Sacred Digital: Chuckk Gerwig

The Blues Brothers

Before the maddness started tonight the room looked like this during set up...

Tonight at Elevation we had a Blues Brothers "we're on a mission from God" vibe going. We had video clips leading into live music performances and even had this lifesize plaster Jake Blues figure mid-room (an amazing find by elevator Nicole McCullom!). We ended the night with the film intro to the live concert on video and then Omar and I came out in Fedoras , shades and played "Riding with the King" (the BB King, Clapton version) with the great Elevation worship band. The night ended with some old school Reverend Gary Davis blues records playing as everyone ambled off to AfterHours. Twas a fun night of multimedia madness, mission and M&M's (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 for how the 2 - m's fit into the scheme). Church can be fun if you let it be! One college gal brought her mom tonight for the first time. Her mom quipped I've not smiled in church so much in a long time. Me neither.

Posted by Chuckk at 12:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elevation Podcasts Updated and Relaunched

Over the last few months we've battled some huge gremlins while trying to update the Elevation sermons online. We've recently killed the gremlins and the Elevation podcasts are now fully up to date and the complete JUNK series is now online for the first time.

Our new and revamped podcast page will allow you to listen in on your computer, download messages or subscribe (for free) at iTunes and every week's message will now be available online by Wednesday at 6pm. Thank you to Ryan Dawson, Randy Boose and Melissa Boose for gremlin hunting and internet wizardry.

You can find our Podcasts at the ELEVATION WEBSITE under the "Media" tab.

On the iPod: The Clash playlist

Posted by Chuckk at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Logos for MAC FINALLY !!!

If you know me you know you know that I think Logos Bible Software is one of the best things on the planet. It's up there with Harley Davidson, Labradors, Cuban Montecristo #2, iPhone, Samuel Smith Taddy Porter, Fender Stratocasters and the Mac laptops.

Up till now if you are a Mac you were not really fully Logos compatible. Now you can be. BUY THIS software: Jesus will like you more. Logos is now available for Mac.

On the iPod: Queen - News of the World

Posted by Chuckk at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Water for Thirsty Pastors

Here is a message I just heard that spoke to me as a pastor. I love what I do but sometimes I feel the weight of it big time. If you are a pastor or ministry leader who gets soul-weary sometimes give this Matt Chandler message a listen.

This is one of the messages from the 2006 Reform and Resurge Conference other great church planter and pastor-rich sessions can be found HERE.

Posted by Chuckk at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Book Recommend

Tonight as we start our new series called Pulse I'll be mentioning a book thats one of my favorites about mission- it's Let The Nations Be Glad by John Piper. If you want to meditate more deeply and study a bit about Mission and the Glory of God pick this bad boy up!

Posted by Chuckk at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pulse

This Sunday we start a new series at Elevation called PULSE. Here's the promo-speak: What makes God's heart BEAT? What has God been up to in history? How do we align our pulse to beat with His and live an uncommon life that really matters?

Join me as we explore Jesus' missional heart for the crazy world we inhabit. Join us for all the fun with Jake 'n Elwood..., certain Pink Floyd references, Omar's electric worship sets, heartfelt community, authenticity, grace and all the weirdness that is Elevation. Bring someone along who doesn't do church, it'll be fresh, fun and engaging for unconvinced folks too.

Be sure to bring your paper Bible this week, I'll will be taking us on a journey from Genesis through Revelation to get the series started.

REGARDING ELEVATION PODCASTS: WE ARE KILLING OUR PODCAST GREMLINS ONCE AND FOR ALL! A NEW PODCAST SITE WILL BE COMING WITHIN 10 DAYS AND WILL BE UPDATED EVERY WEEK! The whole Junk series is ready to go and will be uploaded to the new site this week.

Posted by Chuckk at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gnus

This Sunday I'll be teaching at all Santa Cruz Bible Church services - I feel a preach-a-thon comin' on. I'll be speaking on finding your true identity and referring to a book - Neil Anderson : Victory over the Darkness. The weekend will be FULL! -Saturday we'll be doing service projects around the community at Sharefest.

Other things in the news : SCBC has hired a new senior pastor, Dave Michelson he's coming from this church in Missouri. Dave will arrive after the holidays to grab the tiller and steer the SCBC ship.

