Rich Kirkpatrick, Author at Rich Kirkpatrick

Immigration and racism: People win as we apply “survival of the weakest”, not “fittest”

Rich KirkpatrickJanuary 12, 201861.5K views

The church season of Epiphany contrasts our darker nature reflected in the recent words from our president about immigration. As a Christian, true religion is more about the “least of these” than the great, powerful, and rich. There is nothing profane about having privilege. What is offensive to the Gospel is the dehumanization of the vulnerable people in the world–be they from Haiti, El Salvador, or Africa, or even Norway. Our president at this moment appeals to the darkest parts of our human nature. This nature blames the blameless. It shames the shameless. The darkness of this type of power shreds the bonds that even Christians should have for one another. The survival of the fittest is not a biblically solvent idea but is indeed a potentially genocidal policy. People win when we apply a “survival of the weakest.” This is what Jesus Christ modeled for us. [bctt tweet=”What is…

Humans or Machines – How Much Tech is Too Much Tech?

Rich KirkpatrickJuly 25, 201701K views

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 A person is always a better investment than a technology. [bctt tweet=”A person is always a better investment than a technology.” username=”rkweblog”] My first huge ministry job when I was green as moss on the shady side of a redwood tree, placed me in a megachurch with a brand-new, state-of-the-art worship center. I was the guy who got to break in this beautiful room. The 150-plus light fixtures on the five catwalks at this point had no gels in them and were opened as wide as possible, washing the front church platform in blinding light. The joy of developing a team to aim the lights and design looks for our services, was one of the first tech accomplishments. The other was realizing that the back…

A Conversation with Brandon Bee – Songs from the Sky

Rich KirkpatrickJune 6, 20170817 views

Brandon Bee is a hard man to pin down. As a world traveler and dad of several kids, I caught him while he was in the car en route to renew his 16-year-old son’s passport for a trip to Italy. Raised by parents who were in a band, Brandon knew life on the road, and it seems his kids will grow up in what was normal to him. There is nothing ordinary about a guy who has 300 albums to his producer credits. More than a prolific musician and dad, he is also a minister of the gospel, serving in a local church in Eastern Washington state and leading a worship music movement in Italy. On top of all of the accomplishments in ministry and music, Brandon is a singer-songwriter, creating music from his unique perspective of Pacific Northwestern folksy blend. If you have heard his past solo projects or…

Does Jesus Really Mean What He Says? – When It’s Actually Good to HATE!

Rich KirkpatrickFebruary 24, 20171844 views

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26 NKJV) The words of Jesus are not easy words to hear or apply. Why would Jesus ask us to hate? Are we not to love our parents and family? Is Jesus actually asking us to “hate” our loved ones if we choose to follow him? If you strictly read this for face value, it absolutely says that. In fact, even in context, Jesus is telling us about the cost of the being his follower. As is usual, our Savior never intends to close the loop on an idea. Our Twitter way of thinking with its bite-sized candy slogans fails us. In contrast, Jesus gives us something to chew on that might take a lifetime to digest. What is…

Five EVEN WORSE Ideas That Will Make Your Worship Services FAKE!

Rich KirkpatrickJanuary 30, 20176976 views

In the original post, “Five BAD Ideas to Make Your Worship Services FAKE,” I discussed some ways of thinking that seem to reinforce inauthentic worship. Hundreds of shares and thousands of readers later, the new year has brought us a new and even worse list! I know, it’s not the best moment to be negative with our discourse in the public arena these days. However, a new year brings with it an opportunity to evaluate and refocus our worship leadership. And, it is important to find a clear way to articulate what we may actually be feeling—for better or worse. If we can form a lingo to describe something very subjective like our worship services, then it helps us to clarify where our closely held values come into play. 1. You use EDM-pop dance worship music written and recorded for a youth-oriented market for your intergenerational congregation. If we don’t…