WCA Worship Arts Blog

towardwonder.com

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Finnegan) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:04:00 +0000

Our new website is finally up and running….and we are very excited about it! At towardwonder.com, you are able to find thousands of service support products like videos, messages, drama scripts, holiday packages, music and more. You will find downloadable training for your team, along with details about Wonder ’09, the 2009 Arts Conference and regional arts gatherings for leaders and volunteers. Lastly, you’re able to connect with other artists and teachers through the Idea network and blog.

Thanks for reading our blog here. We will no longer be adding new posts on this site, so please join the conversation at towardwonder.com.

All Kinds of Thursday Action at ARISE

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:28:00 +0000

I’ve had so much fun today hearing about the variety of experiences connected to the Arise conference. With over 160 different workshops, scheduled conversations with leading artists, a learning expo filled with ideas and practical equipment, and 3 hour Point Leader sessions with some terrific teachers, the attenders could custom design their day.
We capped it off with the Film Festival tonight, where I celebrated creative and impactful video work from many different churches. I can’t wait to hear more stories of how today went for everyone, because I spent my day teaching small groups. I love the more intimate settings, when I can roll up my sleeves with other arts leaders and pastors and talk about the behind the scenes challenges we face in building ministries.

Most of all, I’m thrilled that we can all see we’re not as alone as we think we are, and our problems aren’t entirely unique. I love to watch us exchange ideas, affirm one another, and exhort one another to persevere and stay the course. I locked eyes with some men and women who inspired me with their stories of God’s faithfulness in the midst of tremendous obstacles. I won’t soon forget their faces – they will keep me going!

I can’t wait for our two final sessions tomorrow, including the music of Kendall Payne, the teaching of Richard Allen Farmer and Francis Chan, and a closing that I’m hoping and trusting God will use to launch us all back to our home churches with a sense of hope and tremendous resolve. What a profound privilege to be a part of this event. I am honored to be among all these remarkable individuals who give their lives and surrender their gifts to the advancement of the kingdom.

Thanking the Lord For a Good Day at ARISE

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:08:00 +0000

It’s almost bedtime, and I’m reflecting back on the first day of the Arts Conference. My overwhelming feeling toward God is one of gratitude. The Lord was with us moment by moment, from the drum line beginning all the way through to the song Love at the end. The drum line is a group from the south side of Chicago, a neighborhood called Englewood, where I was actually born. It was started by a young leader who wanted to do something constructive to get kids in that under-resourced neighborhood off the streets.

I was struck all day long by a very sweet spirit in the room. As I taught the first session, it seemed like all of us needed a time of cleansing, confession, and renewed surrender. I hope others will dig into Psalm 40 even further, because it is full of riches for artists and teachers!

Mr. Gilles St. Croix is a delightful man. I think he’s one of those creative geniuses who is so good at what he does that he has trouble explaining it. I wanted so much more time with that interview than the 30 minutes. But I’m not sure if we had more time (based on my additional conversations with Gilles) that he could have articulated what I most wanted to understand – how he and his team have developed their artistic instincts for what makes something beautiful, what makes a moment work, how to fix it when it’s not working. I bet I speak for most of us when I say how much I would treasure watching Gilles at work, observing a creative concept session and an early rehearsal of a Cirque show. I know we only scratched the surface in the interview, and long to learn more from the artistic excellence of that amazing organization.

Finally, I was grateful for the stretching time we experienced with Brian McLaren. I know not everyone agrees with all that Brian writes and speaks about, but I certainly hope we can all agree that Christians need to become more intentional and passionate about bringing God’s kingdom to earth, helping to solve some of the gravest problems in this world. I thought Brian’s list of what artists can uniquely do was worth a lot of further thought and processing. “Humanizing the other” is such a beautiful goal for artists and pastors to aim for.

