BabuLife

Israel Trip Highlights Video

Finally posted some of my video clips from the Israel trip back in August/September. Enjoy below or here!

IGNITE Recap Video

Thanks to all who participated in the Hillcrest Transitional Housing food drive Wednesday eve.  We were able to take immediate needs to this great organization....and the worship time with you all was great too!  Since I didn't play or sing on "Coming up to Breathe", I pulled out my Flip Camera during sound check and did a set list run through at the end of the evening. Enjoy it below or here:

What Makes a "Church"?

Tim Stevens recently posted a brief thought on what makes a church.  It's not the weekend "crowd" that makes the church....but it's the things that happen between the weekends that make the "church". Check it out below:

Here is how the conversation typically goes:

Life-long Church Attendee: "Your church is pretty shallow. Felt like it was a show. I need something deeper."

Me: "Really? That surprises me, cuz' I've been here for twenty years and that's not my experience. How long have you been attending?"

Life-long Church Attendee: "I've been to three weekend services."

Me: "Then you haven't experienced our church yet. You've just scratched the surface."

For some reason, people who have attended church for many years will come to a weekend service and believe they have visited our church. I tell people all the time: The weekend is not the church. It is a crowd. We are doing everything we can to draw the biggest crowd we can--and then turn it into a church. Read the rest...

IGNITE Returns

This Wednesday, November 4, first Wednesday worship returns at Grace Church after a five month break.  This is a great way for people to come worship the Lord in song and giving.  That's right...giving.  We are collecting for Hillcrest Transitional Housing in Kansas City on Wednesday night.  You can learn more about this great local organization on their website right here.  There are some immediate needs listed below:

• Hamburger Helper
• Chicken Helper
• Tuna Helper
• Boxed Cereal
• Mac & Cheese
• Canned Chicken
• Laundry Detergent

Bring any of these items to IGNITE and we'll be delivering them to Hillcrest.  This is a great way to reach out to our local community and for families looking for ways to worship God together!

When: Wednesday, November 4, 7 - 8pm

Where: Grace Church (get directions)

All About Worship Podcast: Interview with Brenton Brown

On this episode of the All About Worship Podcast, we hear from songwriter/worship leader Brenton Brown.  If you are a worship leader, chances are you’ve led your church singing a Brenton Brown song.  You’ll hear about his songwriting process, his perspective on how the worship music scene has changed over the past 10 years and where he thinks it’s heading over the next five.   You’ll also hear Brenton’s latest single “Adoration” during the podcast.  Stay tuned for a special outtake at the end of the podcast.

Tommy Walker Webinar

“In this Webinar, I want to passionately remind worship leaders, pastors and worshipers in general why we gather on a Sunday and what happens when we express worship to God. Every week we come together and sing songs, but if we don’t understand the importance of it and the power of God that is in it, the worship in our churches will only tend to shrink. I believe if we will take a step back and let God’s word show us what we are to do, we will all be able to lead with a kind of passion and boldness that we never had before!” -Tommy

Register today for the upcoming webinar with Tommy Walker on “10 Things that Happen When We Worship”.

Show Links

• BrentonBrown.com. Visit Brenton’s website.
• Brenton’s YouTube Channel. Check out Brenton’s Vlog where he answers your questions and shares insights from his worship leading/songwriting experiences.
• Brenton’s Blog. Check out Brenton’s blog.
• Brenton on Twitter. Follow Brenton on Twitter.
• “Introducing Brenton Brown” on iTunes. Get the single “Adoration” on Brenton’s latest release on iTunes. Amazing songs for corporate worship.  
• Listener Feedback from Ganns in the Philippines. Thanks to Ganns for the love! Glad you’re listening.
• Tommy Walker Webinar. Register today!
• Paul Baloche. Join us for a live interview with Paul Baloche as we record for an upcoming podcast. October 30, 11 or  11:30am CST. Stay tuned for the finalized time.
• Tim Hughes. We’ve got an interview scheduled with Tim Hughes for an upcoming podcast. Nov 19 at 10am CST.
• Facebook Fan Page. Join us…you know you want to.
• Contact us. Visit Wisdom’s site here. Visit Ben’s blog here. Email us at podcast@allaboutworship.com or call us and leave a voicemail on our new number at 206.426.7119. You can also follow All About Worship on Twitter.  Follow Ben on Twitter. Follow Wisdom on Twitter.

