Here’s what caught my eye this past week:

• Ed Young recently made a video that chastises pastors, believers, leaders who use what he considers to be profane language. Words like: “sucks”, “pissed”, “screwed”, “hell”, “damn” etc… I’ll be honest, I use every one of the words regularly in casual language and don’t see them as “profane”. They are frequently inappropriate in some contexts but I don’t see them as profane. Profanity is contextualized in a given culture at a specific point in time. What was profane in the 60s I’m sure Ed Young says regularly. Contextualize, but don’t compromise.
• Re:Sound recently launched their official website and their first album released is Rain City Hymnal, which has some great new arrangements of old classic hymns. Something the Mars Hill guys excel at. Can’t wait for their new albums.
• Good feedback over at Ragamuffin from non-worship leaders on what their favorite worship songs are.
• Christian Audio is offering Eugene Peterson’s “Christ Plays in Ten-Thousand Places” audiobook free this entire month. Coupon code: JUN2009
• Church Soundguy has a great post on how to deal with microphone feedback.
• Sweet video on a new iPhone app Automap that will control Ableton Live. This could come in handy. Have I mentioned I really want Ableton Live 8? I gotta get on that.

I stumbled across this video on Man of Depravity’s blog. This is a video from Fellowship Church in Texas, pastored by Ed Young, doing a worship song of theirs called “New Creation” and a few things really stick out to me.

1. First is the incredible production and creativity level. Rightly impressed.
2. Second is the song itself is very creative, love the unexpected turns it takes, not your traditional contemporary worship song and I’m encouraged to see a church of its size not going the safe route.
3. Third is the rather subdued and sad response and participation from the congregation. Besides watching a few sermons of Ed Young, I know nothing of this church or how it carries its services but man I was moved watching it on my computer screen. Being there I certainly would hope would get you out of your seat and stop watching and actually engage a bit. The other videos I’ve seen from this church had similar responses, which is too bad. Leading this would feel silly to me if all that happened was applause at the end.

New Creation from FC Post on Vimeo.

Did the response or lack of engagement puzzle anyone else?