1. Bubblewrap - 18,043 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
2. The Weave - 13,946 views
   Jeff Abbott fromChrist Church in Hickory, North Carolina
3. The App Wall - 10,670 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, California
4. Texturesized - 8,213 views
   Camron Ware for the Planet Wisdom conference
5. Light Pillars - 7,867 views
   Noble Mosby from FBC Lafayette in Lafayette, LA
6. I Dream of Rain - 7,676 views
   Peter Good at Glad Tidings Assembly of God in West Lawn, Pennsylvania
7. Err Body in the Church - 7,136 views
   Ian Houser from Shepherd of the Hills in Porter Ranch, California
8. Raising the Bar - 6,681 views
   Jonathan Malm from The Summit Church in Corpus Christi, Texas
9. Beaming - 6,253 views
   Jeff Poole from UBC Miami in Florida
10. Taste the Rainbow - 6,213 views
    Andrew Hunt from Blue Ridge Community Church in Forest, VA

Great job, stage designers!

1. Dotify – 2,786 views
   Brandon Criswell from Evangel Church in Columbus, MS
2. Frosty Forestry – 2,759 views
   Joshua Metzger from River Hills Christian Church in Loveland, Ohio
3. The Antitruss – 2,011 views
   Bruce Schwarz from First Protestant Church in New Braunfels, Texas
4. Whoville Trees – 1,521 views
   Dean Stelow from Northbrook Church in Richfield, WI
5. A Paper Christmas - 1,369 views
   Tom Armstrong from Salinas Valley Community Church in Salinas, CA
6. Destroyed City – 1,367 views
   Paul Snyder from Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, VA
7. Make Your Own Jumbotron – 1,270 views
   AJ Parker from Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA
8. Ascending Coroplast – 1,268 views
   Tim Sherwood from Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, IA
9. Bubblewrap - 1,206 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
10. A Christmas Scene - 1,206 views
    Derek Studt from Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida

Great job, stage designers!

How do you enter? Simply “Like” Church Stage Design Ideas on Facebook before Friday, December 9th at 8pm CST. I’ll pick three winners at random and notify you via Facebook. (If you already “Like” CSDI on Facebook you’re automatically entered.)

Check out the motion bundles you could win!

1. Ascending Coroplast – 1,818 views
   Tim Sherwood from Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, IA
2. Cheap Fake Trussing – 1,794 views
   Gary Brownell from Sagebrush Community Church in Albuquerque, NM
3. Frosty Windows – 1,757 views
   Greg Saffles at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN
4. A Paper Christmas – 1,565 views
   Tom Armstrong from Salinas Valley Community Church in Salinas, CA
5. All Made of Stars – 1,506 views
   Chad Pippin from Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto, California
6. A Christmas Scene – 1,482 views
   Derek Studt from Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida
7. Easy Peasy – 1,456 views
   Kaleb Wilcox at Topeka Bible Church in Topeka, Kansas
8. Bubblewrap - 1,451 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
9. Spheres and Trees – 1,437 views
   Zach Lee from Brand New Church in Harrison, Arkansas
10. Christmas on the Lake - 1,434 views
    Wes Amick from Cross Timbers Community Church in Texas

Great job, stage designers!

1. So Fresh and So Clean – 1,658 views
   Sam McGovern from Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, California
2. Beaming – 1,428 views
   Jeff Poole from UBC Miami in Florida
3. Bubblewrap - 1,404 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
4. Strung Out – 1,306 views
   Craig Hatley from NewLife Church in Locust, North Carolina
5. Hipster Ceiling Tiles – 1,231 views
   Art Carabes from Iglesia Townwood in Houston, TX
6. Square Me Up – 1,202 views
   CCI Solutions and Brian O’Morrow from Catalina Church of Midtown in Tucson, Arizona
7. Points of Light – 1,131 views
   Paul Snyder from Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, Virginia
8. Homemade Baptisms – 1,117 views
   Charles Judd from Crossroads Fellowship Church in Berea, Kentucky
9. Bubblewrap Redux - 1,070 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
10. Splitscreen Happiness – 979 views
    Wes Sisk from Highpoint Church in Memphis, TN

Great job, stage designers!

