I remember 10 years ago going to a mid winter camp for our conference and the worship leader was leading music and the words were on transparencies being “projected” onto a sheet. A few years later I was at the same event where the white words were projected onto a black background. It seems today though that a slide isn’t a slide without countless number of background graphics. While I sometimes wonder if we may have gone overboard, putting a different picture with every slide, not staying with a theme etc, I do realize the value of a well chosen graphic to go behind the words that we are singing, or for a sermon, announcements and other uses.
There are several websites where you can go to find free graphics for you to use. Here are some of my favorites:

Stock Exchange- http://www.sxc.hu/ – This is a photo exchange where thousands of photos exist for your use. All the photos are huge, big enough to print, but can be easily compressed down for use on screens. Most of them are covered under the normal licenses which allows you to use the photo for free unless you are using it to make money by selling it in a design set or something like that. Some photos require you to notify the artist when you use the photo in public.

Creative MYK- http://www.creativemyk.com/ Creative MYK adds a different twist on the traditional photo site. It allows people to upload not only photos but also Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator Files. Most of them upload in layers so if you see something you like you can edit it for your uses. I actually have a gallery here with a few photos.

There are a ton of other sites out there. These are the ones I use the most.
Where do you find your graphics?

With modern worship music being very rhythm-based, drums are almost an essential part of any youth praise team. The problem with a regular drum set is that it incorporates the feet as well as the hands. So if talent and ability is not an issue, coordination will be an issue for a young musician. If a young drummer is not very experienced or gifted, having that student play the same two or three beat patterns on a drum set may not be the best solution—it could cause the rest of your group to play around his limited arsenal of rhythm patterns and he will never expand his repertoire because the band has conformed to him. Another issue is that many students who learn percussion in a school setting are never taught to use their feet on drum set, and so even very talented players have a difficult time making the transition to the set. A few years ago, djembe drums became very popular and still are because they have a diverse range of low and high tones that can mimic a bass drum or snare without incorporating the feet. They are the perfect compliment to the acoustic guitar and can give worship sets that “unplugged” feel. Several years ago, though, at a Caedmon’s Call concert, during a more intimate set, I noticed their drummer sitting on this wooden box and playing it between his legs. It had the most amazing sound—a distinctively lower bass tone than a djembe and a more crisp higher “snare” sound as well. I asked him after the show what he was playing. He said it was a cajon (pronounced “ka HONE”).

Cajons are made several ways. Some are tubular and upright like a conga, others are more trapezoid shaped, but the square box style cajons have the nice low end sound that is perfect for acoustic worship. The distinguishing trait for a cajon is that it has a wooden head. Yes a wood head instead of a skin or synthetic skin head like other hand drums. Don’t let that fool you, though. You’ll be amazed at the tone you can get from that wooden head. They are available with adjustability options that allow you to tighten strings to modify the sound. One of the options they are available with or without a snare. The snare gives the drum a sound very similar to a snare drum when played near the top. A new cajon is available from Meinl that has an output jack where it can be plugged directly into a sound system. This link is to a nice, short instructional video on how to use the cajon. Small computer speakers don’t really do the low end of the recording justice, but you’ll get the idea.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=v-IMARby9gA&feature=related

You probably won’t find a cajon at your local mom & pop music store, but they are available from the large music retailers (Guitar Center, MusiciansFriend, etc.) from $150 up to about $300. They are covered with nice wood finishes, some in very nice burlwood or siam oak, so I think they are easier on the eyes than a djembe and when not in use, you can use them like a little table.

Jason Huffman is the Director of Youth Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Palestine, TX. For more information visit the youth website www.reachyouthministries.org Or the church website www.fumcpalestine.com

Last night was our first Church League Men’s Softball game. I was pitching for our team. Now I think they let me pitch because first of all I can get the ball over the plate 70% of the time and two because I don’t have an arm to play outfield or the quickness to play infield. I think it’s where I can do the least harm. Anyway the game started off and after the first 2 innings the score was close, like 5-3. During that time I was trying so hard to make a strike, to not walk anyone, well I was trying too hard. I ended up walking two batters.. in church slow pitch softball.