Posted by Chuckk at 9:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

iPhone Heaven

ahhhhhhh iPhone soooo tasty! After a long wait Andrea and I finally got moved over to iPhones this weekend. We're stoked! A good friend gave us a G2 iPhone when he moved up to G3 and I had the opportunity to change fones and carriers and got the new G3 16 gig. A LOT of our communication and tech issues have been instantly solved. I can't say enough good things about the iPhone - it rocks!

Posted by Chuckk at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Growing Up Gerwig : My Family in the 1960's

Posted by Chuckk at 7:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gene Gerwig : Unstoppable

Last night my dad guest spoke with me at Elevation. He shared the story of his world rocking car accident / fire and the joy-filled life he's lived since, it was excellent. It was amazing to hear him sit and tell a room of 159 people how he'd never change his life a bit even the accident because God used it for good.

We'll have the audio podcast and probably the VIDEO of the service available within a month. I'll write and entry about it when it's all up online. Sorry the podcasts are behind a bit- we're changing our podcasting and website set up right now. The Shazam series is now currently up to date online but JUNK is not up yet.

On the iPod: The Clash Live at Shea Stadium

Posted by Chuckk at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got The Life

This weekend should be an interesting one: I've got a screaming sinus and throat infection, my dad's coming to guest speak at Elevation with me on Sunday (see the post below this one), Andrea's Dad and some other dear friends are coming up from So Cal to stay the weekend and I'm just heading out with Stratocaster in hand to play guitar at Fin's with Omar- next week we play at Margaritaville. It's never boring 'round here.

On the iPod : the New Oasis album.

Posted by Chuckk at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My Dad

This Sunday will be a really special night at Elevation. My father, Gene Gerwig will be joining me in sharing how we can live with joy when life's circumstances hand us JUNK. My dad knows a LOT about this because in his early 20's he was in a devastating car fire that caused the loss of both his arms, an eye, an ear and left him severely disfigured for life. He got some junk handed to him yet my Dad has THRIVED and lived an awesome happy life. Gene is guy with a great sense of humor, a highly positive outlook and an amazing story. He's a guy worth hearing from, come join us and meet a unique, funny, unforgettable dude.

Chuckk and Gene Gerwig, Venice, Italy 2006

Posted by Chuckk at 1:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elevation Beach Bonfire

Tonight after the Elevation service ends we'll have a wonderful beach bonfire for our community from 8:00pm - 9:59pm on Seabright Beach. It will be a special Elevation Afterhours. AfterHours has been such a great community builder @ Elevation. It's amazing to see 30, 40, 50, 60, and even 70+ of us show up at Woodstock Pizza to hang and BE together after the service every week. It makes us more than just a church service -it makes us a crew. Building community through an ongoing and regularly scheduled set of relational gatherings and happenings has been part of the Elevation Dream from the start and it's happening well.

We'll have a bus ready to wisk you off to beautiful Seabright Beach for a fun Elevation bonfire right after the service. We'll have maps available too in case you want to drive yourself. We'll have FIRE, hotdogs and sodas for $1, FIRE, moonlight n seasounds, FIRE, good company and FIRE too.

Bring a jacket, a blanket and also BRING someone with you tonight that hasn't visited Elevation yet - let's continue to be a community of invitation. Promotion is secondary to invitation, and invitation is secondary to putting someone in your car with you!

Posted by Chuckk at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Weeks Download

In the last week: We finally had the exterior of our big ol funky house painted (it looks cool), we started a new series: JUNK and a lady prayed and asked Jesus into her life after the service last night!, we went whale watching with the staff 'n saw the big smelly beasts too- see pic below

We went to Ocktoberfest on Highway 9 and had a total blast, I led the last Cowboy Church gathering of this year (22 people came) many do NOT go to church gatherings - see pic below.

We also went to Carly's last high school parents night, hung out with some old friends, rode Harleys to wonderful San Francisco and back down the foggy coast and now are starting up for another glorious week of sleep deprivation and adrenaline soaked Kingdom fun.

Posted by Chuckk at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The New Series at Elevation

This Sunday we start our new series - JunK: Putting Away Your Past. All of us have some "Junk"... stuff we've done to ourselves and others, stuff others have done to us and bad circumstances that just found their way into our story. How do we put away the negative self talk, how do we forgive others fully and get on with life, how do we live with real joy when our history is filled with regrets and bummers?

