Back when Ridge was getting ready to launch on Sunday Nights back in 2007 we were making some equipment purchases. We were purchasing everything from lighting to truss to adding to an existing sound system. I started by making a wish list. In a perfect world, what equipment do I need to make Sundays the best they can be. There was a lot of stuff on that list. Trussing systems, moving lights, stage risers, and digital mixing consoles. After running this list through filter of a budget, most things were either cut or scaled back. One of those things was the digital console. We had purchased a Mackie Onyx mixer with the intention of passing it down when the time came to upgrade. The other thing that didn’t make it was the case for said console. We are a load-in, load-out church, so protecting our investments is important. I really thought that we could get by with the cardboard box that the console came in for the time being. After all, in a couple of months, when this thing takes off,  we should be able to purchase a case, and a new console… right. Well three years and lots of on and off a truck and in and out of storage later we finally bought a case. The box took a beating but with the help of a little gaffers tape, protected the console well.

Thank You Mackie and your cardboard box/case for standing up so well.

Ridge is doing a series called “Now” the last two Sunday’s in Oct. The first one talked about how Jesus wants use to respond to the “little ones” aka the needy. I short treat them how you would treat Jesus if he was here. You can read about it here and listen to it here.

I was thinking about the set for the stage and the big 3D letters just made sense… right! I was blessed with some white Gatorboard and thought this should be pretty simple, cut out the front, box in the sides. But wait, how do I make an O? I case you don’t know Gatorboard does like to curve. After some experimenting I found if you relief cut the back it bends nicely and after making some calculations I brought some material home and began to make the some 200 plus cuts. 3 hours later I had and O. With the N and W already assembled and sitting at the office all I needed to do was get them all to the Levine Center. My main problem was that the 5′ across O was to big to go in the car. After some debating I decided to strap it to the top of the car and drive it my self. I think we all know what happened. The O refused to stay on top of the car. One mile from the house, off it goes, flying like a “Super Cheerio” I held back a few expletives (kids in the car) and stopped to pick up the pieces. To my surprise there was very little damage. Super Cheerio lives, to fight crime, another day.  I did manage to get them all there safely and looked very majestic standing on stage. Few people knew the story of how the “now” came to be.

Sunday at Ridge was both stressful and satisfying. I went through the week before planning and picking music. We are in a series called “How To Be Rich”. The first week we came to realize we are rich. We all have more than we need. We planned some fun songs to start each service. Week 1 was “If I Had $1,000,000″ Week 2 was Beverly Hills by Weezer. It all sounded so easy. When we arrived on Sunday everything was going to plan until about 7:30AM when the band was scheduled to start rehearsal. That’s when we found out that the drummer that was scheduled had moved to Nashville and neglected to inform us. After going through the phone contacts we decided to push on with out a drummer. Adam Wilson, John Moore and Brett Banks were amazing. Maybe one of the best times of worship at Ridge. It really hit home that, even when we are caught off guard…  God is Not!

Here is one of the worship tunes from Sunday. Click the link below.

Adam Wilson, Lift High from Rusty Burchard on Vimeo.

I love seeing something go from the drawing board to reality. This past month I got to put together a set idea for Charlotte One, a singles worship gathering that meets in uptown Charlotte. The idea was drawn up in illustrator and projected and traced onto 1″ Gator Board (a light weight foam board) and cut out with a jig saw. Light weight muslin was glue to the back and then it was painted with water colors. When lights are put behind it, it glows like stained glass. Thanks to Todd, Paul and Tina for all the help.

Sunday was a really good day.   John Moore brought the worship. Tina and I painted the set. Chris and Andy tag teamed on the message. I really want to create a place where people are disarmed by how easily they can approach their Heavenly Father.

We started a new series this Sunday at Ridge Church, “5 Things God Uses To Grow Your Faith” We had great worship this Sunday, Sara Scott did an awesome job. I am really looking forward to the rest of this series. I am hoping that God uses it and me to make a difference in this city. Here are a few pics.

It’s been a long, tiring week. Maybe more on that later.

Ridge Church had the first of a two part series today called God & Country. Thanks to John Moore for leading some amazing worship today. Here is a few pictures of the set.

This is a Blog post by Seth Godin who wrote the book Tribes. I love the last line. We need to be remarkable.

You’re boring

Some people have a pattern when they sneeze, Tina always sneezes in threes. Enjoy!

Today at Ridge we finished part two of TEXT_ a great series where Andy has one goal, to get us to read our Bible. What an amazing message today. Andy took the books of the bible and explained how they were put together, and why they are in the order they are in. For me, it was an eye opener. I have attended church most of my life and I have never had this explained in such a simple way before. PLEASE go here and listen to this message. You will not regret it.

Josh and Tasha Via lead worship today with Brett Banks on bass and Cameron Berg on Drums, I love these guys. Great heart and great spirit. Here are a couple of pics.