Jason Bedell Online: May 2008

5.28.2008

Bitter WiBo'ers?!?

Okay, so I am still collecting my thoughts from the WiBo sessions that myself and a few staff members went to (post on my thoughts coming soon), but I was reading Ben Arment's blog and found a couple articles he linked to that kind of blew me away.

I find it amazing that people can walk away with such different perspectives. I know we all have different views on how to communicate God's message of love and redemption, but I am not sure I could say the things these guys noted about the speakers. I respect their opinions as men of God... and I'n glad we are able to have the freedom to serve the way God has gifted us. Mine just happens to flow like honey in the video & tech form :)

Michael Mckinley Review

Matt Schmucker Review

5.18.2008

Are You Running a Fever?

0 people are talking at 9:30 AM

It's probably due to Boybandacitis. We started our Boy Band Fever series today and it was great. People really dig in when talking about relationships & dating. Here is message bumper we are using for the series.

How do you brand your series as they come out? Postcards? Commercials? Posters? Live from stage skits, etc? What makes your series over the top?

5.17.2008

They Can't Serve if They Don't Know...

0 people are talking at 8:30 AM

Highlight video showing our Children's Ministry to promote volunteer sign-ups.

Anytime you have the opportunity to promote ministries that sometimes are unseen to the average service attender, it's always worth it. We had quite a few sign-ups as well as some people coming back who had fallen of from serving. How are you promoting ministries are your church?

5.16.2008

The Fray said it best

0 people are talking at 10:32 PM

"Everyone knows I'm in over my head, over my head." Seriously.

I love my job. I get to work with an amazing staff at Forefront and I learn TONS every single day, but when I go to conferences I feel like a guppy being taunted by the sharks and whales. I love soaking in all the ideas, thoughts and creativity... but it's almost like I don't belong. I don't know all the "people" or "buzz names with their new ideas" and I turn into the exact opposite of the norm and shy away from talking to others. It's bizarre.

WiBo is coming and it is very bitter sweet. I get to hear some amazing speakers, go to a great lunch with people I admire and read their blogs daily, and be encouraged with new ideas, thoughts, and ways to reach unchurched people... but I always shut down personality wise. I feel like (and maybe your like me) that they'll "find me out" and be like "Hey, what's that kid doing here?!" I'm not totally hip on the church world since coming from quite a different background, but I love these events and can't wait to soak it in.

Let's just pray I don't click my Nikes together and try to zip back home when someone wants to chit chat.

J-del **over and out**

My First Mace

0 people are talking at 5:24 PM

Commercial we showed on Mother's Day for a revolutionary new product. Check it out.

Color Isolation

0 people are talking at 5:18 PM

Just scanning through some videos before heading out to b-day dinner for my beautiful wifey. Happened to stumble upon this cool little piece by Jordan Clarke. Enjoy.

Boy Band Fever

0 people are talking at 5:03 PM

Check out this video we did for our new series, "Boy Band Fever." It's Vince, Joe, James and myself in a new band, "Out of Sync."

5.14.2008

Lessons from Mr. West

0 people are talking at 3:37 PM

So let me start by saying, my wife is the greatest. I came home from an awesome service on Mother's Day (check out video we did here) and then my wife calls from our Chesapeake Campus and says, "Hey, I know you've been working hard, so I got tickets for us to go see Kanye West tonight."

Response: "Um... YOU'RE THE BEST! WHEN DOES IT START?!?"

So the concert was amazing. The line up was Lupe Fiasco, N.E.R.D., Rihanna, and Kanye. Lupe was alright, N.E.R.D. (hometown guys Pharell and Chad) performed great and had a special guest appearance by Chris Brown (VA representin') and that was an awesome surprise. Rihanna was better than I imagined and since it was a monsoon outside; when she did Umbrella there was a sea of people with them raised high, pretty awesome sight.

Kanye told a story through the eyes of a space explorer stranded on an abandoned planet. It was him and his spaceship Jane and the set was unreal. He stayed in character the entire time and it was basically Kanye "The Musical," but is was great. A few lessons learned as I walked away from the experience.

Pastors need to become better storytellers. Kanye was on stage over an hour and had the audience on the edge of their seats
Technology is our friend, but leave room for error/movement. In the rain and wind, they had to change the set on the fly and noted it from the stage. Be okay with changing your ideas and concepts to fit the moment.
The audience is there for a reason. Whether it's to see you fail or be encouraged, they came to what you're doing... so make the most of it.
Don't be afraid to go against the norm. I have been to quite a few hip-hop shows and never, NEVER have I seen a show like this. It was completely different and it worked. The church needs to get ahead and start setting the pace in culture.
Give people your best. As we left, we got a book titled, "Thank You and You're Welcome" written by Kanye. It was well designed, very professional, quotes and life lessons. It said to me, "I am glad you came, thank you and I cared enough to make this just for you." People that come to our services need to feel the same way.
Make it cool. Just being there I felt like I was a part of something that was really happenin' and fun. Looking around at thousands of people confirmed it. Who are you drawing and are they amped enough on it to bring people back?

All in all it was great and if you hear of him coming to your town, check it out.

J-del **over and out**

5.09.2008

The Coaster Is Coming

1 people are talking at 11:38 AM

And it's heading right for us. My wife's Dr. gave us the, "If your baby hasn't come by the 31st, call the hospital and let's get her into this world," talk.

Wow.

We have no clue what we are doing, but God has been on our speed dial everyday. Pray that every goes well with the delivery and that we can raise her up with God first.

J-del **over and out**

5.07.2008

iTunes Releases It Early?!?

0 people are talking at 8:55 AM

Well I am not sure if this is a fluke or if Death Cab for Cutie just wanted to silently release this, but if you search iTunes you will find that the regular and deluxe editions of "Narrow Stairs" are still available for pre-order.

But also listed is the deluxe edition (iTunes Plus+) with a "Buy Album" button. If you want to get Narrow Stairs before the expected May 13th release date, here is the link: Narrow Stairs

Enjoy. J-del **over and out**