JunK is an exploration of living well, beyond the junkyard. This series isn't a morose contemplation on things past but a joyful hope-filled trip into the life Jesus intends for us.

Come and bring a friend along who may have a little junk of their own.

Book recommend from the sermon on Your Identity in Christ Neil Anderson - Victory Over The Darkness

Posted by Chuckk at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Worship and Communion Night

Once a month or so we have an evening devoted to longer musical worship and a more focused time of communion. September's gathering had such a great vibe...well done Environment Team!

Posted by Chuckk at 8:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stephen Hawking's BummerClock... unless...

Stephen Hawking has a clock "e i e i o" and on this clock he has a 'hopper "e i e i o". Was he listening to Dark Side of the Moon, drinking Jim Beam and feeling philosophical when he thought this up? This is an ominous bummer clock unless you are like me, and have entered into the Timeless. Then it's just an interesting clock with an exoskeletal critter riding the helm. I am immortal, and liking it.

Posted by Chuckk at 4:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Sunday Download

I had a fun weekend of preaching: Saturday PM at the new SCBC Traditional Service, 2 Sunday Morning SCBC " contemporary services" and was the MC of the Sunday PM Elevation Worship and Communion Service. Bummer... with the preach-a-thon going I couldn't be at Cowboy Church up at the Ranch. This is how some folks arrived at the service there this week tho!

Posted by Chuckk at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cowboy Church: Week #2 at the Ranch

YEEEE HAWWW PARDNERS (that's Maranatha in cowboy I think)

Cowboy Chuckk checking in with an update from the Ranch. This Sunday morning was a blessing at Cowboy Church. We had all 12 people from last week show up again and 5 new people joined us for the first time this Sunday morning so we've grown to 17 people, 4 horses and 1 French Poodle so far. People are really enthusiastic when we gather, it's a blast.

We had a great time of fellowship, Word and Worship under the Redwoods. Here's an email excerpt from David our ministry partner and the owner of the ranch we meet at:

Hey Chuck and Omar, Thanks so much for serving at the Outdoor Church Today. Today was a home run…We had quite a few new people and about 1/3rd of the people were not Christians and I’m pretty sure don’t attend church. Most people took the New Testatments we handed out with the words for the Praise Songs. Quite a diverse group. Some yuppies, a Buddist, a Jewish Gentleman and other wonderful folks. GOD was at work today.Blessings and thanks for the honor of serving with you. Hope you enjoy the pictures. With great respect. David De La Rosa

As I was leaving I got a big hug from the Buddhist lady who had visited and she said let's hang out and chat some next week after the service. Next week a group of folks are riding up the trails to join us for church too. Send up a prayer for the Cowboy Church folks.

Posted by Chuckk at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Frank Zappa

I have lately started to re-appreciate 20th century genius composer Frank Zappa. Sadly, Frank died in the early 1990's -and died as an outspoken opponent of Christianity (and other religions). His son Dweezil (yes, Dweezil is his legal given name) is currently leading a band of amazing musicians on tour playing his father's compositions. I saw some of the show on PBS last night and my brain is still trying to process what I heard. I am toying with the idea of heading to Hollywood to catch the set live at the Roxy in December. If you haven't heard Zappa's eclectic, bizarre and challenging music you can listen in on Zappa Radio.

Posted by Chuckk at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An example of how adeptly Christianity fits Into postmodern culture

ht: Brian Martin

Posted by Chuckk at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More Cowboy Church Pix

Yiiiiii Haaaaaa... some more... Here are a couple more pix from the first morning at "Cowboy Church" - see the blog below this one if you're thinking ..."what???"

Incarnate...everywhere...

Posted by Chuckk at 7:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cowboy Church

Yiiihaa!!! Yesterday morning Omar and I tried out something new in multisite ministry. We led "Cowboy Church" under the open sky in the shade of the redwoods on a ranch high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Ever since I arrived up here I've been thinking we should have a gathering outdoors for the active outdoor people in this area. There are folks who wouldn't come into a church building and feel that nature is a better setting for spiritual activity. This beautiful place we live is a cathedral anyway.

