Dad and mom here are very proud of our 17-year-old on the release this next week of her very first EP entitled “My Oh My”! Yep, her little brother is, as well as her whole family. We were blessed with a producer, musicians, mixing talent and more as well. This petite young woman with a big voice has already been turning heads with her sound and talent in the pre-release phase.

This project could not have happened, however, without the support of my social media family out there who crowdfunded a good portion of it. I would like to thank you guys for helping us be successful on TWO crowdfunding campaigns. (See EmilieKirkpatrick.com for the full story on that). There is not doubt in my mind that you guys helped us along with family and some close friends see this happen.

As you can see, the very first batch of these are in so we will be shipping before the November 5 release date to those that were Funders their copies as soon as possible! By Friday, you should be spinning these non-stop! [Go to Emilie.BandCamp.com to get your copy if you have not ordered one yet!]

Over the past year our family is weathering losing a job, possibly a home and being in very uncertain times. It has not been birthed in the most upward of times for us. So, this project has been an absolute blessing to us from you and a reminder to us of how investing in people, especially your own kids, makes a difference.

Please spread the word in Facebook, twitter and wherever you can. This is an “indie” endeavor which means only your recommendations can get Emilie heard and known. Her website has a place where you and others can stream the songs in full and purchase downloads or CD copies of the EP. And, we have listed some of the amazing kudos that have already been coming in for her project!

Thanks once again to my family and friends–both IRL (in real life) and virtual!

ALSO… please “like” her Facebook Music Page if you would. Thanks!

I made a decision before I ever was a professional minister in the local church to serve in the church as a family. My parents modeled that, and as I was courting my dear love as a young adult we forged an agreement that we had to learn to do ministry together if we were to marry. That was back when cell phones were coming of age and before Facebook existed.

 Ministry is a family business. From church plants to megachurch employment, my family has always seen it this way. Sometimes it has been on the stage with me in front of thousands singing together, or in quiet places like our living room praying with dear friends. My wife has ran sound and tech in a church plant as well as filled the role of leadership in children’s ministry. She has been the “tentmaker” in lean times, working to pay our bills on top of all of this.

Years ago, a mentor and influencer of mine shared how he kept his family involved in his creative arts ministry. The thinking was since holidays were often times of heavy hours, why not include his wife and kids in the very ministry where he was spending those hours. One could sing, one could paint sets and all of them could be together. I took his advice and never regretted it, even though I knew some could never understand this decision.

People resent talent. There, I said it. When I discovered my own girl could sing I allowed her–as I did any young person with talent–to join our worship team. She grew in the process and people were blessed by her leadership of worship along my side. Of course, some people chose to see this as a threat. Sometimes serving as a family has a down side. We have experienced that first hand.

In other cases, a lead pastor’s spouse is treated either as someone who has to be at every function or banned from any official input. Why not come up with a way institutionally to help facilitate what we all know already exists? Many resent that a spouse has influence they do not possess. Is there not a way to help support the gifts and call of a ministry leader’s spouse and family that neither excludes them from the organizational structure or healthy boundaries?

A healthy situation will see to it that the gifts and call of each member of that ministry family is empowered. Unhealthy situations will make these issues taboo to even mention and use institutional policy and politics to wet blanket God’s unique calling to a family set apart for longterm, vocational service. When a minister’s family misbehaves or things go awry it is pretty messy, too. But, if our institutions are about keeping things smooth and not about the people in them I believe they have failed.

Ministry should be a family business for all of us. Sometimes one of us is out front. Sometimes, not. But, if we are to raise up others for works of service, should that not also include our own spouse and children? This thick tension to live this out as a family exists not because of bad intentions but because of institution-over-people thinking. And, what does being a professional minister mean anyway?

It has been a while since I have posted this series about our New Adventure. In fact, it has been over a year that my family has been traveling down this new path so here is an update on the life and times of the Kirkpatrick clan here in Murietta, California.

Changes: My time at Venture Christian Church has ended.

About six months ago I took an interim contract to lead worship part time at Venture Christian Church in Murietta, CA. That has now ended, with me serving my last Sunday this week. Even though we knew this was not a longterm fit for us and the church, it surely has been rewarding seeing people raised up. And, leading this group in worship these past months has been deeply meaningful. I have enjoyed this group of worshipers!

One of the most inspiring reflection about my time there was hearing my friend tell me the difference I made in the lives of the team he left me to lead there. He said people were given confidence and the ability to rise to the occasion because of my leadership. This was humbling and encouraging to hear. Most of the time when we lead people we never know what the investment truly brings to the kingdom.

Creating Music: A recording project, Fundraising, and Concerts.

Many of you have seen Emilie grow up on this blog. This little 17-year-old is nearing completion on her first profesional project: a 3-song EP to be released this fall. All the songs are hers and the process has taught her and her dad a lot about creating music. From her angle, she just recorded music with a talented producer and gifted musicians and held her own. My side of this has been the rewarding activity of coaching my own child in becoming a leader, artist who in her own right is going to make a difference with her gifts in people’s lives.

