Church Video Ideas

Last week, in my weekly column for Monday Morning Insight, I wrote about Catalyst utilizing Web 2.0 technology throughout the conference. My friend, Bobby Gruenewald, in his Swerve blog, revealed how they did it. Below are his words:

At Catalyst, we built several interactive elements that promoted YouVersion.com in the general sessions. All of the applications utilized sms (text messaging), and we have been receiving phone calls every day this week from people asking about how we did that and where can they get it.

Here is a quick post to describe who/what we used and explain a little bit about the technology involved, and also get ideas/feedback from all of you.

1. What is SMS?

SMS or “Short Message Service” (wiki) allows you to send short (160 character) messages to and from mobile phones. SMS is often referred to as “texting”.

2. What did you do with texting at Catalyst (for those of you who were not there)?

* Thursday morning we introduced YouVersion.com and asked that people text Bible verses (ex. Hebrews 13:17) about leadership to a 5 digit number (it’s called a “shortcode”). We then displayed in real-time the full verses that were submitted on the screens in the arena.

* Thursday afternoon we had people text (a,b,c or d) to the shortcode to vote on which song was their favorite “reverb” song. We displayed the results and the band played that song.

* Friday morning we asked people to text words that they felt described Craig’s session. It could be a word that described how it made them feel, or a words that were “take away” words from the session. We then displayed a tag cloud of the words people submitted at the end of the session.

* Late Friday morning we asked people to text their names or email addresses if they were committing to pursue radical integrity and grace. It was in association with the Deadly Viper book that was launched at the conference.

3. How did you do it?

We worked with OpenMarket aka simplewire.com. They have connections to many of the cell phone carriers around the world and are able to send and receive SMS messages to each of those providers. They also provided our programmers with the ability to write web applications that connect to their services. Basically we wrote an application that would save all of the text messages to a database and in some cases respond to the user with a text message that told them more about YouVersion or asked them for more information. Additionally, we built a few flash applications that would query the database and display the information I described above to the audience in the arena.

4. How much does it cost?

It does require a financial investment to do it well. It really varies based on what you are trying to do, and it would be best to call the folks at simplewire to have them help you navigate through the costs of their service.

5. How long did it take to build?

It took our talented Digerati team a little over a week to build and test the various pieces of it once we had everything setup with simplewire.

6. Why didn’t you use Twitter or another “free” sms application?

Twitter is great…it just would not allow us to build the types of applications we built, and it has had some reliability challenges on top of that.
I am sure there are many other questions, but those are the main ones that we have been getting. I’d be happy to answer any other questions in the comments. We have additional plans to use the technology in our weekend experiences…but instead of telling you our plans, I’d love to hear what your thoughts/ideas would be for sms applications in the church. If you are already using it, I’d love to hear about that too!

*** I (Greg) will just add the same thing: If you’re using Web 2.0 technology and doing ministry via SMS apps, I’d love to hear about it, too. I’d also love for you to join my “Church 2.0″ group on Facebook HERE.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:

The end of Heroes last night made my heart skip a beat. Good stuff. And YES, I realize I haven’t talked about the Cowboys since they lost.

This just in from my friend Cory at Church Communications Pro:

A Church Communications Stylebook

Kristie Melvin, Director of Communications at Providence Baptist Church, was gracious enough to share some great church communications resources including samples of their:

* Communications Services Values and Standards
* Project Request Form
* Providence Text Standards

Download the Providence Communications bundle HERE.

EXTRA:

Any of you going to Catalyst?

A while back, I mentioned YouVersion by LifeChurch.tv. This is a project that my friends Bobby Gruenewald and Terry Storch have been working hard on. I’ve been checking it out for a while now. Now, YOU, can check it out, as they officially released the first public beta version last week. YouVersion is a Web 2.0 online Bible. I’ve been doing a lot of study on Web 2.0 lately, as I’m working on my “Church 2.0″ book.

Kent at ChurchRelevance had a good summary. He described YouVersion as an online Bible that lets you:

* Read the Bible in multiple versions
* Star and tag verses and content
* Associate images, videos, links, and text to verses or series of verses
* Create an online Bible journal
* And much, much more

YouVersion Versions include:

* King James Version (KJV)
* American Standard Version (ASV)
* English Standard Version (ESV)
* New Century Version (NCV)
* New King James Version (NKJV)
* Smith and VanDyke Arabic Bible
* World English Bible

They will be adding additional versions in the future. Check it out!

I just added some new blog sponsors - they are magazines that I read and endorse. I encourage you to check out the “Charter Sponsors” page and subscribe to whatever magazine you currently aren’t reading.