Well, it’s my bedtime. I look forward to teaching all day tomorrow, to connecting in more intimate settings with some of the incredible people who made their way to Chicago for this event. God has been abundantly good to me and to all of us on this day, and I can’t wait to see what awaits us tomorrow…

Welcome to Arise!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Finnegan) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:09:00 +0000

Good morning and welcome to Arise! We are so thrilled to have all of you here and are excited to see how God will move among us over the next three days. We have been praying for each of you and trusting that God will meet you in powerful ways.
There are many exciting things going on each day…

If you haven’t settled on your Thursday schedule, there are still openings in some of the Point Leader classes. Conference Solutions will help you get signed up if you’d like to attend.

On Thursday night, there are a few tickets still available for Jersey Boys, the Tony Award winning Best Musical of 2006, which tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Check with Conference Solutions for that too.

Lastly, take some time to share your bloopers at the video confessional today. If you have the best story, you may make it into the final video.

Make the most of your time here, get involved, meet new people, share deeply with your team and be open to all that God has in store for you. We’d like your experience with us to be encouraging and rewarding. If you have even a modicum of concerns, please let us know, we’d like to help.

Enjoy Arise!

Good Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:54:00 +0000

We have been counting the days you would arrive for some time now. We have been praying, planning and preparing. We’ve been up early and up late. Adding finishing touches. And making final decisions.

Wednesday morning is finally here. And I believe we all come with a sense of expectancy. There are old friends to be reunited with. New relationships to look forward to. New learnings to grasp. Old ways to let go of.

We come with a desire for God to work in us and through us. We come hoping for God to inspire us and to speak to us. We are here to changed and renewed.

As we begin this experience together, I offer this prayer by David Adam.

O Lord God, Creator of all
Open my eyes to beauty
Open my mind to wonder
Open my ears to others
Open my heart to you.

God bless your days.

Arise Arts Conference Begins Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:55:00 +0000

I am staring out my office window at the sparkling lake on our church campus, so very excited about the thousands of church artists and teachers who will make their way here in the morning for the Arise conference. Even if you haven’t registered by now, you can just show up and register in the morning to join us! We’d love to have you here.

For those who cannot come this year, we would deeply appreciate your prayers. Nothing of substance will happen between now and Friday afternoon without the supernatural outpouring of God’s Spirit on every moment, in every session and workshop and conversation. Please pray that we will sense a mighty wind of the power of our Creator, moving among us and surprising us with His grace.

I’ll be giving some updates at the end of each day, hoping to give you a glimpse of what God does in this place. For the sake of His kingdom…

Come For The Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Finnegan) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:05:00 +0000

On Thursday, June 12, over 40 trusted technology vendors from around the country will display at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg as a part of the Arts Conference Learning Expo. Some of the top audio, video, lighting, scenic, etc. vendors will have staff on hand to show guests the latest in technology as well as to answer questions about their equipment or technical arts in general. A few of the vendors include: Yamaha, Panasonic, Shure, Sensaphonics, Digidesign, Acoustic Dimensions, Meyer Sound, Rosco Labs, Vari-Lite....and many more.

While admittance to the Learning Expo is included in the regular conference registration fee, we are opening up Expo only registration for our local technical artists who are not able to attend the entire conference but would still love to attend and receive the benefits of the Expo. The day rate to attend the Expo only is $30. No need to register – just show up and pay at the door.

The Expo is open from 8:30am until 7:00pm. From 5:00pm until 7:00pm, we will move into our “After Hours” Expo. Light refreshments will be served and door prizes will be raffled off during the After Hours.

Of course, you are still able to attend the entire conference. Simply show up tomorrow at registration and we’ll get you in.

Hope to see you at the Expo or at the Conference.

If you are attending ARISE

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:30:00 +0000

I wanted to remind all of you attending ARISE that in an effort to be green we will not be printing out materials for breakouts. You must go to the ARISE site & click either the download button at the bottom of the page or go to the Breakout page and click the Breakout Handout button to retrieve your handouts. You will then see at the top of the download resources page, Breakout Handouts. Click that & find your breakout. You can download them to your computer & work from there during the conference. Or you can print them out & bring them with you.

