Church Video Ideas

Months ago, I introduced the Church media world to Blaine Hogan - an up-and-coming filmmaker (and designer) who did the “Starving Jesus” video that went straight to the top of each website it appeared on. His newer video, “Ignorable Calling” is also rising up the Top 10 list.

Guess what? The entire “Starving Jesus” series (in downloadable form) is up on WorshipHouse and SermonSpice. Also the DVD volume is available for pre-order in the Difted store. This is the completion of a year-long series, which, by the way, is how Blaine is paying for seminary. That’s right - when you purchase Blaine’s videos, DVD or shirts, you’re supporting his education!

EXTRA:

I just wrote an article for a brand new magazine (that you really should subscribe to) called “Collide Magazine”. In the article I mentioned how important quality design is in today’s culture. Branding and design are words that should be heard and understood in all churches. It’s important how you present yourself and how others perceive you.

I bring this up because Blaine is also quite a gifted designer and is doing free-lance design work as another way to support himself through school. Above are recent projects he’s did. One is for a ministry called Project Sixty One, which is a homeless ministry in California. Blaine does mostly print, merchandise, logo work, and worship backgrounds.

If you’re looking for fresh, edgy, sharp design work for your church (t-shirts, website or print materials), then I recommend you contact Blaine and see what he can do for you. His rates are extremely flexible and he’s open to any kind of work at the moment. Blaine would like to partner with people who need creative work done…especially churches. So, the idea would be getting people who believe that art and faith can change the world, to partner with a creative kid who is working his way through seminary by using his gifts (speaking, writing, directing, design, etc.).

Bottom-line: Get to know Blaine. Here’s a link to some more of his work HERE.

It took a hotdog eating contest to determine what they’d do, but Jeff represented and pulled out a close one with Trent. Since Jeff won the hotdog eating contest you can get a $20 Starbucks giftcard with the purchase of any shippable product over $20 (now through August 12) - that’s a great deal. Even though I’ve got everything Igniter has ever put out, I’m tempted to buy something just for the giftcard.

EXTRA:

There is a new site offering design inspiration for church graphic designers and web developers. It’s called Faveup. Check it out!

Let me explain: Yesterday our pastor was preaching from John 12 (Jesus’ triumphal entry). As Christ entered on the donkey, He was greeted with shouts, cheers, people waving palm branches and proclaiming “Hosanna!”. He commented on how silly it would be for the donkey to think that the praise and cheering was for him. Christ created the donkey, gave it life, empowered it, picked it and chose to ride in on it. The praise was for Jesus - He was simply using the donkey. In the same way, Christ made me, gave me life, empowers me, called me and chooses to use me. May I never think the praise is for me - it’s all for Him.

EXTRA:

Face Control from Redfield plugins is a Photoshop compatible plugin for making modifications to facial expressions and tweaking the overall appearance of someone in a photo. It might be worth checking out.

The wonderful folks at Passion, including Louie Giglio, have released a special EP to encourage and minister to anyone affected by the events at Virginia Tech and for anyone just searching for hope in this world. To download the songs of hope, go HERE.

EXTRA:

The folks who you brought you Church Marketing Sucks and the Church Marketing Lab can now help you get a job or fill an opening. CFCC is now helping to connect churches and creative professionals with the launch of their job posting sites, the Job Lab and the Freelance Lab. Churches can post listings for full-time job openings as well as freelance projects and creative professionals who want to help the church can find the job or project to make that dream happen.

For a limited time postings are FREE while they bulk up the listings and work out any kinks. Check out the sites and spread the word. For more Center for Church Communication news visit their web site.

I had a great time in Indy, but as I mentioned: I overdid it. My back is now out and giving me some serious trouble. I’ve had back surgery in the past, so I’m no stranger to back pain. I believe the wearing of “the boot” on my bad foot has aggravated my back (the boot makes one leg taller than the other). So, I’m at home with my laptop, rotating heat and ice on my back. I’d appreciate your prayers.

NEW:

My new backgrounds, called “Fresh Backs Vol. 1“, are available at the Shoutable Store. Look for “Recent Additions”, then “Downloadable” or click HERE and scroll down to “Fresh Backs”.

FREE STUFF:

• A video with a point called “What’s Your Price?” - FREE from SermonSpice
• “Numb“, FREE from WorshipHouse Media, includes 1 Short film, a leaders guide and teaching outline, along with handout questions.

EXTRA:

LifeChurch.tv just updated their website. Job well done to Terry Storch and crew.

This is from Kent at Church Relevance:

Lesa Snider King, the chief evangelist of iStockphoto.com, recently shared an excellent tip with MinistryCOM on how to create an engaging postcard with stock photography:

You have precious few moments to grab someone’s attention, and the simplest way to do it is by using strong, effective imagery.

