I created some still backgrounds that are good for Thanksgiving and the Fall season in general. They are called “Thanks Backs” and are available in standard size, as well as for widescreen. If you’re looking for some seasonal backgrounds, I hope these can help.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I can’t wait to see my kids dress up tonight. I might just sneak some candy, too!
My friend, Don Chapman, of WorshipIdeas.com has partnered with my friends from WorshipFilms on a new Christmas project called “Complete Christmas“. WorshipFilms made videos for of Don’s HymnCharts Christmas carol arrangements. This is a product similar to the Integrity iWorship series that you may be familiar with, but these are actually in normal keys that congregations can sing and use in church.
Chris Sligh, the Seacoast worship leader that was on American Idol, sang on “The First Noel”, “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.
Here is the description of the product from WorshipFilm’s website:
- 6 Christmas songs (5 traditional carols in contemporary arrangements, plus an original Christmas worship song) – all accompanied by original videos! For each song, there is a demonstration version, a split/click track version with lyrics, a split track version without lyrics, and a chord chart.
- 6 Long Plays, taken from the accompanying song videos
- 7+ Looping Backgrounds
- 2 Five Minute Countdowns
- A video Sermon Illustration
SPECIAL NOTE: The downloadable individual song packages each contain: MPEG-1 demonstration version, MPEG-1 split/click track version with lyrics, MPEG-1 split/click track version without lyrics, MPEG-1 version of corresponding Long Play loop, and a chord chart. – which I think is pretty cool. Also note that this collection is available in both SD and HD versions!
Okay, let’s hear it. How many of you have already purchased Apple’s new Leopard? I’m also curious as to how many of you (like some of my friends) were standing in a long line waiting Friday afternoon to get one of the first copies?
EXTRA:
Don’t forget: You’ve got just a few more days to get all of Highway Video’s DVDs for 50% off. Click HERE to stock up your media library!
BONUS:
For all of you “The Office” fans – Did you see Dwight on Second Life? It reminded me of LifeChurch.tv’s Second Life campus, which you can check out HERE. What did you think of Dwight flying around?
Before I tell you why I blog, let me start with how I got into blogging. A little over a year ago my friend, Don Chapman of WorshipIdeas.com, was visiting me in Dallas. I was driving to Oklahoma City to speak at a conference and Don came with me. It was about a 3 hour drive and I started sharing some ideas, resources and new companies that I had come across. Don directly and boldly said, “Dude, you have got to start blogging. Church leaders would really benefit from what you’re sharing with me.”
Not only that, that night Don went online to GoDaddy and bought the domain name: ChurchVideoIdeas.com and said, “Here you go. Now get to blogging!” I started a cheesy-looking WordPress blog and the rest is history. Thanks to my great “Charter Sponsors“, I was able to give my blog a face-lift via Kent and his team at Bombay Creative.
The “why” is simple. I have a heart for the Church (capital “C”). My heart and passion is for the Kingdom and equipping Church leaders – that’s why I write, that’s why I consult, that’s why I speak at conferences. I love Christ’s Bride and want to be a friend, helper, encourager and equipper to Church leaders around the world. Praise God, people actually care what I have to say. According to Google Analytics, thousands of Church leaders from around the world read and share this blog each week. That, to me, is surprising, shocking and extremely humbling. Almost every day I receive an email from a Church leader asking me a question and many of you reading this, who have sent me an email, hopefully have seen that I try to answer your email promptly and to the best of my knowledge.
The truth is: I don’t know it all. I don’t even come close. I just share what I’ve learned on my journey and if I think someone else can answer your question better, I point you in their direction. What would I like to change? I’d love to see more interaction on this blog. More of you making comments. There are a couple each day, but I can see (via my tracker) that a ton of you are reading this blog, but apparently not commenting. I always try to pose some type of question and ask for your feedback, ideas and I sincerely want to hear what you’re doing in your own ministry setting.
SO, with that being said… I’m glad Don talked me into blogging, I’m grateful to God for the sponsors that make all this possible, I praise God that he’s given me a passion and desire to write something fresh each day and I’m humbled, honored and excited that you are reading this and we have this cool sort-of virtual connection. What a great time to be alive!
