DarrenCalhoun.com

YouTube – “Are You Listening” with Kirk Franklin & Friends.

I’m very late on hearing this, but I certainly enjoyed it.  It seems EVERYONE was able to do a more heartfelt and compassionate musical tribute to Hati than the “We Are The World 25″ remake. Kirk Franklin is a great songwriter – especially for songs like this.  Enjoyed the vocal performances of everyone in this as well.

LINK: Your Brain Can’t Handle Your Facebook Friends

Check out the above link for a quick and interesting article about the Number Robin Dunbar is credited with defining. Basically, he asserts that people can only maintain about 150 meaningful relationships and beyond that the connection deteriorates.

I’d observed this same principal when I noticed how small churches that are very focused on their pastor ‘max out’ at around 200 members.  I said that in a scenario like that, there are only so many people who are able to genuinely connect to the pastor or leader. When his limit is reached, it cuts off new people to the ‘appeal’ of that community.  Those who come in after that number has been reached, never feel connected and simply drift away to another church or community.

I think it’s important that we are mindful of these kinds of numbers when we think about our own leadership and relationships.

This has been a busy week for me — busier than usual in fact!

I was booked by the United Congress of Religious and Community Organizations to do a day trip to Springfield, Illinois and photograph the convergence of several community organizations at the state capitol pushing for human rights bills that are now in the house.  It was also neat because the cover of the policy guide they produced featured my photography.

I was also able to buy a new lens this week, the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8.  I’ve only been shooting with it for a week now, but I must say I really enjoy having something other than my 50mm f/1.8 available for low-light shooting.  I’m still editing photos from the Springfield trip, but I’ll post a few shots from that trip soon.  I also got a smaller, sling-style camera bag – this should make it easier for me to carry my camera for events or just for random photowalks – now if I could only fit my netbook into the bag I’d be unstoppable! lol.

I also spent a good deal of time over the last few weeks making arrangements for an Arts Ministry Volunteer Celebration at my church. It’s the first annual event for the newly forming umbrella of the Arts Ministry.  One of the first things that attracted me to my church was the arts – I was inspired to no end from day one! I often tell people that I came home and re-branded my business after my first visit to the church!  Anyway, the Celebration was a hit! Over 100 people came, ate what seemed like an endless supply of Pizza,  and got to know interesting facts about one another through an ice breaker my mom helped create for the event. We had more planned (like a video, presentations, etc…) but as with many things with life, not everything worked out the way we planned.  I was happy that I was able to slow-down and enjoy the moment not continually running around trying to pull things together.  It just worked I’m thankful for that!

This weekend also served as the Launch of our B-1 campaign.  B-1 is the rallying cry of our Arts Ministry.  Jesus prays in John 17:11(b) says “… so that they may all BE ONE as we are one”.  It’s our prayer and endeavor to take this to heart in how we grow in our intentional efforts to include more people and empower them to serve with their arts gifts.  I almost had a misty eyed moment as I saw more than 50 people standing on stage this Sunday wearing the tee-shirts I designed to promote this campaign.  I don’t know, it’s just something that started off as a small and fun idea and now has grown into something with limitless possibilities and outcomes.  I’m just excited.

Stirred Up Leadership: 10 Symptoms of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality.

Check out the above article for some great points about unhealthy ways we approach spirituality.  I’m currently reading The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero and it’s digging up some very key points in how we do church and relate to each other.

Hi, I’m Darren and this is my blog.

I know – it’s been a very long time since I’ve stopped by to share anything. Life has been filled with unexpected transitions and changes. Business has been up, down, and back up again. Church – oh my, that’ll be a series of posts. Overall there’s a lot to share here and I’m going to bring it soon. I’m also going to change the look of the site with a new design.

Hopefully all this will be visible in the coming month.

Thanks for stopping by! See ya soon!

–Darren