coolchurchtech

Welcome to coolchurchtech...

Thanks for stopping by the coolchurchtech blog.  If you're part of the tech team at Abundant Life - thanks for serving.  If you've found this site via Sermonspice.com - welcome!  If you'd like more information on Abundant Life Church - click here.  The rest of this blog is just a blog - my thoughts on what's happening with my faith, work, family and friends.  Thanks for stopping by.

ALC Tech Top Ten - 2008

It's seems everyone is taking time to put together a "Top Ten" list for the end of the year, so I thought I'd post some of my highlights for 2008 when it comes to significant achievements in Tech Ministries at Abundant Life Church this year.

10.  Shifting ALC web streaming away from A/V Web to Audio Acrobat (October)

    It's great to find a great vendor, and this move not only saved us money, but it has opened unique opportunities for staff to be able to do some web-casting of their own, and allowed us to return an audio podcast to the ALC line-up.   Along this same line is our implementation of "Planning Center Online" as a tool to schedule volunteers for ministry.

 9.  Running IMAG Camera at Portland City Fest (August).

    This is a personal item, but is a favorite memory for this year.  I really enjoyed getting a chance to get behind the scenes at an amazing event, and to run a camera that was worth more than my current home!

8.  Attending Catalyst Conference - Atlanta, GA (October)

    I really enjoyed this conference, and found it a breath of fresh air in busy year.  I left with new encouragement and great ideas - and ate the best ribs I ever had.

7.  Installation of the IMAG System and Broadcast Pix Switcher at HV Campus (March)

    The most significant tech purchase at ALC - and set us up for a future of great video production for years to come.

6.  Installation of sound and lighting system and launch of the Parkrose Campus (February)

    This was a great project, and it was so exciting to be able to use the talent of great volunteers and vendors and the collective knowledge we had learned from the HV campus to make it a good install.

5.  "Songs of Christmas" - 1st extensive use of automated fixtures at ALC. (December)

    If you attended this program, you witnessed a unique first for Abundant Life - the utilization of automated fixtures to create a great look for the program.  We utilized the talents of Indigo Design, and they did a great job for us.  It was also the first program we did knowing that IMAG was going to be a critical aspect of the service, so we built set looks and lighting to take advantage of that.

4.  Super Summer Spectacular IMAG support. (July)

    I was so excited that we were able to really enhance the SSS program at ALC with the introduction of IMAG for the live worship and teaching.  It was a great use of technology across the other aspects of the ministries at ALC.

3.  The airing of a film I created call "The Hall Closet" on Egyptian Television (to an estimated audience of over 10 million). (November)

    Another personal item that made this list, but I'm continued to be humbled and flattered by how God is using this short little film to send a great message around the globe.  Changes are pretty good this is the largest audience that will (or will ever) see anything I've created.  Wow.

2.  Creation of a radio recording studio at Abundant Life Church. (September)

    The installation that converted (hats off to Bridgeport Productions) Greg's old office into a radio recording studio made way for my favorite Tech achievement at ALC in 2008...

1.  The debut of Cool Church Radio w/George Powell - KPAM 860, September 7, 2008.

    This is significant for many reasons, but as we "continue to reach as many people as possible for Jesus Christ.." the use of mass media will be a big part of that.  As we enter the new year, we'll continue to evaluate the impact of the radio show on Portland and Abundant Life.  To date we've done 18 episodes, and will continue through February 2009.

As I reflect on these things, each item has behind it a huge list of dedicated friends, family, fellow staff and volunteers that have made each of these items possible.   To all of you - thanks!  Come to think of it, what never makes list like this - which is as significant - is the day in and day out support of the weekly ministry volunteers that make tech happen at both campuses each week a reality.  We honestly could not do any of this without you!

If your read this - and want to add your own favorite memory or item, feel free to post a comment.

A heart felt "Happy New Year" to all - and an honest resolution to post a little more often.

Dave

Behind the Scenes at Cool Church Radio

Just for fun, we set up a web-cam today to give a behind-the-scenes look at the recording of Cool Church Radio w/George Powell.   This is a segment for the show "Facing the Giant of Commitment" that will air on KPAM 860 on Sunday, November 9th.  As you watch the clip, you'll see us listening to the last part of the message George taught at Abundant Life, and then we talk about it.