Not all of the breakouts have handouts. If you don't see your breakout there now, check before you come. Hard to believe but some of our breakout speakers were delayed in turning in their handouts:)

Looking forward to seeing you.

Your Life Matters

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:33:00 +0000

God, I claim the promise that my life matters to you. I am here because you love me, and because I am loved by you my life has meaning and eternal significance.

When things get hard, help me to remember that nothing can thwart your purpose for me. You are always in control, I praise you. Lord, for your goodness to me and for the gift of this, my one and only life.
Marie Carlson

It’s almost Father’s Day

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:58:00 +0000

I can’t believe June is here. My boys finished school Friday, the conference is 8 days away, I leave on vacation two days after the conference (Father’s day) and it feels like June is gone!

So, I’ve been thinking of Father’s day but conference details have kept me busy. I’ve been meaning to post some ideas that leaders were kind enough to pass on. I’d love to hear what your church is planning.

Northridge Church’s Roxann Powell and Kim Graf were kind enough to share some music plus ideas they have used in the past. A musical duet with a dad and daughter of Unforgettable with pictures of dads & children, made a memorable moment. They also used the song Daughters by John Mayer.

One year they used Phil Collins song You’ll be in my Heart. They choreographed a series of life moments throughout the song. It began with a dad center stage. A mom came out, handed him a baby girl and the Father danced her around to the music. The same mom came out from the other side of the stage with a 5 year old girl; she ran out to hug her dad and then stood on his feet as they danced. Next came a teenage girl talking a phone, looking annoyed, reluctantly she hung up and took her dad’s hand and they began to dance. Her mood changed and she began to enjoy the time with her father, eventually laying her head on his shoulder. The daughter had ended each scene by putting her head on her father’s shoulder. Finishing the song, a bride comes out and dances with her dad. People were very moved.

Many churches are doing some extra events for Father’s day. Last year, one church I was visiting had a barbecue and a photographer available to take pictures of dads with their families on a big ol’ Harley. My church has a car show. It brings many people out to church that wouldn’t normally come.

So, what have you got planned? Or what did you do last year? Share the ideas, I am sure there are many like me that can’t believe that June is here and Father’s day is just around the corner.

The Ballad of Emmet Till

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:17:00 +0000

Last night I saw one of the plays in my much-appreciated subscription series to Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. The play, The Ballad of Emmett Till, is based on a tragic event that took place in Mississippi in the summer of l955. A young Chicago boy, 14-year-old Emmett Till, was visiting relatives down south. For the crime of allegedly making an improper advance to a young white female store clerk, Emmett was tortured and beaten to death. His body was thrown into the Tallahatchie River. The only way his mother could recognize his remains was by a ring engraved with the initials of Emmett’s father. This horrific event echoes through our history, reminding us of the terrible injustice that raged through our land just before the enormous struggle for civil rights erupted in the l960’s.

I was looking forward to experiencing this night in the theatre. And I am sorry to say that my friends and I were deeply disappointed. We wondered how such an incredibly powerful story could end up feeling so flat and fail to engage the audience. The acting and directing, and most certainly the stunning design, were not the problem. I believe the “miss” was all in the writing - which felt predictable, overdone, and lacked vitality.

Later I thought about how Christian artists and teachers possess the most incredible story to tell in the universe. And yet sometimes in the telling, we miss as well. Our words and music and images rarely capture the wonder of the gospel, the glory of creation, the miracle of grace, the sovereign power of our Holy God. So much rests in the writing – in the craft of the words we choose, the images we portray, the music we compose, the dances we choreograph. I for one long to break out of the same old way of telling such a marvelous story. My experience in theatre last night inspired me not because of greatness, but because I felt so empty at the end. I don’t want people coming to church to leave feeling flat, disengaged, uninspired. Certainly the Holy Spirit and his anointing power plays an enormous part. But so do we, the humans who prepare and design and write and communicate. May we increasingly do our part with innovation, vitality, and fresh words for timeless truths.

