The Sticks

The Treehouse Group, LLC is going to be a sponsor for The Sticks in Orangeburg, SC. The conference will be held on November 9-10 at Cornerstone Community Church. This will be our first conference as a sponsor so we have a lot of things to do and only a month left. Please be in prayer that we will get everything done that is needed and that the conference will be a big success.

Below is the description of the conference found on The Sticks blog. If you are a Pastor of a small to mid size church in a small community, this conference is for you.

The Sticks is more than a conference! The Sticks is an opportunity to equip, inspire, and encourage church leaders in small communities. The goal of The Sticks is to create a community for leaders to network with each other to help them impact the Kingdom. You can find us on facebook, twitter, and the web.

The Sticks..."Breathing life and vision into leaders in smaller communities."

The Sticks is also giving away a free iPad. Register for your chance to win.

Olympic Potential

I love watching the Olympics. The athletes inspire me through their abilities and performances. I especially love the winter event - short track speed skating. The strategy along with the fast pace shows the extreme mental and physical requirements needed for an Olympian to become champion.

Athletes train and prepare themselves mentally and physically for an event that lasts but a brief moment while the outcome is determined by tenths of a second, by inches, or by decimal points. Athletes have to train at such a high level for years in order to even try out for the Olympic team. A decision has to be made very early in their life to focus solely on what they can potentially do better than any one else in the world. In an interview with Olympic Champion Apolo Ohno seen on NBC, he explains that his father left him in a cabin to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. As a result, Ohno came out focused on becoming an Olympic Champion and now he has won the most medals by any American in the Winter Olympics.

In 2016, there will be another Winter Olympics. There are athletes who have been training for the opportunity to be apart of it. Now put yourself in this situation. What “Olympic Event” are you training for? Maybe it’s the 500m Start Your Own Business Short Track Event. Or perhaps it’s the 50km Multi-Site Church Plant Cross Country Event. Are you putting your body and soul through the intense training needed? Will you just be happy to be there or will you be standing on the podium raising the gold medal and hearing your Country’s National Anthem?

I encourage you to focus on the one thing that you can potentially do better than any one else, and train for Gold! If that means isolation to get focused, do it. It could be a critical factor in reaching your peak performance.

Reaching Our Potential!

The Treehouse Group, LLC - Free Design Service

Professional quality custom graphic design has never been more affordable. Be the first to contact us today and you could receive absolutely FREE (no value limit) expert design services for your first project.

1. The first group of five will receive FREE design service on their first project.

2. The second group of five will receive 75% off design service on their first project.

3. The Third group of five will receive 50% off design services on their first project.

4. The fourth group of five will receive 25% off design services on their first project.

Hurry and get your projects in. You don’t want to miss this opportunity! Applies to new clients only.

The Treehouse Group, LLC

New Web Site Design

I have been working on a new design for my web site, The Treehouse Group, LLC. I would like to receive some feedback, any comments are appreciated.

The purpose of the new design is first to achieve a more simple layout, less clutter. This is why I decided to go with a one page design. Second, I think it touches on a more personal level by including a photo of me and a brief description of my background. I want to achieve the impression of one-to-one interaction and the feel of professionalism. That a potential client would sense the attention and care that would be given to their particular projects. Lastly, the portfolio section would include less examples that illustrate better quality. In comparison to the existing site that shows a lot of examples.

Below you can see my concept. You can see the web site's current state, here.

Bible Reading Plan

If anyone is interested, Elevation Church is providing a reading plan to read through the New Testament in 30 days. The entire sermon series is available at newthru30.com. The site provides downloads to the resource materials. If you decide to participate, I would love to hear your feedback during this process.

Less Clutter. Less Noise.

I just finished reading Kem Meyer's book "Less Clutter. Less Noise." I would suggest that if your job has anything to do with communications that you go out and buy this book. There is a lot of practical wisdom in her solutions and principles. Here are some of the things that I took note of.

Good communication is not so much about sending the right message as it is releasing the right response.
Advertising doesn't create interest, at best, it creates awareness.
What people want is a promise they can trust, consistency, something worth telling their friends about-an experience.
Instead of investing efforts in promotions to get attention, we should be getting attention with what happens when people show up.
To attract is to cause to approach or adhere.
Clarity is the new creativity.
Take the time to learn what's effectively gaining credibility with people in today's culture.
The secret is for churches and other organizations to narrow their focus and reach fewer people more times.
Let people color outside the lines. You might just learn something.
Spend lots of time getting to know the people your trying to reach.
Identify the distraction and eliminate it.
Each communication piece is a valuable tool with the opportunity to unify all communications or dilute them.
People leave with the "actual" experience, and that's what they talk about.
Simplify the problem. Don't complicate the solution.
Everybody should find at least two image consultants in the workplace: one who helps process your effect on the individuals and another who helps process your effect on the crowd.

Interview with Adam Tarwacki

Adam Tarwacki is the Creative Director for St. Mark's Church, NC. He describes his job this way - Be creative! haha, it's pretty funny when all the pressure to be creative falls to one person. (I wouldn't recommend it) I am in charge of the weekend experience, and also very involved with the look and feel of graphics that are being created. I will also be working on the website for an overhall asap. Photography, video and anything else we might need.

Adam,

What are your tools of the trade (Computer, Monitor, Scanner, Cameras, etc.)?

Apple iMac 24 inch monitor. Canon EOS digital Rebel (I'm behind I know) No scanner but I've been eyeing a canon.

What is your favorite tool (Plug-in, Software, Equipment, etc.)?

Photoshop, Bridge and my new challenge is Final Cut.

Favorite Resource(s):

iStock ;) Who doesn't like help.

Who, what, or where do you get your inspiration?

TV is great, Disney Channel, MTV, Fuse, just anything that is showing you stage design, layout of graphics and it shows what's "hot". (what's up Paris "Thats hot"). Magazines, deviant art, and other creators.

If you could have one thing what would it be? Why?

Canon 5d. Beautiful shots and AMAZING VIDEO!

What are the primary goals of the church as it relates to your position?

To create an experience when it comes to the weekend, as opposed to just elements thrown together.

What hindrances do you have to overcome?

The church has been around since 1860 something. So as you can imagine there is deep tradition and many "oldchool" thought processes. (not that there is anything wrong with that at all. It actually can be used) As churches progress and change and watch other churches and say I like how they did that, how can that work here or something like it, there are many challenges to work through.

What is your favorite trick or technique and would you consider giving an example?

I'm still looking for tips and tricks of the trade, I'll be learning from this.

How did you get started in your profession?

I was actually laid off from a position at a church because of the economy. (I'm sure you are saying yeah right, but its true ;) My job was not a creative director where I came from, in fact far from it. This has just become a passion of mine and a church found me who was willing to take a chance and we jumped together. So as I am one month in, I am learning and loving it.

Readers can find out more about you by?

Email, Website, or you can google me the good ole stalker way.