Me? I have been heading a group of companies dealing with servers and web campaigns. Nothing in common with video, whatsoever.

“Sure, let’s bring the video camera to the park“. Thus, I started my journey of exploration into the world of motion, lights and sound.

One and a half years later, these two projects have been showcased “for real” (and not just for kicks online somewhere) at 2 churches with several thousand people watching it. I’m not boasting, but rather sharing my journey on how you can learn new tricks, if passionate about it.

Here are the two MadWorld Christmas promos that were shown at both the DUMC & SIBKL churches. Oh, and if you can make it on the 3rd and 5th of December 2010, do come and watch this contemporary stage show – it features dance choreography, drama and music. It’s totally non-Christmassy, but rather a high-impact story on two characters – rich and poor. More info here.

Download videos: iPad version | iPhone version (Right click, and save as…)

Download videos: iPad version | iPhone version (Right click, and save as…)

* All videos were edited with Final Cut Pro and “mostly” shot with the Canon 5D Mark 2 (several scenes were shot with a Panasonic Lumix GH1)

As such, I decided to try and help expose the group to the current trends and what tools can be used for God’s glory.

Free eBook: Facebook for Pastors by Chris Forbes
Great book / DVD on presentation methodology: Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds

Images and videos for free, or at a low cost for church presentations / illustrations
Please bear in mind, I support respecting the copyright of the image owners and NEVER use something if the image owner does not approve.

sxc.hu (free images)
everystockphoto.com (free images)
istockphoto.com (microstock images at a low cost)
images.google.com (free images)

bluefishtv.com (videos from USD$1.99)
ignitermedia.com (videos)
36parables.com (videos)
openresources.org (free videos)
youtube.com (free videos)

Tools and toys that I shared about were:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Streaming video: live and pre-recorded
• Online payment gateways
• Blogging
• Email newsletters
• Online forms to email
• Slideology resources

Tips for pastors starting out on Facebook

• Culture shock, do not judge!
  - You may encounter information about certain members that you never knew before. Be calm, and reserve passing judgment on them. The main purpose of connecting on Facebook is to achieve true friendship.
• Treat each friend as a real person
  - Though it may seem like a virtual relationship, each person behind every account is a real-life being who needs as much prayer as a person who walks into your church. Pray for them as you would every member in your congregation.
• Don’t get sidetracked
  - Facebook can be pretty addictive, really! Be careful not to spend copious amounts of time looking through photos and watching videos, if you should be focused on other tasks. Facebook can be a great communications tool, and it can also be a HUGE distraction.
• Ask for help
  - If you get lost, don’t hesitate to ask your children or fellow congregation members for assistance. Nothing works best than human guidance.

Videos I used during my presentation

Statistics on the Internet (as at 2008)

What Twitter is all about

Random photos from my session with the pastors

Here are some of the pastors from FGA, KL, SIB KEC, Miri and beyond.

The slightly more tech savvy pastors. Grinning at the camera is Pastor Thomas from Penang.

Thanks for these two photos, @sivinkit.

Here’s a sample of bad, BAD slideology. They’re slides I designed back in the year 2000 when presenting ideas to prospects. Urgh… proof that you CAN learn design! (or marry someone who is better than yourself for a quick shortcut like I did!)

Before I share some of my slides, here are the resources I mentioned during my talk that are relevant for you.

Let’s see… I’ve met for the first time, @sivinkit @TriciaYeoh @jasonong @mikefoong @chrishong @nigelais @sausheong @edwintcg @thematrixuum @sochews @mahyuni @SalocinTEN @angch (Sorry, if I forgot your username and didn’t list you down here!). Oh, and I saw @minishorts from a distance at BLC  – sorry, didn’t manage to go and say hi, you looked busy.

One interesting encounter was last Sunday, when I dropped by at the Bangsar Lutheran Church. After the service, Rev. @sivinkit (aka the Twittering pastor) and a few others were standing around talking about Twitter, and I interjected by saying, “Oh, I follow you too”. Then they quizzed me on my username, and I said “@TheBackpackr“. Suddenly there was a chorus of “ohhhh”. I realised I was following most of them and they likewise. We then proceeded with a round of Twitter Username introductions. (As a side note, BLC is an extremely forward thinking church and many of them there are bloggers and Twitterites. If you’re looking for a church that’s like that, do send the cool Rev. @sivinkit a tweet!)

It’s encouraging to see more and more Malaysians jump onto the Twitter bandwagon (perhaps we should call it the Twitter concorde, considering how fast it’s picking up steam). There’s a directory of sorts available at wefollow.com that lists Malaysians who have tagged themselves with the keyword “Malaysia” but it’s not an accurate representation of how many Malaysians there are who tweet.

Alright, I’m off for TEDxKL talks soon, and I’m sure I’ll be meeting another group of Twittering Tweeters (or is it Tweeting Twitterers?) – oh whatever… let’s tweet!

The conference features Power Up! sessions, which are across all streams and address the spiritual aspect of media fanatics. Oftentimes, those who are creative and in the media teams get distracted and lose focus of the core – God.

The first session started with Pastor Victor Wong and hearing the call of God.

When God calls, it is directive – it is specific and for you. The call is tailored for your life based on your skills and gifts. Examples are Abraham, Moses, Samuel and Saul). All of them had directive calls and based on what they were good at doing.

God’s call is progressive – when he calls, it’s bit-by-bit and when you are obedient, he will reveal a little more to you. When we make a decision, it leads to another step and yet another – all in God’s plan and timing.

God’s call is retrospective – we oftentimes don’t see the big picture when we’re going through it, but only later when you look back, you realise that God had a bigger plan for you. Sure we may complain throughout the turmoil and problems encountered, but really, it’s all to mould and build you up. Look back and see all the points in your life that scenarios were orchestrated that just “seemed to happen”.

It’s also prerogative – God’s call is not about you, but about Him. He calls you for his sake. As such, we should us our talents and skills for enhancing His kingdom.

A quote from Oswald Chambers states, “if you can tell where you got the call of God and know all about it, he wonders if you even got the call. A lot of the time, God’s call is something you cannot put into words”. Which I guess is true, many times, we don’t know where exactly we are headed, and what we are called to do – and it’s okay. The beauty of serving God is trusting Him, and not knowing what comes next – that is the adventure, or the journey.

Wake up, Mr Paul Sebastian – you’re looking too comfy there!