Creative Worship

All Things Worship

I have been working on my Breakout Session for C3 called "All Things Worship."  I really want to be sure and talk about things that will help equip and inspire people in their church.  If you are coming to the conference, or if you were going to a conference, what would you want to hear/learn about?

A Bit Of A FUNK

If you haven't noticed by now, I am in a bit of a "blogging funk."  That's all I know to call it.  I can't really explain it, I just know it's where I am.  It's not that I don't want to write, it's just that when I get some down time my mind is so spent and I feel so drained that I don't know what to write.  So tonight, I thought I would just post about the funk. 

Like most of you, my days are filled with carrying out the call God has placed on my life.  I  cannot believe the things God has allowed me to be a part of and at times lead.  I have served at Fellowship Church now for 10 1/2 years.  I started as a part-time intern in the Student Ministry. Today God allows me to lead a team of Worship Leaders, Media Staff, Video Producers, Graphic Designers, and over 400 volunteers to create our weekend Worship Experiences at Fellowship Church.  I love what I do!  I love the people I get to work with.  My pastor has equipped me and has given me so much creative freedom.  I am daily challenged, and never bored. 

Over the past year I have seen some of my dreams begin to take shape.  Our worship culture at FC continues to change and we have released our first all original CD and live DVD as a reflection of God's movement in the Church.  I have seen former students who grew up in our student ministry now take on major leadership roles in our church, and soar.  I have seen the reach of what God is doing through our church and pastor continue to expand. 

This is just a small portion of what I see God doing in my church.  And none of this even touches what He has done and is doing in my family.  And here is the kicker.  In the midst of all of God's goodness and blessing, in the ripple effect of His movement in my life and in my church, I often find myself--sort of down.  At the end of the day after seeing God do so much I want to share the experience and help resource the Church, but I can't.  I am spent.  I am in a funk.

Again, funk is all I know to call it.  Here are a few statements about what it feels like:

• experiencing a lot and not having the time to share the experience
• exhausted by going FULL ON in my call and then feeling guilty about not taking the time for a quick post to share or help resource the Church
• coming in and out of my thoughts on how effective blogging is in the first place (did I say that out loud?)
• overjoyed in my call but also overwhelmed with the responsibility
• wondering what blogging does to help reach my hell-bound neighbors
• worrying about whether or not the words I write accurately convey what's on my heart

I am just curious, but has anyone else out there been in this funk?  Even now I am trying to come up with some sort of point for this post.  I have nothing.  I am in a funk.

I am coming to C3 and...

If you are coming to C3, we want to be sure you walk away equipped and empowered to build the Church.  So, what does that look like for you?  What do you need to see, hear, and learn?

I am coming to C3 and I want to see_____________, hear __________________ and learn ________________.

Last Encounter?

When was your last encounter with someone who is far from God?  When was the last time you were actively engaged in praying for the salvation of a specific person in your life ?  When was the last time you applied what you know to be true about Jesus and His call on the Church as part of His redemption plan?

I ask these questions because there seems to be more information of "how to" do Church these days and not a lot of stories about what Jesus has done and is doing.  I mean think about it.  When was the last time you read a blog or twit that moved beyond principle and into practice?  If you know of some guys/gals that are writing about that, hit me up!  That's the stuff I want to hear about.  That's the stuff I want to be challenged toward!

Preparing For C3 and Can't Wait To Connect!

I have been in the throes of working with our team to put together the General Sessions and C3 Nights for the past several weeks.  This years C3 promises to be the most impacting conference we have ever hosted.  I believe that God is using this conference to unite the Church and take some major ground for the Kingdom of God.  A big part of uniting the Church comes with networking.  One of the greatest benefits I have gotten from attending any conference is the networking and connecting with other like-minded men and women and learning about what God is doing in their churches. 

If you are coming to C3 and are involved in any way with creating your weekend experiences and want to connect- LET ME KNOW!  Our team can't wait to host you and spend time learning from each other.  Shoot me an email and let's start setting up something! My email is:   pace.hartfield@fellowshipchurch.com

If you are unable to attend C3 and want to hear from some of the teams that meet during the conference, shoot me an email and I will send you highlights of our times together. 

A Short-Term Memory & A Slippery Heart

In Deuteronomy 4:9 Moses challenges the people of Israel to watch themselves closely so that they do not forget the things their eyes have seen.  He challenges them to take a careful, close study and recover in their mind's eye the miraculous things they have seen God do in their lives.  The people of Israel were guilty many times over of having a short-term memory in regard to seeing God's active movement among their people.  These were the people who God delivered out of slavery and bondage.  These were the people who saw God part the Dead Sea.  These were the people who were led by a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. These were the people who received meals straight from the heavens.  And Moses steps to them and has to remind them to remember. 

But it is not enough just to remember.  He challenges them to not allow their memories to slip from their hearts.  And this is the exact danger I find myself in at times.  So often I have seen God move in my life and in my church, and then I allow what I have seen to slip from my heart.  Shoot, sometimes I don't even allow what I see God do to even hit my heart.  Why?  The next service is waiting.  The next meeting is pressing.  The next person needs leading. 

Father forgive me.  I remember, and You have my heart.

When was the last time you recovered in your mind the big and small things that you have seen God do in your life? 

When was the last time you allowed the things in your mind to move to your heart so they can do work on you at the level of your soul?

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live."  Deuteronomy 4:9

 

It's Been A Looooong Time!

Wow- it's been a long time since I posted anything.  Sorry.  We rolled out of Christmas straight into preparing for our C3 Conference.  I will be back in the game tomorrow.  In the mean time, I got a quick question for you:

What's been the most beneficial conference you have been to, and why?

C3 2009 Promo from Pace Hartfield on Vimeo.

2008- Year End Review #1

Year in Review from Fellowship Church on Vimeo.

Upside Down Video

Wow- time flies when getting ready for Christmas.  Sorry for no posting.  Many of you have asked if this video is available to purchase.  You can get it HERE.

Christmas Day 6- Step Into Christmas

Here at FC God truly went before us in our planning for Christmas Services.  Last year following our Christmas services we decided to flip the script this coming year and "Step Into Christmas" and simply tell the story of Jesus birth.  Our focus in years past has always been to tell the story of Jesus' birth however we have traditionally used some pretty big production elements to help tell that story.

This year- we have production elements- but they are simple.  Think of some of the best concert moments you have experienced that were simple. That's what we are going for.  Like the time Bono came out during a U2 concert and played a single floor tom.  Simple but impacting.

During the worship set we are going to step into Christmas in look at 3 different scenes from the Christmas story. We will support the scenes with simple video elements and more traditional versions of Christmas classics.  Should be great.