Anyone going to GodblogCon in November? Their website says that GodblogCon 2007 will equip you with a working knowledge of new media technologies and its impact on society, empowering your ministry to employ quickly and easily new media technologies to engage culture for the cause of Christ. One plus or minus (depending on how you view it) is the convention takes place in Vegas. So….you going?

BONUS:
I mentioned before that I’m working on a book project. I had lunch with Greg from Leadership Network today and he had some cool ideas. I’m thinking about creating the book first in a digital format, then having it published. This book is different in that it is a collaborative effort and conversation. I’m interviewing key Church leaders and thinkers and asking them about their unique approaches to ministry. I’d love for you to join my group for this book on Facebook HERE.

I’m always on the look out for good resources. Videomaker might be of help to you and your work. Check out their FREE tip sheet HERE.

As Outreach magazine gears up for their second annual “America’s Most Innovative Churches” list, coming in the January/February 2008 issue, they want your help. They want to hear about the churches YOU think are innovative, the diverse churches, perhaps under their radar, that are doing ministry “out of the box.” It could be your own, or one you admire. They invite you to nominate this church for consideration by their panel of experts as they compile a list of 25 churches, both from your nominations and their own research and experience, that will be featured as “America’s Most Innovative Churches” in 2008. Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 15, 2007. My church (Bent Tree Bible Fellowship) is listed so far. I know many of you are familiar with my church and what we’re doing. I appreciate you giving us the encouragement. I truly do think we are one of the most innovative and unique churches in the county. Maybe your church is, too? Go vote HERE.

EXTRA:

Voting is now available for SermonView’s sermon title contest. They have chosen the top three finalists from pastor suggestions and now need your opinion as to which title best suits their new image. Voting is open until the 25th of the month. The winner will receive a custom graphic set for their suggestion. Give them your opinion HERE.

BONUS:

Phil Cooke blogged about our copyright podcast episode. If you haven’t listened to it, yet, you’ve got to check it out. Also, don’t worry - we will be back in the studio next week recording Episode 6!

A while back I mentioned that I’m a member of a blogger network that reviews new products for companies. Last time I reviewed a new LifeWay product. Today I’m reviewing the Chip Ingram DVD series “Five Lies That Ruin Relationships - Wrong Beliefs Produce Wrong Behavior”.

The “Five Lies” resource provides insight from James 4 & 5 that addresses five lies that can hurt relationships with people we love:

Lie 1: Sensual pleasure will satisfy my inner longings for happiness.

Lie 2: If other people would shape up, my life would work out.

Lie 3: Upwardly mobile work opportunities are automatically the will of God.

Lie 4: My significance and value are measured by the quality and quantity of the things I possess.

Lie 5: The grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

In this 10-part DVD series centered in the book of James, Chip defines the 5 most common lies that have the potential to ruin relationships with those we love. He uncovers the source of quarreling, how our words wound, how not to make decisions, and why better things don’t always make things better.

POSITIVES:

Chip Ingram is a great communicator. I always enjoy sitting under his teaching. This study is powerful and could be life-changing. The DVDs give a good visual support to a solid Bible study - they also include small group curriculum samples. The workbook is very well put together, looks sharp and has some nice features such as “Video Notes” and “Discussion Questions”.

NEGATIVE:

I think Chip’s messages could have been filmed better and more professionally. They aren’t horrible, but I would have liked to see them be a little better quality.

OVERALL:

This product is insightful, solid and a great choice for your small group or Bible study to study together.

EXTRA:

Tonight we have the 2nd installment of Tech team training. Tonight we’ll be training our camera operators (current and new ones).

Some have emailed me asking what equipment we’re putting in our new worship center. I figured I’d just blog about it. Here’s a short list:

AUDIO: Meyers speakers and subs and the Digidesign Venue at FOH

LIGHTING: GrandMA full size

VIDEO: Ross Synergy 1 MD switcher and JVC’s GY-HD250U cameras (3)

EXTRA:

WorshipHouse Media’s HouseChat gave a shout out to Seth Godin’s blog (which I dig). You can check out what they had to say HERE.

BONUS:

Read my “Less is More” article on MinistryCOM’s website.

This just in from the “Think, Jump, Yak” blog of Kim Gentes. He did a technology and worship resource lineup. I was honored to have my blog listed on his list, but also found out about a couple of new resources that I wasn’t aware of. I definitely think it’s worth checking out (click HERE). Speaking of resource links, I’d encourage you to click on my LINKS tab at the top of this blog.