Listen to this episode on our AAW Archives page.  Subscribe on iTunes.

We are planning a special year end edition of the All About Worship Podcast where we answer your questions about the podcast.  Any question is game. Submit them to our email or voicemail by November 5th and we’ll do our best to include them.

By the way, we’ll pick 3 random people from the comments at AllAboutWorship.com here to win the “Introducing Brenton Brown” CD AND a free regisration to the webinar w/ Tommy Walker.

Once again, the All About Worship crew want to thank YOU for listening!

Visit AllAboutWorship.com

Skipping Church

This Sunday I was grateful to the Grace worship team for giving me the ability to take a week off from my worship leading duties.  This week I was able to do something I've not ever experienced...I skipped church and went to a Chiefs game.

It was interesting as I drove through neighborhoods in our community.  I saw people running, doing lawn work.  I saw children playing in the streets, riding bikes, playing tag, jumping in piles of leaves...and it hit me.  There's a HUGE amount of people who have no desire or apparent need for the local church in the lives of their families.  Sure some of them may have attended a service somewhere earlier in the morning, or even the night before...but I doubt it.

As I drove I remembered back to my life before Christ and what Sundays were all about.  Waking up late, seeing my Dad on his only day off, going to movies with the family and dinner.  That was it.  No direction in life from a local church ministry, no sense of community or connection to anyone apart from our family.  We had no idea what we were missing...but there was always a sense of needing something more. We just didn't have anyone in our lives helping us connect the dots.

So while the Chiefs fell to the Chargers with an embarrassing score (I won't even mention here), I am grateful for the time (thanks James for the ticket).  Here's my thought from yesterday: The work of helping people see the need for Christ is never through.  I think skipping church every once in a while for full time ministry people should be a requirement.  Spend time outside the four walls of your local church.

All About Worship Podcast: Interview with Dwayne Moore

On this episode of the All About Worship podcast, Wisdom and Ben talk to Dwayne Moore, author of the worship study guide “Pure Praise”.   We also hear about a couple of “life changing” events for both Wisdom and Ben.

Giveaway

We have four copies of Dwayne Moore’s  “Pure Praise” book to giveaway.  In addition to the book, we are giving away a free registration to the upcoming Tommy Walker Webinar on November 12.   There will be four winners who will get a free copy of the book AND a free registration to the upcoming webinar with Tommy Walker.  HUGE thanks to Group Publishing for donating 4 copies of Pure Praise for our giveaway.  Here’s how you can win:

• Listen to the instructions at the end of the podcast.

Sponsor

Special thanks to Integrity Music for sponsoring this edition of the podcast. Log on to IntegrityMusic.com for a look at some great resources for worship leaders, songwriters and worship music.

If you or your company would like to sponsor an upcoming episode of the All About Worship Podcast, contact us at podcast@allaboutworship.com We have the BEST listeners in the world!

Show Links

• NextLevelWorship. Visit Dwayne’s worship resource center for worship leaders, worshippers and local churches.
• Pure Praise. Check out the study guide that is helping so many church worship teams around the world.
• Grace Church Pure Praise Blog. Visit the worship blog that Ben used for his worship team as they went through the Pure Praise study guide together. (A great way to engage your worship team volunteers).
• 30 Days of Renewal. A church-wide study created to help every local church member engage in personal worship.
• Dwayne on Twitter. Follow Dwayne.
• Listener Russell Martin. You’re welcome! Thanks for listening!
• Tommy Walker Webinar. Register today!
• Burnt Ends. Here’s the video Wisdom and Ben talked about with Tommy Walker.
• Brenton Brown. Next podcast, we interview worship leader/songwriter Brenton Brown.
• Facebook Fan Page. Join us…you know you want to.
• Contact us. Visit Wisdom’s site here. Visit Ben’s blog here. Email us at podcast@allaboutworship.com or call us and leave a voicemail on our new number at 206.426.7119. You can also follow All About Worship on Twitter.  Follow Ben on Twitter. Follow Wisdom on Twitter.

