Comments on: Video “Standard” Needs a Bit More Thought

By: A Lutheran, A Methodist, and A Presbyterian Went to a Picnic…, Or The True Nature of Beauty : Floodgate Productions

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:31:17 +0000

[...] recent flurry of activity surrounding to Gary’s piece on Collide about Church Video Standards, prompted me [...]

By: brent(inWorship)

brent(inWorship) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:26:51 +0000

One extra add. What is beauty to one, may not be to another. It is more than editing, style, genre. it is about clarity.

By: brent(inWorship)

brent(inWorship) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:25:42 +0000

"Content is not king. Beauty is. Content never changed anyone’s life. Beauty, however, changes our lives every day. If given a video option that nails the topic, but is poorly done, I implore pastors and church leaders to not use that video."

I am reading 2 perspectives here and like the others, I disagree with Gary's statement at face value. Content is king! Without content there is nothing…period.

But, maybe his thoughts were not spoken well. I would agree with him if he is cautioning against using "anything" to get a point across. If I have something that needs to be communicated, but it is smothered with noise, content has gone no where. But if it is communicated clearly, content is heard and understood and acted on.

So, maybe Gary is trying to tell us not to use product that is too noisy for content to be heard. I'd agree with that. In that case, what's the point of using the product at all.

By: Leo Wurschmidt

Leo Wurschmidt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:05:47 +0000

I completely agree with you Chris. Acting by ourselves, we are powerless to change lives. It is through God that we are enabled to do so… and even then it is the Holy Spirit that changes their life as we interact with that person.

Nicely said.

By: Leo Wurschmidt

Leo Wurschmidt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:05:30 +0000

I completely agree with you Chris. Acting by ourselves, we are powerless to change lives. It is through God that we are enabled to do so… and even then it the Holy Spirit that changes their life as we interact with that person.

Nicely said.

By: CoffeeWithChris

CoffeeWithChris — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:56:48 +0000

I'd simply argue that it's only God, the Holy Spirit, that changes lives. How would you begin to explain the lives that have been changed by simply opening up the Bible and reading?

By: inworship

inworship — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:52:18 +0000

Gary, you seem upset? I'm confused. you wrote and opinion piece that others have an opinion too. That's all.

I am a bit more confused though.

You said,"The next time you're in a church worship service, and a video comes on the screen, close your eyes. Don't watch it, but simply listen. For those of you who believe that content is king, your life will be changed, eyes closed and all."

Then you said, "I honestly believe that content serves as a change agent ONLY if it's communicated in a way that's beautiful. Content alone does not have the power to change lives."

That confuses me. Telling us to close our eyes, implies that we "see" beauty. And if we believe content is King then we will be changed by the video whether we see it or not. Then you say we can't be changed by what we haven't seen?

Maybe you could clarify a bit more.

By: human3rror

human3rror — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:42:03 +0000

Hey Gary, appreciate you chiming in! If you had finished reading the post completely, you would have seen that I did in fact acknowledge the context from which you were referring to...

Thanks for starting it up.

Sent from my iPhone

By: Gary Molander

Gary Molander — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:31:33 +0000

Thank God for conversations like this one. This is a huge and crucial issue in the life of any church. Good stuff.

I think it's important to to remember something. In the Collide article, I wrote about a VIDEO in a church WORSHIP SERVICE. As a believer (and a brother), I would appreciate it if you made that the context of your discussion here.

And as far as the beauty vs. content discussion, do me a favor. The next time you're in a church worship service, and a video comes on the screen, close your eyes. Don't watch it, but simply listen. For those of you who believe that content is king, your life will be changed, eyes closed and all.

I honestly believe that content serves as a change agent ONLY if it's communicated in a way that's beautiful. Content alone does not have the power to change lives.

By: Gary Molander

Gary Molander — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:02:51 +0000

Thank God that you’re all thinking through this critical issue in the life of Chist’s Church. This is really good stuff.

Please remember… I’m writing about watching a VIDEO in a WORSHIP SERVICE. Please make that the context for tour critique of my thoughts.

And as far as the beauty vs content discussion, please close your eyes during the next church video you see in your church. I’d be interested to hear if your life is changed as a result.

I honestly believe that content serves as a change-agent only if it’s communicated in a way that’s beautiful.