Now it is the cold and flu season...and half-way through this table talk segment, Dennis nearly chokes to death trying to suppress a cough that comes on suddenly.  Sadly we don't have "cough buttons" - which means he can't mute his microphone - so he had to hold on and try not to breathe until we wrapped the segment.   Way to take one for the team, Dennis!

Who's who?  If the video is a clock, I'm 12, Dennis Quick is at 3, Bill Dolan ( www.spiritmedia.com ) our executive producer is at 6.  Behind him, and out of the shot is our production engineer Denny from Bridgeport Productions (www.bridgeportproductions.com), and at the 9 o'clock position is Pastor George.

You can catch the entire episode of "Facing the Giant of Commitment" after it airs on KPAM 860 - until then you listen to other episodes and subscribe to the Cool Church Radio podcast at www.coolchurchradio.com.

Home from Catalyst Conference

Just a quick post to let everyone know what a great experience the Catalyst Conference was for me.  I'm pretty picky and jaded about conferences...I've done a LOT of them, including...

• Promise Keepers - (back when it was still a big event just in Boulder, CO)
• DC/LA - (when it was still in just DC and LA).
• CIY - (about 4 times, including a couple of times when David Crowder was just a young buck worship leader with a band from Waco)...
• Saddleback Worship Festival - 3 times...
• C3 w/Ed Young - a couple of times...
• WFX (the tech conference/trade show) - one time (that was enough).

But Catalyst was it, baby...the real deal.  Everything at the Catalyst Conference was intentional and excellent.  It was ministry neutral, so anyone from any team, volunteer or pastorl could benefit.  There wasn't  a minute wasted, not an opportunity missed.  I went skeptical, and left challenged and inspired.  I had fun, I cried, I worshiped, I was caught off guard and I thought.  Thanks Catalyst.  If anyone wants specifics, I'd be happy to share them.  Can't wait for the West Coast version.   See you in April!

PS - regarding the lack of continued video updates (below) - we didn't do any more than the first two. We couldn't top the holy chalise lamp anyway.  Besides, internet in Atlanta was expensive and slow...so we didn't post much...plus we were to busy hanging out and processing all we learned.  We'll do better next time...maybe...

PSS - Mike Vermace snores...loud...and a lot...

Video Posts from Catalyst in Atlanta, GA

Post #1 - Welcome!

Post #2 - Mike and the Holy Grail

Heading to Atlanta...

Old tapes...great memories...

I shot this during my stint as a youth pastor at Abundant Life...  Back when David Crowder was doing the youth conference circuit with his band from his college in Waco.  The last night of CIY, his "friends" took his guitar out of tune before he started the last set.  Very fun to watch - and a great recovery on David's part.  Enjoy!

 

New Life Group Promotional Video

I enjoyed working with Jeff Boxell and his Life Group as we put together a short video to be shown this weekend at Abundant Life to promote participation in a Life Group.

Because it's a tech blog, I'll share a few production notes here:

• I liked this project.  It was a quick shoot, (and involved pizza).
• The participants did a great job during their interviews.  They were candid and natural.
• I shot it on the Panasonic DVX100a - in 24p on "Squeeze"
• The audio was with an AT shotgun mic attached to the camera.  
• Problems?  Living room B roll was under lit in my opinion
• Favorite shot?  B-roll of Erin Boxell's finger on the bible - great depth of field
• Favorite moment?  The Thames "delivery room" blooper - we kept it in because I think it kept the entire film very real - and gave a great laugh
• What would I do different next time?  Bring an audio engineer and a boom mic.  If time allowed, I could also probably pull another minute out of this and not loose any punch.
• Edited in Premiere Pro...on a PC

Here it is...will be watched at ALC on Labor Day Weekend as part of Everybody Series - "Grow"

 

The Birth of A Radio Show

 I've been excited about sharing the news about Abundant Life Church partnering with KPAM for a new radio show, but wanted to make sure the congregational announcement was made first (watch it here).  That happened this weekend, so I thought I'd take a moment and blog some of the details for those interested:

First, a huge hats off to the many people involved to date:

It started with Lorna D. from KPAM.   She joined the staff at KPAM this spring, and was so excited about what God had in store for her moving from the staff from one radio station in Portland to another.  Her enthusiasm and heart for sharing what ALC was doing with the rest of the city is how we got started.  When she heard that the station had been trying to find the right church for Sunday morning programing, she couldn't wait to share that with us.  Way to be faithful, Lorna!

