History in the Making

A Few Thoughts on Hillsong

1. I still have no idea who leads their band, which is simply remarkable in an age of "frontmen."
2. United beat Eminem with the top downloads on iTunes.
3. They're not mercenary, migratory church musicians.
4. They're constantly raising up the next generation of worship leaders. I've heard that the band coming after Hillsong United is currently being developed.
5. I expected egos when United came to Catalyst west. But got total and utter humility.

One of their songs off the new album "Faith + Hope + Love"

Check out Pete Wilson's blog tomorrow...

Some Nice Things from Donald Miller

People like Donald Miller go through life with things being asked of them by everyone. So it's nice that he would go out of his way to post a few things about STORY. That, and everyone hits it off with Anne Jackson and would do anything for her. =)

I Like Big Websites and I Cannot Lie

I'm one of the biggest M. Night Shyamalan fans in the world because he's a creative who takes risks that sometimes pay off huge... and others that don't. But when he fails, he fails passionately. And I love that.

He launched his new site recently. And it's just as engaging and immersive as his films.

Survey Over at Tony Morgan's Place

Tony's got a fun little survey going-on over at TONYMORGANLIVE.com. "How is currently your favorite storyteller?"

Interview with Don Miller & Mike Hyatt for STORY

Recently, good friend Anne Jackson sat down with Donald Miller and publisher Mike Hyatt to talk about STORY. She did an unbelievable job capturing all of this. Enjoy!

The Famous Promo Kits

Last week, I sent out a number of STORY promo kits to friends. Had tons of fun watching the reactions...

If I could shoot photography like Joe Thorn, I would do nothing else. He made the box look gorgeous:

If I could tell stories like Carlos Whittaker... He made me feel like I'd never seen the box before. And he made me hungry for Cheetos:

And if I could write about culture and IT like John Saddington... He gives credibility to causes:

And no, I'm not just sending these to bloggers. If you've got a creative way to help spread the love about STORY - (because it's a virus of goodness =) - I've got one with your name on it. =)

Jimmy Fallon on Communicating

Forgive me for Preaching...

But I have no church platform any longer.

And I need an outlet.

"This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord." ~ 2 Kings 3:16-18

I have never seen God move mightily without first requiring me to act in faith.

Nor has he ever given me proof that he would deliver me.

But I have dug the valley full of ditches.

My back is sore. My tongue is parched. The end of my well-being is in view.

But I praise God his deliverance. For the rain-fall of mercy and provision that is coming.

For it is an easy thing for God to do.

Stop-Motion Storytelling

Olympis shot 60.000 photos for this,
Developed 9,600 prints,
And shot over 1,800 pictures again.
No post production

HT: Dustin AhKuoi

The Wounds I Give My Son

Last year, I took my son Wyatt to the circus and we sat in the very front row. He was excited. Until I sat down and crushed his fingers in the chair.

Several weeks ago, I took him to a special playground. A big one. One he'd never seen before. He was excited. Until he stepped on a wooden spike that drove right through his Crocs into his foot.

Two weeks ago, I took him to a petting zoo with peacocks, goats and a large playground in the middle. He was excited. Until he climbed a rope and swung his head like a coconut into a large wooden beam.

Just the other day, I was wrestling with my boys. Wyatt was on my back like a cowboy. We were fending off Dylan the dragon. He was excited. Until I rolled over onto his foot and hyper-extended his big toe.

I'm just trying not to hurt my son, ya know?

It's all I can do not to hurt his body... let alone his spirit.

Father, help me be the protector of my sons, not their oppressor. Help me to be gentle with their spirits and encourage them to be all they can be. Help me not to put my work ahead of them, to not chase my ambitions over my time with them. May they look back on their lives when I am old and gray and credit their faith in Christ to my nurturing guidance.

I Wonder What it Would Be Like...

If pastors had two weeks for message prep instead of one.

One week for content.

The other week for delivery.

How much better would our sermons be?

The Teacher vs The Exhorter

I'm not a natural teacher. As a pastor I thrived on casting vision and moving people to action. I'm an exhorter, and I beat myself up for years not knowing the difference. I can imagine there are a lot of pastors out there who are struggling in the same way. So here it is... the difference.

A TEACHER

• Values the study process more than the communication of it.
• Knows exactly what's going to be said
• Would have loved to pastor the Bereans
• Starts with Scripture and tests the wisdom of the world against it. Of course, Scripture wins each and every time.
• Sees effectiveness as building a "wall" of biblical precepts sermon-by-sermon
• Invests in conventional study tools
• If anyone complains, it's about boredom

AN EXHORTER

• Values communicating over studying for it
• Knows the general outline, but fills in holes along the way. Counts on it, in fact
• Would have hated to pastor the Bereans
• Brings up the wisdom of the world and tests it against Scripture. Of course, Scripture wins each and every time.
• Sees effectiveness as moving people to action with the Bible
• Invests in unconventional study tools
• If anyone complains, it's about not getting fed

Invest in yourself as a communicator... whether you're a teacher or an exhorter.

The Lone Conference Goer

I was talking to a fellow experience producer the other day about lone conference goers. She told me about a pastor who signed-up to attend a John Maxwell leadership event for teams... alone.

She said she was taken aback at first, but then mustered the courage to ask him why he was going alone... to a team conference. His answer? He said he had a small church. Didn't have a team.

She refused to sign him up and encouraged him to invite 10 people from his congregation of 35.

It took him one week and a few days. But he came back with 17 people. He registered all of them with tears in his eyes. He had reached a personal milestone in his leadership ability.

I can't imagine going to an event alone. First of all, it's got to be awkward. Second, it's the mark of a leader to experience a landmark event with the up-and-coming leaders around you. It builds into them. It bonds you as a team. It stretches the fabric of your relationships and strengthens them. It's the mark of an equipping leader.

I still have the photograph of my leadership team of 7 standing with Bill Hybels for a photo. They might not have known who Bill Hybels was... but it was great. =)

Start with STORY.

Unofficial Story iMix

I create a personal iMix for every event I do. Music by which to inspire you...

Sweet Stuff

Okay, one more personal post. =)

First Bath from Ben Arment on Vimeo.

Pics Added to Story's Flickr Account

 

Scenes from Aurora will STORY Chicago will be held...

Babymentary

Bear with me. I only use the blog for personal stuff on occasion. Here's to the birth of my third son, Cody Asher Arment... and to my amazing wife who is stronger and more loving than I could ever hope to be.

Arment the Trilogy

Cody, our third, was born at 4:55 pm today. Still haven't picked a middle name yet...

Story Workshop Presenters, Pt.18

Okay, I lied. Kevin Sterner wasn't the final Workshop speaker.

The 18th and FINAL presenter at STORY's follow-up day of Workshops is Jason Hayes.

Jason is a good friend and the young adult specialist at Lifeway. He co-wrote the book Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that are Reaching Them with Ed Stetzer... along with his own book Blemished: a study on Malachi. Not to mention, he's a marathoner.

Jason is a wizard when it comes to reaching young adults, and he's a powerful teacher. Can't wait to hear his thoughts at STORY's Workshops. Don't forget to add Workshops as a ticket on your registration.

Register before August 15 to get the best rates.

Don Miller and STORY...

featured on the Out of Ur blog today. Love those guys.