Greg Davis - Technically Speaking

 

In my previous post, I talked about how it isn’t such a far fetched idea to see your ministry on TV.  I wander how many church techies are aware of YouTube’s nonprofit program?  The church has the most compelling story of all to tell and this is a great and effective way to do it.

Some of the highlights include:

 

• Premium branding capabilities and increased uploading capacity
• Rotation of your videos in the “Promoted Videos” areas throughout the site
• The option to drive fundraising through a Google Checkout “Donate” button

 

You can watch the following YouTube video to get an overview as well.

 

Has anyone out there reading this tried it out?  I’d definately be interested in hearing your comments.

Here is a good example of using technology to get main idea from a sermon out to your listeners. Ed Young, Jr, Senior Pastor at Fellowship Church gives this message on listening to the wrong “they”.  With many free and easy to use resources like YouTube, Facebook, MyChurch and many others, are you taking advantage of them to get your message heard?

If you want to get a jump on Christmas media planning - now is the time.  The guys at Midnight Oil are having a 50% off sale on their Christmas collection.  So plan early and think “Christmas in July”!

Midnight Oil Productions - Christmas Store

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In this post in Out of Ur, Shane Hipps is interviewed on subject of the hidden power of visual media by the folks at Faith Visuals.  While I don’t agree with all of his points I find the subject intriguing and one that those in the church technology / visual arts  need to be aware of.

I am reminded of the famous statement by Marshall McLuhan that “the medium is the message” in which he puts forth the notion that the form is more important than the content and in fact is the message.  Certainly the medium (form) of the message is extremely important and can even influence the degree, strength and type of response that the recipient gives in response, but I believe there are two problems with this argument.

First - It assumes that the person receiving the message has no control over their response. The notion seems to be that if the medium is powerful enough, the viewer will feel strong emotions about it and will involuntarily make irrational choices.

Second - The visual sense, while powerful, I don’t believe should be held in captivity to the others (hearing, touch, smell, taste).  Did not God create us with all five senses?  Did not Jesus himself come to earth to be seen and heard before dying on the cross?  Did he not speak to the people in parables and use mind-pictures to communicate his message?

I believe those who create video messages and graphical images have the same responsibility as those who create messages which are only spoken and heard.  They must each understand the details of their medium and know the strength and weakness of each and how it can be misused. However, that should not stop the church from proclaiming the Gospel to all people and fulfilling the Great Commission. Christ’s commission to us did not say to only preach the Gospel in written form or only in speech.  I believe we need to do so in all languages and in all forms of media.  Anything less would be irresponsible.

(Hat tip to Andy at Think Christian)

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In this clip, The Worship Industry,  from Work of the People, Brian McLaren discusses art, propaganda and the worship industry.  What do you think?  How do you tell when you have crossed the line from art to propaganda (or a Jesus “info-mercial”)?  What are the tell tale signs in your experience?
 

Is your Spidy sense tingling? It should be!  SermonSpice has made available free movie clips, sermon illustrators, and even a Bible study guide to coincide with this week’s public release of Spider Man 3.  You can find the resources right here.   I find this very encouraging to see how the church can speak in a relevant manner along side what is happening in our culture.

I am sure some would argue that using this material would be for the church to endorse the movie. And a Hollywood endorsement is something most Christians want to avoid. However, what if we took the stand that didn’t care about Hollywood endorsements and simply wanted to reach people for the sake of Christ? What if we cared more about illustrating the teachings of Jesus than about what other people and other churches thought about our approach?

I believe secular media can be redeemed and used for the glory of God as much as “Christian” films. We just may need a little thick skin and a passion to reach and teach.

Go ahead and review the materials - see what you think. The next time a discussion is taking place at the office, backyard, school, or wherever about the new movie - you might be better prepared to reach someone with the Gospel!

It is hard to believe that Easter has already come and gone. It may not totally feel like Spring yet where you are (I had snow on the ground this morning here in Delaware), but indeed the calendar already says we are in the middle of April.  That means that Mother’s Day is soon approaching (May 13 for all you guys out there). 

The guys over at Eleven 72 have put together a nice collection of media options to help you celebrate that Sunday in your church service. Be sure to check out their Seasonal category for a sample. You’ll find some sermon illustrations, countdown and motion backgrounds as well as still graphics.

They have also made an April freebie sample available if you sign-up for their email list.  You can preview the sample, which is Mother’s Day themed here.

Whether you are having a special service devoted just to celebrating mothers or not, it can be a good way to acknowledge the special women in our life who have sacrificed greatly of themselves for our benefit.


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