHT THE THING – PART 2

Pam Howell — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:27:00 GMT

Layoffs seem to be a regular part of our world these days. In a continuation of yesterday's list here are some more things to pay attention to when having to lay people off. I am sure there are many of you that could add to this list, please do. "Where...(read more)

DO THE RIGHT THING

Pam Howell — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:44:00 GMT

There isn't a week (sometimes a day) that goes by that someone isn't telling me that they've been laid off. Whether they have been let go from the corporate world or the church there are some stories to celebrate and some that make me cringe...(read more)

Brainstorming is broken

Tony Kim — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:15:00 GMT

For over 10 years, I have attended countless creative brainstorming meetings about service programming, marketing ideas, and creative events. As much as I hate to say it, I have concluded that brainstorming DOES NOT WORK. At least not the traditional...(read more)

You shall not marry your wife's sister...

Tony Kim — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:35:00 GMT

Let's face it, the Bible is weird. It's filled with spectacular stories, mystical beings, and strange laws , such as: You shall not marry your wife's sister You shall not trim the corners of your beard You should not lie on a bed where a menstruating...(read more)

How to use a Flamethrower

Tony Kim — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 20:58:00 GMT

Throughout the history of war, the flame thrower has been one of the most iconic symbols of power and destruction on the battlefield. Used in almost every war this century, this weapon is capable of spreading maximum amount of carnage in a maximum amount...(read more)

Let's have a difficult conversation...

Tony Kim — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:37:00 GMT

I have heard leadership described in many ways. A leader is a: visionary, role model, problem solver, teacher,strategist, chearleader, shepherding, and the list goes on and on. These are all great leadership qualities. However, what does leadership ultimately...(read more)

Get Ready

Pam Howell — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:26:00 GMT

There is a lot to get ready for the weekend's service - charts to write, rehearsals to lead, lights to aim ... it can be easy to pay attention to tasks; people will notice if the end product is incomplete or less then excellent. So, sometimes we compromise...(read more)