Radiant Fellowship

Name: Monica Barden

Spouse: Mike Barden

Children: Isaac, 13; and Vaughan, 11

What do I do at Radiant Fellowship: Worship director, coffee drinker, rabble-rouser

Hobbies and interests: Getting together for coffee, call me and we'll go chat!

Favorite food: Steak, medium-rare. You may grill me one anytime.

Favorite movie: Tangled for what it says about controllers and legalism, Dead Poet's society for what it says about being who you are, Airplane for making fun of everything.....

Favorite TV show: All the animated ones you're not supposed to watch.

Best invention in the last 100 years: Facebook

Pets: One very demanding but extremely friendly cat, Tod. Live in fear if you are a rodent.

The scripture that has impacted me the most: John 10:10. I live to help people escape the things that prevent them from living an abundant life.

What is God teaching you right now: That I will never know or understand everything about Him or what happens in this world, but He still loves us more than we could possibly imagine.

Musical favorites: 70's funky disco, black gospel, U2, Pink Floyd, David Crowder, Newsboys, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, could go on all dayyy....

What is my worst habit: Probably talking too much

Favorite book: The Sociopath Next Door for helping me figure out how to identify and unload people who are unhealthy for you, Boundaries for helping me to become free from controllers, The 48 Laws of Power for showing how leadership works, the good bad AND ugly, the Luck Factor, the Success Principles, and many, many more. I read a LOT, almost all nonfiction. I really wouldn't mind having a book club.

Last book read: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Excellent book.

Favorite quote: "Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine. It is not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same as we are liberated from our own fear. Our presence liberates the others." -Marianne Williamson

Favorite restaurant: Nakashima. Please take me there.

My dream vacation: the Caribbean, take me there too, please.

Favorite meal to cook or have cooked for you: Refer to previous question, a really good steak

Favorite coffee drink: Peppermint mocha, half the syrup.

Favorite overall beverage: Coffee.

Favorite board game: Catchphrase

Favorite color: Dark teal

The Sunday morning music experience at Radiant is an open, free deep expression--a conversation between the musicians up front, and the individuals that participate in the congregation, and the God of the universe. I have been leading worship for 20 years in a wide variety of environments, and really love the casual atmosphere we have here. Everyone who serves in the Radiant band is there by their own choice, there is no obligation or guilt to "force" people, so, since everyone is there by their own desire to serve God fully with their gifts, the spirit on Sunday mornings is fun, relaxed and positive. As in the Bible, people are in the band according to ability, that we can create the best possible music for our God, and the best possible fit for people's natural giftings. We use quite a bit of secular music as well; when a secular song is the one that says what we are expressing the best, or sometimes just for fun. I also try to make it as easy as possible for people to participate by choosing mostly easy-to-sing music that is meaningful and biblical in the words, and by taking requests regularly from attenders so that the music we are doing accurately reflects where this body of believers is at. Music is a very important expression of our spirits and hearts, and at Radiant music will always have a prominent role in the services. Come check it out sometime, it's a blast!