A Stretching CD From Aaron Niequist

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:12:00 +0000

I’ve been enjoying – and stretched by- the most recent CD from worship leader Aaron Niequist (formerly from Mars Hill in Grand Rapids). With Broken Fists takes listeners to deeper places I’m hoping all of us will go to – places where we surrender ourselves to God for his purposes of advancing the kingdom and bringing about social justice. The very first song, Resistance, calls us to being a part of the resistance, a movement of God that refuses to settle for the way things are. How refreshing to think thoughts about leveraging our gifts for holy purposes through songs of worship. Aaron is one of several songwriters these days who is expanding our language beyond songs of comfort and songs of praise – all of which certainly have their place – to songs of action, confession, and transformation of our broken planet. Many of his songs propel me out of my cushy, predictably routine life to want to risk something bigger for God.

In the third session of the arts conference this year, I will be interviewing Brian McLaren, and asking him to help us answer these questions: What can church artists do to make a difference in solving some of the biggest problems in our world? Do we have anything unique to offer? What is our role? I can’t wait to unpack with Brian some of his tremendous thinking from his book, Everything Must Change. That session will also include some video and dramatic pieces we’ve used at our church to awaken the congregation toward justice. As much as any other session, I’m looking forward to that one.

Heart Goes Out to the Chapman Family

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:25:00 +0000

By now I assume we’ve all heard about the tragic traffic accident that resulted in the death of Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest daughter, 5 year-old Maria Sue. I am deeply sad and grieving for their family, as they experience a loss that is impossible for most of us to fully grasp. While I have never had the privilege of meeting Steven Curtis Chapman, I am sure I speak for thousands upon thousands of us who have been greatly impacted over the years by his music ministry. For that is what it always is with Steven – music ministry. The depth of his lyrics reflect a life devoted to Jesus Christ and advancing His kingdom. Chapman’s work with Compassion, International, and his family’s adoption of little Chinese girls (Maria Sue was the youngest of them), is just one sign of his heart for God and for the under-resourced.

And so today, along with so many other Christ followers, I am sad for Steven, his wife MaryBeth and their entire family. May the comfort of our God, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the love of close friends surround and support them today and in the difficult days to come.

The Joy of Jersey Boys

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:22:00 +0000

I recently learned that the Chicago run of the hit show, Jersey Boys, has been extended indefinitely because of such booming business. I’m really not surprised. I have had the blessing of seeing the show twice already – once with my husband and friends, and another time because my sister begged to go for her birthday gift. On both occasions I was struck by the unbelievable joy of the crowd as we experienced hit song after hit song delivered with tremendous skill and passion from the cast. I have seen two different guys play Frankie Valli, and both were terrific. I was struck by the creative way in which the producers and writers wove the songs into a story line, giving the audience a glimpse of the lives of the singers behind the scenes. Mostly, it’s just an evening of great fun and outstanding music.

For anyone attending our Arts Conference in June, we have a few tickets left for Jersey Boys – what we call “Art in the City.” It would be such a gift to any arts team to head downtown Thursday evening and enjoy that show. You can find out more at our website.

JUST ADDED

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell) — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:18:00 +0000

Well, we are 21 days out from ARISE. Our teams are working fast & furiously to prepare a place where God can speak, where we can grow and meet new people.

I am glad for the 21 days but I can’t wait for 9:00 am Wednesday, June 11 when we kick off the conference. God has been working through the hundreds of people contributing to the conference to create some awesome opportunities and some incredible moments.

As usual some of our plans change and that is a good thing because of the other good things that come up. Like Copyright Basics! We just added this class. Cheryl Besenjak is currently the Copyright Director for Willow Creek Community Church. She has over 20 years of experience in the area of copyright. She is the founder and former Director of The Permissions Group. Cheryl has developed and published CopyRights©, a national newsletter and is the author of Copyright Plain and Simple, published by Career Press.

