Matthew Robinson

I often have a hard time explaining the ins and outs of my leadership role at The Well…when I told Dean and couple of years ago I’d be here for whatever he needed me to do, that meant I’d be faced with getting done whatever needed to be done.  It’s one of the aspects of my “job” that I love…the constant state of change.  But its not all pin-point-able.

Steven Furtick has the best explanation of how I awkwardly describe what I’m privileged to do. I often say “Dean draws the picture and I figure out how to color it in.”  That one works for me.

Keepin on keepin on…

It’s chocolate.  And apparently, even in my morning Dove, I can’t escape the subliminal messages:

It sucks.  Really, it does.  I haven’t missed that much work or felt that bad in not just forever, but just plain ever.  I’m alive and well, getting my energy back, and now immune.  Thanks to all for your kind thoughts and prayers this past week.  Oink oink!

My college friends Natalie and Clayton Noa were in town for the weekend visiting, and they got to come to The Well for the first time this morning.  They’re regular online viewers and it was great having them for a Bulls upset here in the panhandle.  If only they’d get smart and move back for good…

So many old Well-ers back in town…we’re seriously in the process of figuring out what an Alumni Association would look like for us…if you want to be a founding member and help launch it, holla.

I’ve loved our current series, and we had a special day celebrating communion together.  Behind-the-scenes moment you didn’t see (well, some of you did): a guy at the morning service picked the “dip your cracker in it” juice cup up and took a big sip.  More power to him.  To each is own.  It was funny to see traffic divert to the other stations after that one.

I love the song It is Well. Powerful.

Behind the scenes moment number two: half way through, Dean chucked the second half of his planned sermon.  Boy can that man preach.  We heard the message he was lead to share from Matthew 19.  Strong stuff to chew on for self-examination.  Like I said, this series has been incredible for us.

And Krissie was the most effortless person I’ve ever had to video.  She’s so natural, so easy going, and so genuine.  And, she makes Dean look pretty darn good.  We love our Pastor’s wife!

And finally.  Our graphics team.  Oh boy oh boy do they have a sense of humor.  Real comedians I tell you.

This was the first image I was emailed this past week as collateral for our upcoming series and the promo video we put together:

And this is what we ended up with, and what it should have been:

I mean, they’re honest at least.  Join us next Sunday! :)

So we’re halfway through watching the gents of Florida State beat down on some Mormon football players Saturday night at the house, when my friend Adam, from the kitchen, says “Matthew, your oven’s on fire.”

Another friend, April, looks and says “oh my God it is.”

And for about three seconds they just stop and stare.

I spring from the giant red couch to skilfully assess the situation and confer, that, indeed, the oven is on fire.

(Adam and April are still staring.)

First instinct: grab the sink sprayer and let loose.  It wasn’t grease a-burnin, but rather…

Marshmallows.

A quick wrist-flick-fling-open of the oven door later and a heavy douse of water and the blaze was busted up.

Note to all you budding chefs out there: broiler on high with mid shelf marshmallows for more than 32 seconds = a true recreation of the camp fire ambiance right there in your very own kitchen.

Jeesh.

We scraped off the thoroughly blackened layer of mellow, scoured the pantry for some Kraft minis, fixed our eyes upon the broiler for the next round, and voila, April’s smores brownies were as good as new.  I know I’ve got nothing on Jovanna, but for half a minute, I was scared to death.

Bon Appetit!

Our band at The Well is amazing. I am constantly in awe of the talents the members have been given and am blessed that they choose to serve and use them with us.  We’ve been led the past several weeks by friends Scott Simmons and Todd Doss, and the leadership they’ve brought during this season has been incredible.

Meet newcomer Giana Lopez.  She belted this one a few weeks ago and we sang it again last night.  Wow.

And then there’s Todd Doss.  I’ve stated before that I do have a man crush on his voice.  I’m not afraid to admit that.  I can also talk tech with Todd.  And Todd has a great wife, Judi.  Those are only a few reasons why I’m a Todd fan.  We’re thrilled they’re a part of The Well, and I could listen to the following on repeat all day.  And did I mention our band rocks?

He was fired up.  I’ll let this Dean-ism occur as a snippet from his own words. Dang was he preachin’.  And they weren’t his words.  They were His.