The next time you create an event postcard, spend less time on the text or copy, and more time on choosing an image that communicates what the event is all about. Pick something eye-catching, something powerful, and colorful. After all, if you can’t grab the person’s attention with your image, it’s unlikely they’ll read your copy!

Of course, this principle applies to any church marketing you do. Effective communication requires that you can first get the individual’s attention.

EXTRA:

Today I fly to Indianapolis to speak at the National Church Music Conference. I’ll be doing a keynote address, 4 workshops, a panel and a hands-on tech lab. Pray for me.

I really like this Easter prayer sent out by Highway Video:

Father, quiet our hearts and still our souls.
We have done our best to prepare for this weekend.
We ask now that you do what only you can do.
Prepare the hearts of those that you have called to hear your message.
Remove anything that might distract them or keep them away.
Pour your Spirit out on our time of worship together.
Speak through what we have prepared.
Make any changes you deem necessary.
Help us to worship in Spirit and Truth.
Accomplish all that you have in mind this weekend.
We place our efforts before you now and leave them at your throne.
Only You can change lives.
Grant us the joy of seeing your hand at work.
All this we pray humbly in the name of your son Jesus,
whose death we remember with reverence,
and whose resurrection we celebrate with joy.

Amen.

BONUS:

Still looking for some new Easter backgrounds. I found these backgrounds from ImageVine. This downloadable package (which I got) is for your projector, TV, print and HD. This package includes 60 Jpeg images (300 total images). You know I love companies that offer HD images and footage. Here’s the multiple formats:

• Standard resolution for projector (1024 x 768)
• HD (1920 x 1080 for use on HD equipment)
• TV-NTSC (720 x 480 sized to display on TV without distorting)
• TV-PAL (720 x 576 sized to display on TV without distorting)
• Print resolution (2400 x 1800)

Easter Backdrops Pro (all for $49) gives you the materials necessary to be creative- you can create completely customized presentations AND printed materials. Print promotional materials for your Easter service or event, bulletins, programs, flyers- all with the Pro images. Save time, money, and get professional quality photography and design.

I read “Design Matters” (by my friends Len Wilson and Jason Moore) a while back, but just now got around to reviewing it. You can read my review HERE on Church Marketing Sucks.

Last month I spoke at NRB and did a class with Bobby Gruenewald from LifeChurch.tv. He told me about their new Satan billboard campaign that they were about to launch. I thought it was a cool idea. It’s neat now to see pictures from around the country of where they have placed these billboards. The marketing campaign is called “Satan Hates Life” and you can find out more about it HERE.

BONUS:

Get a FREE Easter “Cross on Hill” loop from Igniter Media Group.

Last night I went to i55. Usually I’m playing with the band and more involved, but the band is currently on a break, so I got to just be there and worship. Wow…I needed that. I didn’t realize how drained and full of anxiety I was. Driving home from work I felt a big spirit of heaviness and just knew I needed to go worship and be in God’s presence.

With the all the “newness” of my new job (new faces, new names, new systems and procedures to learn, etc.), the quickly approaching Easter season and all that goes with overseeing the technical aspects of our building project (which includes a new worship center, a new gym with sound, video and lights for the youth and the renovation of our current worship center, which will be where our children’s ministry meets) - all those combined were beginning to take their toll on me and causing me some stress.

I came home and saw my family for a little bit and then left as my kids were heading to bed to attend i55. God really spoke to my heart last night and I left all my stress and anxiety there and thankfully didn’t bring it back home. God opened my eyes and ministered to my spirit - it was an awesome and wonderful time of refreshing.

A few things that God, with His still small voice, impressed upon my heart and resonated with me:

• We sang the words: “More of You and less of me. More of You and less of me.” - that really resonated.
• “Consuming Fire… Let my heart and my life be kindling for Your fire.” - that was a spontaneous song that the worship leader sang.
• I felt God say: “When pride walks in, I walk out.” - that stung, but resonated. God help me to walk in humility.

UPDATE:

Yesterday I blogged about “My Slice of Pi“. It looks like many of you went and got your own “slice of Pi”. I need to update you on a pricing change they just made (in your favor): the price structure just changed. It’s now much cheaper than previously priced. Each number is its own price…so rather than a 5 being $50 it’s now $5. Zeros are still free. Go get your slice of Pi!

EXTRA:

You’ve got to check out LifeChurch.tv’s new Second Life campus. For the last few months they have been working on a virtual campus in Second Life. If you are not familiar with Second Life, you can read more about it in Wikipedia.

They purchased an island (16 virtual acres of real estate) and have worked with both in-house and outside developers to develop the property. There are still several areas of the island that they have not developed, but are opening the island for a “beta test” this week. For more info on this read HERE.