What did People Pay for the Radiohead Album?

Posted on November 7, 2007

Update. Thanks to Dave Herring for pointing me to the more accurate story of In Rainbow sales. It appears that they did not share info with InScore: “However, they (Radiohead) can confirm that the figures quoted by the company comScore Inc are wholly inaccurate and in no way reflect definitive market intelligence or, indeed, the true success of the project.”

According to comScore, an independent analysis of the Pay-What-You-Want In Rainbows download, most people (62%) paid $0.00 for the album. The average price paid was $6. US fans paid an average of $8. This is a shame (and I am guilty) as the album is extraordinary. I am thinking of going back out to give them some cash for my enjoyment.

It is now reported that Radiohead struck a deal with British indie label, XL Recordings, for the physical release of its new album, “In Rainbows.”

Read the rest of the article here.

14 Observations from Acts for Founding a Church Planting Movement

Posted on November 6, 2007

A few observations from the first two chapters of book of the Acts regarding church/church planting:

1) Jesus deliberately launched the Church by avoiding predictive talk about the timing and nature of a political future kingdom (1:6,7,11).

2) The power and presence of the Holy Spirit, not well-honed arguments, was central to the success of the global Church (planting) movement.

3) The first church launch team of 120 people was established upon a foundation of prayerful waiting on God (1:13-15).

4) The first church began in the midst of controversy and desertion. Judas, a key leader left the movement and had to be replaced (1:15-26).

5) The first church proclaimed a whole gospel for the whole world (1:8; 2:5-28; 3:1f).

6) The first church was grounded in whole Bible theology, demonstrating the unity of the Scriptures and their focus on Jesus.

7) The uniqueness and universality of calling on Jesus Christ for salvation (2:21-36).

8) The sovereignty and foreknowledge of God was central to the story of the church (2:22-23).

9) The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was the central message of the Church.

10) Jesus was proclaimed as a living redeemer and life-giving lord over all things (2).

11) Personal repentance, baptism, faith and forgiveness was the natural result of gospel proclamation.

12) The church cultivated a profound sense of community through teaching, fellowship, shared meals and possessions, and prayer (2:42-47).

13) People were filled with awe and worship before God and his acts.

14) The church became an organic, growing movement (2:47).