Moldy FloorsOriginally uploaded by kerner We were planning to replace the flooring on the main level of our house with hardwood last week. This is what we discovered during demolition. Not a happy sight. A slow water leak, estimated to have started before we bought the house, has caused substantial damage to the subfloor and allowed for quite a bit …
We Choose The Moon
I'm a huge space buff, and really lament the state of manned space exploration these days, but rest assured, this post isn't really a rant about how we've given up our desire to explore. Forty years ago we accomplished the single greatest exploratory and technological achievement in history, by stepping foot on the moon. I've been fascinated by the We …
Smoked Salmon Spread
Smoked Salmon Spread is my favorite smoker appetizer. It's both incredibly easy to make and amazingly delicious. It's something I try to make just about any time I fire up the smoker with guests coming over, and dinner with Yvi and Scott last week was no exception. I'd make it every time I fire up the smoker, but it's not …
Writer’s Block: Writing vs Talking
37signals has a post today that deals with a topic that I think is really important for those of us who speak regularly as part of our jobs. Especially if we have to write manuscripts of a sermon or a presentation. While they discuss writer's block as typer's block relating to a conversation that generates ideas, I think this …
Vacation Email Strategy
Last fall I adopted a zero tolerance policy for my inbox being out of control. Some weeks I would end the week with several hundred messages that needed to be dealt with in some fashion. While I'm in the office it's been relatively easy to keep up. While my inbox has thousands of messages, they're there purely as an archive. …
Mountain Biking – Givolo & Creekside Trails
We went biking yesterday afternoon, but never managed to find the trail we were looking to ride. This morning we had a different experience though. Biked from the condo out to Fraser then connected with the Givolo trail, followed it out to Northwest Passage and Creekside. Northwest Passage was through an area that has been clearcut due to the mountain …
Welcome to Wilderness
Welcome to WildernessOriginally uploaded by kerner We did our first hike of the trip yesterday, making an attempt to go up Byers Peak. As you can see in the photo, there's still quite a bit of snow on the ground. I'm amused by the sign which says, "Welcome to Wilderness" buried in the snow. We ended up going about four …
One Prayer Starts Tonight
During the summer we're going to be experimenting with a variety of different Wednesday night opportunities. Starting tonight we're kicking off the month-long One Prayer series. One Prayer is a gathering of more than a thousand churches across the world coming together to worship, serve and grow. Last year our college ministry participated in One Prayer and I'm excited that …
Summer Reading 2009
Now that my classes are finished for the spring I've got a bit more time to do some reading for both professional development and fun/relaxation. Several of these books have been on my shelf for months. Several of them I've started, but never finished because other things were a higher priority. I read Story when I was an undergrad, but …
Newest Staff Member – Zak Lampert
I'm really excited that Zak Lampert is going to be joining the arts team at Schweitzer in a full-time position as the Media Coordinator & Modern Worship Leader. I've known Zak since he was in high school and he's an amazing young man. He was the first PA who worked in the media office when I was hired and it's …
Clarity in Communication
It's unbelievable how important clarity is in communication. Too often churches communicate to the insiders in their congregations without any thought about how it impacts guests or infrequent attendees. This morning in our ministry staff meeting we discussed plans for how we're reworking Wednesday nights in the fall. This impacts almost every ministry in the church in some way. As …
Guest Blogger: Kem Meyer – Less Clutter, Less Noise Blog Tour
Kem Meyer, communication director from Granger Community Church is doing a blog tour for her book, Less Clutter, Less Noise. It's a great read and will seriously impact the way you think about communication in the church or any setting. I've got a copy to give away to one lucky reader who leaves a comment on this post. Most churches …