FredMcKinnon.Com

Hey Gang,

Today I joined the ranks of people who have setup their free “daily paper” at paper.li.

My edition is called “FredMcKinnon Follows” because the content featured in this daily periodical is automatically aggregated from a list of people, topics, and organizations that I follow on Twitter or Facebook.

That means the bulk of the content that is featured will be about worship, ministry, leadership, and technology.

These little “papers” are super cool.  To read an issue, go here.

So, there are TWO WAYS you can get the daily:

#1.  Signup via email on the FredMcKinnon Follows page (see the blue subscribe box in the top right corner)
#2.  Watch for the “tweet” on my twitter stream – I have it set to publish around 9:00 AM EST each day.

Now for the why – why do this?

#1.  I have been on the receiving side of having my content featured in someone else’s daily paper, and I appreciate that.  I want to do the same thing for someone else!
#2.  I think the content is valuable – or else, I wouldn’t be following them.  (except in cases where I auto-followed someone who is spamming trash)
#3.  It’s a great way to pull my world together in a daily form – not because my world is about me … but because it’s about YOU, and this is a good way to share it.

So … check it out!

Hey Gang,

For those who may already be following our blog and twitter updates (Blog:  www.RefugeSSI.Com | Twitter:  @refugessi) this may be old news.  But it’s still exciting news and I am thrilled to post it here.

We’ve just secured Ian Morgan Cron (web | twitter) as our primary speaker and “guide” for the Refuge retreat that we’re hosting here October 23-26.  Ian is a gifted speaker, spiritual advisor, he’s an ordained priest, worship leader, songwriter, and an accomplished author.  His brand new book, “Jesus, My Father, the CIA” was just featured by Barnes & Noble, noting Ian as one of their “Discover Great New Writers” program.

My first encounter with Ian was at the re:create conference in Franklin, TN a couple of years ago.  He was there as a spiritual guide and counselor and led us through some incredibly powerful times of worship.  His sensitive way of leading us through the Eucharist was amazing and inspiring.

Ian will be speaking in several of our sessions, along with others.  Since the “Refuge” retreat is designed to be small and intimate, it’s a huge treat to be able to spend some time with him.

Here’s a short video excerpt on prayer from a recent interview Ian did:  (more videos at IanCron.Com)

I assure you, this will be time well spent.  Do you need to unwind, recharge, pull away, and hear from God?  Of course you do!  Early-bird registration is only $99 (ending June 30th!).  Checkout the “Refuge” site and register today, and bring your spouse, your staff, friends.  It will be a powerful time of rest, renewal, and restoration.

Early Bird:  $99
Dates:  October 23 (Sunday night Meet & Greet) – Wednesday, October 26th

REGISTER TODAY!

Hey Folks,

For the next few days, I’m gonna run a little series here on the blog called “Survey Says”.

I’ll ask a question … I may (or may not) share some of my own answers, but the real point is for you, the gang in the community here at FredMcKinnon.Com, to respond.

So today:

Blogs:  what are you reading these days?  What are your top 5 blogs?

I have to admin I struggle to keep up with the blogs in my blogroll – so I’ll just mention a couple of newer, noteworthy ones I’ve stumbled upon in the last few months:

DavidSantistevan.Com – great blog on worship leadership and church, and enjoy following him on Twitter as well @dsantistevan
GoinsWriter.Com – inspiring blog on creativity and writing by Jeff Goins.  I had the privilege of meeting Jeff at re:create this year.  Follow him on Twitter @JeffGoins
RandyElrod.Com – I try to catch every post, but I miss more than I catch.  Randy is a mentor, fellow dreamer, and inspiring guy.  He founded re:create. Follow him on Twitter @RandyElrod
MichaelHyatt.Com – Michael is an inspiring leader, speaker, publisher, and all-around-good-guy.  Met him at re:create as well.  Follow him @MichaelHyatt
TheWorshipCommunity.Com – both a blog and lively forums community, always good content … I’m biased, since I founded and publish the site, but seriously – if you’re into worship/tech/ministry leadership, this is a great resource.   I have to subscribe via RSS to both articles and forums to keep up.  On twitter @theworshipcomm

So what about you?  What’s your Top 5 blogs?

Well, words can’t express the “high” I’m feeling from an incredible day yesterday – both of our Sunday AM services were incredible and last night’s “Night of Worship” at SSCC was amazing.  More on that in a different, upcoming blog post.

This morning as I was praying about leadership … God spoke to me.  You know, that small voice on the inside … and oftentimes for me, I “see” the words or phrase in my mind’s eye …

I felt like God said “pray that you (and they) would lead by revelation and not reason”.

PRAY THAT YOU WILL LEAD BY REVELATION AND NOT REASON.

Did you get that?

Revelation gives vision … a cause, a purpose … our leadership is a RESPONSE to the revelation we get.
Reason … this is where we engage our natural minds to figure out the yes and no, the why and why not, the “this is impossible”.

Reason is good … God gave us the capacity to “reason” and use our intellect.  But when our leadership comes from our intellect only, I think we’re apt to miss out.

I’m still trying to figure out exactly what that phrase means and how to walk it out – but I think I’m on to something.

What say you?