EZEKIEL: “If You Don’t Get It-You Don’t Get It “

Fire up your QR app or download a QR reader app and get ready to interact with technology and learn more about Ezekiel’s prophecies.

It all started with a simple convo with my brother Brice Holland, an ad exec, asking me what I thought about QR codes.
Basically a QR (Quick Response) code is a matrix bar coded with information stated by a "link" that can be snapped and captured by a reader (eg. cell phone) to receive information.
How did we transform that into an interact/experiential element for our Sunday morning experience?

EZEKIEL: “If You Don’t Get It-You Don’t Get It “

First, the tagline is based on a Washington Post marketing campaign (for the white paper) from 2007. I always felt it was an interesting juxtaposition between trying to increase “white paper” (dead tree types) readership in a internet media obsessed world. They of course, were referring to peoples knowledge, based on the premise that those who ‘got it”-got it because they were reading the Post.

Since Ezekiel is full of prophetic imagery. It is often difficult to “get” what is being said, unless “you get it”. The main thought/bridge for this element is to utilize self-generated Quick Response Codes (QR codes) to convey the thought of “If you don’t get it- you don’t get it”. A QR code is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, picture or other data.

QR codes are currently being used as a marketing technique to engage technology savvy consumers, to interact to a concept through their QR apps and smart phones. People that “get it - get it”.

While brainstorming for creative elements for the Ezekiel messages it was decided that we would: Self-generate and post QR codes through out the lobby before service and possibly during the message.
Using a QR Code Generator: enables you to create and post: URL, text, phone number & SMS. We decided it would probably would be safest to post info on our website and self-generate the QR codes to lead people there.

Example: This self generated QR code:

When snapped and read by a QR code reader application would lead to this picture - posted on a dedicated blogspot:

Stage concept: populate and hang QR codes at the front door, through out the lobby at the breakfast bar, on the stage.

Pictures of the various locations and stage where we posted QR codes to follow.

holograms, seriously...

I recognize that where I go in my mind with stage designs and experiential elements for worship is off the chain. That being said, seriously, holograms in the worship experience is one small step closer to being a reality.

With not an ounce of technical ability; I am a dreamer, a visionary, the “vicar of vibe”. I see things, a simple image or video clip and I instantly start extrapolating it into how it could be utilized in the worship experience. Trust me, I find it just as odd and unusual as I am sure other people do. I seriously don’t believe it is me. I strongly believe that God has this ability see things in new ways.

So, simply put, I see these visions for the future, I pray for specifics (people with the needed talents and skills) and “Pow” He provides. Honestly I don’t really get it; I just keep stepping out in faith. I don’t know where this journey will lead.

Last Thursday I had a meeting with Nick (the large scale projections guy) and David, most awesome media guy. It was a “getting to know you” session. Nick works with a local company that specializes in providing full-service audiovisual rental, staging and production services, with a specialty in HD widescreen projection and keynote development. Read: Large Scale Projections. Woo Hoo!
In the course of our conversation, I mentioned the fact that I have dreamed for utilizing holograms in a worship environment for several years now.
His company probably something along this scale of holographic imaging (click to watch the first video showreel image).
If you continue down, you can watch the Radiometer Free Format™ Case. This is more along the line of what I have been thinking about.
Large scale, free format, holographic imaging. Probably in the open air space above the auditorium seating. There are several links in this post cheoptics on the brain.

This is the video that prompted the idea of using holograms in worship in my brain about 4 years ago


Next step…I believe it is to continue to pray for someone with grant writing experience.
So hear I go…

cheoptics on the brain...

Back in the day when we used overhead projectors, black words on white backgrounds (about 15 years ago); I started playing with the thought concept of using holograms in a worship experience. Studying technological advancements that have occurred over the last 15 years, I still strongly believe that the next plateau will be cheoptics in worship.
This use of technology is not insanely new. Gorillaz have used it in their live performances. Diesel utilized this concept in their fashion show in 2007.
For the Diesel fashion show they utilized a combination of cutting edge digital art and performance CGI visual effects and 3D animations.
"The visuals are projected through a series of 'foils' into mid air, so you see the images in mid-air. The models can then interact with them and walk through them. We used plastic foils placed at 45 degree angles so that the projected light from the ceiling goes onto a foil, is reflected on to another and then into the air. (Creative Review, June 2007)
When I see effects like this my first thought is how to develop it for use in the worship experience. I know that I can’t be the only one who thinks along this process.
In fact it is time to pray. I have prayed for all of the following (plus a lot more) and God has faithfully provided; someone to sew, someone with carpenter skills, some one with projected video skills.
Now I am praying for someone that has experience in cheoptics and a desire to utilize their talent to serve God in the worship experience.

forgiv3n3ss video...

Superb video...

The message was based on Matthew 18:21 - 35 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.

Execution by David Spicer and relevant scripture supplied by Martha Springfield...

Forgiv3n3ss Screen shot and outline of the design for the service

Other elements:

Our guest speaker brought a large accounting ledger as a prop.

The Bulletin: Had a piece of graphed paper to represent a ledger. After the message the people were guided in a time of reflection to list people that they needed to forgive, the name, what was done...

The video was played during the time of reflection.

Then had three interactive stations with paper shredders through out the auditorium for people to shred their paper. The worship team played for a couple extra songs after the service, so that people could continue their time of reflection and forgiveness. There were multiply pockets of people remaining.

I am super excited, because this was the first intentionally branded service we've had since I have been on the team.

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Confessional (evaluation):

Message:Wow, my first time hearing Chris Campbell. Have to say I was very impressed with his message. And God certainly was impacting people lives today (myself included). I had some guests that are going through some really difficult times and I know they were really impacted.

Music: Really glad to see switching the o.o.s. up some.I think today’s o.o.s. (1 song, Meet & greet, 3 songs) is a really good move to try and will open up the space during the worship set to allow people to release the world and step more into the worship. Hopefully we could do this more often and see how it works. Liked it a lot today.

Multi-media team: David, superb job on the Forigv3n3ss video. This is the first thing I’ve known you to create and it was beyond all my wildest expectations. You are very gifted and I look forward to seeing more of your work. You and Martha did a great job with relevant scriptures, timed so well. I don’t even know what to call this last part, but the way those key words from the scripture lingered was absolutely stunning.

Branding: It was terrific to see the over all branding of the worship elements. I don’t know if you used to do more of this, I haven’t noticed it too often. Bit, to be fair I have been attending less that a year. The branding was interwoven throughout the various elements, including the message.

this is this week's element for Creative Chaos at RagamuffinSoul...

just for fun...

Just for Fun: Bill Nye I just knew that someone should be to create this via computer technology. Can you imagine the possibilities? Just need to figure out how to have this work in worship NOW.
With over 1 million hits on youtube.com I think it is culturally relevant.
Say house on sand parable?