George, Alan and the elders at ALC are next.  These men are so excited when God opens a door like this.  They have great vision, and are always excited about watching God work, and get even more excited when they see us stretching us out of our comfort zone.  Thanks team, for being wise and supportive.

The next person that entered the process was Bill Dolan from Spirit Media.  Bill and his family joined the Abundant Life family about 2 years ago.  I think God knew we'd need someone with his bandwidth to make the production of something like this radio show a reality.  Bill has a long history in Portland media, and is very involved with the Luis Palau organization as well.

See what's going on here?  God relocates a member of our congregation in a secular radio station, gets our leadership excited, and blesses us with an executive producer!  But wait..it gets even better.  

To engineer the kind of show we're wanting to produce, we needed someone to handle all of the heavy lifting technically.  Did you know that we have someone in our congregation that does that for a living?  His name is Denny and he owns Bridgeport Productions.  Denny helps produce radio shows for several churches across the country.  He's totally engaged in the process of making everything sound awesome for our show as well.

So...Saturday we started recording a radio show.  Paul Foster our audio tech came in to help turn the Green Room into a temporary radio station.  Mel my administrative assistant came in to assist with logistical stuff (and has created all our artwork for the show). George, Dennis and I, along with Bill Dolan and Denny recorded the segments for the first two shows, and we'll try and knock out another three next Saturday.

Our heart?  To produce Christian radio for a secular radio station that sounds different than anything a church has produced for radio before.  We want it to be fresh, fun and authentic.  Not scripted or rehearsed, and our prayer is to reach as many people as possible for Christ, with a message of hope and salvation.

God pulled all the technical pieces together, and I'm confident that he'll keep pulling together the other things we see would be helpful to keep this going - like financial sponsorships, volunteers to man the phones during the radio show, and a team to pray for Portland while the show is on the air Sunday mornings.

You're invited.  If you'd like to help - get on board.  It's called "The Coolchurch Radio Network w/George Powell" and it will air Sunday's at 7:00am on 860 KPAM.  Podcasts of the shows will be available on a weekly basis as well. 

What's your story...

Just a quick post to let you take a look at something new that we're making available at ALC.  It's a blog simply titled "My Coolchurch Story."  It lives at www.mycoolchurchstory.com, and is a place for people to share their stories of what's happening in their lifes spiritually because of their involvement at ALC.  Take a look, and if so moved, share your story.

Slivers of Stories...

OK, I've picked up a new bad habit.  That of listening to the online scanner.   It's not just one frequency, however - but a compilation of police, fire, airport, bus barns, ODOT, medial - a literal information potpourri, happening in real time and being transmitted for our voyeuristic pleasure.

I like it, but it makes me a little crazy.  See, all you ever get is a sliver of a story..never the whole thing.  A traffic stop...an officer involved shooting...a medical story...a frustrated bus driver...

We all know that a good story has a beginning, a middle and an end.  When you listen to the scanner and hear fragments of a a call - you don't' know which part of the story you're getting.   Is this the start of a new chapter in someone's life?  Is this going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back?  Is this the climax to a conflict that's been brewing for decades? 

Since Steve Jones turned me on to this site the last couple of weeks, I've had so many questions?  Why did the kid kill his dog?  What was that couple fighting about that it escalated to a police call?  What prompted that guy to try to evade the police?  My favorite...the airport EMS system that was activated because a passenger on an inbound Alaska Airlines flight thought he saw flames coming out the engine!

Snapshots - slivers - fragments.  Where's Paul Harvey when you need him?  I want to know "the rest of the story!"

If you've never listened, here's a link.  Online Police Scanner