You can go on-line to register for this class. If you are already registered you can go on-line today to change your schedule or call our wonderful Customer Service team, 800-570-9812. After today, when you arrive at the conference breakout sessions can be changed at the Ticket Exchange Booth as long as there is available seating.

One other note, not on–line yet but coming soon, Secrets of Successful Sound-for-Picture by Jon Tatooles. Jon is co-founder and Managing Director of Sound Devices, LLC. This session will look at a variety of techniques for gaining control of audio while out on a shoot. You'll walk through the steps necessary for achieving quality audio, everything from mic placement to gain setup. In this hands-on class, you'll also be given the chance to experiment with audio equipment, and learn how to get the best audio quality to improve your production. We are really excited that Jon is coming! If you are interested send me an email and I will let you know as soon as it is posted on-line, howellp@willowcreek.org.

Early Bird Deadline

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:23:00 +0000

First, a belated Happy Mothers Day to any moms who are reading. We had a wonderful service this weekend honoring moms, and I felt so privileged to be a part of it. We don’t always get that service right, but this year, we’re hearing from so many moms and grandmothers that they felt celebrated and understood – yeah God! One single dad told me after the service that he even called his ex-wife to tell her that she is doing a good job raising their children. I love to see God at work like that…

Today is the early bird deadline for this year’s Arts conference – just a reminder in case you lost track. Of course, you can register any time up until the event starts June 11, but you get a better rate if you book it today….Last week I had phone calls with both Francis Chan and Richard Allen Farmer about their messages, and it made me even more excited about the conference. I have such a strong sense that the Spirit has been designing the moments for the event over a long period of time, and that we will sense a powerful movement of God during those days. I would love to see you here…

So Totally Lost Watching Lost

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:31:00 +0000

Ok, so I’m watching yet another complicated episode of Lost, and I just keep wondering if I’ll ever feel as though I understand this show I’ve grown to both love and hate. Every week, new characters are being introduced when I can’t really seem to keep up with all the ones I already know. But even more stretching is the jumping from the present to the future to the past, trying to connect the dots, always feeling off-center and more than a little confused.

Seeing the popularity of this show and the buzz it generates actually gives me a certain degree of hope because programs like this one do not insult the intelligence of the viewers and do not seek the typical lowest common denominator. While I may feel lost, I am also intrigued and fascinated enough to hang in there and seek understanding.

When it comes to any form of communication – including what we do in church – I wonder if perhaps we should and must aim a little higher. What would we create and write if we were willing to trust the intelligence of our listeners more, if we didn’t feel such a need to “dumb everything down.” Clarity is a tremendous goal, but every so often, maybe it’s more than ok for people to wrestle with a concept that requires digging, that beckons us into the land of mystery, that asks more of us than immediate buy-in. As a communicator, I’d like to intentionally stretch both myself and those who listen – even if in the process we all feel a little lost.

Party Prep

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Finnegan) — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:38:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed that having a party is a great catalyst for getting those house projects finally complete, doing a little extra cleaning and preparing those special recipes that you don’t normally take the time to make?

That’s a little how it feels this month, as our team gets ready for Arise – Arts Conference ’08. We’ve spent months praying, planning and doing our best to create an awesome event.

Did you hear that the Robbie Seay Band is joining us!

We’ve been working for months on a new website that will feature service support resources from new churches, an idea network and it will be even easier to find just what you need.

We’re securing our locations and dates for the fall and winter Green Rooms and Leaders Tables. Plus even more…you’ll just have to wait and see!

My favorite part of all the party prep, is it being over and the party starting. That’s when, I kick back and enjoy every minute with my friends and family. And that’s what our Arts team is looking forward to the most…being with you. Until then, we’ll be working away on our project list.