A couple of months back a crazyman approached me and said "I have a ranch and want to start a church service outdoors for the mountain bikers, horseback riders, hikers, bikers and others who frequent the trails and roads around my property". After a bit of prayer Omar and I felt Jesus calling us to go do this so we signed up to lead Cowboy Church out on his ranch on Sunday mornings as an experiment this month in addition to our evening services at Elevation. So we're extra tired guys this Monday morning!

Yesterday morning I woke up early and rode my Harley thru the redwoods to the ranch not knowing if anyone at all would show but totally excited to simply obey God and go worship there and preach to whoever did show up. I like taking chances, I like a level of uncertainty: if we only take on ministry ops that seem a safe bet to succeed there's no faith involved. We told our Elevation folks this isn't for you unless you bring a friend who wouldn't come inside a church building to keep it from being just another worship service option for already Christian folks. We had a great time for our first service, 12 people total showed up, the weather was excellent and it was a blast - everyone in attendance loved the service. In the coming weeks there is a horse riding group riding up to tie up their horses to the hitchin' post and come to church under the redwoods, fun stuff. Here's an excerpt from an email from the Ranch's owner.

It was a blessed time and we had a nice turnout but hope for a lot more in the following weeks. The word is just getting out!The fairly liberal Bonny Doon news gave us 2 page ad’s. I’ve already gotten phone calls and emails from people saying they want to attend… including people who don’t normally go to church, several new believers (a guy that painted my house received the Lord and is coming ) some new neighbors just called and asked if it was ok if her husband, a Jewish man could join us… I loved it!!!

We'll continue through this month and stop for the winter and invite anyone who becomes a regular to Elevation or SCBC services. If it seems like we should do this again we'll start up early next summer and run for 4 months, who knows we're just gonna follow Jesus around the ranch and see where He leads. If not we'll cook up another experiment maybe next time we can be like Indians, soldiers, prisoners, or migrant workers instead of Cowbows. Take a moment to pray for Cowboy Church will ya?

The Cowboy Church sanctuary.

On the iPod: Flogging Molly - Float

Posted by Chuckk at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Demons Today

Tonight at Elevation we'll be exploring Jesus' interaction with a man completely saturated with demons. I know this will raise all kinds of questions we won't be able to answer in our time together tonight so included here is a primer on demons and their activities. The articles attached are from P.P Enns and C. Ryrie and electronically clipped from my Logos Bible Software Library

Continue reading "Demons Today" »

Posted by Chuckk at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

GuitarWorld

People who know me know that if I am talking to you and playing a guitar I go...away. I go off to guitarworld and you... disappear. Today was such a day. I spent a bunch of today with three of my favorite old electric buddies - see picture below. There was a time when totems of wood and chrome like these were idols to me, now they're just old friends and music production tools

Here's something cool I found tonight, it's a website that tells you all about what different guitarists rigs consist of. I just had to pass it on.

On the iPod - a killer Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Mayer and Eric Johnson playlist

Posted by Chuckk at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 17, 2008

The Blues Brothers

November 8, 2008

Elevation Podcasts Updated and Relaunched

November 7, 2008

Logos for MAC FINALLY !!!

November 5, 2008

Water for Thirsty Pastors

November 2, 2008

Book Recommend

November 1, 2008

Pulse

October 22, 2008

Gnus

October 18, 2008

iPhone Heaven

October 15, 2008

Growing Up Gerwig : My Family in the 1960's

October 13, 2008

Gene Gerwig : Unstoppable

October 10, 2008

Got The Life

October 6, 2008

My Dad

October 5, 2008

Elevation Beach Bonfire

September 29, 2008

This Weeks Download

September 25, 2008

The New Series at Elevation

September 24, 2008

Worship and Communion Night

September 22, 2008

Stephen Hawking's BummerClock... unless...

The Sunday Download

September 14, 2008

Cowboy Church: Week #2 at the Ranch

September 12, 2008

Frank Zappa

September 10, 2008

An example of how adeptly Christianity fits Into postmodern culture

September 9, 2008

More Cowboy Church Pix

September 8, 2008

Cowboy Church

August 31, 2008

Demons Today

August 30, 2008

GuitarWorld

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