TimSchraeder.com

You know how God has to sometimes put something in front of us a few times before we notice it?
Well, for me, it’s been the simple phrase: God with us.
I’ve been thinking and pondering the significance of that simple statement… and was sort of oblivious to the fact that it was also the theme of [...]

‘Tis the season to give to your favorite charities, causes and organizations.
During this time of the year our attention typically goes to giving to people we love and causes we believe in.
When considering who or where I’d like to give to this Christmas, I didn’t have to look too far.
Andrew Marin is a great [...]

If you pick up the latest issue of COLLIDE Magazine [I now subscribe to the digital edition], you’ll notice a familiar name on the cover.
Park was featured in COLLIDE’s Church Spotlight in their latest issue and the article features an interview with yours truly, our lead pastor Jackson, and Jason Widney our Media Arts Director.
Don’t [...]

My friend @blainehogan has been doing a cool thing over on his blog… he’s been asking people to share what they are passionate about in exactly 100 Words.
I was nervous when he asked me to write about communication… it was definitely a challenge to wrap a concise idea around 100 words, but I think I [...]

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. – Martin Luther King, Jr
My co-workers and I planned to hail a cab and head down to Daley Plaza at 10:45 to hear the final vote for the 2016 Olympics.
We had no idea we’d be out in the first round.
I think the picture captures the [...]

Cultivate is happening at Park in a little over a month from now. There’s been lots of buzz about it and I know with churches cutting budgets you have to be wise about which conferences/seminars you attend this year. So here’s my Top 5 Reasons Why You Need to Be at Cultivate.
I’m more and more [...]

Where did the summer go?
I Tweeted about a week ago that I think September is the new January, especially in the church world… how do you all feel about that?
I don’t know about your churches, but at Park, September is when we officially kick off the ministry year. Summer is a major down time for [...]

Michael Hyatt did a great post on Facebook Pages that got me thinking…
I have a lot of Facebook friends, and many of them aren’t so connected to my life as a church communications person… and aren’t very interested in what I have to say, professionally, but still care about me on a personal level.
Michael’s reasons [...]

The movie The Break-Up starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston was filmed in Chicago.
I actually used to live down the street from the Fireside Bowling Alley where the infamous bowling team scene takes place.
It’s actually a common sight to see. Being a town full of the young and the restless, it’s inevitable you’ll find a [...]

A friend shared this link with me this morning from designer Bruce Mau… all I can say is WOW.
If you are a creative, designer, or anyone who tries to be, this is worth the read.
Written in 1998, the Incomplete Manifesto is an articulation of statements exemplifying Bruce Mau’s beliefs, strategies and motivations. Collectively, they are [...]

My friend Blaine is the Experience Engineer out at Willow Creek (what a cool title, huh?) and he and his team put together a phenomenal piece called Behold the Dreamer Cometh for the opening of the Willow Creek Arts Conference back in June.

I was so excited when Blaine posted a blog entry about the process [...]

I had no idea what kind of firestorm I was starting when I posted my blog about Park’s switch from a weekly bulletin to a monthly a year ago. It’s been fun to hear from so many different churches that have made the switch or are considering taking the plunge.
I thought I’d share a few [...]