I’m about to start posting the behind-the-scenes info as we get ready to launch UC. If someone else had posted this information, it would have helped me a ton. Maybe someone out there will find it and be able to use it.
We’ve gotten everything in for our projection system:
2 Mitsubishi 2500-Lumen Projectors used for rear projection
2 Da-Lite projection screens that are rear-preojection ready
1 42″ LCD Flat-screen television to run center screen
1 Macbook with Songscreen for words and Keynote for presentations) –The cool thing about Songscreen is that you don’t need a video switcher…Songscreen has all of that incorporated. The catch for us is that we don’t have a dedicated Macbook, so we’ll be using DVDs in a DVD player rather than loaded on the Macbook and played through Songscreen. Thus…
1 4-way video swticher… All inputs are S-Video as well as the output
1 Signal amplifier (Since we’re using s-video cables at a length over 50′, we need an amplifier to boost the signal)
1 DVD Player
1 “Preview” TV
The company we’ve been working with provided the info we needed to make decision about what type of system we’d go with. Fowler Inc (www.fowlerinc.com). is their name. They’ve helped a ton and they had all the items in-hand in a very short time. They even provided the stand for the TV which will go center stage.
Hope this helps someone out there!
Tonight, two vocalists are coming to the house to work on parts. The band’s getting together next week. The sound equipment is on its way and so is the stage. We’ve received almost all of the other media equipment. If only I could get those pesky lights worked out.
40,000 pieces of direct mail have been printed and we’re going to launch with two services… get ready, this is going to be quite the adventure.
Can I just say that shopping at Wal-Mart two days before Christmas is a bad idea…
My wife’s other best friend, C.S. Lewis (though he doesn’t know he’s her best friend), wrote this and I think it’s awesome. It’s written to be a “field guide” for demonic forces to influence Christians.
Your man has been accustomed, ever since he was a boy, to have a dozen incompatible philosophies dancing about together inside his head. He doesn’t think of doctrines as primarily ‘true’ or ‘false,’ but as ‘academic’ or ‘practicial,’ or ‘outworn’ or ‘contemporary,’ ‘conventional’ or ‘ruthless.’ Jargon, not argument, is your best ally in keeping him from the Church. Don’t waste time trying to make him thing that materialism is true! Make him think it is strong, or stark, or courageous – that it is the philosphy of the future. That’s the sort of thing he cares about.
Wow! How true is that? We get so caught up in describing doctrines and sin as a sign of the age or out-of-date, when in truth, it’s much more simple than that. Everything in life is not black and white, but most doctrinal issues are. Hmm… Just a thought!
We had a great time tonight at the open house for the new UC office. I’m hoping to get set up and start working from there during the weeks. The food tonight was awesome, and so was the wassail. Good job Dana! The offices looked fantastic. Good job Viki! I have no doubt that the offices will be busy with administrative stuff, but also that it will be a place where tons of relationships are built. These offices are where we’ll be launching this church from. I want to take every moment and appreciate where we are right now. This time is so important. I want to savor every moment, but that’s a struggle right now.
mjd
UC definitely has someone to play the keys. David has committed to serve for at least 12 weeks while we get our band details worked out. The team is coming together. It’s always refreshing to find people in the body of Christ who are willing to serve – no matter what. David told Chel and me yesterday that he would do whatever we needed, he just knew that his pastor supported this launch, and that he believed he needed to support this launch.
We come to UC from Family Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. I remember one particular time that growth at FC was incredible. We probably doubled in attendance that year. There was a gigtantic vinyl sign that hung over the stage and it said three words that changed my life: Whatever it takes…
Our pastor (Bro. Bill) got in the pulpit (that’s his style) and talked about laying down our lives for the sake of the call. In those days, FC had about 200 people attending. Over the next 2 years, those 200 would become about 800. It was an amazing time of growth, but it required sacrifice from everyone. We believed in the vision of FC…to make it hard to go to hell in Jefferson County and every county that touches it. We gave up our days and our nights, our finances and desires to see FC become a thriving and successful church. Bro. Bill and his wife needed new carpet, and I remember them demonstrating their sacrifice by putting their “carpet savings” in the building fund at least 2 or 3 times in the course of those years. We built a building and built “the church” at the same time. Our youth group grew from 40 kids to 200 kids. As teenagers we were involved in tons of leadership development classes, small group leading, developing our own Oneighty services, and doing whatever else we were asked.
I have no doubt the UC will reach the multitudes someday. I have no doubt that we’ll see people enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ on a weekly basis. I have no doubt that someday we’ll have a building that we can call “our own.” But for now, I know that we must maintain a heart that says…whatever it takes…we’re willing…whatever it takes.
mjd
Well, it would appear that I’m beginning my 5th blog in about as many months! I think each one of those signifies a life change. 
Too much in such a short time.
UC Worship, just like the blog, is getting up and going as we speak. We’ve got meetings with folks out the ying-yang to get things set up. We’re ordering stuff every day, and I can’t wait to get it all settled. My guess is that about the time we get settled in the YMCA, we’ll be looking for a bigger space. Exciting days are ahead, my friends. The adventure is only beginning.
After being out of town for 4 weeks in a row, the house is in utter chaos, so we’re trying to get it cleaned up between working for UC and working for my company. I think my MIL is coming in town soon, so we definitely need everything cleaned up by then.
Our cat has decided that he likes water…so I’m just not sure how we’re going to keep him out of the Christmas tree. The spray bottle isn’t working any more. Any time Spike hears the water running, he’s somewhere close now. In the toilet, in the shower, in the sink, in the washing machine…you name it…he’s in the middle of it.
mjd
