Three videos for church newcomers

June 15, 2009 in for Churches, Outreach, Pastors

Recently my church celebrated its 125-year anniversary. Over the course of 9 days we put on a range of activities and invited the local community (church and suburb) to celebrate with us. A real highlight was the “I Heart Kirribilli” art exhibition and prize – check out some of the photos of this event, and other events during the week, in the photo galleries.

During services on the two weekends of the celebration, we played two videos. We wanted to use videos that spoke directly to the newcomer (anticipating correctly that lots of newcomers would walk through our doors), that weren’t cheesy, and that clearly communicated what we’re on about as Christians. We found three videos, but only played two (we’ve saved Smart for another time).

In reverse order of confrontation-level, with my favourite and most confronting video last in the list, here are three videos to play in church, targeted at newcomers.

Life with God

Smart

Welcome to our church

Each of these videos is available for purchase from WorshipHouse Media.

Have you seen any other good videos to play for newcomers?

  • http://davidould.net David Ould

    Absolutely love the first one.Great production values and clearly Christocentric in the right way.

    The second, well it takes a long time to not get very far. Found myself frustrated by the lack of what had been achieved by it.

    And the third? Got to admit, REALLY annoyed me because on a number of occassions it simply avoided the cross. On reflection, it is the least confrontational because it doesn’t hone in on the real issue – the Cross – but, rather, skirts away from it. I get more annoyed about that one here.

    having said that I love the production values in these videos. they’re really sharp and engaging.

  • Steven Kryger

    Hi David, thanks for your reflections. I agree – the production quality in each is excellent, and removes a lot of the “cringe factor” so often present in Christian media.

    You’ve got me thinking about the third video, and how much “cross” is necessary. I agree, we are totally on about the cross, and perhaps this should have been mentioned. I don’t know if it’s been deliberately excluded – do you think the video is sub-par or inappropriate without a more explicit reference to the cross?

  • http://davidould.net David Ould

    Hi Steven,

    I think what frustrated me was that felt like it was sidelining the Cross, especially at moments when it would have been easy or even (at the “God best shows His love” moment) necessary. That was my overwhelming frustration with it.

    I think, then, that “sub-par” might be a good description. Especially when compared to video 1. Again, I rant a little about it in the post linked above. ;-)

  • http://davidould.net David Ould

    let me put it another way, surely we want to rush to the Cross? The third seemed to do the opposite.

  • http://communicatejesus.com daniel

    Recently my church celebrated its 125-year anniversary.

  • Steven Kryger

    Congratulations Daniel! Which church is that? (I feel a bit weird congratulating you for your church turning 125, but I think you know what I mean!)