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- Walking Billboards
Connie Cavender
Media Ministries
We live in a high tech and rapid-paced world. Technology has given us the ability to hear news updates continually which give us the latest information about our nation's economic status and presidential election. Technology has also allowed the gospel to be preached across the world on an hourly basis. Thank God for that technology. This does not, however, diminish our responsibility as individuals to publicize or share the gospel of Christ. No matter how fast and how adequate technology is, it will never replace you as the medium that Christ commanded, called, anointed, and sent forth to reach those around you and I. You are a "walking billboard" that shares the message and values of a living Lord and soon coming King. Let your light Shine!
Connie Cavender
Media Ministries
Media: Have You Ever Been Lost?
Have you ever been lost? Or (for those who never get lost because you know where you are), you are not sure how to get to your destination from where you are? Well, that is my scenario of a recent trip for a wedding in a semi-familiar city. I knew where I was. I knew what church the wedding would be held at. I had obtained directions on the internet and thought that was all I needed. However, the church wasn't at the location that my route suggested. Even my GPS (navigation system) wasn't giving me the proper directions to the church. There can be several ways that you or I could remedy a situation like this. Stop and ask directions, call the church for directions, buy a recently up-dated map, or keep on going determined that you will find it. In all of these scenarios, street signs and landmarks can help us get back on track.
Today, as we read God's Word, we see a mental picture of the wonderful accounts of God's powerful acts. These accounts we read about were a very real and visual demonstration that echoed who God was and is. God chose to give His message to us via "a visual demonstration." From the burning bush on down to the death and resurrection of our Lord, our God gives us a picture in word form of what heaven is like. I would have never arrived at the wedding without the visual aid of street signs. We would never know how great God is, without Him revealing Himself through visual examples of His love, care, power, creativity, etc. Through the means of today's media arts, let's display and reflect on the beauty and wonder of His creation through worship and emphasize the Word in picture form. Media is something that God is good at. Let's follow in His footsteps!
Media. - A Tool to Enhance Worship and Illustrate Your Sermon
Construction companies and many other occupations utilize tools of the trade to effectively develop their area of expertise. It would be quite a sight to see a builder trying to construct a home without the use of levels, hammers, saws, screwdrivers, plus other necessary and helpful tools. Needless to say, the job would be much more difficult and consume a lot of time.
Media can be an effective tool for your church and ministry. The impact of a word or picture illustration can drive home a point in your sermon as well as impacting worship. A song and scripture, no matter how well known, needs to have the words visible to all. Don't take for granted that everyone knows the songs. Visitors need the opportunity to sing and proclaim with their lips their testimonies and praises through hymns and choruses.
Where do you begin?
· Seek out people in your congregation who are gifted in art, media, and technology.
· Provide training for them and others that are interested in media ministry.
· Equip the church with media-computer, software, projector, etc.
· As a leader, make media an important tool to help you and your congregation grow and minister.
Media Help
Sermon Illustrations and worship backgrounds couldn't be easier to find today. There are many websites fromwhich you can download media illustrations quickly that will help impact a topic or add to your worship. Here are a few great websites to find what you need at a reasonable cost or free.
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www.goodgroundmedia.com - Quickly find media for your church service and get back to your ministry
- www.wingclips.com - Download Free Hollywood movie clips for your sermons or teaching.
www.vmgbackgrounds.com/downloads - Dynamic motion & still backgrounds for your worship service.
- www.sermonspice.com - Over 4,000 Powerful Church Videos. Great sermon and teaching illustrations.
- www.oxygen-multimedia.com/ - Oxygen Church Media provides Christian Power Point images, graphics and backgrounds for preaching and worship.
- www.highwayvideo.com - Worship clips and video illustrations for sermons and teaching.
- www.kidology.org and www.deepershopping.com - Media for Children
If you are using any type of media device, make sure you have a license for your songs. Simply go to www.ccli.com and check out their different types of licenses.
- Church Copyright License - Covers over 150,000 worship songs for congregational worship.
- SongSelect - Lyric Downloads, Sound Samples, Lead Sheets, Chord Sheets and Vocal/Hymn Sheet.
- ScreenVue - Helps you find the perfect movie scene for sermon and teaching illustrations.
- SongTouch - The safe site for complete Christian music audio downloads.
For media software you can call me to receive a free 30-day demo for Easy Worship Software. Scriptures can be displayed easily and quickly. Project videos and powerpoint through Easy Worship without switching to another device. Call for a 30-day demo – (269) 927-4449.
Is Media New to this Generation?
Throughout history, God has illustrated His message through visualization. He taught people principles using the objects - the tangible things in the world around them. By using visual illustrations, presentations, parables and things in every day life, we can help people to receive, understand, remember, and apply the audible message.
Use Media to Impact your Identity
Creating a church identity in your community is an opportunity for outreach, ministry, and church growth. Create a professional logo so people can identify your church consistently in flyers, newspapers, posters, and yes, billboards too. Your identity in the media should convey “who you are and what you do to serve your community”. The church building is not what draws people to your church. It’s people, the love, and what you have to offer. Your identity should continue when people come through your church doors. Consistency in your bulletins, letters, multi-media logo, and announcements are important. People are searching for a real God, a real Love, and real Christians. Use media as a means to reach your community.
Use Media to Impact your Worship through the Arts
Media’s function is to reflect the beauty of God to the eye of the worshiper - beholder. Media should enhance and complement the sermon and worship. Does your church’s media reflect your purpose, your message, and the creative works of God?
- Media is an active part of worship. Song and dance, dramas, videos, and art can be the beginning in which media can make a difference in your worship.
- Media should create an atmosphere for Worship.
- Media should write the verbal message in the minds of the hearers.
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