Arts Conference Planning Meetings

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Tue, 06 May 2008 16:34:00 +0000

Every Friday a group of creative folks meet for a couple hours to design and craft this year’s Arts Conference. We carefully look at each session and try to imagine how we can best harness the arts to inspire, lift, stretch, and impact all those who attend. This past Friday, we selected some video pieces, worship music, and drama scenes that I can’t wait for those who are coming to experience! One piece is just right for the session with Brian McLaren – it’s the true story of an artist who tells of her journey to Nepal, and the memory of a young beggar boy who transformed how she looks at her own life and choices. I not only love the content of what she communicates, but also the creative design of how that story is told.

We also signed off on a powerful beginning for the very start of Arise, a choice I don’t want to give away. Let me just urge all who are coming not to be late! (not that artists are ever late to anything). Mostly as we meet, I long for as many artists and pastors as possible to join us in June because I believe we all need the hope God gives us as we gather together, reminding one another of the significance of what we do, and encouraging one another to further develop our gifts and pay attention to our souls. I know this is a tough year for many with the economy, and training budgets are tight. I just want to urge you to see if you can find a way to raise the funds and make the trek to Chicago for our start on June 11. This Friday, we’ll keep on planning for you…

FREE DOWNLOAD - Dangerous Women Creed

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell) — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:47:00 +0000

A few weeks back I asked you to do some virtual brainstorming for mother’s day. Someone from the Willow team reminded me of a service element that was used a few years ago, the Dangerous Women Creed. The creed, written by author Lynne Hybels, was used as the closing prayer for the service.

Here is the beginning of the prayer …
Dear God, please make us dangerous women.
May we be women who acknowledge our power to change, and grow, and be radically alive for God.
May we be healers of wounds and righters of wrongs.
May we weep with those who weep and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
May we cherish children, embrace the elderly, and empower the poor.

If you would like to see the whole prayer click here.

Lynne Hybels grew up in southwestern Michigan, but after graduating from college in 1973 she moved to the Chicago area. In 1974 she married a youth pastor, Bill Hybels, and in 1975 they started Willow Creek Community Church in a rented movie theatre in Palatine, Illinois. Despite intending to become a social worker, Lynne was pleased to start a church instead, convinced that God has given the local church a clear mandate to address the needs of “the whole person in the whole world.” For years she has been involved with Willow’s ministry partnerships in under-resourced communities in Latin America and in Africa. Writing has been a means for her to honor her love of words and solitary hours, as well as an avenue of activism. She is the author of Nice Girls Don’t Change the World, and coauthor of Rediscovering Church and Fit to be Tied. She most recently collaborated with the Willow Creek Association to develop Hope and Action – a DVD and participants guide that helps churches and small groups begin to address the AIDS pandemic. Bill and Lynne have two adult children, Todd and Shauna, one son-in-law, Aaron Niequist, and one grandbaby extraordinaire, Henry. You might enjoy some other articles by Lynne Hybels, especially these articles about moms: Reframing: A Mother's Day Gift, A Note to Young Moms, and Mothers and Sons Letting Go.

Les Miserables in the Round

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:58:00 +0000

I saw a version of Les Mis last night that I’d never thought I’d be able to appreciate – “in the round” at Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre here in suburban Chicago. It was breathtaking. We sat in the third row (there isn’t a bad seat in the theatre), wondering how the barricade scene and the sense of spectacle we had appreciated in the Broadway versions could possibly be pulled off. The staging was truly brilliant, and the voices, for the most part, superb. What a magnificent story of grace! In so many ways, the intimacy of the experience augmented the power of the story, and once again reminded me of the beauty of the music, now more than a couple decades old. I was drawn into the experience in a far deeper way than in the past when I sat at such a distance.

It makes me wonder how many times we hold back telling certain stories because of our space limitations, lower budgets, or limited scenic options. Not every story can be told in every setting. But with more imagination, I’m certain all of us could break out of what we perceive to be rigid limitations, and create something fresh and powerful told in a more intimate form…It sure worked for me and the rest of the audience last night.

