Brehm Center

Where do you find the media that you want to help drive home the messages you work so hard to prepare?  Where can you look for that perfect video clip to support your point?  What about backgrounds and videos for your worship service?  Some of us have resources to create our own, but most of us don’t, so why not use the wealth of resources available online?  Most are immediately downloadable, so visit these websites to find that perfect clip or just browse them and preview videos to be inspired and get ideas for the future. 

(The majority of this list was in an article by Jeff Horch in the July/August 2007 issue of Preaching magazine.  We’ve made a few additions and written our own take on these websites.)  Enjoy!

SermonSpice.com has a large collection of sermon illustration videos, countdowns and background loops, all easily searched by topic, genre, key text or keyword.  Also, a link to WorshipSpice.com provides helpful worship-related media.  A popular and well known site, SermonSpice is a staple for preachers. 

WorshipHouseMedia.com has a smaller collection of short videos, background loops, stills, editables (short videos in a format that can be edited), and a variety of software for church media departments.  Also, look for helpful reviews and thought provoking media-related articles.

Shoutable.com is your source for all things MediaShout-related, as well as a clearing house for numerous other media producers that may be difficult to find otherwise.  Definitely worth browsing!

FaithVisuals.com offers a collection of short videos sorted by genre, plus countdowns, stills, loops and series builders. Check out their free media as well as their free training section.  A helpful and diverse collection that is fully searchable.

BlueFishTV.com is committed to creating video messages that help people “seek truth, to discover a life of faith, and to participate in His great plan for redemption.”  You’ll find hundreds of video clips that are downloadable for $1.99 each, and cutting-edge small group studies on everything from Noah to marriage and parenting.

Praise.net has a wealth of information regarding worship, including links to dozens of resources, a song database, a job listing and an active-looking discussion forum.  Don’t expect it to look hip or all links to work, but you’ll find some great information.

HighestPraise.com provides a worship discussion forum, some training, and podcasts of some worship songs.  It appears to be mostly the work of one worship leader, but the discussion forum appears to be well-attended.

HighwayVideo.com is a very popular site for original videos.  It has been around for a while, so has a great library of video illustrations, worship backgrounds, and stock video footage that is editable.  With most of the videos being downloadable, this is church media at its best.

TheWorkofthePeople.com is just that – a community of artists, storytellers, filmmakers, poets and theologians – who produce films, visual liturgy, loops and stills.  One handy feature is that you can purchase volumes which include the coordinating short film, loops and stills as a set.  Also includes a significant amount of media in Spanish.  Some really artistic and high quality material!

WorshipFilms.com is another great location for backgrounds, sermon illustrator videos, long play footage, stills, and devotional videos to set the tone for worship services.  It has one of the largest libraries, so is definitely worth perusing.

Sermonvideos.com has original downloadable video illustrations, worship backgrounds and countdowns. Many of the videos are real life stories of people in different situations, sharing their spiritual experiences. One of the best features is that you can get a subscription and download as much as you want, making it affordable. 

AngelHouseMedia.com provides a fresh, creative approach to media.  They offer Mirrors (short films to be used as sermon illustrations or discussion starters), Molecules (editable loops), fun countdowns and Interludes (“short half-minute clips designed to present specific scripture visually”).  All are downloadable individually or easily purchased as a set on DVD.

IgniterMedia.com creates original, thoughtful short videos, and provides backgrounds, loops and stills.  Their videos are clearly created by artists who are creative, edgy, and can be both serious and funny.  Many of the familiar videos you may have seen in church are from Igniter Media Group, so their high quality productions definitely hold a solid spot on the best selling and most-used lists. 

MidnightOilProductions.com produces backgrounds, stills, loops, etc.  Their  “Fresh Out of the Box” products include the plans and resources for an entire worship service.  Now that makes it easy!  The founders of Midnight Oil are closely tied to local churches and provide training, books and resources on how to design a media ministry.

CreativePastors.com is a resource for media, including a library of “media kits” (A set of media, service plans, worship plans, etc.) and some videos of sermon series by Ed Young from Fellowship Church .  It is also a great resource for leadership training, information, and resources.

Nooma.com produces short films featuring Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible church.  If you haven’t seen these, you need to! They are some of the best.

36Parables.com produces short films enacting the parables of Jesus, but placed in today’s setting.  They have less than a dozen of the 36 parables completed, but appear to have plans for all 36. 

OnScreenImpact.com has a small library of basic church media products (backgrounds, stills, scripture videos, and sermon illustrations) and also some popular video courses.

WillowCreek.com’s Service Builder section has their drama, videos, service orders, music and videos of their sermons – all ready for you to use in your own church.

VisualScripture.com produces just that – visual scripture – Bible verses incorporated with images and sound that bring it to life.