Don’t tell me we’re not “deep.”  And it you don’t want to be challenged by a Church, then please don’t visit us at The Well.  We need the seats for people who desire to experience changed lives.

An everlasting truth, in an ever-changing culture.  A Sunday evening to remember, and more importantly, to live by.

Meet my friend Leslie.  She’s from Jax.  And this semester she started at Aveda.  Leslie had been at FSU.  She’s an active do-anything-er at The Well, she’s co-hosted with me on stage, she’s one of the first faces you see in the parking lot, and yesterday, she cut my hair.

I was Leslie’s second male client.  Guest, actually.  That’s how they make you feel special at the Institute.  And Leslie did a great job.  I’m not sure how good of a Guest I am.  I just say “please cut my hair.”  I’m the guy who had it buzzed all the way off until about 5 years ago.  I have more hair now than I ever did.  I don’t know what I want don’t with it.  It’s blond.  And I wash it.  That’s all I know about my hair.  “Please just be creative if you’d like” I told her.

Here’s what impressed me about Leslie and the whole experience:

• I’m not sure there is anything much better than someone else washing your hair and massaging your scalp.  A.  maz.  ing.
• Leslie’s learning, so it took a while.  But there have not been many times in recent life that I’ve just sat and chatted for the better part of an hour and a half.  I may need to start getting my hair cut weekly!
• I saw three people there yesterday I know doing the same thing I was.  And four former students who were members of Leslie’s class.  I’m not sure if it’s a small world or I’ve just been in Tallahassee for too long and can’t go anywhere without knowing someone.
• Leslie knows this is where she’s supposed to be.  And she uses the opportunity she’s been given to share her story.
• Fun fact of the day: my hair-cutter (barber girl?  I’m not sure I can bring myself to say stylist…) actually requested random roommates at her apartment.  For the simple fact of meeting new people, learning more about them, and, again, sharing her story.  I appreciate this mindset…
• They’re not allowed to use buzzers.  And I discovered scissor cut hair feels so much better!

I will go back.  And you should go and visit Leslie, too.  You’ll feel better.  And probably look better, too!

My immediate love of service at The Well revolves around my role in heading our Sunday production.  We work hard to design atmospheres and environments that appeal to people in 2009, engage and encourage conversation, and embody excellence.  It doesn’t have to be complicated or flashy, but we do strive for doing what we do to the best of our ability and resources.  Everything is centered around the Truth, and we do all we can do to support Dean’s messages through the  other elements of our Sunday service.

We use technology to help tell stories.  Individuals are bombarded with information, and we have an obligation to present the most important Information possible in a manner in which it can be seen, heard, and connected with.  Why shouldn’t what we produce look as good as the movies, the tv, or even the digital billboard on Thomasville Road?  Why can’t we set that trend?  They’re competing with us for attention…why don’t we get in the game?

All that to say…I am pumped about some of the new skills I’m learning (I teach myself all of this!) with motion graphics and video editing to help us tell our stories.  Here’s a preview of the new Starting Point intro.  With Jovanna’s help, a new microphone, and some more editing left to do, Sunday’s version will be great!

The behind the scenes goings-on  of one mobile church at one man’s house, over the course of four hours one Monday night.  Joshua 24:15b literally at work!

This hit me late tonight.

After a long, fulfilling day.

Years. Hours. Sweat. Prayer. Joy. Heartache. Disappointment. Triumph. Growth.

So much has gone into this experience, for me and from me, called The Well.

But as I sat in the back tonight, chewing on the hard Truth Dean was preaching, reflecting on 9 years in Tallahassee, I realized

there. is. nothing. else. like. this. here.

And it happens because of Him. And is made possible because of lots of other hims and hers.

I’ve said 10 times this month “I don’t know.” Because I know longer do. We’ve empowered people and let them serve and let them lead and I no longer know a lot of it. Or a lot of “them.”

And that’s exciting. That’s growth. That’s roots. That’s contact. And connect. And contribute.

And I pray it just intensifies. We know what the Next Steps are that have been laid out for us. And we’ve got to stop asking “What?” and start asking “Who?”

Because, for so much of it, we need you. You’re that “who.”

What part will you play?

Dean preached tonight like he wasn’t going to get to do it again.

And This is Our God, and Highest and Greatest…oh my. You have to listen and check it out. Blown-a-freakin-way with the talent of our team.

Wanna join it?

We need you.

You.

That’s who.