Listen to this episode on our AAW Archives page.  Subscribe on iTunes. Or listen in right here.

Super Cool Person of the Week: Mindy

This week I'm taking a moment to introduce you to someone who I consider "super cool" in more ways than I can share in this little post.  So I'm going to focus on one aspect of Mindy Herzog's "super coolness".

There are those who serve the Lord doing so happily in their ministry...and there are those who serve the Lord happily in more ways than one or two.  Mindy is one of those people.  She is a person who "gets it" when it comes to connecting people to the heart of God on and off the stage.  While Mindy is a fantastic alto for our worship team...she is so much more than that for the team of volunteers and to Grace Church.  She's always willing to serve, she's always watchful of the needs of others and is always there to meet them.  Whether it's someone who has fallen ill on the worship team or if it's someone who just needs a phone call and someone to pray with...Mindy is always first to minister.  In addition to serving on the worship team, Mindy is coordinating the upcoming children's Christmas program coming on December 13....a task worthy enough alone to keep her Super Cool for months to come.  Mindy is a true example of what it means to lead worship on and off the stage in so many ways.  Thanks Mindy for serving the Lord on the Grace worship team...your love for people shines through each time you belt out a note on the stage and when you love others off the stage.

Hey Gracers! If you see Mindy this week...be sure to tell her she's SUPER COOL!!!!!

All About Worship LIVE: Interview with Dwayne Moore

On Monday, October 19 at 9 p.m. CST, Wisdom and Ben will be talking with Dwayne Moore, author of the fantastic worship devotional “Pure Praise” for an upcoming podcast.

Author and worship leader, Dwayne Moore, is the founder and president of Next Level Worship, LLC, a company that provides worship discipleship resources to churches and believers. Dwayne is the visionary behind 30 Days of Renewal. Dwayne authored the WorshipLife Journal which accompanies 30 Days of Renewal.

Dwayne is also the author of the highly acclaimed Pure Praise: A Heart-focused Bible Study on Worship (Group Publishing, 2009). His teaching has been featured on Moody Radio’s Prime Time America and American Family Radio’s Today’s Issues. He is also a frequent contributor to Rick Warren’s Ministry Toolbox.

Join us live with your questions for Dwayne.  We’ll be on Talkshoe live where you can phone in your questions, or log in to the chatroom. Click below to join us Monday at 9 p.m. CST.

Royalty for a Day

A few weeks ago as I made my way into the office one morning with the weight of a thousand unfinished tasks weighing on my mind, Deanna Albertson stopped me in the lobby to ask if I had a moment to let her son Ben ask me a question.  Always happy to talk to little Ben, I was anticipating a showing off of a new Star Wars shirt or toy. But this day was different, as he came around the corner, he asked if I would come read to his class.  WOW! I was thrilled and honored that little Ben would think to ask me to be a part of what I knew was a big deal...and today, I was Royal Reader for a day.  Thank you Ben for allowing me to be a part of this special moment...it was THE highlight of my week!!!

Super Cool Person of the Week: Tony

In 2009 Grace Church has seen some new faces join the worship team.  We've added a couple of drummers and two new keyboardists to this year along with a couple of additional bass players and guitarists.  It's been a great year of growth for our team.

One of our newest worship team members is Tony Welter.  Tony plays the keyboards for the worship ministry at Grace and has done an AMAZING job!  There are so many songs to tackle and it can seem overwhelming when you first join the team. What I love about Tony is how his humble spirit and adaptable attitude bleeds into the rest of the team.  He comes prepared, he comes ready to play and he truly displays the heart of someone who is a Christ follower first...and a musician second.  I'm looking forward to seeing how Tony continues to grow and lead others to the throne of Christ each week.  By the way...Tony's wife, Liz, leads the MOPS ministry at Grace loving on all you Mothers of Pre-Schoolers.  The Welter family is a HUGE blessing to our church.

