Greg Atkinson

The following is a guest blog by my friend, Shawn Wood, Experiences Pastor at Seacoast Church – Mt. Pleasant, SC

I first heard of the concept of “Creating on Demand” from @toddhenry of the Accidental Creative. The concept goes like this.  When we think of create on demand we usually think of products.  Widgets and Woozets.  Someone stands in the same place and creates the same things over and over again – on demand.  The old factory model.

But in the last few decades the rise of the creative class has created a whole new factory.  A creative factory, but instead of widgets and woozets the assembly line now creates thoughts, ideas, innovation and ultimately…art.

An art factory.  Sounds great doesn’t it?

The only problem is that is not how creativity works.  At least it is not how it works for me.
Some days I have good ideas.
Some days I have bad ideas.
Some days I have good ideas that turn into bad ideas.

But truthfully, many days I have no ideas at all.

So then I was thinking about this whole create on demand thing and it hit me.

The Church is the ultimate create on demand culture in the world.  It does not matter how many times you look at the calendar Sunday comes every 7 days – even in leap year.

So our job it would seem is to create on demand every 7 days an environment that leads to an experience that can move people, usher people into the power and the presence of God and  ultimately a work of art.  Even 200 Pomegranates to an audience of one.

So here is my question.  How do you do this?  Something fresh and moving every week.  Something worth a mom and a dad getting all the kids up and dressed, dealing with the traffic of parking and walking into our churches and giving us an hour of their lives.  Here are just a couple of things to remember and then I would love to hear your tips in the comments:

1.  Give the other artists (all the attenders) in the church the tools to help you create.
This is not a spectator sport.  We are not supposed to finish the canvas by Sunday, the rest of the artists are showing up to help.  Our job is to make sure the supplies are out, the canvas is ready and that an environment is there that leads to an experience with God.
One example of this is our response time at Seacoast.  We leave margin at the end of each service for three songs of worship and give people space to respond to what God is doing in their lives.  We provide the tools.  Some music.  Response stations (cross to pin confessions of sin, candles to light in prayer, prayer teams, communion stations, offering boxes) and allow the artists to pant their own canvas.

2. Don’t pre-chew the food for everyone.  That’s just gross.
Can you imagine having to eat all of your food pre-chewed.
We sometimes do that as artists for our church  Don’t over-plan everything.  Planning is good, but make sure you leave some room in your services for people to contribute and be a part.  Don’t over-dictate the mood so much that there is no room for a mood shift.  Don’t have a big-idea so chosen that when God decides to use the theme of the service in a different way you can’t move with him.  Planning is awesome.  It’s a essential and infact I believe that planning leads to flexibility.  Just make sure to allow that to happen.

In light of yesterday’s healthy discussion, I thought I’d follow up today with an insider’s perspective of how God is using video technology via the internet. The following is a guest blog from Brian Vasil, Internet Campus Pastor at Flamingo Road Church – Miami, FL

A little while ago, I was in a chat room with an Internet Campus Pastor friend and colleague, Brandon Donaldson.  He and the brilliant team at Lifechurch.tv were early adopters and trailblazers of the notion that real church could happen on the Internet.  As we talked about one thing or another, he referred to the two of us as “old school” Internet Campus Pastors.

I had to stop and drink that in.  Can you be “old school” at something that didn’t exist before 2005?

Maybe… and with that comes the responsibility of sharing what you’ve learned.  I’d like to do that here…

Here are three things that I’ve learned (so far) about Internet Campus Pastors and what I’ve been called to do in the past 3 years:

1)  It’s much more about the Pastoral side than the technical side…  I tell any church that is even remotely interested in starting an Internet Campus…if you are going to put your messages out there, chat about them, and allow prayer requests, you have to have a dedicated Pastor available to help shepherd the digital flock.  Sometimes my inbox resembles the online prayer scene in Bruce Almighty…but I consider it a privilege to pray and care for people around the globe.    Many churches don’t start Internet Campuses because they don’t have the right “technology” person to lead it.  The tech will take care of itself.  Find a person whose Pastoral heart beats for people he may never meet physically but loves just the same.

2)  Your motives will be questioned…  You will be criticized, ostracized, analyzed, and unfairly questioned.    People will challenge your salvation and say that your ministry is worthless.   Soldier on.  My heart beats for the lost…even if they are in prison, sick, phobic, or otherwise unable to attend a physical campus.   That’s why we’re here.  It’s all about the vision God’s given us at Flamingo Road through our Lead Pastor, Troy Gramling.    We believe God has called us to have an Internet Campus…and we would be disobedient to do otherwise.

