Simulcasting worship

Since 2005, my church has followed in the footsteps of a number of other congregations that "simulcast" the preaching/teaching portion of a worship service. In order to accommodate growth in one room or campus, the basic idea is to have a time of live worship music followed by preaching that is either played on video, or simulcasted live to another room or campus. I have had the privilege to lead the live music in our simulcast room for several years, now, and it has always been a wonderful worship experience. While there's always room to learn, at our church, it has done what it was designed to do - "make room for one more". Recently, however, some critics to these "video churches" have expressed concerns. Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church in Seattle gives a pretty good reaction to some of the critics. Take a look... 

Together For The Gospel

I know...I know...it has been a few months, but I'm not so good at this blogging thing. I will try to do better. Just got back from Together For The Gospel 2008. Wow! Speakers included John Piper and John MacArthur (two of my favorites) along with Mark Dever, Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, CJ Mahaney and others. Great words from some great men about our GREAT GOD! Music was led by Bob Kauflin, but in actuality, the music was...the people. The men and women that joined their voices for the singing did so with the passion I, as a worship leader, long for my people to have every week. Some 5500 voices cried out in worship as we sang songs like "A Mighty Fortress", "O For A Thousand Tongues", "Come Thou Fount", and "In Christ Alone". My new favorite was "The Power of the Cross". The staff from my church traveled with our spouses from Birmingham, Alabama to Louisville, Kentucky for the conference and we had a great time. Here's the nutshell from the amazing speakers:
We are all - everyone - completely messed up by sin.
We all need the same thing - the gospel (Jesus Christ)
We must NOT try to change the gospel to make it "work" for us
As believers - followers of the gospel - we must take risks to share the gospel with others...in other words, get outside the gates of the camp (our comfort zone)- Hebrews 13:13

I have a TON more to say, but it's late...

Thanks for hanging with me as i learn to blog.

Soli Deo Gloria
David