Jan
6
Written by:
host
1/6/2009 7:00 AM
Curriculum providers are increasingly beginning to offer downloadable video clips for use in classroom and worship settings. Consumers are demanding resources that are quickly accessible, and the fact that video cameras and editing software are relatively inexpensive and easy to use is also enabling many independent producers to produce video clips. Unfortunately, as an experience watching a particularly offensive youth ministry clip reminded me yesterday, it is frequently hard to find great clips appropriate for progressive congregations. (Then again, that clip isn't suitable for any congregation!)
Here are a few places to begin your search. In future emails, I'll share additional clip sources, tips for selecting better videos, ideas for creating your own clips, the best places to share your videos, and more.
Beliefnet: Because Beliefnet caters to such a wide audience, you'll find a very diverse selection of theological content in their video section. It's a bit like a video smorgasbord, meaning there's less-than-healthy content sitting side-by-side with the good stuff.
Faithstreams Network: This wonderful site offers tremendous content from many faith perspectives. Although most of the video content is not downloadable (well, not without using a third-party tool, which may put you in violation of the user agreement), you can copy the URL and paste it into a new browser tab to get virtually full-screen video. Create a free account to get full access to all resources.
YouTube: I once heard a young person describe YouTube as the cinema that teens frequent, but it has become the 4th most popular website (after Google, Yahoo!, and MySpace) because everyone can find something of interest. To find good progressive content, search for keywords such as "Progressive theology," "liberation theology," "social justice and faith," or the names of popular authors such as Walter Brueggemann.
GodTube: Billing itself as a "Family-friendly Christian Social Network," GodTube has become a popular place for churches (most typically, theologically- conservative ones) to post video clips. However, search for terms such as "Emergent Church" or "creation care" and you'll find many worth watching and sharing.
Bluefish TV: This heavily-promoted company is extremely hit-or-miss when it comes to videos with progressive-friendly content. You'll generally do best with the short clips and not the teaching videos, especially when the clips are open-ended or metaphorical in nature. Some of their DVDs do come with clips in two formats on the same disk, one of which has less didactic material. Bonus tip: check with your local resource center; many of them have purchased the rights to be able to give out a download code so you can download 25 videos for free!
Click to read the second part of this series.
~ Tim Gossett