3)  Learn from everyone… I love talking to brand new Internet Campus Pastors.    They are packed full of fresh ideas…new thoughts… and brilliant strategies… God gives them a different angle or a varied look at the internet community that we’re all working to save from hell.   No matter the size of the church or its Internet Campus,  I can always glean something new that may help us in our journey.  In turn, we are always ready to help anyone just putting their digital stakes in the ground.

I know that reflecting about Internet Campus Pastors is a little like writing a biography of a baby still in the womb.  There’s still so much to do and explore.   I can’t wait to see what God has planned for iCampuses… real churches seeking real people with real hearts in virtual space.

The following is a guest blog by Clayton Coates, Senior Pastor, FBC Coppell, TX

There is a growing trend that began in the late 90’s of launching a regional campus or venue using a flat screen pastor. The question that I have is, “Is this a decision based on convention that contradicts conviction?” This blog entry is simply the beginning of greater exploration into this topic.

Michael Novak is a noted philosopher and is noted for categorizing convictions is three major buckets.

1. Public Convictions: What I SAY I believe…..and want others to believe I believe
2. Private Convictions: What I Think I believe….but when the rubber hits the road, I actually don’t believe them
3. Core Convictions: What I really Do believe….and this is AFFIRMED by MY ACTIONS.

It is my experience as a pastor, 16 years- 8 churches ranging in size from 200 to 24,000 in weekend attendance, that most people and pastors operate based on Private Convictions. Why would I make this statement? Because of their actions. The only thing you have to do to assess the convictions or someone or something (i.e. church) is to look at the actions….what they do.

Here are just 2 questions:

1) Do I believe in the incarnation? Well what does that have to do with a flat screen pastor? One day I was having lunch with Oz Guinness. I was at a church that had multiple venues on campus and had begun to launch regional venues streaming the messages from base camp. I was aware of the frustration that the venue pastor had on a weekly basis and the regional pastors as well. I had not come to terms with why I had such an unsettling in my spirit about this. I asked Oz what he thought and told him a little about my uneasiness. His response to me was, “Clayton, It’s simple, it trumps the incarnation of Christ.” He went on to further unpack that weighty comment. And in that moment, I realized what the uneasiness that I had was rooted in. There was a reason that God stepped out of Heaven and came to earth, in the flesh, to dwell among us. Yes, I am fully aware of the salvific significance of the deity in flesh, but there is also great significance in Christ “dwelling among us” in the flesh.

As a pastor, I am called to be physical representation of Christ in word and deep to the local flock that God has entrusted to me. In Acts 20:28 Paul writes, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. He also instructs Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 to, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Core Conviction: As a Senior Pastor, Elder, Overseer, I am to be the physical overseer and communicator of this local flock that has been entrusted to me to God himself.

2) Do I believe in the Biblical model of mentoring younger men to be sent out to become local pastors?

There are many questions pertaining to the longevity of the flat screens. What happens if a pastor who broadcasts himself, God forbid, falls into sin? What happens when a flat screen pastor passes away? What happens when a flat screen pastor retires? Some churches have a teaching team but there is always a main senior pastor.

Biblically we see evidence of training, mentoring, sending out and accountability. This is evident with Jesus and the disciples all throughout the time of Christ’s ministry on earth and thereafter. We also see evidence of this in the life of Saul, post-conversion, Paul. In Acts 9 we read of Saul be blinded by a great light. He was then lead to Damascus where he neither ate nor drank for 3 days. Ananias was sent to him by the Holy Spirit to admit him into the Christian church by baptism (9:11-16). Immediately after Paul’s conversion, he went to Arabia for 3 years where he subjected himself to devout teaching and focused meditation under the careful watch of wise council. After this intentional time of growth and discipleship, Paul returned to Damascus where he began to “boldly preach the gospel in the name of Jesus.” All throughout the epistles and in a like manner, you find Paul raising up, teaching, training, equipping, encouraging, worthy men to be overseers of local churches.

Core Conviction: I believe that as a pastor, I am to model what Jesus and Paul modeled by raising up, training, mentoring and sending out other pastors to be the shepherds of a local flock….even if I believe I can speak better or have a more attractive following.

