Sunday Morning Revisited

I remember Sunday mornings when I was growing up. There was really never a question about whether we were going to church. We were going. But I do remember absolutely hating it.

I didn't hate church. I didn't hate going to church. I hated getting up to go to church. Looking back, I'm sure I made that very clear to my folks.

Fast forward to the past 15 years or so. I've experienced the same drama in our home. Two boys who weren't enthused at all about getting up to go to church. But, here's the thing. For us, it wasn't a foregone conclusion that we would go to church.

Now remember, I'm a "growed up in the church" guy. Toured with an evangelical musical group. Learned to present "the bridge." Worked on church staff. Helped plant a new congregation.

When I was actively involved in a church, or employed in a church, we went, pretty much all the time. When I wasn't... well... let's just say we sometimes worshiped at the "Church of the Holy Comforter."

Michael Spencer, aka the Internet Monk has a really fascinating post on the whole topic of parents and children and church that is worth spending some time thinking about.

Is Sunday morning a non-negotiable when talking about a family's participation in the life of a church? Lots of churches offer Saturday worship experiences. Many of them DON'T offer full children and youth programming on Saturday. The most recent research I've seen shows families are still most likely to VISIT church on a Sunday morning.

What about the whole phenomena of Internet campuses and "going to church" online? You simply can not argue with the fruit that some are seeing from building online communities to experience worship together in that environment. Yes, I know some will disagree here. The proof is in the fruit. Please, please get over it. Don't argue it. At this point, you just look silly.

Here's my bottom line question. What does the church need to do to be more accessible to families with children? What are we missing? What do we need to change?

Don't get me wrong. I believe a relationship with God is a commitment. I believe that fellowship and community are critical component of spiritual growth.

I think the church exists primarily to help facilitate an individuals growing relationship with God. If what we do makes growing that relationship more difficult, or if we could do new or different things that would be helpful, we should be willing to change.

What do you think? Where should we be looking?

Cut and Paste Magic

Ever needed to clean up data in a table or spreadsheet?  You know, fix phone numbers so they are all clean?  Split out area codes into a separate column?  This can take hours!  Well, not anymore.  Check out this cool little video.

That is pretty stinkin' sweet.  Could save hours on data cleanup, and it's free at cleanupdata.com.  HT to Jon Edmiston for the tip!.

Duct Tape? NO THANK YOU!

Call me a snob, I guess. I won't let duct tape on any stage where I'm working. Period.

Duct tape ( and it is DUCT tape, not DUCK tape) is designed to seal ductwork fabricated from sheet metal.  That's what it's for.

It has no place in the world of theater and production.  Why?

It does damage to things.  It sticks, and sticks hard.  Hard enough to splinter wood, or pull the pile right out of carpet. There are all kinds of variation in it, but most have one thing in common.  They leave residue when you pull it up.  That goo sticks on stuff.  Stuff like carpet. And wood flooring.  And wood finishes on organ casework. Yes, I know this from experience.)

Gaff tape is fabric... heavy... and sticks.  Once.  It comes off, and doesn't leave residue (unless it's been there for six months, or there was a lot of heat).

It costs anywhere between $13 and $18 a roll. We buy it in black and white (because we have white marble on our platform) by the case to get the best prices. It's worth the expense.

I won't let duct tape in. Nope. Never.

OK... there is one exception. Duct tape, and I mean the good kind that is sold by the same people who make good gaff tape, is the best choice for laying down a Marley dance floor. I've also used it for sealing seams when laying down a masonite over a stage floor, but make sure it will take the paint, if you are planning to paint it over.

But other than that... duct tape... NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.