pinteresting

Disclaimer: This isn't a post about "pinterest"; but an idea to utilize the interest in the latest "hot" social media application as an interactive tool for a relevant message at church.

I've watched the pinterest world from afar. Creeping up all over facebook.

Honestly, I not an overly girly, girl. I wasn't “pinterested”. But, I am interested in the impact of social media on our society at large. Obviously there is something that appeals to people (mostly women) about pinterest.

According to Wikipedia: “Pinterest is a pinboard-style social photo sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies, and more. Users can browse other pinboards for inspiration, 're-pin' images to their own collections and/or 'like' photos. Pinterest's mission is to "connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting" via a global platform of inspiration and idea sharing. Pinterest allows its users to share 'pins' on both Twitter and Facebook.” 

So, I started thinking...

This year we have been focusing on love God, love others, serve the world...

This would really make an interesting message for “serve the world”. But, obviously it would need to be less girly. Maybe we could use knives. LOL.

An interactive bulletin board, when people would “pin” or “knife” what they are already doing to serve the world and/or where their interest lies in serving the world. Actually it would be a reflection of both what we are currently doing and what we dream of doing.

serving the world...

What is interesting is that service is really in our DNA at Cross Current Ministries. We are currently going through a search process to find a new pastor. We have hired consultants to come in to evaluate where we are as a church. I remember during an interview with the consultants, the asked so what does that mean? It's in our DNA.

What does it mean?

It means that we announce a need in the morning service for lots of backpacks that are are needed at the middle school where we meet, and by 4:00 the cars start rolling up and we have ALL the needed backpacks that day.

A school contacts us because they have 80 children that needs clothes (socks, underwear, sweat suits and all). We create boards with cards of all the needs. Every single card is taken and we have to scramble to find more needs...

As long as I have been here, I have never seen an announced need go unmet. It is just the way we roll. It has been very interesting to say the least.

The consultants concluded that Cross Current ministries expressed an extreme passion for mission. They had never seen a church that is as passionate about mission as we are.

About getting our focus beyond our walls, into the world.

So, the idea is to create post-it like signs: poverty, hunger, orphaned, foster care, justice, water...

and have people come up and “pin” what they are doing and dream of doing.
But, to take it a step beyond that.

Link these people together, create teams that would do service together.

Now that would be “pinteresting”!

QR codes…

Was going to make a larger QR code for this week, went to Kinko’s (second time in two weeks) and ran into a snare. The printer we were using @Kinko’s only did 3’x3’ images, and then we’d have to go to a photo printing machine that cost a lot more (double or triple). Honestly, considering that all of this comes out of my pocket-I went with the least expensive option. Oh, well. Needed to adjust on the fly. So dropped the idea of the 4’x4’ image and went with a 2’x2’ image and simply added and rearranged the images on the stage accordingly.
So, got the images printed, cut, glued onto the coroplast, cut again, holes punched, fishing line threaded through and hung with safety pins.


The pastor introduced the idea and explained QR codes: sort of understanding often comes through the type of "lens" you use to interpret things. He "snapped" a qr code (the first one in this slide show), which was simultaneously shown on the big screen. Then showed the picture that was associated with that QR code (the Ezekiel; "If you don't get it, you don't get it picture), which again was shown on the big screen.
Each QR code was self-generated and then populated somewhere on the internet.
We had QR code links to the following:
I converted and dedicated an old blogspot place I had for this message on Ezekiel. It was just so much easier to do myself than explain and ask people to populate images and txt in other locations. A lot of the images and txt where then simply added to the blogspot and QR code links created.
Like:
The Vision of The Valley of The Dry Bones by Gustave Doré (on Wikipedia), public domain image

Ezekiel by Michelangelo (on Wikipedia), public domain image
Ezekiel logo image with tag "If you don't get it..." blogspot
Image of New Jerusalem
Explanation of why we are doing the element.
The Most Important Story (from the Relevant Word)
So What (from the Relevant Word)
Smile God loves you (Easter egg, just a funny ha,ha)
Other locations: Think and Talk blog post for Ezekiel 25-48. A blog on our website about where we are in our year long study and pictures on the Creative Arts page on XC website
If you are reading on facebook, designing for philistines blogspot pictures of the stage this week.

if you don't get it, you don't get it...

What do QR codes have to do with church and particularly with Ezekiel?
The concept behind this stage design (follow link to the actual concept), was to populate and incorporate QR codes on the stage and through out the lobby and auditorium. This was to create an experiential element where people would use the QR code readers on their cell phones-to seek out more information about the subject of this weeks message on Ezekiel.
For example: I found images that were "public domain", like this painting of Ezekiel by Michelangelo, which was posted on Wikipedia.

For this picture, I simply captured the URL for the location of the jpeg and feed the URL into a QR code generator.
Then I downloaded the QR code into my files, changed it from bmp to a jpeg file.
Then I went to Kinko's and had it printed in a 12" x 12" format.
Took it home and pasted the image on coroplast with rubber cement.
Cut the coroplast, punched holes at the top, strung it with fishing line and used a safety pin to hang it on the curtains on the stage.