We finished the tracking of the voice and instruments. We have the mixing and mastering left as well as printing and digital distribution to get going. All of this could not have happened without family members, friends and people who we have connected with on social media pledging to help her! (We have just a day or so left, so click here to help out).

On top of this, Emilie is performing at a local worship training event, leading worship with me. And, a local fund raiser. Please check those out if here in SoCal. Or, if you want to book her, me or both of us call me or use the contact form.

Writing: Yes, I am writing…and speaking.

I am writing music, but this past year has seen some activity in writing articles and more. Here is a sample of stuff I have been doing.

• ChristianityToday.com Faith in the workplace site published this: Workplace Ethics in the Local Church: Thou Shalt Not Pray the Bills
• Stan Endicott published a devotional book called Reflect for worship leaders and worshipers which includes a chapter and story I penned.
• I am working on a book to be  published professionally… not gonna give away the details on this, but this is for real and a bit scary, too.
• There is an e-book I will self-publish soon that will aid leaders in structuring worship teams and the like.
• Blogging and blogging communities like the High Calling are still a staple for me as well as is the podcast over at WorshipMythbusters.com.
• Besides writing, I am also speaking a few times this year. Here is what I currently have on the docket.

I am still interested in church ministry, but this time of new endeavors is shaping me so I am not in a hurry. Our family, like many others, has financial strains to deal with. God is also shaping us through those. As we continue as a family to move forward I pray I can rest in all of that and be ready for this still-emerging season in my life.

Well, thanks for reading! What is up with you these days, my faithful readers?

**A repost from my daughter, Emilie’s blog: Oh the humanity: What happened to my Kickstarter and Starting over!

You might have noticed a message in this song about being human, which is exactly how I am feeling at the moment.

I have a little story to tell you.

As many of you probably are aware of, I did a Kickstarter campaign and raised the full amount for my CD project One moment we were celebrating the amazing generosity of so many people. I was really excited about reaching the goal.

Then moments later I read an email that I missed from a few weeks previous that changed everything. I ended up not qualifying for an Amazon Payments account because of my age. I’m only 17. What an embarrassing ordeal to say the least!

What does this mean to you have donated? It means that all that money was not charged to you, thankfully, but it also means that I did not get any money for the project. So, what’s going to happen to my EP? Well, here’s the scoop.

First, this Sunday my dad and I are flying to Austin, Texas and I will be recording with Ramy on Monday and Tuesday. Yes, I am so excited! So, the project is going forward. However, I still need help.

If you pledged, you can move over your pledge to a new site where my new campaign is. It is called IndieGoGo.com. This means your support can still help this project go forward.

And, this also means that if you wanted to support the project and did not get to that you still can. But, act very fast, please. There are only 12 days left to help out. If you are wondering, helping out has some cool perks to enjoy–like a T-shirt I designed, a video of the recording process and more!

So I really do feel human right now and apologize for all the confusion.

Please go to my new campaign site and consider supporting my EP project! IndieGoGo.com/emilie

We all have the unexpected rainy days, right? Everything you planned or hoped for just goes sideways in a moment. It does not have to be anything tragic but simply just enough to get you off balance. It does not take much to push us to the brink, given the right set of circumstances.

These are the days that start out with bad news, accompanied by bad news and then lived in a context where you have no idea how to process it because you are with grieving people in a house over stuffed with family the day following a memorial for a lost loved one. That was Tuesday. It was just the start of the day.

I found a Starbucks, did some work and then drove around the block several times. Perhaps, I should have circled once more. My dad used to walk around the block when the Dodgers were failing as to not show us explosive behavior. You knew not to speak to him as he headed to the door. He had to walk it off alone. I don’t like being alone.

After showing a bit of drama on my part, I rushed my family to the car and headed to a beautiful little town on the coast called Santa Cruz. This was my beach town growing up—a thirty minute drive from my hometown. On the drive over the hill I had to let the kids know I was sorry and that I was upset and unfortunately directed it at them. They forgave me, even though my actions hurt them.

The minute we arrived, rain drops. Then pouring rain. Now that we live in Southern California, our blood has thinned and it being summer we were in flip-flops and t-shirts. We were cold and wet.

Then it started to get fun. We got even more drenched between bookshops and stores as the rain increased. It was now an adventure. We picked up a hat, a hoodie and some books. We all were wet, but we were together.

Because of the generosity of family, our budget for this short trip allowed us to go to a favorite Italian restaurant to end the day. It was a first time for our kids there and a treat to celebrate, albeit a day early, our wedding anniversary with the four of us. A day that had begun so badly had ended so heavenly.

Sometimes life is like this. We get off balance easily by things—sometimes big or otherwise. I wished I could have kept it to myself like my dad did with things, but also am glad I have a family that goes through things together. Sometimes, you need to go through things alone. Only sometimes, though.

