Allen Kleine Deters
I am the church planter for the Niagara Falls, ON church plant yet to be named. I am married to an amazing woman full of compassion for the marginalized hence she is a special ed teacher of severe needs children. We have three boys (men) and one daughter-in-law. I am committed to Kingdom Theology and deeply believe in a biblical community that develops disciples for Christ. I am a small group geek and believe they are the best avenue in this endeavor. When managed with vision and mission small groups can cover most areas needed in developing as disciples of Jesus Christ and guiding people to live in missional communities.
Oh yeah, I'm also "The Reverend" formerly of the blues band, Reverend and the Blues Pushers, but now playing solo in my new parish community.
"Agape love alive and breathing, the Word and the power of Holy Spirit = reached people and changed lives"
Posted in: What Would You Like to See on This Site?
Absolutely right Mark,
we use SongSelect all the time. It's is totally worth the investment. That way you can also download the Hymn Sheets too.
We have recently started using Google Docs to lay out the worship orders, bulletin, etc.
I don't know anything FREE like you are talking about Dan. I know that when we used Song Show Plus in our other church, you could collaborate with it if it was on a network in-house. It lets you do the same thing as the website you mentioned, but you own it outright and it does all you projection and keeps track of CCLI usage. It's the big kahuna of Worship projection software.
Posted in: What Would You Like to See on This Site?
Dan,
Do you mean coordinating with Google Docs and the calendar? Not sure what you're getting at.
We are attaching our sound people with a worship team so they all get to know and work with each other. Sure they switch out from time to time. The nursery, greeters/ushers are all coordinated by someone else either via email or list. There are too many who don't use internet or email here.
Regarding blended worship and SongSelect. The truth is that SongSelect is set up more for modern music, but it does have some hymns. As a guitar and bass player some of the real classical style hymns are not friendly and were not written with guitar in mind. I prefer to let the piano and keyboard pound those out. Many are also not drum friendly unless played as tympani (accents only, not the driving beat). I'm not sure forcing certain instruments on certain music is doing anyone any favors and it takes away from the authors intention and emotion for the piece. The same is true with trying to fit the pipe organ with many of the more modern pieces -- it kills them.
If you have SongSelect premium, you can access all of the sheet music available and it allows you to transpose keys. You can also find some hymn sheets through hymnary.org. You just have to make sure if you're pulling guitar chords from one place and full notation from another that they are in the same key. We've also invested in a few good books that have a good assortment of modern and hymn music that include chords.
Hope that helps. Maybe Mark or others have more to say.
Allen
Posted in: What Would You Like to See on This Site?
Great idea Gary,
You are welcome to start a separate page on the Forum for that if you wish and kick us off.
Posted in: Social Networking & Church Life
Mavis,
Where is this "Social Media" tab of which you speak?
Posted in: New Songs That You're Excited About?
Ken, no worries. I know the Carnegie hall thing. My son sings opera and has been invited back a number of times. What an experience.
I love Paul Baloche's stuff and have sat in on some sessions with him. I'm trying to get some of his stuff in our church too.
Posted in: New Songs That You're Excited About?
I'm thinking, Mighty to Save, How Great is Our God, How Deep the Fathers Love for Us, In Christ Alone, ...
Actually, I just looked at CCLI's top 25 and I have to agree that there are some pretty awesome songs. Lot's of Tim Hughes, Paul Baloche, Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, good stuff.
Posted in: Handy Web Resources
Just got this hooked up into our site,
Logos refTag -- shows bible references in a little popup window when you do a mouse over. Great in your blog and anywhere else on your site where you reference scripture. http://www.logos.com/reftagger
Also YouVersion.com has some great badges to put on your site to connect people to the Bible online. You can also connect to it via smart phone as well. It has many different Bible versions to choose from.
Posted in: Feedback on Your Church Website
We're still in progress, but it's slowly coming together. we use slightly larger type because we have a number of active seniors on the web who don't necessarily know how to enlarge the font or web page in their browser.
Thoughts and ideas are always helpful.
we are using the CMS Joomla and will be switching all to K2 component style. right now it is laid out between standard Joomla and enhanced K2
www.alamosacrc.com
Posted in: "Why I Don't Tweet"
I Tweet and Facebook. Those are my main social networks where I have actually done ministry with other people in my congregation and friends. I mainly use Twitter for colleagues in ministry across denom lines, but I do follow some interests such as homebrewing, cooking and music.
I have learned about online webinars and valuable resources that I would have otherwise missed.
Social networking is not for everyone, especially the less computer and internet savvy who would most likely find it an infringement on their time.
For me it is part of my ministry tool set.
Posted in: Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow: Church Services in Any Weather
David,
I've been thinking about something like this for awhile now and brainstorming all the possible ways to use it. I just wasn't sure about what platform to use. I checked out UStream and was pretty pumped at what I found.
You got my brain going now. I can see using this in the future at our church just to reach into our community and wherever else.
Thanks for the connection.
Posted in: Going to the Mall for Christmas?
Actually, as much as I appreciate much of what Jamie Smith has to say his recent comments on the Messiah in the mall are not included. I say we can sometimes be too critical about such things.
I think we should just be able appreciate it. If it moves you to tears or makes you smile and feel a bit more alive in the moment isn't that what well done art does? Being too critical can rob one of enjoying the moment.
I never consider whether it was a liturgical thing or not. I just thought it was cool and wonderful to enjoy.
Posted in: Going to the Mall for Christmas?
That is a sweet video. I've seen it all over Facebook. There's another one by Random Acts of Culture -- opera done in Macy's in NYC and other department stores.
But what a great way to bring the Messiah to a community who may otherwise not here it.
I wish I had a mall here, but alas we have to buy most of our gifts online... I do hum hymns and carols while I shop at the local City Market. I go to Wallmart only when I have no choice and do the same.