The Video Edition of The Assembling of the Church?
I published my first blog post at “The Assembling of the Church” in March 2006. I published the first audio file here a couple of years later in April 2008. That audio file was from a lecture that I presented in a New Testament class, and it is now on my “Resources” page along with a few other audio files, pdf files, and PowerPoint presentations.
Last year, I published my first video. In fact, around this time last year I published three video interviews with my friend Jason who was getting ready to move to South Africa. Those three video file are now on my “Videos” page (as well as on my Vimeo channel).
I love using video. In fact, recently I’ve made two videos while running. I’ve included those videos on my running blog as well as on the Vimeo channel. I would love to use video here. But, I don’t want to use video just for the sake of using video. And, so far, I haven’t found a good way – that is, a way that I like – to use video on this blog.
I could video myself giving lectures or talking about some of the content that I write about here on this blog. But, to be honest, that seems boring even to me. (I rarely read my own posts; why would I watch a video of me?)
I could do more interviews like I did with Jason last year. I like that idea much better than the idea of videoing only myself talking. But, still, when we were making those videos last year, they seemed somewhat forced.
I think I would prefer to just video a conversation, but that’s a little harder to do. I mean, the way I usually talk with people, you’re likely to get 30 minutes of us talking about our favorite Star Wars character in the middle of a discussion about the church. (Of course, I would find that very interesting, but other people might not.)
I suppose that I could edit those “irrelevant” parts out of the video, but wouldn’t it end up being forced again? And, there would always be references back to the “irrelevant” parts that wouldn’t make sense. (But, then, maybe everyone could recognize the reference to the discipleship implications of Obi Wan Kenobi…)
The way I see it, I can not use any videos… ever. I can use videos only at special times, like if I give a lecture or something like that. Or, I can figure out a way to incorporate video more regularly into my blog.
So… what do I do? As always, I’ve talked with a few friends. But, I still haven’t come up with a good solution.
I thought that I would turn to you. My readers are almost always more wise than I am when it comes to things like this. So, what do you think about adding video features to this blog? Good idea? Annoying? Could care less?
Then, if I do video, what kind of videos should I do? Obviously, the possibilities are endless… well, maybe not endless. But, my creative juices are dry at the moment. Do you have any flashes of inspiration or brilliance that you’d like to share?
(By the way, if you know someone who is using video well, please share a link with that site as well.)
Hi Alan:
I read the majority of your posts. However, I probably wouldn’t watch a video because videos typically take longer getting to the point than I want to spend. I’m sure the content would be solid, but I’ve made this choice in my life because it concerns my use of time. In my experience I can read something much quicker than hear somebody say the same thing on a video. For example, on Desiring God’s website, they almost always put the transcript of what Piper says in even a 2 or 3 minute video, and I read it instead of watching. It’s just a time issue for me, but perhaps others would rather watch a video.
FWIW.
Thanks for your ministry, brother.
Warmly in Christ,
Steve
Video really does make a different kind of a connection with the audience than written text by itself. Maybe some readers like this more, just as they like to read books more than they like to watch the movie. For myself, video is much more engaging if used in the right manner. I appreciate your critical thinking regarding the videos and even the comment about time. So maybe some video could be used when you want to share something that God has spoken to you about personally as a testimony or have a word picture with a real life anaology. Even pics would bring a little vivaciousness to the presentation that would invite more to read when they don’t all words. This just may be my generation, but I offer it as A perspective and NOT the best or only way. Thanks for all your ministry through this excellent blog and may God bless you and your family this Christmas season!
Steve and Richard,
Thank you very much for your advice/suggestions!
-Alan
I’m all for using a wide variety of methods to communicate an idea, however, videos are usually so poorly produced that the production values diminish the value of their content. If you can do video, great. But learn how to light them well, learn how to do good audio, and learn the basics of good editing. Let people object to the message not the presentation.
James,
Thanks for the input!
-Alan