As always, I want to again mention that I love meeting you in real life, too. If you’re in Dallas, let me know. If we’re at the same conference, let me know. I’m consulting with 2 churches for the rest of ’07 and hope to work with a few more of you in ’08. So, to wrap up: Glad to be blogging. Glad you’re reading. Hope you’ll continue to. Hope you’ll comment and add to the discussion. Also, feel free to email me questions or suggestions of topics to blog about.
I must say – I’ve been waiting for NBC’s “Phenomenon” show to air for quite a while. Chris Angel fascinates me and I was really looking forward to seeing the contestants on the show, but I must say, I wasn’t very impressed. Don’t get me wrong, they did some cool stuff, but they were no Chris Angel. How about you? What did you think of the show?
EXTRA:
Yesterday I mentioned my church’s Missions Festival. For my weekly column on Monday Morning Insight I wrote about the video side of what we did. You can check it out HERE.
The church that I’m on staff at (Bent Tree) is the most mission-minded church I’ve ever come across (and I’ve traveled the country visiting all kinds of churches, plus been on staff at previous churches). We just finished 2 weeks of our annual “Missions Festival”, which takes place each October. I don’t have time right now to tell you more detail about it, but I will soon. It was amazing. I am thankful to be a part of a church that has a heart for the global Church.
| For the first issue of Collide Magazine I rated the top 3 Church media clearing houses. For the next issue of Collide, I picked my Top Ten Church media producers. There are over 60 quality media producers/companies, so it was hard to narrow it down to only 10. Among those in the Top Ten was pioneer and major producer: Highway Video.
Paving the way for an entire industry, Highway Video has been making top-quality media resources since the mid-90s. With unwavering commitment to making biblically-based, culturally-relevant, and artistically-inspired videos, Highway’s huge catalog of over 800 videos includes sermon illustrations, worship backdrops, stock film footage and Flash animations. Interested in exploring how ministry videos can enhance your worship services? Or maybe you’re a pro at integrating film into your services and would like to expand your existing media library. Either way, Highway Video makes it easy for you by offering an amazing sale to you, my friends. From now until October 31st, Highway is offering all their DVD’s for 50% off! This savings allows you to stock up on all their series of DVDs. Also, as a “Thank You” from the Church Video Ideas blog and Highway Video, you can pick ONE FREE VIDEO DOWNLOAD of your choice. That’s right, YOU get to pick the video. Simply visit www.HighwayVideo.com, select a film, and then enter the following coupon code at check-out to take advantage of this great offer. Your coupon code: AFF1A9   |
Our Testimony
I can’t help but cry every time I watch this video. I watch it again and again. Yes, I love the song (“Everything” by Lifehouse), but to see what Christ did for ME acted out is amazing. Watch it until the very end. It’s worth it… especially if you know the song. WOW – Did I mention I cried? Thank you Jesus for redeeming this life from destruction (Psalm 103).
Two quick props:
* As I mentioned the other day, job well done to WorshipHouse Media for launching their seasonal stores for Thanksgiving and Christmas at a great time.
EXTRA:
Was just watching “Friday Night Lights”. A girl invited one of the wild/rough football players to church. He came and it was a pretty cool scene. The song the worship team/choir was singing right before the commercial was by Dallas’ own Kari Jobe.
This just in from SermonSpice: 25% Off Organic Videos: Organic is your source for distinctive backgrounds and one of my favorite producers of motion backgrounds. If you are looking to create a worship environment that communicates the power of the cross in a unique way, check out the Organic Collection. The new Liquid Distressed Collection features textured backgrounds with subtle water motions that will add a touch of motion without distracting worshipers. Right now, the entire Organic Collection of over 800 motion backgrounds is 25% off. Use the coupon code: 25ORG and stock up today. Offer ends November 12th.
EXTRA:
Did anyone catch MuteMath rock Conan O’Brian’s show Wednesday night?
PERSONAL:
I just got back from taking my 2 youngest kids to play Putt-Putt. My middle child is a 5 year old boy and my youngest is a 3 year old girl. My boy got 4 holes-in-one. Watch out Tiger!