These are just two questions as I previously stated. I am not the keeper of all truth and wisdom, however, I have been known to not “get off go” until I am settled on the scriptural motivation. As I have talked to many guys who launch these remote and regional campuses, the reasoning is always based on convention, not conviction. Many say, “ that is just the message, I have a local campus pastor.” I get that, to a certain level, but believe that is more of a convenient and quick response than anything else. There are events that happened in my immediate community this past week and it was my call by God as the local pastor to address those specific needs. If I had been broadcasting my message to another city, it would not have made sense to the audience. Sure, we know that God’s word never returns void so there is always something that the “listener can hear.” But to either preach in a generic way or to preach in an exclusive way is to fall short of my core convictions.

It may be cheaper, faster, and have more immediate results, but if any decision is based on convention and not conviction, the reward is never worth the cost.

Other topics to explore of this same nature- segregated worship (separate worship for kids, youth, singles, etc.): based on convention or conviction?

_________________________________________________________

*** This is Greg – I published this blog post because I believe in a diversity of opinions and I’m a friend of Clayton. I actually disagree on this issue and am fine with using video for multi-site. When I sit in a live service, I look at the screens anyway. I, however, realize not everyone feels this way. I wanted to post Clayton’s side of this issue to encourage discussion. So, what do you think? Are you for utilizing video in regional campuses or venues? Why or why not?

The following is a guest blog from John Atkinson, Director of Multi Site Ministries at Bay Area Fellowship – Corpus Christi, TX

There are many things a leader must have to be successful, but nothing, in my opinion, is as important as Integrity. Having Integrity will define your leadership, not having Integrity will too!

Why is Integrity so important?

1. Without integrity in our faith, we’ll change the Word of God to fit us, instead of changing us to fit the Word of God.

2.Without integrity, we’ll be able to see pride in others, while missing it in ourselves.

3. Without integrity, we’ll challenge others to live lives of purity, while in the privacy of our own homes we’ll fail at it.

4. Without integrity, we’ll pursue our own desires, instead of pursing God’s desires for us.

5. Without integrity, we’ll bend the truth so it will fit in the world as we want it to be, instead of living and leading in a world defined by GOD’S standard of truth.

6 Without integrity in our marriages, everything we love and hold close, we’ll still love, but it won’t be close for us to love and hold any more.

7. Without integrity in our leadership, the careers, churches, or businesses we love and hold close, we may still love, but they won’t be ours to hold close any more.

Bottom line, without integrity, we really have nothing.

The other day I was commenting on how I had been listening to Tim Hughes’ song “Everything” over and over. It’s been stuck in my head and my heart ever since visiting North Point about a month ago and hearing them do it. My friend, Kye S. Chung messaged me on Twitter and told me to check out this video by Justin Pae. Check it out.

Everything from justin pae on Vimeo.

What could God accomplish through us if we were all pulling together? What kind of change could we see in the world? What if we were…

UNSTOPPABLE

That’s what we’ll be exploring as this year’s One Prayer teaching theme:

When the Church unites, it’s unstoppable.

Think about it… unstoppable grace, unstoppable compassion, unstoppable evangelism, unstoppable love, unstoppable generosity
, unstoppable truth
, unstoppable hope…

“Unstoppable” will be the common thread that runs through this year’s teaching. If you’re thinking about contributing a message this year (and you should), now is a great time to gather your creative team and see where God leads your teaching. You’ll have until early May to submit your messages. Video resources and important deadlines will be added to www.oneprayer.com soon.

And while you’re thinking of One Prayer, don’t forget to sign up your church if you haven’t already. Registration only takes a few minutes, and is your key to resources and updates: http://2010.oneprayer.com/join

During One Prayer, we get to learn about Jesus in unison with thousands of people around the globe—thanks for making that possible!

Thanks,

The One Prayer Team

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/oneprayer

Questions? Email: info@oneprayer.com

I met with a church leader yesterday and we were discussing ideas for this year’s Easter service at his church. I’m curious about you and your church. Please share what you guys are working on for Easter.

Greg Atkinson is a consultant, friend and partner with a select group of strategic partnerships. Greg works with these partner companies (listed in alphabetical order) and encourages you to contact him at greg@gregatkinson.com for more information on how we can be a resource to your church. Click on the logos to go to the company website.

• We focus on your finances. You focus on your church. We’ve created a web-based system that allows your church to outsource all aspects of day-to-day financial management. Greg is also available for financial consulting for your church or organization.