I also generated some copy on an old blogspot and dedicated it to images and posts about Ezekiel from our study book, "Revealing the Relevant Word". Repeated the process of translating the URL into a QR code, printing, etc.

This was what the results looked like on stage this week.



Lessons learned:
The stage QR codes needed to be larger, for overall appearance and for application.
This coming week, we will incorporate a few more QR codes (larger) and move some of the smaller ones closer to the front of the stage.
Also, we are working more closely with the teaching pastor to incorporate the explanation into the message.
Let's see how it goes this coming week.

extrapolating experiential elements from extreme sheep herding....

While I've seen sheep herding with lights before; this is extreme sheep herding. And it reminds me of an experiential element I've thought about for church.
No, I am not going to rent a bunch of sheep; simply because that is really expensive. No seriously, renting animals is expensive and yes I have checked it out.
So see this...



...this combined with: we were talking about a previous designing for Philistines post this week at creative team-where GCC plays Simon Says (April 2008)

see this...

Camp Friendship Plays Simon from Grant Ferguson on Vimeo.

Obviously this would be for fun; but it could work when discussing communication, doing what God asks you to do. Actually that is why we were discussing it at our creative team meeting. We were planning for the 1 Chronicles message later this month. Thinking about what you are willing to do when God asks you to do something and/or where would you draw the line...
Thinking several things.
For example: Creative movement/percussive element
Lights out.
Dancers entering from the back, walking up the aisle creating movement light designs with glow sticks to a percussive beat. Maybe handing out glow sticks to people in the crowd. Lead into opening worship set. Band with glow sticks encircling their arms?
That's just one idea I was thinking about.
Just thinking...

SHOUT...

Nothing big and flashy, just a simply SHOUT element. We were studying the book of Joshua a couple of weeks ago, and I can't think of Joshua without the battle of Jericho. Think about it, seriously...God tells a group of warriors, strong, bold, courageous...hey there, just walk around the city
once every day for six days with the seven priests carrying ram's horns in front of the ark.
On the seventh day you big strong men march around the city seven times and then the priests blow their ram's horns.
That's what they did-and gave a war cry. The walls of the city collapsed, and the Israelites were able to charge straight into the city.

The stage was very simple.
Bought and painted some trash cans and buckets. Sorry, I am so not a graffiti artist.


So this is what we ended the service with...
SHOUT element at about minute 44
Let it buffer, then watch...

good element-poor execution…

Ugh! Sometimes that just happens.
The experiential element designed for this week, had some issues with execution.


Shema is the scripture (Deut. 6:4-9), that starts with...
Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our G-d, the LORD is one...
תרגם: שמע ישיר ישראל, ה 'אלוהינו; ה' אחד
The Shema is the prayer.
The mezuzah is the piece of parchment with the Shema inscribed on it.

This week we were in Deuteronomy.
The message focused on teaching the future generations...
For the experiential element, we made a replica of the mezuzah and during the service, we invited people go to various stations and pick the replica to take home with them.
We also had a brochure for further explanation.

Well, some got it and others did not.

The stage design was a representation of the traditional receptacle that the mezuzah is place in. It is box placed on the door jam of traditional Jewish homes.

Lessons Learned:
- Remember that a lot people don’t listen (during instruction).
- Really thinking the element all the way through. We (the creative team) knew all the ends and outs of what we were doing (or some of us did). It didn’t translate well enough to the whole congregation.
- Must remember to keep everything at the simplest level. Remember the 5 W’s & 1 H (who, what, where, when, why and how)
- Some people only picked up one piece and not the other (an explanation brochure). When explaining I only picked up one piece (the Shema scroll) and not the explanation brochure. I should have picked up BOTH pieces.
- In the last minute editing of the reading portion of the element, I probably forgot to even mention the brochure. This week it may have helped to put the two pieces of paper together in one unit, so that people would have the explanation attached. Simplify the process.
- Make sure the entire creative team sits and listens to the entire element. Remembering that most people won’t read even though the entire element is posted on our communications network.
- Didn’t bridge or tie in effectively enough into the over all message. (read last point again)

Interestingly enough, I bet I will have better luck when I do this same element with the preschoolers this Thursday. LOL

Well, we get a chance to redeem ourselves this week-we have two take-way challenges. And thankfully, I don’t have to bridge the pieces. Let’s see if we learn from our mistakes.

Now I need to go to Michael's and pick up adhesives dots to create one of the take-way challenge (collections of new clothing items for a local elementary school in GREAT need) for this week. BIG project – BIG need! Stay tuned for details.

quail coming out of your nose...

Normally we have a fine breakfast bar. Coffee from Starbucks or Dunkin' Doughnuts, bagels (from Panera's), other homemade goodies, nifty snacks on the kiddie table.

Well, this week...we had frosted flakes & water, frosted flakes & water and some more frosted flakes. That's grrrreat!

