Friday, May 2, 2014

Just HAD to Share This Review with You

“Lights, Camera, Worship”: A review

 

I’m so happy to be able to give a brief review of a book that a good friend recently sent me. Gregory E. Zschomler has recently gone to publishing of the Second Edition of “Lights, Camera, Worship”, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it to read.

I met Greg at a time in the late 90′s when worship music as we know it was going through a crossover from singing songs about God, to singing songs TO God. This era was welcomed with artists such as SonicFlood, Vineyard Worship was cutting edge, Hillsong’s “Shout to the Lord” became a staple and CCM artists began to release worship songs in droves. Church Production was another staple that became more and more popular, having been a part of a church where the overhead projector or slide projector were the latest technology. This is when I had the opportunity to meet Greg, and eventually be on staff alongside him. He brought an awakening of what the church could be through Media, and a fresh voice to the status quo. This book encapsulates, for me, the evolution of what was, what is, and what will become of church production and media ministries.

This book isn’t merely about Church Software Wars of who uses which program, or which set of Smart Lights to buy, but rather a collective look of how to get started and what to do next. It’s easy for me to sit back, as a consultant and tell a church that I’m working with to buy this Software for $14k, or this set of projectors for $8k. But Greg has gone through the legwork of sharing how he’s done things on a budget, and how to get the most bang for your money. God has entrusted us with the finances of the local church. It’s our job to be a great steward of it. Now, at first, your church may not share the same values as you, and that is ok. There is always a “baby step” to get you where you want to be. The early church used beautiful stained glass that told stories through Art and Color. We, as Media Directors, and Church Techies are no different. We tell our stories in creative ways and in beautiful ways. Who should check this book out?

1) The Church planter: Money is always a factor in getting started, and Greg gives great advice on what to invest in first, and how to make the biggest splash on a budget

2) The Tech Guru: You will find a well-rounded primer on lights, cameras, software, hardware, etc, and how to expand your tech ministry

3) The Artist: This book will reinforce what you already know, and that the Church and Art share a kindred spirit of beauty that God wants us to use to be a part of the Biblical narrative

4) The Lone Wolf in Ministry: Let’s face it, you didn’t go to seminary to study this stuff. And this book will give you College Level reading to get your Audio/Visual ministry off to a great start.

Greg is a treasure to the Church, and has been an inspiration to me, and my ministry even today. Take a look at this, and other books of his. It will expand your horizons. Buy this book HERE!

Be sure and visit Chuck's blog here.

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