This is Stephen’s blog.

He’s busy working on conference stuff.

So, I’m giving away another CD for him.

Leave a comment.

Win free stuff.

The prize? Arize LIVE with Jon Owens.

Oh, and register for the conference to hear Jon in person.

It’s almost here.

Peace.

[Click here to leave comment and win]

I would have dorky yearbook pictures.

But I didn’t.

So this site will have to suffice.

Here are my favorites.

It’s okay to laugh.

So, I’m failing at writing frequently. Life has been crazy. But, not too crazy to not announce the winners from last week’s contest! Yes, I said winners (plural). I’m nice like that.

Drum roll, please…

The random number generator chose…

Don and Joni

Congratulations! You’ll get your CD in the mail soon (dad, you can just pick yours up from me when I see you…ha!).

Stay tuned for more conference promotion stuff. Visit www.infocusworship.com for more information and to register.

Stephen

Some of you know about In Focus’ annual Worship Conference on September 18-20. Since I organize it, I’m going to promote the heck out of it on my blog. Each year, I walk away wondering how it can get any better and it always surpasses my expectations. It’s one of the best times of worship, in my opinion.

This year, Jared Anderson and his band will be our featured guest. If you don’t recognize his name, you might recognize him as one of the members of a little group called, Desperation Band. Jared has written songs such as, Amazed, Rescue, Hear Us From Heaven, Beauty of the Lord, Promises, and the list goes on and on. I’m excited about him coming to our conference and so should you.

As Part One of my shameless conference promotion, I’m giving away Jared’s latest CD, “Where Faith Comes From,” on my blog. Want to enter? Just leave a comment on this post saying you want Jared’s CD. I’ll use a random number generator to choose a winner next week.

Stephen

www.infocusworship.com

Your phone rings.

It’s a travel agent and you just won a trip to anywhere in the world, that you haven’t been before.

Where do you go?

Stephen

How many email addresses do you have?

I have three:
1. For work (It only comes to the computer in my office)
2. For my blog (I check it once a day)
3. Personal (It comes to every computer I have, plus my phone. You know, just in case someone decides it’s more important to email an emergency instead of the ever-so-complicated phone call)

Your turn to confess.

Stephen

I have the iPhone. You may have heard about it in the news. It does fancy stuff. But, it does not have picture or video messaging that is so desired by everyone. Then why is it so popular? Because Apple chose to focus their attention on other features that make the phone innovative and unbelievable.

Some companies have been trying to beat the iPhone but no one has succeeded. Why? Because they focus their attention on cramming in a bunch of features that water down the usability of their product.

What have I learn from this?

Sometimes, as the church, we try to include a program for everyone that make us bloated with “features.” We become average at a lot of little things instead of being excellent at a few great things.

Buckhead Church recently made an announcement that they have decided to discontinue 7|22. I thought this was a bold decision that took some guts. Although I personally enjoyed 7|22, I am excited to see a church that isn’t afraid to stop a certain ministry in order to do something even greater.

How many “features” does your church have?

Stephen