Fortunately we got out of the inning and our team came on and had a big rally and put up about 10 runs on the board. You know what happened next time I pitched? I threw 5 pitches the whole inning. I did not walk anyone, and I threw pitches right over the plate.

So what was the difference? The margin for error I had. With only one run difference.. I was trying to be so perfect I was making mistakes. With a 10 run lead I relaxed, didn’t worry so much and just played the game. It was because I allowed myself room to make mistakes that I actually did better. I did not worry about someone getting on base because I knew I had some room to work with.

How often when I am in ministry do I not allow myself room to work? When I wait until the last minute to put together a song list or to create lead sheets, then I make mistakes. When I do not communicate with people before a service, and therefore do not know who will be there, I try to make it up and be perfect and I do not worship, I worry.

What I am learning is to create margin for error, margin for interruption, space for things to happen. If I work on songlists a few weeks out then I have room to change a song when it feels right. When I create lead sheets early, I can play through them and make sure everything is fine before rehearsal. When I communicate and organize and know what is going on in a worship service, even the elements I am not directly in charge of, things flow smoother, I do not worry and I am more open to God moving into the lives of those who are gathered together.

So my question is how can we create margin?

1. Prayer- Someone wise once said, “I have so much to do today I need to spend another hour on my knees in prayer.” It is amazing what happens to your time when you pray. I find I get more done, and that distractions seem to disappear.

2. Prioritize- “Seek first the Kingdom of God” When you put God first He will help you to see what those important things are to do each day.

3. Make a list- Use a post it note, your pda, or a piece of paper and write down what you need to do for the day or even the week. I get a sense of accomplishment as I cross off things, and I can see what I have done, and what I have left to do.

4. Use your time wisely- Don’t just refrain from doing things that waste time, for example playing scrabulous or checking your facebook, (personal examples) but when you have 10 minutes here or 5 minutes there find something on your list for later in the day or week and go ahead and do it.

5. Take your time off- If you are in full time, or even part time ministry you need a day off. Just a hint… Sunday is not a day off. Find a day in the week that you can stay away from church and church conversations, emails, etc. Don’t just sit at home though, find something to do that rejuvenates you. Spend time with a friend, read a book, work on a non ministry related project or perhaps take a nap.

Wanting to start a contemporary worship service for youth in a small church with little resources? This was just the situation a friend of mine asked me about this weekend.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Use the talents that are in your church- Find out the youth who play guitar, or piano. Even those that think they can’t play well. It’s amazing what happens with a little encouragement. Also don’t just think of youth… do you have adults who could help out. They may be looking for a way to use their gifts with guitar, or drums that may not always find its way into the more traditional services.

2. Start Small- You don’t need drums, 2 electric guitars, a bass, keyboard and 4 vocalist to have a worship service. Small and simple is a great way to start. A guitar or keyboard is a good beginning, then slowly add things like hand drums, bass etc.

3. Start Simple- The latest worship band CD is great but your group probably will not have the instruments, or ability to play some of the songs that way. Choose simple arrangements of music. Preferably songs that use repeating chord patterns for the chorus and verse. Teach these patterns to the group and as they keep playing you will see that they reoccur in variations in many other songs. An example of a simple song can be found in my Free Song#1 Lord Let your Love.

4. Be Sensitive- If you are starting a service that you are inviting your whole church to be sure that you choose music that they may be familiar with. There are many hymns that work well in a contemporary setting. If you are going to do more recent songs then make sure that you provide words either by printing them out or by putting them up on a projector or overhead transparency.

5. Be Consistent- It takes time. It takes time to find musicians. It takes time to learn music. It takes time to build a service. Just be faithful to what God has called you to do. Encourage your participants and encourage your congregation. Be consistent in all you do.

I hope this atleast gives you a place to start