Cory from FaithVisuals just told me of their FREE Christmas PowerPoint Backgrounds (or JPEGs). You can get them HERE.
BONUS:
Be sure to get this week’s FREE download on iTunes. It’s Sarah McLachlan’s arrangement of “Silent Night”.
My annual “Christmas Media Review” has been updated. If you’re still looking for the perfect media to support your Christmas service or event, you may want to check out this list. You can read it in Preaching Magazine HERE or on WorshipHouse Media HERE.
EXTRA:
I just came across a new Christmas loop that I’m going to use this Sunday. It’s the “Baby Jesus Loop” from Flashlight Films.
*Also, thanks to blog reader Mark Edwards for letting me know about this resource from an Aussie crowd doing some cool stuff for FREE. There is a visual reading of Luke 2 -which is good for this time of year.
I once blogged about the PC vs Mac videos and mentioned how CCC did a parody of the popular videos. Yesterday, I came across the Santa and Jesus videos at SermonSpice. You can get each video for $20 (there are 5) or get the whole Jesus/Santa collection for $75 (that’s what I did). Check them out. I think you’ll enjoy them. We’re going to use them at our Christmas Concert/Show this Sunday night.
BONUS:
I stumbled across this not so new video and was moved. It’s from the 1968 Apollo 8 mission – the crew surprised the world by reading the Creation story from Genesis, then added a Christmas greeting and a prayer. Check it out HERE.
WorshipHouse Media changed their monthly free download to 2 new Christmas motion backgrounds. Both are very nice (imagine Borat’s voice saying that). I should add that both loops are from new Independent producer Melissa Smith. I like everything I’ve seen from her so far. I encourage you to check out all her loops! Go to WorshipHouse’s Independent section and click on MOTIONS.
BONUS:
This just in from Kent at Church Relevance: Check out Zamzar. Not everyone has Photoshop or file conversion software, but with Zamzar anyone with an Internet connection can upload a file and conveniently convert its format for free.
Supported file types include:
IMAGE Formats
bmp :: gif :: jpg :: png :: tiff
DOC Formats
csv :: doc :: html :: odp :: ods :: odt :: pcx :: pdf :: ppt :: ps :: rtf :: txt :: xls :: xml
MUSIC Formats
aac :: ac3 :: amr :: au :: flac :: m4a :: mmf :: mp3 :: ogg :: wav :: wma
VIDEO Formats
3gp :: avi :: flv :: gvi :: ipod :: m4v :: mov :: mp4 :: mpg :: ogg :: wmv
Yesterday I went to a pre-screening of the new movie “Rocky Balboa”. This was a special showing for Church leaders and we were even given a “Faith-based Leader’s Resource Guide” for ways to use the film in a church or small group setting. Afterwards we all went to a nice hotel in downtown Dallas to meet and hear from Sylvester Stallone. My friends and I were on the front row, so we got to shake his hand when he came in (he went down the front row shaking each person’s hand).
The movie was great. I’m not going to ruin it for you, except to say “Go see it. It’s a great movie.” I did find the connection to the movie being “faith-based” and promoted by churches to be a bit of a stretch. Though the movie is powerful and inspirational, it’s a far cry from movies like “Narnia”, “The Passion of the Christ”, “Facing the Giants” and “The Nativity Story”, which are all very evangelistic. Please don’t misunderstand me: I don’t think every movie has to be in-your-face evangelistic. I’m a movie buff and just enjoy getting caught up in a great movie – Christian or not. I just wouldn’t put the movie in a category of a “Christian movie” to promote at your church and build a message series or small group study around. I hope that makes sense.
Sly (when you’ve shook his hand, you can call him that) was very friendly and down-to-earth. He answered several questions from the audience and was a joy to be around. He seemed very humble and sincere and I’ve got to say – for a man who is 60 years old – he looked great. He was ROCK-SOLID. That dude is ripped – no lie! REMINDER: I am married with 3 kids. I’m just saying the guy stays in shape.
NOTE: Pictures courtesy of Rob Thomas, President of Igniter Media and WorshipHouse, seated to my left here. Speaking of Igniter Media, they have a new Christmas video that just went LIVE yesterday. It’s a funny video called “A Christmas moment“. If you saw their best selling video, “A Thanksgiving Moment“, you know it’s worth checking out. Also, be sure to get their new snow flake FREE download.
BONUS:
I found out about some more FREE Christmas resources from Kent of Church Relevance. He pointed his readers to PastorsPlace.com, which is offering four different Christmas design themes for your church to use for FREE. It isn’t just a bulletin shell or PowerPoint slide. They also come with banner, poster, CD jacket, and CD label artwork. The price is right!
re:create is:
* a CONFERENCE created in 1999 by a mega church arts pastor, for mega church pastors out of need for a new kind of conference. If you are the kind of leader that has “been there-done that”, then re:create is for you! We are a small group of leaders (no more than 50) with expert speakers you won’t see at other run-of-the-mill conferences. Our expert speakers talk for thirty minutes and then lead group dialogue for ninety minutes. The focus for the think tank is diffusing ideas.
* an EXPERIENCE for artists who love sensory overload. Gourmet meals (paid for by sponsors) give time for refreshment and forming relationships with leaders from similar churches. A musical/arts experience that can only happen in Nashville, TN (home to more musicians per capita than any city in the world and home to the CCM industry and artists).