What is your preference in dealing with rainy days? Go it alone or not?

RECAP: Today was an amazing experience as a parent and a pastor. I got to baptize my son today in the worship service. Ethan is 12 and shared his story of how he came to faith in Christ. Our baptistry is a like a military issue–a folding box loaded with water that has the officiant standing outside. Here is video.

SET LIST: We did four songs, rather than the usual five. Our team and I are still learning to get things oiled as this is only my third week in the saddle here as worship director. The song “Forever Reign” was repeated. I dig it! Here are the songs with the artists we based our arrangements on.

• Glory to God Forever – Fee Band
• Awesome Is The Lord Most High – Chris Tomlin
• Forever Reign – One Sonic Society
• You Gave Your Life Away – Paul Baloche

Links:

• Venture Christian Planning Center – with links to Amazon.com to find the versions we did
• The Worship Community with links to set lists from churches all over the world

How was your worship weekend?

Dear NBC,

I am writing an open letter in conjunction with my 12-year-old son about your TV show “The Cape” which is one of our family’s favorites. It is not often that shows that there is a show our family of four can watch together of this quality. The comic book flavor and episodic narrative work with characters that are neither too dark nor too cheesy, thanks to creator Tom Wheeler and the cast. Martin Klebba is a fave of ours, by the way.

My family had a chance to hear from someone related to NBC that The Cape might be canceled. Oh the horror! There is nothing on your docket of shows that fits the family bill. It would be tragic to remove a show that could grow beyond its current level.

Please read my son’s note:

I like “The Cape” because it’s like a comic book, superhero, family show. You should keep it because its way better than most of your shows. Our family enjoys watching this show and we hope to see a lot more episodes. It reminds me a lot like Batman and Spiderman, which I like.

- Ethan, 12

With respect, please respond. We would love to see this show continue and would be greatly disappointing if it lands on the cutting room floor. To all who read this, please WATCH it and write a note.

Sincerely,

Rich Kirkpatrick
Ethan Kirkpatrick

My family took a weekend getaway to the California North Coast redwoods (250 miles from our town of Redding). We had our Sunday “church” as a family while on a short hike at the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Some of these trees are the largest in the world, towering hundreds of feet from over a thousand years or more of growth. What a place to have worship together.

We were discussing the “fruit of the Spirit” as found in Galatians. I was trying to bring home the point that we will produce who we are, just as a seed will produce the fruit it is. As Christians, we are designed to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and so forth.

The discussion turned a bit when my son doubted he could make the right choice. I explained that due to our second birth, we are “born again” and in this new identity we can do what we are meant to do.

Dad, “how can someone be born again once they are already born?” We quickly went to Jesus to answer that. My son was playing the part of Nicodemus and we paralleled his questioning with that of Nicodemus in John 3.

Ethan was not sure, besides having “prayed to have Jesus come into my heart” that he ever “trusted” Jesus. We had to go over “faith” with my 9-year-old boy. Faith is trusting Jesus. We trust that Jesus did for us what we could not. We simply believe. Right then and there my boy prayed silently a prayer of faith.

I am not sure if this was the moment or not of his salvation or simply a deepening of his faith. It seemed truly significant. All I know is that church is really fantastic under the canopy of redwoods.

A few months ago my family had a change, not unlike many in our valley. I became one of the 14.5% of the reported unemployed population in the Inland Empire. Since then, I have been playing music, working freelance and contract jobs in web development as well as writing and producing a new blog and podcast. Today, I am happy to announce I have accepted the position of Worship Director at Venture Christian Church in Murrieta, California. Yes, some good news!

How apropos that this series of posts have been titled “New Adventure” and the current destination is Venture Christian Church. My good friend Craig Wilson served under lead pastor Guy Fox.  These two men planted the church nearly seven years ago. Craig is moving on to Colorado and I am taking the baton to serve under Guy Fox as Worship Director, leading the worship ministry of Venture. This position is part time, which will allow me to continue the freelance creative endeavors began several months ago. This position is on contract till midsummer, when we hope to be able to make it permanent, or be open to a new challenge if God directs that way.

After being full time in ministry since 1993, this truly is a stretch and change for my family and I. However, I am not alone. At the recreate conference in Franklin, TN this past week I learned that 75% of churches have paid worship leaders. Three years ago 40% of those were full time. Today, the number has bottomed out at 25%. (Look for a detailed reflection on this and other changes in American church ministry I have been documenting). Clearly, I am a reflection of a new reality in church worship staffing in America.

My wife and kids are excited about me being engaged once again in the biggest passion of my vocational life—leading worship in the local church as I coach and lead artists. I am thrilled to be working with Lead Pastor Guy Fox and his partner Jeff Paschal who are the pastors of Venture. We as a family look forward to fully being involved in the spiritual life of the church.

Thanks for praying for us! Please continue your prayers as we have a lot to sort out in this new adventure.