Catalyst 2008

The past few days have been phenomenal. Doug, Mark, Dick and I got a chance to travel up to the ATL and go to the Catalyst Conference. This is one of the best leadership conferences in the country and I was super blessed to have had the opportunity to go. We along with another 12,000 people got to experience this. We heard wonderful leadership from guys like Matt Chandler, Steven Furtick, Dave Ramsey and Andy “Freakin” Stanley. We also got to worship with some phenomenal worship leaders like Kristian Stanfill and Steve Fee. Of course, the production team nailed everything. (I had to give props to those guys because it wouldn’t happen without them). On the way home yesterday we talked about some things we took away. There was so much I took away, but only a few touched me and hit me pretty hard. Well, here is my one thing I learned.

“To reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things no one else is doing.” Wow. That means we can build a church and worship together, but there will still people that don’t and won’t go to church. So, to reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things no one else is doing. As Andy Stanley pointed out, not his words, that might piss some people off. This one saying has challenged me. I’m always thinking, how can we make things better so that we can reach people for Christ? It’s simple, do things no one else is doing. What is “normal” now, is not going to be “normal” 5 or 10 years from now. “The Next Generation product almost never comes from the previous generation.” So, “to reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things no one else is doing.” I’m challenged.

There is my one thing. There were other things that challenged my leadership and challenged to me to think and grow. More than anything that I heard, learned or saw, here is the biggest. God BROKE me this weekend. I was very emotional. I really felt God pulling at my heart this weekend. During worship and during some of the messages I really felt God tugging at me. He was tugging at me in a way that I don’t think I’ve ever felt. At some points I felt overwhelmed with emotion. When I thought about this, the word that came to my mind was “break.” I’m not speaking in the sense that I’m not saved, because I am, but I am speaking in the sense of something that Craig Groeschel brought. I felt God pulling my heart so that my heart would break for him. It was almost as if God said, “pay attention to me.” It felt good. In order to acheive what he wants to achieve, he needs me to focus on him. I often put up a wall around my heart when it comes to deep emotional things. God was breaking down that wall and told me to pay attention to him. That was the greatest thing I took away.

Of course, the experience itself was awesome. I’m a technical guy and those guys just knocked it out of the park. Kickin’ audio probably around 112 db, lighting that looked amazing, and sweet video team. Overall, Catalyst stretched me in more areas than one.

Speed Bumps

Everyone is feeling some tough times right now. To bring things a little more home, here is a glimpse in our lives. When God calls people to do his work, there WILL be trials and speed bumps in the road because God wants us to grow, but Satan also doesn’t want us to succeed.

Last night, April and I had a moment of panic. Without going in to details, it was mostly an emotional attack. Everyone has something that will hurt them most. Satan knows which buttons to push and he does. Ours are emotions. April and I talked until midnight and afterwards we spent a few moments in prayer. I told God my heart. I have not been that real in a long time. I’m frustrated with God. I told him I wanted to know where he was and when he was going to show up. Very bold. That’s the kind of relationship I have with God, honesty. It’s a relationship. (So before you comment, just don’t cause I don’t want to hear how much more “holy” you are).

When I got to work this morning, I turned on my computer. I have quiet time when I get to work and I opened up to Air1’s verse of the day page. They had Hebrews 13:8 up. But instead of just reading one verse, I read most of Hebrews 13. Here is what 13:8 says:

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Good stuff right? That was enough for me to just stop there. Well, when you zoom out, this is what I read.

5 be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”

6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

Talk about God speaking. It couldn’t get any more clear. This is exactly what I needed to see. I have said before, when things get rough, I get closer to God. I turned to God last night and got honest. He already knew my heart. So this morning he decided to put me in my place. How awesome is our God? The words that come to mind are “aw.” I’m simply in aw of our God. I read Matthew 10:37 yesterday and I really thought hard on it last night. Relationships take work. Am I doing everything I possibly can to work at my relationship with God? God shows up and breaks my heart for him. It’s great.

I ask everyone to continue to PRAY for us. PRAY for Canvas Church. The church is not the building, it’s the flippin’ people! PRAY!

Canvas Band Auditions

Its out now. I have been working lately on getting band audition information together for Canvas and its finally finished. I think I’ve got everything ready to go, but there are still some things to work out. On November 2nd at 1:00pm, we will be having band auditions for Canvas. We will be holding these auditions at Calvary Baptist Church. My buddy who is the youth pastor there has graciously offered his youth room for us to use. The information can be found on the Canvas website under Elevate.

A company we’re looking at teaming up with to purchase equipment through has given us an opportunity to demo some equipment for this event. I’m truly excited. I’m even more excited to see the talent. God has given us all gifts that he wants us to use for his purpose. So, if you have any musical talent, come to auditions. We want to see what you got. Visit the website for all the details.

In a world where things change all the time, be watching the website and this blog in case something does change. I don’t anticipate anything, but you never know.

Canvas on iTunes

Its official. Canvas is now on iTunes! After a four day waiting period, we now are podcasting on iTunes. Below is the link so you can subscribe. If you are new to this, here is how it works. Go to Apple’s website and download iTunes to your computer. Once you have it downloaded, create an account so you can access the store. (Yes, all podcasts are free). Once you’re set up there, you can search a few terms to find Canvas. Search Canvas Church, Canvas, Doug Garvin or Savannah and you can find the podcast. Subscribe to it and every day, iTunes will automatically check for updates and download the newest episode to your computer. From there you can put it on your iPod or burn it to a CD (if you’re still in to those). If you don’t like that, go to the website and click on the orange RSS button to listen on the web. I recommend iTunes, it’s just easier.