* CAMARADERIE for ministers who serve others 24/7 and yet sometimes find themselves alone. Ample time is provided to form lifelong connections with peers who deal with similar issues. re:create is a time of encouragement. A professional confidential counselor will be available free of charge to attendees during conference.also:
* Optional Blog Seminar/Mixer on Monday afternoon. Whether you are a seasoned blogger, beginner or just interested, you will enjoy this seminar/mixer – “Why You Must Blog in 2007 and How to Increase Traffic on Your Existing Blog.”
* A Complimentary EMI Worship Together Summit on Friday, February 9th. Only for re:create attendees – a day at EMI to the first 50 to register for the additional day. Seminars, leading writers, executives, artists and lunch. Basically EMI Worship Together spoiling you for a day in return for your feedback.
Speakers and Worship Leaders include: Rick Dempsey, V.P. Disney Films Dean Batali, Exec. Producer of “That 70’s Show” Louis Markos, Professor, Author, C.S. Lewis expert Tim Hodge, Animator, credits include Disney’s “Mulan” Leeland, CCM Essential recording artist Keith & Kristyn Getty, Hymnwriters, “In Christ Alone“, “How Deep The Father’s Love” Tim Hughes, Songwriter, “Here I Am To Worship” Brenton Brown, Songwriter, “Everlasting God”… and for the spouses: Cyndy Mooring, minister, Leeland’s mom and Chonda Pierce, comedienne, writer, & speaker.
re:create is:
* February 5-8, 2007 at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, TN.
* for churches of all sizes (3 simultaneous conferences specific to church size)
* limited to the first 150 registrants
* To register click HERE.
BONUS:
SermonSpice is offering FREE video clips from the new movie “The Nativity Story”. Get them HERE.
My friends at The Work of the People are giving away a free download of a Christmas video – not just any video, but the one I picked as my “Top Overall Pick” on my Christmas Media Review. The video is called “Give Life” and is a powerful and sobering video. This is a no-brainer. Download it HERE.
BONUS:
HERE’S what Saddleback is up to for Christmas. Check it out!
I’ll be speaking several times at NRB/Reach (which is in Orlando this year). I’d love to meet you if you’re going to be there.
Here’s my schedule so far (there may be one more class added):
Presenters: Greg Atkinson, Founder, Church Video Ideas, Dallas, TX, Phil Bransom, Producer/Director, Phil Bransom Productions, West Linn, OR and Jay Edgerton, Producer/Dirctor, Consultant, Atlanta, GA.
Get out from behind your church and revolutionize your media ministry. Discover what’s working in emerging churches to touch postmodern society. How can your church use media ministry to grow beyond conventional methods? Learn new ideas to gear up and bring people in your community to the faith of Jesus.
Presenters: Grant Guffin, President, Flashlight Films, Collierville, TN and Greg Atkinson, Director, Church Video Ideas, Dallas, TX.
Noted author Erwin McManus labels himself a “mushroom eater”—one willing to take a risk so that those who follow may benefit from—or avoid—his original experience. This session will highlight churches that are on the edge; blazing exciting, new trails with progressive, aggressive, Kingdom-minded use of media in an effort to connect with a media-savvy world. Hear dramatic stories of experiments that led to breakthrough, experience the end result, and walk away with fresh concepts you can apply in your own laboratory.
Presenters: Greg Atkinson, Founder, Church Video Ideas, Dallas, TX; Orlen Stauffer, Director of Media, Kempsville Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, VA; Randal Taylor, Sr. Consultant/Executive Producer, BMC Advertising, Dallas, TX; Steve Smith, Media/Communication Pastor, First Baptist Church, Orlando, FL.
If you are in pursuit of imagination, inspiration, ingenuity and want to advance your knowledge in media systems & equipment, join this discussion.
I just got back from seeing “The Nativity Story”. Wow – I left ready to worship. There has always been something about the story of the birth of Christ that gets to me. My eyes were filled with tears many times throughout the movie. To see common men, like shepherds, being invited to come worship the newborn babe. Then to see the wise Magi come and worship, too, is very powerful. It was great to see the story brought to life on the big screen.
The only thing I would have done differently is try to make the angel and scenes where the angel appears be more dramatic, a little scarier, the angel a little bigger and more supernatural. That’s my only “complaint”. Otherwise, I thought it was very well done and is a great movie to see during the month of December to remind us what Christmas is really about.
Each month I mention the FREE monthly download from my friends at Christian Audio. This month use coupon code DEC2006 to receive The Pilgrim’s Progress for free. Just add the download format of The Pilgrim’s Progress to your shopping cart and use the coupon code DEC2006 during checkout. This edition of the timeless Christian classic has been updated for young adults. It’s also an excellent edition for us grown ups who wish to refresh our souls with one of the best Christian stories ever told. Gotta love the classics!
I’m planning on serving on the Passion07 staff again this January. This will be my 3rd year in a row. This just in from the Passion crew:
Though college students are notorious for making plans at the last minute, we hope you know where you’re going to be Sunday night, December 3. Where, you ask? Huddled close to your computer with a few friends at 10:00 PM EST as we worship and pray together leading up to Passion07.
The Live Link is going to be an audio-only stream giving students across the nation (and around the globe) the chance to link together–some connecting from Kansas, others from a dorm in Boston and somebody in Australia where it’s already Monday! The Live Link will be interactive, so you won’t just be listening, you’ll be singing at the top of your lungs (OK, maybe not so loud for some of you!) and praying with us. We’ll be streaming the audio live right from our website at 268Generation.com. All you have to do is turn your computer on, get to 268Generation.com and click on the Live Link Banner.
