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

Drum Grooves for Worship

The subtitle of this DVD is "Essential Patterns for the Top 100 CCLI Songs" and this is a descript summation of Carl's intention on this training resource DVD. Here is the premise- Carl reviewed the most popular 100 songs played in churches today (as ranked by CCLI) and listened to the recordings of those songs. In analyzing the songs, and the recordings of those songs, Carl found that all of them can be played in what amounts to 7 basic rhythm types. For those who don't know who he is, Carl Albrecht is to worship drumming what Tiger Woods is to golf- the perennial contributor that has more accolades and credits to his pedigree than I could put in a review of less than 3 pages. If you have heard any worship recordings in the last 20 years, there is a good chance Carl's name is listed on the drum credits for that CD.

That said, Carl approached this DVD with a laser focus to teach you something that you can actually use. He walks methodically through the seven basic grooves found in the top songs of the church. He instructs you, groove by groove, in not only the fundamentals and techniques, but the terminology and the application into which those grooves will fit in songs that are meant for worship. There are a number of worship resources sprouting up from skilled players, but none from as seasoned of a professional instructor as Carl. This DVD doesn't attempt to add superfluous fluff, but focuses keenly on absolutely making you successful at locking in to these 7 essential grooves. The chapter list includes these main items:

• chapter 3 - 8th Note Feel
• chapter 4 - Alternative Rock (8th with 16th note fillers) - ghost notes
• chapter 5 - 16 note (train groove)
• chapter 6 - 8th & 16th Note (ballads)
• chapter 7 - 6/8 time, felt in 2 (majestic)
• chapter 8 - shuffle/swing feel (triplets minus the middle) - and hip hop!
• chapter 9 - odd time signatures (3/4, 5/4 etc) - hymns
• chapter 10 - prayer... "prayer for the saints" on drums (a solo)

As a worship leader, and a former drumming instructor myself, I can't say enough about the importance of the points that Carl makes. Every worship leader who wonders why their drummer seems to drift off beat, speed up going into the chorus, or lose time during instrumental parts should be thanking God for Carl Albrecht. Because, while it is painful to have those situations occurring in your local church band, at least now you have a remedy that can actually help your drummer be the timekeeper you need him/her to be.

Drummers and worship leaders, I can't urge you enough to consider getting this core drumming learning tool. Check it out online at :

http://carlalbrecht.com/store/drum-grooves-for-worship/

In the rhythm,
Kim Gentes

Friend, this is Kim Gentes. As a worship leader, I occasionally like to write about resources that I know are specifically helpful and made for worship leaders and musicians. In that category, we find there are a plethora of collection songbooks - from "best of" to those that try to include hundreds of songs. But most of the time, either the collection is too sparse (top 20 doesn't make sense a very complete worship resource, in my mind) or it is so expansive that the cost is outrageous. Recently I found a great new resource that includes a very extensive list of songs, at an exceptional price. The resource is this product you found here called "Survivor Songbook".

What is great about this songbook is not just its extensive enough to cover most of the popular modern worship songs- but it also includes an amazing set of files on the included CD-ROM. The companion CD disk (included in the songbook) has complete piano sheet music files and overhead masters for every one of the 200 songs in the songbook. The printed songbook itself has lyrics, chord charts and teaching articles. This means the songbook is of manageable size to actually use (wow! imagine that!). But that decent size doesn't mean you give up having access to every single piano sheet music score for the songs in the songbook. This is a marvelous thing, and allows you to print the score off for just the songs you need. Of course it also has the formatted lyric masters for the overhead and projection uses that most of us need. All the scores are in PDF format, so it is completely portable across computer systems, which is great! Check this out (above) for an overview, list of features, and song list of the songbook. I think this is the best songbook available anywhere! And while we normally give "Editor's Choice Awards" to CD projects, this song definitely deserves for what a great resource it is!

Product Link  http://amzn.to/nTMbI5 

Many blessings,
Kim Gentes