Now, there are a few minor details I’m working on with the iTunes podcast. It’s still not the way I like it, but it’s out there now so people from everywhere can listen to what’s happening. So don’t get to set on the way it looks or sounds. It could change. We like change. Here’s the link.

Updates

Well, I’m sick…again. I’m congested and can’t breathe. This makes the third sinus problem within one year, the sixth illness within one year. This just sucks. Sudafed, Nyquil and Benadryl are really close friends right now.

As for other things, I have been working my TAIL off this week on the website and podcasting. I have been trying to learn all of these over the past three weeks and this week I’ve just about got it down, thanks to the help of Doug and Google. I’ve learned website stuff and how to write RSS feeds. Wow! Props to you website freaks. If you go to the Canvas website, you can see many updates. I’m currently awaiting approval from iTunes for the Canvas podcast to be placed in the iTunes store. As of now, you can go to the website and click the RSS button to listen to core group meetings. There are also updates under the Action section for Action Opportunities. All of this is actually pretty fun. I was determined to figure it out myself and I finally did it. Ahh, it feels good.

If you are a Facebooker, join the Canvas “group” and check out updates. We just sent out an event invite for Core Group meetings. Our next one is October 5th at 6:00 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn on Abercorn. You can find that on the website also. A buddy of mine all the way in the Nebraska made an awesome graphic for me. Thanks DD.

End of Week Wrap Up

What a weekend. Canvas Core Group went amazing last night. It was our last night at an actual house and thank God. We had 35 people total. Thats a lot for one house! So, starting October 5th, we will be meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn at 5711 Abercorn St. You can find information at the Canvas website. Anyway, Doug brought an awesome message from Nehemiah. We talked about the what and how. Good stuff. You can also find that at the Canvas web page under podcasts.

Podcasting is kicking my butt! I’ve got everything on the website, but RSS feeds are killing me. I’m trying to learn to write them, but I don’t what the heck I’m doing. April is beginning to get annoyed because I have been working on that for over two weeks now. Any help out there?

Had my first sleep-in morning with April on Saturday. Amazing. I haven’t slept-in since the honeymoon. It was the first time with April since then too. It was enjoyable just to relax for once. Next time, we’ll turn our cell phones OFF.

Tried to go to the beach, but the weather didn’t work out.

Canvas is doing an Action event on Saturday at 12:30. Meet at Cutter’s Point in Sandfly. We’re going with another organization to help pack back-packs up with school supplies. See you all there.

Almost finished with band audition information. Waiting for reply on a location. Anyone have any other ideas? I’m really excited to see the turnout.

I’m still in aww of God, watching His movement. God is cool.

Weekend Wrap Up

What a long week. Its finally over and its the start of another one. I’m looking forward to April and I having our FIRST weekend where we didn’t have to go, go, go. I’m worn out.

On Friday night and Saturday, I helped with my buddy Jeremy and others with React Conference at Bible Baptist. They had a great turn out with many older high schoolers and college students. The speakers, including Canvas’ own, did wonderful. Jeremy wrapped it all up and simply knocked it out of the park. I had the opportunity to operate FOH audio for the worship team. I love to help anyone I can, especially with the talents God has given me. Thanks guys. Keep up the awesome work.

Sunday morning, I got another opportunity to help ANOTHER church start up for their very first Sunday. It was awesome. Tapestry Church is a new church plant in Savannah too. They have a staff member that is a good friend of mine now and we basically serve on staff at our churches in the exact same capacity. Its cool to have someone that you can turn to and share ideas with. Its funny because many churches think everything is competition and therefore they wouldn’t think of helping another church. That’s stupid. I had the opportunity to assist three churches this weekend and its not for the churches or myself, its for God and HIS kingdom.

Sunday afternoon I FINALLY went to the beach. I haven’t been to the beach in Savannah since I’ve been here. I basically haven’t time. Me, April and a friend went out for a while and caught about 20 star fish and sand dollars. What do you get when you mate a star fish and sand dollar? Star Dollar. Anyway, good stuff. That night we had Canvas Core Group II. It went great. After staff meeting last week, we decided we were going to change just about everything we did, so…we changed it. Things went great. We are still looking for a place to have core group meetings because we are just about grown out of the house we’re at. We’re also still looking for a place for the church to meet. Know of places? We could use them!

We are recording Core Group meetings. So if you missed it, be looking for it soon on iTunes podcasts. BUT, if you know how to podcast, LET ME KNOW!! I’m trying to figure it out, which takes some time, but if you know how, it would make it go alot faster and easier.

My old boss from Dallas called me this week and told me he had a job lead for me. I have a job, but thinking about starting a second because we need it. He told me he talked with the Chief of police with Tybee island and the Sgt. in charge of communications. They remembered when I talked with them months ago looking for a job and told him someone was leaving and were interested in me working with them. Wow! I would love to do that. I miss Public Safety. We’re still praying about that one. I would love to, but April not so much. She enjoys me being home before midnight, which probably would not be the case if I got this job. My day would be about an 18-20 hour day. April and I need time too.

Its Monday now and I’m tired. I had minimal sleep this week. I need a day without doing anything. We’ll see about that one. Back to work…