Weekend Update

Another great weekend at Crossroads. I know I say that every weekend, but I really mean it. Growing up, I was bored during a lot of our Lutheran services. This is not to say that all Lutheran services are boring, but I just wasn't that into the style of worship. But now, I look forward to going to the services every weekend.

Julie, our video director, and Jackie, our lighting designer, each brought in food to share with the teams. Wow! There was fantastic salad, as well as potato salad and macaroni salad. And the deserts! Oh my, I ate too much. What a great way to start out the weekend! And it was heartening to see the way everyone stood around in conversation during the break between the practice and the run through.

After service on Saturday, we met in Pastor Tim's office and decided no real changes needed to be made. Then we continued to sit, talk and laugh for another half hour. Tim's wife had several funny anecdotes about him. It's fun to see how much we all really enjoy each others company.

We started with an instrumental version of Journey's "Separate Ways" that began during the pre-service countdown. Then Bill Hill, one of our announcement guys came to the stage for announcements. This is one of the most difficult elements to place in the service. Do we interrupt worship with announcements? Or do we break up worship and Pastor's delivery of The Word? Doing the announcements at the beginning means all the late comers miss them. Look for some up creative changes to how we do the announcements in the coming months.

We started our worship package with a new song by our own worship leader, Milo Sgambellone, called "Your Love Is Amazing." We've done a lot of original songs that Milo has written. I don't think our congregation realizes how many originals we've done. The rest of our set consisted of "God You Reign", "Everylasting God", "Everybody Praise the Lord" and a special sung by Cody Roland, "In the Light." Pastor Tim then continued his series "Deconstruction/Reconstruction of the Disciple's Life."
You can view the entire service online on Monday afternoon.

A Late Valentine

Our monthly staff meetings at Crossroads consist of information, food, fellowship, food, a theme and food. This month was no different. Lori Biddle, the creative force behind our services, decided that this month's theme would be a staff valentine exchange. We all had to design a valentine's box for a contest.

Many of the staff brought their boxes in early and left them in the office area for everyone to see. Others, like myself, waited until the day of the staff meeting to bring them in. We also wrote out valentines for each other, expressing what we like about that person or why we are thankful for them. It seemed kind of corny at first, but everyone had a great time reading the valentine messages.




Charlene, our nursery coordinator won for best valentine box. She also won for best costume last October at our Harvest Party!

In addition, Lori had cookies baked with our names on them and our pictures framed at our seats. Everyone kept confusing Dan's (our worship leader)picture and mine. What do you think?

Fox and Friends

Many people ask me to help them with issues on their computers. As I work on whatever is giving them a problem they see me using shortcuts. Most people seem to be intimidated by shortcuts or just don't want to have to remember them. I highly recommend learning some of the basic shortcuts that can make your life easier. So here is a random list of some Windows shortcuts that the average computer user should learn:

ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs. (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window) If you are working in Word, surfing the net and listening to iTunes, you can seamlessly switch between the 3 programs using this shortcut.

ALT+F4: Quit program. Wanna have a little fun? IM someone (or Facebook message them) and tell them to press ALT F4...hee hee hee.

SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently. Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle Bin. I use this all the time in my Outlook mail.

CTRL+A: Select all the items in the current window
CTRL+C: Copy
CTRL+X: Cut
CTRL+V: Paste
CTRL+Z: Undo. I use this all the time!

To copy a file
Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder.

To create a shortcut
Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder.

There are hundreds of shortcuts that can be used in Windows. These are some of the ones I use the most.

Weekend Update

Another successful weekend at Crossroads. It was nice to have a simple service that could be so powerful. And fun too. I feel blessed to have a job that doesn't feel like a job. I work with wonderful people from staff to volunteers.

We started out with an instrumental of the song Smooth. This was performed during the pre-service countdown. We time it on Saturday so that the band ends at 0 in the countdown. The band was to start with 3:40 left in the countdown. At the 9:30 service, I called ready for lights and...no worship leader! Milo had been in the town square and didn't realize the countdown started. No problem though, we waited another 40 seconds, and it was on!

Usually the crowd at the 9:30 service is a little subdued, but this morning they were enthusiastic and the service was full!

The message this weekend was from Ephesians 4..."Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

During the message at the Saturday service, there was a typo on one of the slides. Usually, I or one of the many persons who check the slides prior to the service catch these. When the slide came up someone mentioned on the headset that part of the phrase "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit" was missing. I looked at the slide, then said, "yes, the word Spirit is supposed to be there...crap." I immediately realized that I had said "crap" while the pastor was telling us not have unwholesome talk come out of our mouth! I had the slide fixed in the next 30 seconds but it was too late for the Saturday service.

