New Video – “Today”

We’re excited to announce that our latest mini-movie is available for download.  The video is called “Today“.  Every day, we’re given a gift from the gracious hand of the Father.  The gift is… today.

“Today” is one of those videos that can be shown at any time during your worship services – as a service opener, a worship introduction or insert, or as a sermon-starter.  The script comes from the heart, and the voice-over is a new voice for Floodgate.

An Amazing Church Experience

I just returned from an amazing church experience.

It was very welcoming.  Before the service, everyone kept saying, “Welcome.  We’re glad you’re here.  It’s about to start.”  These comments seem to take down some of my barriers as a new person.

During the music portion of the service, I overheard a conversation that someone from the church was having with a guy named Bryan.  Bryan was asking a ton of questions about faith.  His main question was centered around God the Father.  He wanted to know if Jesus (The Christian Faith) and Mohammed (The Muslim Faith) were prophets who both pointed to the same God.  I listened (and watched) at how Tyler – a Christian man from the church – walked Bryan through the Christian belief about God.  It was loving, and filled with grace.  It was also filled with biblical truth.

Then, I heard Bryan make this comment to Tyler:  “I just thank God that He loves me, even though I’m gay.”  The music was getting softer, so I could experience their conversation fully.

Tyler’s response was amazing:  “I used to struggle with that too.  But Jesus set me free.”

Tyler went on to lavish grace and truth all over Bryan.  It was absolutely amazing.

As they were finishing up their discussion, a self-proclaimed atheist sat down near me, and began a conversation with a woman from the church.  By now the sermon was starting, but I still found myself trying hard to listen to this conversation.  He was very open about his doubts, but also very kind and gentle.  He said it was the first time he’d been to this kind of church, and admitted that he was nervous.  They talked about God’s love, demonstrated in the Person of Christ Jesus.  The atheist seemed like he was listening.  I couldn’t believe that God was allowing me “in” on the beauty of the life that was happening next to me.

The pastor taught everyone about the Holy Spirit.  He took a very balanced view, which I appreciate.

By the time it was over, I felt like I had just participated in a true mish-mash of humanity – the kind of crowd Jesus spoke to when He was on the earth.  It strengthened my faith to simply be a part of the discussion, even though I didn’t say anything.

I left inspired.

Just one more thing.

The entire church experience was online.

Free Floodgate DVD

Now through Jan. 27, when you purchase any DVD Product, we’ll automatically throw in our NEW Volume 4 DVD for free!  Choose from any of our shippable DVD Volumes or Combo Packs (downloads don’t apply to this offer).  No need to add Volume 4 to your cart – just be assured that we’ll include it automatically with your shipment.

New Video Release This Tuesday

We’re excited to announce that our latest mini-movie is scheduled to be released this coming Tuesday, January 26.  The video is called “Today”, and it’s one of those videos that can be shown at any time during your worship services – as a service opener, a worship introduction or insert, or as a sermon-starter.  The script comes from the heart, and the voice-over is a new voice for Floodgate.

As we always do with every new release, we’ll be offering it on it’s release day at a 30% discount.

If you’re on our email list, you’ll receive a special email reminder on Tuesday.  If you’re not on our email list… uh…. seriously….

we just don’t get that.

 

$30 Worth of Media for $15

There’s a big sale going on right now in the Floodgate Online Store.  Through midnight Jan. 21, when you purchase the best-selling “Easter – Welcome to Our Church“, you’ll receive a voucher for $15 to spend anywhere in the Store.  In other words, you’ll get $30 worth of media for $15.  Easter is just around the corner, and this is a great way to get ready, and to save some money on another Floodgate video.  When you download the Easter video, check out the ReadMe file for your voucher code, with step-by-step instructions.

Your Church’s Vision

January seems to be a great month for many pastors to teach about church vision.  Late in 2009, we finished production on a new vision video.  It’s called “Around Here“.  Most of the time, the church defines herself by her beliefs – and that’s a great thing. But sometimes, we also need to define ourselves by our behavior.  This video attempts to help outsiders see (while also reminding insiders) the kinds of behaviors your church is ultimately interested in.  We intentionally didn’t include every possible point of interest, but rather chose to highlight some of the key elements.

You may watch this video, and decide that it would be a perfect piece to display on your website.  If that’s the case, we offer a website license here.  The website version of the video does not include the intro, because that part of the script is strictly speaking to those who already attend your church.

We’ve also created a matching Sermon Graphics Package here.

However you choose to use this mini-movie, we pray it does exactly what it needs to, in your unique setting.

One-Year Subscription Blowout Sale

We’re offering our best deal of all – our One-Year Unlimited Download Subscription – for only $249.  The special price is good for today only (January 13, 2010).  This special pricing ends at midnight Jan. 13 (PST).  You’ll get every mini-movie, every motion background, every still, and every countdown.  You’ll also receive every piece of media we create during 2010.  This is worth over $3000.  For many churches, we pray that this is the answer they’ve been looking for.

Please go here for more information.

Ministry Porn

Most church staff teams attend conferences. When I (Gary) was a pastor, we’d attend various church conferences. These conferences were great at helping form deeper relationships within the staff team. They were also great at helping us disengage from the routine tasks of our local church, and place ourselves within an environment of change, growth, and spiritual/emotional nourishment. Finally, these conferences were great at giving us principles to help guide our ministries into the future.

But there was one thing that these conferences could never do. They could never fulfill on the church portrait they unknowingly painted. In other words, my church would never look like Rick Warren’s church. As a pastor, I could never have what Rick Warren has.

Ever.

Finally, someone far more visible than me is standing up and saying the same thing. Ed Stetzer calls this phenonemon “Ministry Pornography”. Check out what he’s saying, and post your thoughts.