I’ve been experimenting (even currently involved) in ministries that takes advantage of technology (the internet and computers at least). And hopefully, I could also use this to reach more.

Just a short burst of thought. I’m just pumped up!

God bless.

One of my goal in our Church is to record our weekend services. There’s a few reason why I am pushing it.

Reach more audience by making it available in the internet.

There’s a lot of Filipino Christians all over the world who doesn’t have an opportunity to join or attend a local Church due to language barriers, geographical, political, and other reasons. If they can have access to messages (in Filipino language, Filipino context), they would be able to continue growing as Christians. There are very few Filipino Church that has their weekend messages available online.

Make it available for local Church members.

Making it available for the local Church members will enable them to review the messages. It’s a fact that a person won’t be able to absorb everything that had been said in a 40 – 60 minute message unless they hear it again (multiple times).

Personal development of the preacher.

I have already recorded a few of my messages (audio only) and found out I am using words that is a bit awkward when used in the pulpit. I was able to record one message in video and found out that I move a lot when I preach. Being able to review my messages enables me to develop that message, build new messages as a supplement to that message, see mannerisms that should be avoided (both in action and in words) or have someone else review it for constructive criticism.

Would it encourage members not to attend weekend services anymore since they can get a hold of last Sunday’s message in audio or video format? I don’t think so. Looking at the Churches who are already doing this, their weekly attendance is continually growing. Used properly, recording weekend services and making it available online/media would serve as a way to invite more people to come to a local Church every Sunday.

Our Church’s Recorded Weekend Services

As I’ve said, I was able to record a few messages from our Church (both from me and our Pastor) in audio format. I’ve already made it available in our Church’s website. Last August 14, I was able to record my message in our Youth Service in video and already made it available online. That was my first attempt and there are a lot of things that can be improved (primarily the audio).

What’s my point?

I was able to do the recording using an old laptop (our Church’s laptop), an ordinary webcam (donated by a friend). and a free software for capture (Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder). I was able to upload it to a free online video service where you can view the message or embed it to websites. Therefore, for starters and Churches who doesn’t have the budget to buy high end cameras, computers, video hosting providers, software, etc, there is still a way to achieve it.

Not all might be interested doing this. But I would like to encourage Churches (whether big or small) to try it. I believe we should take advantage of the technology we have for the greater advancement of the Gospel.

On the upcoming post, I’ll share how I was able to record one of our messages without spending too much.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. – Romans 1:16

I am not a good theologian, nor a good preacher. But my heart really breaks when I hear preachers deliver their message “hiding” the Gospel. Are we afraid that we are going to offend the listeners? Are we afraid that if we offend them they won’t return to our services? If yes, then you shouldn’t be a preacher!

I won’t expound here, you can go to google and search “are you ashamed of the gospel” and you will see a lot of messages about this. I just want to remind every preacher. If you are a preacher, straighten up and be a Biblical man and DON’ BE ASHAMED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL and not those “how to live/how to set goals/etc..” messages! Or at the very least, don’t forget that Jesus Christ SHOULD be the center of our messages!

Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Thank you so much for all who prayed and donated! God bless. Soli Deo gloria!

If viewing the photos via the slider below is slow, you can also find the photos here, here and here.

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This coming December, we’re planning to do this project once more. We’re calling it Project Hannah (Hannah means Grace of God). We’re planning to extend the project to more families (around 30 families this time), and we want you to be part of it. Any amount that you can give will be a great help in making this project happen and make those families’ New Year’s celebration happy. It’s not a solution for their poverty, but this will let them know that someone do care for them.

We are targeting at least 30 families with a budget of 150 pesos per family. That will give us at least 4500 pesos (US$105) budget need. If you want to take part on this project, you can contact us via the information below. We prefer money donations so we could evenly distribute the gifts to the families.

Pictures from last year’s project can be seen on our Facebook page.

Thank you and God bless.

Email: lpcgumaoc@gmail.com

Web:

http://lpcgumaoc.co.cc/contact-us/

http://marvincruz.com/contact-me/

Phone:

(+63) 915 – 5709311 (Marvin)

(+63) 916 – 6228623 (Ptr. Ronnie)

Status of the donations will be posted here on this website.

Update:

Pictures from last year’s project.

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Person 1: Oh, serving the Lord is tiring.

Person 2: What? You shouldn’t get tired serving the Lord!

Person 1: Really?

Have you heard this conversation before? Or have you been in this kind of conversation before. Me, I’ve heard this a lot. And just recently, I encountered this exact scenario, a servant of God saying he got tired (just tired, not quiting) due to his probably hectic schedule doing the ministry of the Lord. One of his friend said that if it is for the Lord, he shouldn’t be tired. Well, the commenter might have a pessimistic mind on that but I think that isn’t things go.

Isaiah 40:30-31 reads:

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

I believe the verse is clear, ‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;’. We are human beings. We are not robots. It is natural, let me repeat – natural - for a person to get tired, whatever he is doing cause he is using muscles that require energy to work. And like any other job, once your body has reached it’s peak on the “tiredness meter”, your brain will send out signals to your whole body to rest. If you don’t, then you’re either a super human being or you’re deceiving yourself. I remember Ptr. Rick Warren on one of his Purpose Driven Church Seminar (watched it on CD) when he said, “Mary had a little lamb, it would have been a sheep, it joined a local church and died in lack of sleep.”

Let us be honest and real. We do get tired while we are serving the Lord. However, it doesn’t end there. God made a promise. That even though you’ll get tired (verse 30), if your hope is in the Lord, he will renew your strength (verse 31). Take note the on the last two lines it said “not grow weary” and “not be faint”. Isn’t this the one that says we shouldn’t be tired when serving the Lord? I believe this only means that God will give us unlimited renewal of strength. That every time we feel weak, God will refuel us. That every time we feel tired, God will strengthen us.

Let us confess that we are only human. We do get tired. But we have a God, that’s always willing to strengthen us.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

- Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

God bless.

Image: Jeff Ratcliff / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Soli Deo Gloria.