Brown Bag Lunch in Naperville

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:23:00 +0000

There’s nothing I enjoy more (except being with my family) than gathering with other arts leaders and pastors to encourage, sharpen, and inspire one another. This Thursday, all arts leaders from the wider Chicago area (worship pastors, creative arts directors, programming directors, or whatever your title may be!) are invited to join me and our host Eric Bramlett for lunch in Naperville at Community Christian Church at 1635 Emerson Lane. We’re all going to bring a lunch and just enjoy some time connecting with one another, I will share some latest thinking on what we are all called to do, and we will have time for dialogue and interaction. I’d love to see you join us for just a 90 minute lunch if you can make it on Thursday. To let us know you’re coming, just register by e-mailing

Ann Keefer akeefer@willowcreek.org .

A Story of Hope & Determination

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:03:00 +0000

We all love stories of people who have overcome obstacles and Jason, J-Mac McElwain is just one of those people. Some of you may have already seen the video posted below and know his story but it is worth seeing and hearing again.

I recently read J-Mac’s book, The Game of My Life. It tells the story of a young man growing up autistic. My youngest son Max is autistic, so I was personally very interested in his story. This book is a beautiful record of J-Mac’s journey from birth to this spectacular moment in his life. This game like many moments in life didn’t just happen. J-Mac , not knowing it would ever happen, worked toward it for years. His mom, dad & brother Josh helped him prepare for this moment in so many ways. He had teachers and coaches who inspired him and gave him opportunities.

Listen to J-Mac, “It’s important for all of you to know that I’m not a hero here. I’m nineteen. I’m also autistic. My teachers, the other special-education kids and especially my family are the real heroes. Because of them, I dared to dream.”

Who is inspiring you to dream these days?

For years I have dreamed of writing a book. I don’t know yet when that will become a reality but my friend Lori regularly encourages me and asks me about my book. I am so grateful for her voice in my life … she helps me dare to dream.

A Psalm for Artists and Teachers in the Church

noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:09:00 +0000

A friend and teammate sent me some verses this morning from Psalm 40. He was highlighting verses 2 and 3, but the more I read the entire Psalm, the more I realized how penetrating all its words are for artists and teachers. Of course, David was an incredible artist. We have so very much to learn from that highly emotional, passionate man who lived long ago and wrote songs documenting his highs and lows, his experience with God, his many sinful episodes, and his discovery of forgiveness. I have decided to focus on Psalm 40 in the first main session of our Arise Arts Conference at Willow in June. So here’s my challenge. First, read the Psalm…several times. Dig into it and discover along with me how rich it is for us as artists and teachers.

Second, sign up for the conference if you haven’t already, and bring your pastor along if at all possible. Let’s rally together as those who proclaim God’s truth in the great assembly. Let’s open ourselves up to further learning, to being inspired together by moments and outstanding speakers who will lift us to another level as Christ followers and as agents of communication. We need to be together, to be reminded that we are not crazy for what we do, to be ennobled as we see once again how vital the arts and teaching are for Sunday morning catalytic experiences. I sincerely hope to see you here in June, because you inspire me whenever I am among you. Have a terrific weekend…and don’t forget to read Psalm 40.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Changed

noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:57:00 +0000

I have been blessed, now I want to be a blessing
I have been loved, now I want to bring love
I’ve been invited, I want to share the invitation
I have been changed, to bring change

What I like about the song Changed is it expresses who we are and how we want to live. It engages both our hearts and minds, reminding us of God’s gift of grace and redemption.

I am grateful to worship leader, composer and all around good guy, Aaron Niequist for sharing this worship song with us. His new CD Broken Fists was recently released and worth checking out. It is filled with thoughts, emotions and declarations we long to express to our Creator, our Savior and Lord. I hope you enjoy this new song.

Click here to get this week’s free download.

Aaron Niequist
Aaron is a worship leader and songwriter. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Shauna and their impossibly chubby 17 month old son Henry. After leading worship in the student ministries of Willow Creek for five years, and at Mars Hill Bible Church for four and half years, he is now leading worship at churches around the country and looking for his next adventure.