My favorite kind of experience to design is one that starts before you walk in the door or just as you enter. This was one of those weeks. With the message focusing on the book of Numbers and how the Israelites grumbled & complained about the fact all they had to eat was "manna", all we had on the breakfast bar was Frosted Flakes and water. It certainly got people's attention.

FUN FACT: manna actually means "what is it?"

Then we had a complaint box in the center of the table-with a fake hole, so you really couldn't put a complaint in the box. LOL!
This element really hit the mark of interaction with the people and was tied in perfectly by our teaching pastor; up to and including a point where he was eating the Frosted Flakes off of the floor. LOL!



We also had a visitor. A puppet named Mr. Curmudgeon. Who helped emphasize complaining. He was funny. My favorite part was when he talked about the fact we have a 'biker gang". Very witty. His video will be posted soon on XC website.

The stage was simple, created to invoke the tower of smoke (and fire) that hung over the tabernacle. If you will notice there are also white petals on the stage (again representing the manna). Really fun to put together. It was fun having Allison back with the team this week.

If you'd like to see all the pictures visit me at the "designing for Philistines" blog.
Now going to get ready for the children's lesson for Thursday....

creative fuZion lab //16// tenebrae (shadows)...

Welcome to "creative fuZion lab" at designing for Philistines (on Thursdays)...
Once upon a time there was a blog kingdom where freaky creatives could share the chaos created in their minds for THE Kingdom. Sadly, it went away.
Yet the creative minds keep blogging.Now there is a place to share all those creative elements again at the creative fuZion lab on Thursdays. So here’s what you do…
1. Each Thursday YOU post on your blog on whatever creative church element sparks your passion.
2. In your blog, link back to this weeks specific creative fuZion lab.
3. Then post the link to your particular post at the NEW Mr. Linky below.
4. Then come back and comment. If you don’t blog yet, still feel free to share your idea in the comments.
5. Then off you go. Go visit other people’s ideas, comment and share.
6. Ready to begin? Here we go. Let the creative fuZion begin.
Spread the Word.
Dorothy (vicar of vibe)


Being such a young church, this is the first year XC has done any ancient/modern services.
We did both an interactive Passover Seder and a Tenebrae service.
The word ‘tenebrae’ is Latin for shadows.
The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. It is not supposed to be a joyful service, because this moment in time was not triumphant.
The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events and it is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until the Resurrection on Easter.
Prepare your heart.
Come; experience the darkness before the light.
He has not yet risen.

How it all played out:
Cello bags were handed out as people entered the auditorium. They contained a black strip of cloth and a nail.
(We asked that people wear the black cloth around their neck and hold the nail in their hand during worship)

Instrumental Opener
(Instruments: acoustic guitar, keyboard, cello and percussion)
Worship Set 1:
Sing to the King

Welcome & Greet

Worship Set 2:
Here I am to Worship

Scene 1: Words of Institution - Chris E.
Scene 2: Communion (partake together)

Worship Set 2:
Carried to the Table (Leeland) (sung during communion)

Scene 3: Reader 1:
Father forgive them…
Reader: Covers first candle.
Creative element: Reader walks up to Cross with mallet and large nails, hammers nails into cross.

Scene 4: Reader 2:
I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.
Reader: Covers second candle
Creative element: Experiential movement of congregation hanging the black cloths on the Cross. Several mournful cello solo’s were played during this portion.

Scene 5: Reader 3:
Dear woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, Here is your mother.
Reader: Covers third candle.
Creative element: Start with the image created of Mary and baby from the Christmas Crescendo. Melissa Genter singing “Mary Did You Know?”.

Scene 6: Reader 4:
Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
Reader: Covers fourth candle.
Creative element: Eloi - Special Song - April Eads

Scene 7: Reader 5:
I thirst.
Reader: Covers fifth candle.
(Short spoken piece Narrator, directions)
Creative element: [Experiential/Interactive: go to tables to partake vinegar water.] This is executed in silence.

Scene 8: Reader 6:
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
Reader: Covers sixth candle.

Scene 9: Transition: “Why” sung live by April
Dramatic movement piece interpreting the song “Why”

Scene 10: Reader 7:
It is finished.
Reader: Covers seventh candle.

Scene 11: [All lights are extinguished at this point; we sit in complete and total darkness,
THUNDER (percussion) 30 seconds-pause 30 seconds.}

Scene 12: Teaching moment about the sufficiency of the Cross.
Bridge (with alter call) - Chris Eads

Scene 13: Celebration
Worship Set 4
In Christ Alone
Wonderful Cross
Blessed Be Your Name

NOTES:
Several elements weren’t completed. I learned it doesn’t matter what position the person holds, they still needed to followed up with to insure that they are on task.
Some elements were dropped out and rearranged at the last moment. This created back to back elements of “just sit and listen to people sing” moments.

We are already planning on doing a Tenebrae service again next year.

How was your Palm Sunday?

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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...

paper shredders...

Heading out to XC for our set-up, to strategically place the paper shredders stations through out the auditorium.
This is the interactive piece for our "Forgiv3ne3ss" stand alone tomorrow.

More later...