introducing: Creative Kerygma

i've been making videos for a while now. i've dabbled in making worship-related videos over the last few years as well. so i thought it was about time to start sharing my creations with others.

we recently started a new alternative worship service called Kaleidoscope. the idea behind the name is 'broken pieces made beautiful.' when you look through a k-scope, you'll see fragmented glass or plastic - that when turned and pointed towards the light, something beautiful is created and formed. it's kind of the same way with man and God: when our fragmented, broken selves meet the light of Christ, something beautiful is formed.

Kaleidoscope is a multi-sensory worship encounter - aimed at providing opportunities for people to connect with God in new and fresh ways.

K-scope will become a monthly alternative worship setting starting in January.

We've had two test runs. This last one had the theme: Satisfied? for that one, i created a short film that resembles a Rob Bell-Nooma video. i will admit, his style was an inspiration - but we wanted to do something original.

So now - i aim to make, on a regular basis, more worship related films under the name Creative Kerygma. Kerygma is greek for 'Proclamation.' These films are meant to be a creative proclamation of the Gospel, in some way, shape or form.

here are the first two Creative Kerygma short films. Sheep and Shepherd. Shepherd is adapted from Sheep - if you watch them both, you'll understand.

enjoy. leave feedback or use 'em in your worship. if you use them, let me know how you used them. Thanks!

sheep from Tim Beck on Vimeo.

shepherd (psalm 23) from Tim Beck on Vimeo.

Still Waters (book based on the 23rd Psalm)

Still Waters and Skyscrapers: The 23rd Psalm for the 21st Century by Dave Tomlinson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Still Waters and Skyscrapers is a very gentle book that digs deeper into the most quoted Psalm of all, the 23rd Psalm.

It was refreshing to read and investigate deeply the power behind the 23rd Psalm. There are many parallels in scripture to Jesus being the Good Shepherd. the 23rd Psalm reminds us that we are not alone.

At the heart of it all, Psalm 23 is a story. Citations of the gentle shepherd bookend the low times of our lives so that we are reminded of God's caring, loving nature, through it all.

Still Waters was an easy read and an enjoyable read, as well.

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Three Simple Rules (book review)

Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living by Reuben P. Job


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Do Good.
Do No Harm.
Stay in Love with God.

Three Simple Rules. A small, but profoundly inspiring book by Rueben P. Job.

This one will be worth reading again and again from time to time.

based on the writings and teachings of John Wesley.

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Pagan Christianity (book review)

Pagan Christianity: Exposing the Roots of Our Church Practices by Frank Viola


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
i liked the historical documentation of the beginnings and traditions of the church. the book brought about some interesting conversations with others, as well. but by-and-large, this book sort of sucker-punches the church, brings it to its knees and then gets in its face and taunts it.

ok. maybe that was a harsh analogy, but Viola and Barna spare no punches.

what i value from this book is that it asks questions that nobody ever asks. questions like, why do pastors wear robes? and why do choirs sing? and why do we tithe? they then answer said questions with historical information. the end conclusion: there are a lot of things that we do that aren't in the scriptures. many Christian practices and traditions have 'secular' pagan roots. but in the end, how much of it really matters?

i actually found this to be an easy read and i finished it in a week. it tended to get me worked up over some of the things pointed out. then, after a few days, it just didn't matter that much.

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