One Picture Is Worth . . .
Nooma
films are different from most of the others discussed here, since they are short
films (10-14 minutes each) that feature the teaching of Rob Bell, creative pastor
of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan. Bell is seen teaching on
each film, supplemented by high quality visuals and music. Because if the length
of these, they are more likely to be useful as discussion-prompters for small
groups rather than in corporate worship, but portions could be used in a worship
setting. Theer are currently ten films available on various subjects, and each
is available in DVD or VHS for $10, plus shipping. Nooma films can be ordered
through Zondervan (at a cost of $12.99 each), or direct from www.nooma.com.
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Vertical
Sky’s three volumes of Igniter Videos each contain five mini-movies; prices
on the collections range from $39-$45, or you can purchase all three sets for
$99. The videos are well-done; the one called “me/church” will have you rolling
in the aisles. You can preview clips at their website; a few allow you to see
the whole video. Check them out at: http://www.verticalsky.com.
Each
edition of Visual Worship is a toolbox of 10 film and musical components all
centered around a biblical theme. Each package includes short films, testimonies,
dramatic readings, hymns and contemporary songs, a ‘visual prompter series’
and sermon outlines along with Guides for Student Pastors and Christian Education/
Small Group leaders. A new package/theme is released monthly; kits already released
include Forgiveness, Disappointment, Time and Prayer. Visual Worship is produced
by Integrity Film and Video, part of the Integrity Media organization. I really
like this series; then again, I write the sermons and several of the user guides,
so I’m prejudiced! Each kit is $59.95 (though you can get the first one at a
discount right now). Check it out at: http://www.integritymusic.com/vw.
Rather
than being a producer of video content, this website is a place you can go to
find hundreds of sermon-support videos developed by many different producers
and distributors (including some of those cited above). At the site you can
search for videos by topic, preview them on-line, and download them to your
own pc, for prices typically ranging from $5 to $20 each. Each month they have
a free video available for downloading. If you’re new to the use of video, this
may be a good place to begin exploring video options for your worship; then,
as you discover what works well for you, you will want to purchase larger sets
from those providers whose work you find helpful. Visit this site at http://sermonspice.com/.