The video director, Bob, is one of my best volunteers. He is always prompt, makes sure all equipment is on and checked and is very creative. At the end of the final service, my boss, Lori, told everyone on headset what a great job they had done and how good everything looked. Bob, being his own biggest critic, said, "she must not have been looking!" Not true, Bob! You did another great job!

Surfing the Web

My job is changing. The world is changing. When I originally came to Crossroads, Windows 98 was new. The mac was probably not going to be the computer for the future. The internet was filled with pages of text and very few pictures, let alone any video!

I use my mac everyday. I use my desktop PC everyday. I use my laptop PC everyday.
I use Google every day. I use Firefox everyday. I use Facebook and Twitter everyday.

Last week I was discussing with another staff member the fact that I spend a lot of time on the internet at work. I check email, research equipment needs, order products and services and look for creative ideas for videos and graphics, etc. I mentioned that I almost feel guilty for spending time on the web instead of doing real "work." I'm just so used to the mentality of actually having a product (a video or a service) completed or a physical outcome (projector or speaker hung, lights moved and/or programmed.) But the thing is that part of my job requires me to spend time surfing the net. I guess this makes it real work.

Crankshaft

Have you ever tried to solve a problem by starting at the wrong end?

God's Chisel

God's Chisel from Steve Browning on Vimeo.

This drama, performed at Crossroads this weekend, is from a script by The Skit Guys. We had several actors in mind to play the part of God but none were available this weekend. With only about a week and a half to prepare, we finally decided to try it with God being a voice from off stage. Stephanie McAuley agreed to play one of the characters, but who to use as the voice of God?

Several people were considered, including Stephanie's husband, Chris. But in the end, the "role" was awarded to...me. I've done some voice over work and Pastor Tim suggested that I might have the right voice. My wife, Maureen is one of our actors/directors so with her help I tackled the role. I briefly considered trying to do the role live, but not having ever been in front of an audience, we decided it would be better to just stick with the plan of me being off stage. Due to the 2 snow storms that hit our area in one week, Stephanie and I didn't have much opportunity to read together. But Maureen and I spent some time doing a read through and she helped coach me to the right inflections and comedic timing.

Stephanie and I finally got to work together a couple days before the performance. I had already set lighting and blocking. I set up a mic, video monitor and music stand for my script on stage left.

Stephanie is great to work with. She has a natural talent and knows her lines and blocking like a seasoned professional. I was kidding her this weekend about being a "method" actor since she had me actually use the hammer and chisel on her so she would know how to react to the sound coming from off stage.

I used a single fresnel fixture straight on to light the character with changing colored backlight to set the mood as God spoke.
I usually meet with the tech team prior to the service but wasn't able to this weekend. I had Dave, my "Mini Me" take care of my pre-service duties. Lori called cues for me during the service so I could be available to work with Stephanie and sound. The tech team really came through. I only needed to give them few instructions and they took it from there. Great weekend, great message and great fun for me.

If you'd like to see the original version, click here.

Ch Ch Ch Changes

The one constant at Crossroads is change. Tonight was no exception. Service was great, but we ran over by about 15 minutes. Not a big deal except that tomorrow we'll only have 30 minutes between services.

After the Saturday service, we meet in the pastor's office to discuss how things went and decide if anything needs changed. Tonight we made some major changes. First, we cut a song. Then we rearranged the order of the rest of them.

Easy enough for sound; just change a scenes on the Yamaha M7CL board. Easy enough for video and CG; just move the lyrics around in MediaShout. But for lighting and me as the Tech Director, it was little more work. We use a printed version of the MediaShout presentation for cues including lighting cues. I had reprint and recopy all cues onto the new sheets.

We use a Leprachaun LP-X48 digital lighting board. I have several volunteers who are able to program for a service or make edits as needed. I have come rely on them tremendously but they weren't around tonight. Besides, this is what I get paid for! I just needed about 20 minutes to delete and re-insert the cues in the new order, make a few edits and I was done.

After reprinting all the cue sheets with the changes, I passed them out to the band and tech areas, picked up a pizza and headed home.

A Contemporary Pastor

Yesterday, I went into Pastor Tim's office to return a James Taylor CD I had borrowed. He had stepped out for a bit. I noticed his bible on the desk with his reading glasses. I thought this was a stereotypical look for a pastor's desk...until I noticed the Toby Mac CD sitting next to it. Quite a difference from my Lutheran upbringing!

Tech Director

I'm the only tech person on staff. We have an IT guy who comes in once a week or so but I'm the one who takes care of everything tech. Up until about a year ago, we had another guy on staff, but since he left, I've had to learn many of the responsibilities he had. I've done two things recently that have helped me tremendously.

