Jason Bedell Online

We had an awesome backyard style baptism service Sunday. Posted this video on the Forefront Blog and figured I would share what is going down at Forefront. God is moving and I feel humbled to be a part of it. Enjoy.

So you blog, write and communicate, but wonder... "What is it for? Is anyone reading this stuff?" Well apparently you are and you notice when a brotha goes missing.

Twitter= seldom.
Blog=deserted.
YouTube=baren.

I just want to say thank you to all the emails and texts that have come in over the past two weeks. They have been so encouraging. I am not dead. Please don't call 9-1-1. God and I are wrestling. As a leader you have seasons where God challenges you to do things and move in ways that makes you say, "Holy crap, you have got to be kidding!?"

Now when I say that, I am under the assumption that as a leader you and God are in constant communication. If you are sitting there thinking, "I've never really had those moments" then it would cause me to simply ask, "Why not?"

As God's leaders, we have been given the difficult task of communicating God's truth. Period. I hear (and have used myself) words like culturally relevant, technology driven, leveraging all that's 'POP' and so on. But I am being challenged by God. Have I bought into the hype? Have you? Possibly so.

Now don't get me wrong, I still believe in those things and as a creative arts pastor; it's the world I live in, but... when do we say when? Are Web 2.0, online communities, lazer light shows during worship, and over the top tech in our services working? Now I would say yes. Completely.

For the future? I'm not so sure.

Tech & Culture changes so rapidly. Is anyone really "keeping up?" Churches across the country are using the right projection, music, bands, twitter, videos, blogs and ideas. They're keeping up. But at what price? I'm not completely set on this yet, but I would say people are the price. I "know" more about people than I ever did before, but hang out with less people than I ever have in my life. Technology is a tool we use, but I'm pondering if it will ultimately be our downfall?

On top of all this, God is pushing me to do something I've never dreamed of.
More on this as God speaks. Until then,

J-del *over and out*

So, I am not sure what to think of this or this, but... I know true or false-- God can use this song to touch the lives of people. Craziness. [Song is embedded below]

So if you missed the Saddleback Civic Forum where Rick Warren hosted Barrack Obama and John McCain... you should check it out. Here is a link where you can view all the portions. Below is the first part with Barrack. What are your thoughts?

with those you love. Had a great time hanging with some of our Gel Group (small group) friends from Forefront. Much love peeps. Life is good.

Our lead pastor, Vince, is leaving Forefront to plant a church in Las Vegas on the strip. I couldn't be more encouraged by his listening to God's call... and I am SOOOOOO proud of the reaction of our people. God is moving and it's so awesome to watch Him work. Check it out in the video below. (note the reaction when he finally tells the church he is leaving to follow God, they are so sold out on the mission).



So now that the two weeks of keeping quiet, getting things prepped, and praying for God to move in the hearts of our people is settling... it's time to look towards the future, support this church plant, pump out some videos and back to regular blogging. Pray for FF as we push forward and live out His call of Loving God, Loving People & Turning the World Upside Down.

Chris Martin- #3 and Jason Bedell- #2. Collide Magazine makes the list people, not me. Ha. Thanks to Eric for sending this to me this morning. Hysterical. Unfortunately, I think my wife has Mr. Martin at #1 [wink, wink]

So I was sitting in my apartment a few weeks ago and I heard this loud crash. So I hopped up and went to the window and saw that one of the ladies in our building had dropped a bunch of stuff she was unloading from her car. I hesitated for a moment, but my neighbor Art jumped out of his car and immediately helped her gather everything up and brought it inside for her. She looked so relieved.

So I thought, “What does my example look like?” I know Art doesn’t go to church and he says amen a bunch, but I don’t think he has a relationship with God- yet, Art leads by example. His life shines through in everything he does. From opening the door for everyone who walks in to making conversation with all the neighbors (and it’s always more in depth than “hey, how about this weather?”). Art has taught me a big lesson: I’m not a leader just because it says “pastor” on my business card, I’m only a leader as much as I act and live like one.

J-del **over and out**

Once a year we have a mandatory (but we love to get together regardless) staff & family day. It’s a great time of gathering together, spending time catching up from the craziness of life and just putting the work of the church aside for a brief moment to see what life is like on a personal level. I used to hate (yes, I did use the word) these type of gatherings, but as I get older I come to appreciate the community of getting together with those you work with. Being a true introvert when it comes to social situations, this sometimes can be overwhelming for me, but it’s definitely a way to stretch myself. So kick back and let the potato salad and burgers roll!

I don’t think Sweet Baby James has ever sung that lyric, but man it couldn’t be more true for me right now. Last night I sat with a handful of people and taped their testimonies & stories about their trip to Vietnam to serve and love on the Mien people. Forefront adopted the Mien people with the hope and desire of sharing God with a people who have never heard the name of Jesus before. Their efforts helped to put in a clean water filtration system and in the process share the love of Jesus with those who are far from God. I teared up during some of the taping, it was so heart touching. I can’t say it enough, “I love my job!”

(I’ll post the video as soon as it’s edited and complete, wink wink)

J-del  **over and out**

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

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."

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.

Okay, so I really can't wait until this conference comes around (and I'm not just saying that because our lead pastor is speaking, even though that's a bonus). But, it is just such a refreshing idea about not wasting time and just "getting to the point" and relaying that "one idea." Ben Arment has put a ton of time and energy into the conference with all the sponsors and I am blown away by the line-up of church planting leaders who are going to be there.

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