Not by trying: A Talk with Del Tackett
“Getting” a Laugh?: Comedian Michael Jr. shares his story
Finding God in the Middle of Struggles
Music Artist Ministry
Teamwork & the Creative Process
Not by trying
Del Tackett was an opening speaker. He’s a part of “The Truth Project” DVD series, which my small group just went through recently. That series was incredible, and I got to meet him afterward and say thanks from my small group. I also asked about how he got the insights he has into God’s word. He said – “Not by trying.” His advice was to just wait on the Lord and serve Him with excellence where I am. That was cool, because I feel like that is what God is showing me lately too. Just kind of confirmed it, you know? It’s that neat feeling of just knowing you are resting in God and He is leading.
“Getting” a Laugh?
A comedian Michael Jr. shared his story. Comedians always try to get people to laugh; to get something from them. But God was teaching him to look at comedy a little differently. To try to GIVE people an opportunity to laugh, instead of trying to get something. That changed his whole thinking, and after a concert one night, he saw a homeless man across the street. The Holy Spirit nudged him – Who will give this man an opportunity to laugh? So, Michael decided to do a comedy tour to prisons, the homeless, and troubled youth.
After the tour, he wanted to make a documentary out of the video footage he had, but didn’t know how to do it on no budget. An opportunity came for a job, which he said he would accept if they would put his trailer on the front of the video, which was not likely to happen. But they accepted – so he had to find someone to make a trailer! He posted the job online, then called back the person whose work he liked the best. They asked how much he would pay. Michael talked with his Financial Partner and his wife, then called him back and said – can you do it for free? The man agreed to! The trailer was so good, Michael wanted him to cut the film too, which would cost $35,000. To raise the funds, he sold copies of the video (which didn’t exist yet) for $35 each. It was a big step of faith, and God provided for each step of the way. It was very encouraging to me.
Finding God in the Middle of Struggles
We got to visit Journey Church in Nashville, where some of the guys go that we work with on video. It was AMAZING! The pastor and his wife sat in the front of the church and just shared their heart on all the stuff they were learning, and really hard struggles they’ve had in their marriage over the past couple years. It was incredible. It’s hard to describe how I could relate, but it is just what I’ve been learning about struggles with sin, relying on God’s mercy, depending on the spirit, and seeking HIM as the ONE THING that I need, looking to Him for everything.
Music Artist Ministry
Then, we had 3 different times of hearing artists. One was a woman’s lunch with Kay Arthur, and my favorite artist – Meredith Andrews – sang for lunch. We heard Sarah Groves. I loved her song called “Setting up the Pins” It is a peppy “washing the dishes” song about how routines in life, like setting up bowling pins and then knocking them down again.
The one thing about the artists that I really appreciated, was how they are on mission just as much as I am – the purpose God has for their life is for them to sing! I have a greater respect for what them and their ministry. Other groups was saw are: 1000 Generations, JJ Heller, Keith & Kristyn Getty, and Austin’s Bridge, and my new favorite band: Downhere.
Teamwork & the Creative Process:
One of our sessions was on teamwork, and how several different roles are needed to get a job done: creator (who thinks of the idea), advancer (encourage the job through processes), refiner (without this you get to the end and wonder why it went wrong) and the executor (who does it), and the flexer (who can do any role as needed). People play different roles on the team, and each one is needed for a successful project. That was helpful to see and apply to work.
There were other meetings at the conference, fun restaurants and visiting friends in the area. We stayed at the Opryland Hotel, which was a beautiful greenhouse with waterfalls, palm trees and gardens inside. Then it was so nice to go home when it was over!