FredMcKinnon.Com

Ryan over at www.iamanoffering.com sent me an email a couple of days ago about “Blog Action Day“.  I’d never heard of it so I took some time this morning to check it out.

“Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.”.

It looks like the bloggers discussed the environment in 2007.  This year we’ll discuss poverty.  Be thinking about it.  What in the world does that have to do with this blog?  Well, I talk about worship a lot here.  God’s interested in poverty – He’s interested in seeing His Kingdom advanced here on the earth.  Shaun Groves recently wrote an excellent blog post on this subject of why we don’t hear about poverty and the Kingdom in our churches.

I feel like I should be a part of this.  I mean .. get the contrast here … This morning, I’m sitting here in my air-conditioned home, typing this blog on my MacBook Pro, with the kids playing and watching cartoons on a big, LCD HDTV.  Joy just bought a beautiful new piece of furniture for our living room.  On it we have some pictures, including “Kelvin” … an orphan from Tanzania who we’ve sponsored through Compassion International. Rebekah (my 4-year old) is now sitting at our kitchen table coloring a picture for young Kelvin.  She frequently goes by and says “Daddy, look at that little boy, he needs me”.  We are so blessed and are extremely wealthy when compared to the rest of the world.  What can we do?

Poverty is real.  So is God’s Kingdom.  He’s called us to be a part of it.  So, save the date.  On October 15, 2008, we’re going to discuss worship as a lifestyle as it applies to how we minister to those in poverty.

Check out this video below:

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Are you ready?
Fred

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