247Think

I was chatting with a friend today and made a reference to Pinky and the Brain.  All I got back was a "huh?"  So I had to enlighten her of a great piece of American culture...and I now I'd like to share with the rest of you unfortunate souls that have missed out on the brilliance...enjoy!

That's right, today at physical therapy, they actually had me walk without crutches.  Can't say how something so basic gets me so fired up.

Now dancing may be another story...(not that I could dance before this whole thing anyway!)

I know this isn't part of my worship leader series of posts, but thought it was a really cool resource to share.  Wikiquote is a website that allows anyone to search quotes on a particular topic or author within seconds.  For example, I searched Winston Churchill and was given a page full of quotes by him, divided into topic (see it here).  Here's one quote I found on childhood and youth:

Where my reason, imagination or interest were not engaged, I would not or I could not learn. (Roving Commission: My Early Life (1930))

Great quote and just a phenomenal resource.  So check it out.  It's great for preparing speeches, papers, or blog posts on a variety of topics.  Hope you enjoy!

I made mention last week that I would blog about all the things that go on in the mind of a worship leader.  Since then, I have decided to do a little blog-series on different aspects of the worship leader:  the role, the challenges, the common mistakes, and the next generation.

Before I dive into all of that, here is a little history on Kevin Bradford the worship leader.  I led for the first time when I was a freshman in college at my home church, First Baptist Church of North Augusta, for the student service.  Back then we did powerful worship songs like “Pharoah Pharoah” and “I’ve Got A River of Life”  (What were we thinking???)  

After that, I went off to college in Nashville, TN, at Belmont University (go Bruins!) and eventually started leading worship for a student ministry at Judson Baptist Church.  This is where I really began to grow as a worship leader.  Sure there were cheesy camp songs, but there were also songs with meaning and power.  The first song I can remember like that was Better is One Day by Matt Redman.  It makes me laugh at how awkward I was then.  I would become so nervous if I had to say anything to the students over the mic…like, “Come on and clap your hands” was a struggle!  I did a lot of eye closing during those days…

After that, I moved up in the world and began leading worship for adults at a new church in Frederick, MD, called Summit Trace Church.  I began to dive more into worship books and discovered songs with a lot of depth to them that really connected my soul to worship.  I learned so much during this time.  I had a mentor for a short time that had led worship for many years at various Vineyard Churches around the country.  I remember him describing the unique role of a worship leader as being the ebb and flow of God to the people and the people to God.

The next six or seven years have seen me continue in my growth as a worship leader in North Augusta, SC. I have specifically realized that corporate worship is not about me and my time of worship, but rather it is about gauging where people are at and then leading them to a deeper understanding and experience of God.

So that is my background as a worship leader.  In the next post, we will take a look at the role of the worship leader.  This will be fun...

Pop Goes the Church: Should the Church Engage Pop Culture?

I'm reading through Tim Stevens new book, Pop Goes The Church, and I came across this phrase:

"It is about building churches that focus more on preparing followers to live in culture and leverage the culture rather than criticizing and building walls of protection around our commune-like congregations."

My mind is racing with a single thought: churches around the country are doing a terrific job leveraging culture to reach people, but are we training people how to do the same? It's the know-how of taking the hottest songs, movies, television shows, or whatever, and connecting the dots from one soul to God.

How do we accomplish this? I'd like to start the conversation here...so if you have a thought, leave a comment...

Today is the third day after my surgery and I am surprisingly feeling really, really good.  I actually was up for getting out of the house today so we packed up the kids in the van and went to church.  That was nice for me for a lot of reasons.  First, to get out of the house and actually smell fresh air was very welcomed.  Second, having lots of people express concern and compassion to our family just makes a guy feel incredibly loved!  Third, to be able to go to church, sit with my wife through the whole service, and not have to worry about any of the details was surreal.  I made this comment on the TNC Blog earlier while posting the set list that most people would never understand all that goes through the mind of a worship leader during a service.  I think I'm going to post something later this week about all that floods my mind on a given Sunday..make sure to check back for that.  We'll have some fun!

Laurie has been phenomenal.  I'm convinced she moonlights as "Wonder Woman"!  To take care of five kids (yes, I added myself to that count), keeping us fed, keeping the house clean, and playing referee, she's got my vote for the next president (though she has gratefully already declined that position).

The kids are taking it all in.  Austin, our 8 year old, and Stephen, 5, have pitched in and done everything we've asked them to.  Responsibility and maturity are just two words that come to mind.  Zane, 3, and Ella, almost 2, are very loving and sweet and extremely curious about my leg brace and bandages.  Zane has even told me lately that both his knees are hurting now.  Got to love the innocence of children!

So this week brings three physical therapy sessions and the hopes that I'll be about ready to drop the crutches by the end of the week.  All the prayers and outpouring of love in various ways from friends and church family has been cool.  I'm convinced that is one way God gives us a big old hug!

It's just before 7:00 am and my doctor just came in to check out everything. The surgery went very well. We should be heading home this morning after a stop at the physical therapist.

It's amazing to me the knowledge and skill of people in the medical field. Knowing exactly what to do when to do it and always doing with a smile (at least that was my experience!). Thanks to all you who checked on me in some form or fashion. I can definitely feel the love!

Now for the journey to recovery...
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything

The staff at TrueNorth is reading a book by Stephen Covey Jr titled The Speed of Trust. I highly recommend this book as it has taught me a whole lot of stuff about how the level of trust effects everything in our lives, from family to friends to work.

This week's chapter we discussed was all about learning to listen first. How many times have you been in a conversation with someone and while they are talking you are already formulating in your mind what you will say next? I know that is something I struggle with a lot. There's also prentend listening...you know what I mean, right? It's that glazed over, disinterested look people get when they could careless what you have to say.

Some of the things we brought out are how important it is to listen to others with your eyes, ears and heart and to listen without an agenda! People want to be heard in our culture today. That's why we have blogs and text messaging and Twitter and Facebook and everything else that allows us to put our thoughts and opinions out for all to see...without interruption!

For me, I'm really going to start practicing listening by keeping my agenda out of the conversation until I have heard the other person thoroughly and also being aware how much my body language portrays my level of attentiveness. After all, it shows others I care about what they have to say!

Typing that post title, my mind is drawn to the Matrix Trilogy, specifically Matrix Reloaded.  Maybe they will release a fourth one...Matrix Overloaded.  Anyway, I digress...

As I have expressed before, I am enjoying a new form of social networking called Twitter.  Twitter is a micro-blogging service that allows people to keep up with you throughout the day.  I have found it to be a great way to connect with friends and family, as well as leaders in the church world (you will find leaders in any field that you can find in order to stay current on thoughts and trends in that industry).

Twitter Overload

Well, one downfall to Twitter is the dreaded whale picture seen to the right.  If you see Moby over here, that means Twitter is experiencing high traffic and the service is not available.  It usually does not last long, but it can be irritating.  I do believe the tech folks of Twitter are on top of it though because these inconveniences are short lived these days.

So there, I admit one thing I do not like about Twitter.  But to all you nay-Twitterers out there, I am not giving it up!  (That means this guy.)

For those of you on Twitter or curious about it, stop by when you get a chance.

Today marks one week from my dreaded, but welcomed, knee surgery.  Yes, if you haven't heard (you know, both of you), I am having surgery to repair a torn ACL in my left knee.  I can't express the excitement that I have about this.  I'm ecstatic.  (Can you feel the sarcasm?)

Seriously, once it's all said and done, I'll actually be able to run around and play with my kids which I can't do right now for fear of blowing my knee out.  I'm 31 and I'm an invalid.

So...anybody want to play some basketball in about 8 months???