FredMcKinnon.Com

Hey Everyone,

In less than one hour, I’ll be teaching the first of two classes at the National Worship Leader Conference entitled “Worship + Web 2.0″. I could use your prayers. Pray that someone will actually ATTEND the class. Pray that I’ll communicate effectively.

I’d like to invite you to join us. Because we’re talking about worship planning and networking online, I’ll be “twittering” and possibly even broadcasting via my Mogulus channel … and would love for you to interact with the class. Not sure if this will happen or not, but be standing by … just in case. I’ll send a “tweet” asking people to participate.

The class will be happening (shortly) at 11:00 AM CST and at 1:45 PM CST.

If you’d like, you can download the class notes.

Here is the presentation. Russ Hutto tried to make me a hip theme, but we ran out of time. He says it’s lame. I’ll forgive him.

QuickTime Movie Presentation
PowerPoint Export

Fred

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Hey Everybody,

What an incredible couple of days I’ve had at the National Worship Leader Conference. Yeah, originally the “shuttle” schedule was pretty lousy, but thanks to a new blog/twitter/worship buddy, Jim Drake, we’ve hitched some rides with his clan which has made transportation much easier.

So right now, as I type this … I’m sitting in the Speakers’ Green Room. Laura Story (author of the huge song, “Indescribable” is sitting on the couch to my left. A Pastor and some other friends from Franklin, TN are to my right. Across the rug is legend, Ron Kenoly. Can I tell you that sitting in this room off and on all day with Ron Kenoly is like sitting under a wise man who is chock-full of Godly wisdom. He’s like a grandfather. I could sit and listen to Ron all day long. He’s so authentic, and his heart bleeds for God and His Kingdom.

Truth be told, I’m just too tired to give you all the dozens of pages of notes I’ve taken in the many sessions over the last two days. This conference schedule starts with us leaving the hotel before 8:00 AM, and not getting back to the hotel until after 10:00 PM.

Here are some highlights:

Extravagant Worship in the main sessions with some of the most influential, gifted worship leaders on the planet. I’ve been led in worship by Matt Redman, Paul Baloche, Sarah Kelly, Jonathan Noel, Rush of Fools, Leeland, Matt Maher, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Rita Springer, and in about an hour, Lincoln Brewster, Kathryn Scott, Don Moen, and Gateway Worship. Tomorrow night we’ll be led in worsip by Buddy Owens, CeCe Winans, Phil Sillas & Lily Cruz, Israel Houghton, and Tommy Walker. Yes - in the same week. Can you believe that?

Today:

I took Shaun Groves‘ Advanced Blogging class. It was awesome. Shaun is the real deal. I didn’t have the adapter to make my Lappie work with their projector, so he’s loaned me his … he trusts me to return it to him, and gave to me when I was in need. That’s huge for me. I learned a lot about blogging from him today.

Earlier today I took a powerful class by Ross Parsley. It was about Multi-Generational worship. Let’s face it, most churches have “multiple generations” represented and I was really looking forward to this class. Ross didn’t disappoint - he comes across as very humble, incredibly authentic, and laid back. He’s got tons of wisdom, and I consider it an honor to sit under his teaching. The folks at New Life Worship should count their blessings to have this gift.

Gordan MacDonald was the afternoon speaker and he was really great. It was during that “sluggish time” of day where my body was distracted, fatigued, yet I knew in my spirit that what he was saying was important. Plus, I’ve learned that when these guys who have been in ministry for 40+ years speak, I should shut up and listen. Gordon delivered big-time, and opened my eyes to further understanding what’s going on as a Worship Pastor, and how to navigate that with multiple age groups.

Bishop Joseph Garlington spoke this morning. His keyboard player accompanied his sermon, playing strings, keys, hits, sound effects, and various nuances that made the entire presentation a vivid, interactive session. I thought to myself how these little music “things” throughout the sermon kept me engaged, and heightened my emotions during the talk … thought about how movies always keep a soundtrack growing, and found myself wondering why we don’t do this more?

Yesterday we had more incredible sessions, other classes by Paul Baloche and Ross Parsley, and dynamic teaching by Dr. Leonard Sweet.

Wish I could share more, and I should - I’m on information overload right now, but wanted to get a blog out. Thanks to everyone who is taking this journey with me!

For the Kingdom,
Fred

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Hey Everyone,

As promised, here’s an update from the National Worship Leader Conference in Austin, TX. I can tell you one thing … it’s HOT in Austin, TX. We arrived yesterday via ExpressJet air. Before leaving the Jacksonville, FL I called the hotel to confirm that their complimentary shuttle would be at the airport. She confirmed that it would be there at the top of every hour. We arrived a bit late, so I was afraid we’d miss the 3:00 PM shuttle. I called the hotel from baggage claim and she said “it’s running a little late, so you should be fine”.

Well, 2-1/2 hours later, we still have no shuttle, and we’ve been standing out on the sidewalk of the airport in the Austin heat. Every subsequent phone call to the hotel confirmed they were clueless as to the shuttle situation and more and more people assembled on the sidewalk waiting for the mystery shuttle.

I finally caved in and said “ok folks there is one sure way to get that shuttle … I’ll give up and get a cab, then the shuttle will show up”. So, I hailed a cab, piled in, and arrived at the hotel with a $40 taxi bill. As I paid the driver, the hotel shuttle drove up (just behind us) with all our friends from the airport. Go figure.

“Shuttle” is a cuss word this week. The transportation situation is just not good at all, and I regret not renting a car. Traffic is ridiculous in this area and the church is out in this area where there are no restaurants, gas stations, etc.

But … it’s all part of travel, right?

Blog friend-now-met-in-person Chad Wright picked us up at the hotel and we went to dinner … had a blast and took a pic here.

Last night we had worship with several folks including Sarah Kelly, Matt Redman and Paul Baloche. Skip Heitzig was the speaker, and he did an awesome job. He was a fantastic communicator, and really encouraged the worship leader. I love worshiping with Paul Baloche, and regretted having to slip out early because the “shuttle” (sh****TLE) schedule said that last ride back to the hotel was at 9:30 PM. So, we slipped out … got outside in the muggy, humid heat to find NO SHUTTLE. We waited … and waited, meanwhile, the rest of the smart people who stayed for worship are now dismissing. Finally the shuttle comes closer to 10:00 and we then sit in parking lot traffic another 15 minutes or so.

So it’s nearly the end of Tuesday already, but I have only updated Monday … I’ll put Tuesday in a new blog, and will update soon.

Is anyone following?

Fred

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Hey Everyone,

I’m a few hours from boarding my flight to Austin, TX for the annual National Worship Leader Conference. A fellow blogger, friend, Worship Leader, and Contributor for TheWorshipCommunity.Com will be making the trek with me … thanks, Russ Hutto!

As with the Willow Arts Conference, I’ll be blogging from the conference in Austin. For more frequent updates, you should be following my twitter account.

Pray for me, especially on Thursday from 11:00 - 12:15 CST and 1:45 - 3:00 PM CST, as I”ll be teaching the “Worship + Web 2.0″ class.

Hope to hookup with Chad Wright this trip, and many other bloggers and friends. If you are there, twitter me or email me … we’ll find a way to hookup. Me thinks we’ll crash a restaurant or hotel lobby after one of the night concerts!

More to come,

Fred

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