• HelpStaff.me is a church staffing company. If your church is looking for a new staff member or you’re a church leader looking for a new ministry position, contact Greg. Many organizations have hired employees to fill needs without having a master plan for their organizational goals and growth. HELPSTAFF.ME can do an overall assessment and help you set up your staffing more effiiently and effectively. Again, contact Greg for more info.

• TruthCasting creates custom iPhone apps for your church. Greg is your connection to this amazing mobile resource.

Recently, I spoke with my friend (and Center for Church Communications Executive Director) Cynthia Ware. She asked me to be a Regional Network Coordinator for the Center for Church Communications and I agreed. Last week she announced this on the CFCC website. Below is what she said:

Yesterday, with the announcement of ProPresenter 4 (for Mac) – my friends at Renewed Vision threw in one other big announcement: they’re making a Windows version. I knew this, but couldn’t blog about it before. Here’s the announcement that came in their email:

For 10 years, we’ve developed ProPresenter for Mac only, and have been asked repeatedly if there was going to be a version for Windows. Our answers were always the same:

• The tools that enable us to do what we do on the Mac aren’t as robust on the Windows platform.
• We have nothing against Windows, but felt we could make a more powerful and reliable product on the Mac.
• We’d rather focus on making the best software for any platform, rather than divide our efforts by supporting two platforms.

All of these answers were valid, and as the marketshare of the Mac has increased over the last several years, the question has become a lot less frequent. At the same time, however, we’ve been troubled by some things:

• There are a lot of churches that don’t have Macs, particularly overseas
• There is a great variety of Windows-based machines on the market that are seemingly very capable.
• A new computer purchase is often difficult in today’s economy.
• Many PC users get excited about our product only to be let down when learning it’s Mac only.
• Some organizations will not purchase a Mac just to run ProPresenter.
• If we can improve the worship experience on the Mac, why not use our expertise to do the same for Windows?

Through the years, a lot has changed. Computers have become far more powerful and technologies have evolved. We’ve kept our eye on Windows technologies that would enable us to create a quality ProPresenter experience for Windows users, and we now believe we have found the right tool set, and assembled the right team of people to make ProPresenter for Windows a reality!

So, the cat’s out of the bag. We’ll be keeping you updated via our website as this story unfolds. Until then, here are answers to some questions we thought you might have:

WHAT WILL PROPRESENTER 4 WINDOWS LOOK LIKE?
We have put a great deal of thought into the user interface of ProPresenter 4 on the Mac, so why ruin a good thing? We are building the Windows version to look and function identically. If you know how to run ProPresenter 4 Mac, you will know instantly how to run ProPresenter 4 Windows.

WILL IT HAVE ALL THE FEATURES OF THE MAC VERSION?
We are working hard to make sure that every feature of the Mac version is implemented in Windows. In some cases, a feature may be less robust on the Windows platform while others may work even better. Some technical realities beyond the scope of ProPresenter may have an impact (video codecs, shared storage, etc.), but we’re going to make sure these are minimal.

WILL I BE ABLE TO USE BOTH IN MY ORGANIZATION?
From the ground up, we have worked to ensure interoperability between ProPresenter 4 Mac and ProPresenter 4 Windows. This means you will be able to move files back and forth, and they will run largely the same way on either platform.

WHAT ABOUT THE ADVANCED AND ALPHA KEYER MODULES, OR THE PROPRESENTER REMOTE FOR IPHONE?
We’re not planning our initial release of ProPresenter 4 Windows to include any modules or iPhone remote functionality. Depending on market acceptance and customer demand, however, we may consider developing them in the future. Be sure to let us know your interest in these additional features.

WHAT IS THE PRICING OF PROPRESENTER FOR WINDOWS?
ProPresenter for Windows has the same pricing structure as its Mac counterpart. Single user licenses will be platform specific and sold for $399. However, a Site License for ProPresenter 4 will work on either platform, allowing unlimited use on any platform for a single campus, making our site license an even better value add. This means for a $799 site license purchase, you can run ProPresenter 4 on either a Mac or a Windows machine. Existing ProPresenter 4 site license owners will be able to download and unlock the Windows version immediately after it becomes available.

WHY ARE WE ANNOUNCING IT NOW?
Because site licenses of ProPresenter 4 will work on both the Mac and Windows versions, we want people to know these benefits before placing their upgrade orders.

WHEN WILL PROPRESENTER 4 WINDOWS BE RELEASED?
We don’t have a specific date for release quite yet, but are working towards Summer 2010. We will certainly have a public beta test for registered ProPresenter users prior to the wide release. Stay tuned for such an announcement in the coming months.