If you see Tony this week, be sure to tell him he's SUPER COOL!!!

Worship Recap 10/11/09: "Hey...See If You Can Hit These Curveballs"

I am classifying this weeks worship as "Curveball Sunday".  Also known as "Opportunities for Growth".  Here were the "opportunities":

• Adrian Franks. No..he was not a curveball...but man...he sure hit them.  Adrian mans the video helm and on Friday we made a call to add a few videos to the services.  First service had some whacky issues with the video clips we played...leaving Pastor Brian (our missions pastor) onstage hanging.  When systems fail, you have a few options laid before you.  You can freak out (yelling, getting angry and making every volunteer feel like quitting), abandon ship (after all, you're a volunteer and you don't really need this anyway), or you can roll with it teaching your team how to be flexible and adaptable to crazy situations.  So my hats are off to both Adrian and Brian for rolling with it.  Nicely done fellas...nicely done.
• Third Service Glitch. Between second and third service, Sr. Pastor Tim Howey was praying with a family in desperate need of encouragement.  As we wrapped up the last song at the beginning of the service, I felt a hand on my back while I prayed.  I looked up to see no Tim standing next to me ready to teach.  Thankfully, Pastor Brian Gann jumped up and spoke about our current missions project.  Excellent flexibility!  Problem for us was that part of the service was planned during our offertory...which meant we didn't have a song at the end of service.  Preston and I ran to my office and put together a quick tune while Tim taught.  Way to go Preston!
• No guitar.  I led the entire morning without a guitar. I was concerned I would have "Ricky Bobby Hands"...I think it went all right (see below video).  My goal was to do a few things.  Provide an opportunity for someone else to utilize their talent/gift behind the acoustic guitar, and also experiment with leading people freely without having my hands occupied.  I was able to freely lead people visually, raising hands etc...and it seemed to work!  Look for this more often!

Here's the songlist:

• Your Grace is Enough by Matt Maher
• Glorious One by Steve Fee
• Everything You Do by Carl Cartee
• Mighty to Save by Hillsong United
• Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin

Check out other recaps on Fred's site here. And now...Ricky Bobby Hands:

Tim Howey Standing at "The Edge of Hell"

Super Cool Person of the Week: Michael

Let me first begin this recognition of Super Cool Person of the Week with a note to Michael himself....your Super Cool coveting on Twitter last week had no influence on this whatsoever.  I had you on the list before your sad little tweet from September 30.

Now to everyone else...let me introduce you to the mastermind behind many of the graphic work you see for our weekend series at Grace.  Michael Hildebrand has been a part of the communications team doing graphics work since late 2007.  Michael has such a great heart for people and a desire to utilize his talents and gifts to reach people for Christ.  It's heart and passion like Michael's that makes the communications department at Grace so successful.  While his dedication and work on graphics is a HUGE blessing to Grace Church, he also plays another role that impacts so many people.

Michael is also a deacon of our church. He is a part of the team of men who support the church by visiting people hospitalized, caring for people, praying for people among MANY other things.  It's truly people like Michael and his wife Monica that make ministering at Grace a true joy and blessing.  He is a true example of what it means to be a worship leader at Grace...even off the stage.

If you see Michael Hildebrand this week...be sure to tell him he's SUPER COOL!  And if you're a Twitter person, go ahead and tell him there today...his id is @sonofray.

Grace Church Worship Band Auditions

It's worship band audition time at Grace Church!  If you play an instrument and would like to audition for the worship team, let us know by emailing our Worship Admin Assistant, Marie King, at MKing@graceks.org or call the church office at 913.814.7223.  Once you express interest, we'll mail you the Grace volunteer application and band questionnaire form.