First, I've found an online forum of other church tech directors. These are guys who do sound, video and/or lighting as staff members at their respective churches. We use Twitter to follow each other and keep up with what's going on. But more importantly, we can post questions and comments about our respective jobs. I've found several guys within driving distance who share my experiences. I look forward to meeting and getting to know my fellow tech guys.

The second thing I've done is find a volunteer who is willing to put in the time needed to learn what I do. Dave has been volunteering as a camera operator for several years. He has also been very active in helping with special projects and tech repairs around the building. He recently stepped into a new volunteer position running our graphics during service. But now he has really stepped up. He is coming in weekly to shadow me and learn all the areas of my job.

Weekend Update

We had a great weekend at Crossroads...except for the cancellation of our Saturday service. Roads were still kind of bad this morning but I arrived with a special anticipation.

Usually, on Saturday, I meet with the tech team prior to a band rehearsal. We discuss the elements of the service and then watch the rehearsal prior to a run through. The rehearsal is the band's time. The run through is the tech team's time. This is our chance to practice transitions, sound check videos and double check lyrics and lighting.

Normally, I call cues for sound, video and lighting. But one of our volunteer video directors got a new job and is headed for Ft. Wayne so I'm filling in until I get another guy (or girl) trained. One of our lighting guys, Bryan, called cues since I was in the video control room. I direct services on First Wednesday when we do communion as well. By the way, First Wednesday is a special time for the tech team as we take communion together at the end of service!

Since we had no Saturday service, we had no tech meeting or run through. However, I have such a great team of volunteers that they all came in early for the practice and everyone was "on" for the services.

We started off with an instrumental of the Michael Jackson song, Beat It. Last weekend one of my camera ops spent some time in Town Square asking people to give us their best "Moonwalk." I put together a video that played during part of the song. You can check it out Monday afternoon when our service gets uploaded to our website.

This was followed by our youth pastor, Jesse, doing announcements. We're looking for some dancers for some upcoming services so Jesse asked for our congregation to sign up. In my usual creative manner, I came up with a graphic to support his request.

The praise team was ready to lead worship as well! Due to time constraints we only had 3 songs but it was very powerful and a great lead in to the continuation of Pastor Tim's series Deconstruction/Reconstruction of the Disciple's Life.

Random Thoughts

Pants On the Ground is a great song because it's true.

I love the snow.

I like wearing my "old man" slippers while sitting in my recliner.

Microwave popcorn is a good snack. Popcorn from a pan on the stove popped with olive oil and topped with butter melted in another pan is a GREAT snack.

Take care of your teeth. Brush at least twice daily and floss. Really, don't forget to floss.

My daughter is Audrey Hepburn reborn.
(photo on right courtesy of Michelle Armstrong Photography)


I'm a mac. My wife's a PC.

Four wheel drive rocks!

My wife...I think I'll keep her.

Thank you Funyuns. You put fun back in onions!

Why doesn't anyone at Taco Bell fix that darn sign? The message is "49 cent tacos on Sundays. It's had the O and the N separated for a year now!

A salad tastes better when someone else makes it.

While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it…thanks Mario Kart.

I like hardwood floors. I don't like carpeting in the bathroom.

I like cheese.

Comedy is my defense mechanism.

It's nice to be nice to the nice.

Star Trek is cool because it's true.

Shoe Fetish Continues

Deering has written a couple of times about his experience with his new shoes. Check out his blog on facebook.

Deering - Day 1

Deering - Day 2

Shoe Fetish Part 3

Deering has joined the foot cult!

Cool Videos

I'm always looking around for ideas I can use for a video. Ideas for announcements, music videos, worship enhancement or just for fun. I found some really cool videos by Ryan Trommer who is a motion graphic designer for Willowcreek Community Church. Here is an example...

Village transition from Ryan Trommer on Vimeo.

One of my goals for this year is to learn several new programs that will help me take my editing capabilities to the next level...

Shoe Fetish Part 2

The shoes have arrived. One with socks, one without...

Mother's Day 2009

Last year on Mother' Day, I shot an interview video with a couple who had almost lost their daughter when she was born premature. As I was looking over some of the videos I've done in the last year, this one stands out. I was moved as I was shooting it. I was moved again as I was editing it. Even now, when I watch it, I am again moved.



I shot this using a Sony DSR250 and a Canon GL1. Both of these cameras have been workhorses for us. We had 2 of each and used them for live IMAG in our auditorium as well as field cameras for shoots like this one. The Canons were purchased several years before I even came on staff!

The Canon started acting up a few months prior to shooting this video. The iris, gain and shutter decided to rebel and now changes in the middle of shooting. We spent about a year using it as best we could. As you watch this video you'll notice shots that I had to do some color correction on as well as add some effects to compensate for the problems with the camera. Eventually both of our GL1 cameras developed the same problem. We've since replaced them and now use them as static shots in our services but no longer use them in video production.