Chris Elrod

Rascal Flatts' Elrod?

Over the last several weeks I've been getting emails asking me if I'm the "Elrod" mentioned in Rascal Flatts' new song, "Me And My Gang"?  Apparently, they were on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade telecast today, so there have been more emails this morning.  The line in the song goes, " Dude named Elrod jammin on an Ipod".

So am I the "Elrod" they are singing about?  The answer is, I don't know.  I do have one, small connection to Rascal Flatts, but probably not enough to warrant a mention in their song.

Back when I traveled the United States as a Christian comedian I did some dates with a Christian band called East To West.  One of the members of the group was named Jay DeMarcus (Stanley Wayne back then), who is now in Rascal Flatts.  We hung out some, but not enough to call it a friendship.  I haven't seen or talked with him in years.

I imagine that either the guys in Rascal Flatts know another Elrod or just needed a name that rhymed with iPod.  I have no way of verifying if it's me.   I can't imagine it would be as I'm not part of their gang.

If by some chance it is me, it won't be the first time I was mentioned by name in a popular song.  Several years back I legally changed my name to Chris from my original name . . . Sharona.  :-)

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the blogosphere.

I'm sitting here in my easy chair nursing a raging cold and watching the "Macy's Day Thanksgiving Day Perpetual Commercial & Parade".  In a few hours Denise and I will head over to my folks house for some uncontrolled gluttony and power napping while "watching" football.  We'll end the day with a slumber party at our house for my 9-year-old niece.  It's shaping up to be a great day!!!

I gotta go now.  The "Sesame Street" gang and the Big Bird balloon is on the parade right now.  I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of my favorite muppet . . . Osacar!

Interesting Meeting

I had a really great meeting this morning.  It could have gone bad, but it's cool when other church planters have a bigger vision that just today.  Time still remains to see what will come of it, but if today is any indication Compass Point and these guys could do some pretty amazing things for the kingdom of God!

A Really Cool Video

I just discovered this link to one of the coolest videos ever made.  Watch the entire thing, even the credits!!!

Daybreak

I'm pretty ticked at ABC for interrupting "Lost" for thirteen weeks so I wanted to check out this new "Daybreak" show they put in its place.  It's part "Groundhog Day", part "The Fugitive", part "Enemy Of The State" and altogether addictive.  Man, I'm hooked!!!

Not Enough Time

I so wanted to call this posting "Idiot #2", but I felt that the "Dobson-ites" would freak.  Funny, I guess I just said it anyway.  "Dobson Freaks" let the flaming comments begin.

I have never been a great fan of "politician-in-disguise" James Dobson and this article makes me even less of one.  No time?!?!?  Are you kidding me?  Only a few days ago he was pledging his "friendship" to Ted Haggard and now he doesn't have time to help in the restoration process.

Yeah, I guess the cheesy radio show he does takes up more time than pastoring mega-churches like Jack Hayford and Tomm Barnett.  I can only imagine how tough it is to make that 20-minute drive from Focus On The Family's offices to Haggard's home. It must be a piece of cake for Hayford and Barnett to fly in from other sates.  However, I guess the greatest time-schedule challenge it presents to Dobson is the one where he actually has to act like a Christian "leader" instead of talking about it on a microphone!

Hmmm, me listening to Focus On The Family's radio program?  I no longer have the time!!!

More Strange News

Apparently deer are not good at 'trick or treating",  This is just crazy!

Idiots

Idiots are born everyday.  Here is one.  Celebrities can also be idiots.  This article is about one.

You Snooze You Lose

It's being reported that FedEx has dropped their order for airplanes from Airbus and agreed to purchase them from Boeing.  I really love it when we stick it to the French!  It gives me such a warm, fuzzy felling!!!

Won't Worship This Way

This is one worship practice you'll never see us try at Compass Point!!!

Simple Church Announcements

I recently blogged about the book Simple Church and stated that Compass Point had been a "simple church" since we started.  However, one idea in the book sparked some brainstorming by our leadership this past week - the idea about announcements.  One of the "simple church" profiles in the book only makes announcements about guest registration, the new members class and the small groups - that's it!!!  We've been doing that for a while now.

However, this past week we took it to a different level by NOT verbally making the announcements and showing a brief video instead - between the music and when I came up to speak (you'd have to see our service order to understand the different way that we do the service).  Anyway, here is the video and it went over GREAT with our people.  No awkward transitions from music to announcements to preaching.  It was low-key, but very effective!

I'm Digging This Book

I'm not a big fan of books on leadership, church growth or how-to books for churches.  However, I'm totally digging Simple Church: Returning To God's Process For Making Disciples by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger.  One of my favorite bloggers, Ben Arment has been blogging about this book over the last two weeks.  Simple Church is really straight forward and has some fairly revolutionary ideas about simplicity in making disciples.

Compass Point has suscribed to the "simple church" mentality since we began almost three years ago.  I've taken some hits from denominational leaders for our "simple" approach to things.  Yet, for us, it works.  It also lends itself to longevity.  We have always concentrated on a simple process since day one.  We have not had explosive growth over the years, but we have had steady growth.  At no time has Compass Point experience a loss in attenders or took any steps backwards.  I attribute this to God's providence, incredible volunteer leaders that are constantly seeking God's direction and keeping things simple.

I would suggest all church planters or lead pastors check out Simple Church.  It is well worth your time to read it.

Not Pretty

It wasn't pretty, but it was a win for the Florida Gators today.  They still have some MAJOR HOLES, but I'm pumped about their BCS ranking.  I have no illusions that we'll be playing for a National Championship, but we should make a pretty kickin' bowl if this keeps up.  Needless to say, I think we'll take the SEC.

Oh yeah, a little moment of smack talking.  If Ohio or Michigan was in the SEC they wouldn't have the records they have now.  The SEC is hands down the toughest conference in the NCAA!!!  I appreciate what Ohio and Michigan have accomplished this season, but they are not playng real teams week after week.  There are no slouch teams in the SEC!!!