• What: Grace Worship Team Auditions
• Where: Grace Church Auditorium
• When: Saturday, October 24, for 30 minutes between 9am - 12pm
• How: email Marie King at MKing@graceks.org or call 913.814.7223

Super Cool Person of the Week: Tami

Many times the unsung or unseen heroes of the church often go unnoticed or unappreciated.  But really that's why I consider people like this SO important.  With no desire to be "seen" or to be in the "limelight", they quietly serve the Lord with no thought of reward or recognition....which is exactly the type of Christ the church needs.

Tami Dozier is an integral part of making the worship services happen at Grace.  Tami volunteers on the Stage Team during the weekends.  If you go backstage, you'll see her keeping the Praise Team in line, helping coordinate stage elements, meeting the needs of the speakers and musicians, keeping the service elements in time....all with a smile and positive attitude.  Tami is a joy to have on the Grace Weekend Service Team and is a prime example of what it means to lead worship...even from behind the stage curtain.  Thank you Tami for being such a wonderful servant of Christ on the Grace Stage Team!

Hey Gracers! When you see Tami...be sure and tell her she's SUPER COOL!!!

All About Worship Podcast: "Manly Worship" Round Table LIVE Tuesday

This Tuesday, September 29 at 9pm CST, the All About Worship podcast will be hosting it's first "Round Table" discussion with three worship leaders/songwriters with hosts Ben Abu Saada and Wisdom Moon.  The topic at hand is "Manly Worship".  What is "Manly Worship"?  Is there a need for worship songwriters to focus more attention on music that ministers more to men?  Is there a trend in worship music within churches that connects more with the heart of women vs men?  Or is this issue moot and the hearts of men need to be challenged in this area?  You can be a part of the discussion live with our special guests:

Mandy Thompson. Songwriter/Worship Leader, Mandy Thompson, will be joining us. Visit  www.MandyThompson.com to learn more about her ministry.  Mandy will be joining us live from her home in New England.  By the way...Mandy created those KILLER podcast intros for us!

Troy Kennedy. Songwriter/Worship Pastor from Kansas City will be joining us.  Troy hastaught classes on worship leading ministry in conferences around the nation including the recent National Worship Leader Conference 2009.  Log on to www.NewWorship.com or visit his blog to learn more about Troy.

Fred McKinnon. Songwriter/Worship Leader from St. Simmons Island, GA will be joining the roundtable discussion.  With the "Sunday Setlists" and TheWorshipCommunity, Fred has become an influential member of the online worship community.  Visit www.FredMcKinnon.com and www.TheWorshipCommunity.com to learn more about Fred.

The fun begins Tuesday, September 29 at 10pm Eastern/9pm CST.  Join us on Talkshoe by phone or via internet below or here.

Worship Recap 9/27/09: Because of Your Love

This weekend Sr. Pastor, Tim Howey, unveiled our new adopted people group of Grace Church.  Learn more about it on Tim's blog here. These past two weeks we've spent some time looking at where we've been as a church and where we're heading.  Exciting to see what the Lord will do as we look Beyond ourselves, our community and our borders. 

We had a great time of worship this morning.  I particularly enjoyed the new song by Brenton Brown "Because of Your Love".  It's just a great tune written by Brown and Paul Baloche.  I think the church will dig this for awhile.

View our Planning Center worship order here. You can click the songs below to purchase on iTunes:

• Everlasting God (C) by Brenton Brown
• Your Grace is Enough (A) by Matt Maher
• Amazing Love (You are My King ) (E) by Billy Foote
• Because of Your Love (G) by Brenton Brown & Paul Baloche

Check out other worship recaps on Fred's site here.  Hey Gracers! Don't forget to join the Grace Church Fan Page on Facebook!

Get Your Own Relationship with God

This quote was heard on the most recent edition of the All About Worship Podcast:

"Sometimes we can allow pastors, Christian leaders and even our own ministries to become a substitute with our own relationship with the Lord." Glenn Packiam, author of "Second Hand Jesus"

Check out these great posts on Glenn's blog:

How Mercy Triumphed Over Judgement

Is God Angry?