Kim Gentes

If you are using media in your local church, you have no doubt seen the recently popular "countdown" mini-videos that are often played before services. Most often these are used as a simple clock reminder to the leaders and congregation of when the next segment of the service will begin.  As a tool they are fine, but are more or less inspirational depending on how they are applied. This last week, I looked into my review stack of things to consider for evaluation. The first thing that I was interested in looking at was the 2 volume set of DVD-ROM resources called "iWorship Service Starters"  from Integrity Music.

To be honest, I had low expectations of a resource that I expected to be a countdown clock. Much of the other "countdown" videos I have seen elsewhere were mish-mashes of hyped graphics that looked like a blitzkrieg of images (in ESPN pre-roll fashion) such as you'd see on the Discovery channel's scenes of the universe. At other times calmer countdown videos from some other websites featured blasé wheat field scenes and such that make the ticking clock seem exciting!

But as I looked into iWorship Service Starters resource, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw and heard. First, what I loved about it was a focus on actual videos that are intended to encourage and inspire people to begin focusing on worship. Each video is between 1:15 to 1:45 in length (one minute and 15-45 seconds). The content of each video is a combination of scripture verses, biblical truths and song segments (most often the chorus of the themed song).  The videos aren't aimless countdowns, but actually are scripted stories. And that is the point- people can be caught by the subtle but engaging video, and begin to follow the story being told by each video. Near the middle of the video the themed song for that video might kick in and welcome the listener to join right in. It wasn't a distracting presentation, but a focused story that leads a person to start refocusing themself toward the themes of worship, praise and adoration of God.

Actually, I had both Volumes 1 and 2 of the series and went through and completely listened and watched each video on both volumes. They were good, solid invitations to worship, each one of the songs. I found myself, on several songs, thinking "ok, let's go, let's worship!" And I think that was the point of the videos- they are not intended to be just a short countdown, but something of a short story looping on your screen (with or without audio, according to your needs) encouraging people to prepare and focus for worship. Obviously no media tool like this replaces a community call to worship, but I like this concept much better than feeling like I am getting inundated by the church "commercials" or "hype machine" on the video screen as a way to fill up time on the media before the service starts. It feels intentional and it works. I was inspired and ready for someone to invite me to stand and begin worship.

Here are some details. On the two volumes I reviewed (Vol 1 & 2) each volume contained 7 themed song videos (7 different songs). Each DVD-ROM contains both MPEG1 and Quicktime format video files (this means it is compatible for PCs or Macs, and will work on any presentation software you use). Each video itself is available in two formats as well - with or without the countdown clock. I like this a lot. Personally, I am not a fan of the countdown clocks, as I think they actually bring tension to an already driven world. That said, I like the idea of using the version without the clock and let it loop- or maybe preload a few of the videos that have connected themes/songs and let them be a storyline. One specific custom use I would recommend-- pick a video or two of songs you will be using that morning! What a great way to tie in and prepare people to be oriented to the theme you are feeling God is directing you on that morning.

Of course, for those that like the countdown effect and how it helps you get the service started these videos will serve that purpose of both having the inspirational video and providing the last minute and a half of notification for your teams and congregation that the service is about to start.

There were only one thing I would like to see improved or considered for future versions. I would prefer more songs per volume. Seven songs on a DVD-ROM is significant, but really if I want to match a song from my morning set to the video to prepare the congregation for worship that day, I would love a broad selection on each volume so that I felt like I was getting a good value for each purchase. It just makes sense that a broader repertoire of songs on these volumes will make them more and more applicable as a larger catalog is available. I can't complain too much on this, however, because at less than 20 bucks for each volume (I found them on Amazon for just 18.82) it's only about 2.75 per song video, which seems really reasonable.

Overall, this is a very solid resource and I recommend it. It is a nice alternative to the overwrought countdowns I am seeing a lot in churches, mainly because these focus on worship preparation rather than "media hype". As a worship leader, that makes more sense to me.

Amazon Product links:

iWorship Service Starter Vol. 1: http://amzn.to/MEnbe1

iWorship Service Starter Vol. 2: http://amzn.to/K8hq6t

blessings!

Review by Kim Gentes

There are as many definitions of "worship" in the church as there are teachers, which results in a myriad of reflection, study and teachings on the topic.  Captivating this topic in a helpful video symposium, Vineyard Worship resources and host Dan Wilt have gathered some of the most insightful and influential voices in the global church.  The new DVD entitled "What is Worship ?" serves as a panorama of expression from scholars like Peter Fitch, N.T. Wright, Peter Davids and Don Williams.  Adding pastors and writers such as John Wimber, Derek Morphew, and John Eldredge, along with worship leaders Matt Redman, Brian Doerksen, David Ruis, Tim Hughes, Kathryn Scott and Nigel Briggs this DVD teaching tool is an hour and ten minutes of coordinated walk through many topics centered around a culturally-current definition of worship.

"What is Worship?" walks through topics such as "Who we worship", "Why we worship" and "how we worship" as it prepares the viewer by laying the groundwork for its thesis. In the 5th chapter of the DVD (about 12minutes into it) Dan Wilt frames a definition of worship that is expanded up in the remaining 11 chapters of the DVD.   In listening and watching a DVD like this, I started off thinking, " I already know what worship is.  I am not going to learn much here."  I was wrong.  I found myself learning a lot, and then re-watching the DVD two more times to soak in.

What I enjoyed most about the DVD was the teaching from N.T. Wright, who's scriptural understanding of the throne room scene in Revelation 4 and 5 is particularly insightful.  Discussion with scholar Peter Fitch and Don Williams were also excellent, as was a genuinely personal interview with Matt Redman.  I found the pastoral contributions of John Wimber and David Ruis to be both well thought and challenging.  Noted author John Eldredge (whose books include "Wild at Heart", "Sacred Romance", and others) contributes a short, but very welcomed warning for our church culture to remain clear on the balance of major and minor messages in the Christian life.

The DVD has the nuance of a 60-minutes style interview/monologue interlaced with a teaching style outline framing the chapters and their transitions by Dan Wilt.  It is a viewing experience that is very easy to enjoy and learn.  The videography is well done, save a couple of clips of archive footage that were integrated into the DVD.  The DVD has options for Spanish and Dutch subtitles, as well.

This DVD could easily be the basis for a 3 or 4 week small group, and it is nicely segmented for stop and start viewing, if needed.  In fact, one thing you should be aware of is that its likely you can't digest the material in the hour and ten minutes in which it is presented.  This is simply because the points are rendered quickly and the presentation moves on.  If you aren't watching it carefully, you will miss points made along the way, which is a great argument for watching it multiple times. Alternatively, viewing this DVD in segments (4 chapters at a time) would be a great way to walk through it in a group.  A good application of this would be for a worship leader to present 15 minutes of this DVD to their worship/praise team as a teaching tool during a rehearsal or team meeting.  Not only would it fuel discussion, but would expose the team to some excellent teaching.

This DVD is a very well-thought, well-presented tool, that is useful in any church. I highly recommend it.  You can view online details (chapter titles) and an extended online video of the DVD by clicking on/viewing the clip above.

Product Link: What Is Worship? (DVD)

Review by Kim Gentes