• Kevin Beers
• Chris Fluitt
• Kevin
• Danielle

So…I thought it’d be fun to have a swag contest. I want to let you submit the ideas for the swag I’ll be giving away! I’m thinking t-shirts and stickers…but if you have another idea send it along. Submit it be October 15th so I have time to get the stuff printed. Get going!

Submit your swag to swag@churchstagedesignideas.com.

Here’s a little swag inspiration to get you started:

The fine folks at Church Motion Graphics are giving three motion graphic bundles to you, the fine readers of CSDI. They’re giving away three bundles, and you get to pick the one you want to win!

How do you enter? Simple! Pick a bundle (from here), then leave a comment on this post telling us which bundle you want!

As an added bonus, CMG is giving 15% off to all CSDI readers. Simply use the promo code below when you checkout!

So check out their library of motion graphics bundles and leave your comment on this post. Be sure to do it before October 10th at 12:01PM CST!

I’ll pick three winners at random and email you your prize!

Promo Code: 286E3W66 – Expires 10/31/11

1. Beaming – 2,040 views
   Jeff Poole from UBC Miami in Florida
2. Bubblewrap - 2,013 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
3. Bubblewrap Redux - 1,666 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
4. PVC For Me – 1,512 views
   Jeff Poole from UBC Miami in Florida
5. Lovely Layers – 1,495 views
   Chris Willard from Crossview Covenant Church in North Mankato, MN
6. Points of Light – 1,405 views
   Paul Snyder from Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, Virginia
7. Homemade Baptisms – 1,294 views
   Charles Judd from Crossroads Fellowship Church in Berea, Kentucky
8. Screens Are Falling Down - 1,274 views
   Jon Morris from Harvest Time in Fort Smith, Arkansas
9. Grunge Paint - 1,244 views
   Derek Studt from Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida
10. Rock Face – 1,120 views
    Ryan VanKampen from First Presbyterian of Aurora in Illinois

Great job, stage designers!

Call it an outreach…call it a teaching opportunity…whatever you call it, it’s going to be pretty cool! And I guarantee the production quality will be at least as good as this video of me singing “Only a Boy Named David”.

Seriously, though…I’ve talked to some of the folks involved in the project, it promises to be a quality piece of work. They’re looking to make it a bit more gritty like 300 or Troy.

And you get to host this thing! It could be at your church, your school, your theater, on the side of a building, or in your living room. No matter where you show it, you’ll become part of a global audience that gathers around an epic premiere on one historic weekend.

So enough of the sales pitch. Visit OneThousandPremieres.com and book a premiere for your church.

Are you interested in hosting a premiere at your church? Leave a comment and tell us what you’re thinking!

1. Bubblewrap - 2,095 views (sheesh, give someone else a turn) :)
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
2. Grunge Paint - 1,908 views
   Derek Studt from Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida
3. Screens Are Falling Down - 1,482 views
   Jon Morris from Harvest Time in Fort Smith, Arkansas
4. Geometry – 1,431 views
   Rick Franke working with Sunset Christian Center in Rocklin, California
5. Perfectly Plastic – 1,384 views
   Steven Hall from Northland Church in Longwood, Florida
6. Paper Plates – 1,344 views
   Seth Switzer from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Middletown, NY
7. Big Stage on a Small Stage – 1,268 views
   Jon McKinley
8. Paper Penny Budget – 1,260 views
   Dalton Barnard from Faith Family Worship Center in Fredericktown, MO
9. Bubblewrap Redux – 1,247 views
   Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
10. Zen and the Art – 1,211 views
    Patrick Fore from The Woodlands United Methodist in The Woodlands, Texas

Great job, stage designers!

1. Bubblewrap – 1,559 views (fourth month in a row!)
   by Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
2. Screens Are Falling Down – 1,519 views (again)
   Jon Morris from Harvest Time in Fort Smith, Arkansas
3. Glow and Flow – 1,309 views
   AV team from Fairview Baptist Youth in Corryton, TN
4. The Shower Curtain – 1,148 views
   Derek Studt from Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida
5. Grunge Paint – 1,148 views
   Derek Studt from Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida
6. Trash Cans Are Beautiful – 1,102 views
   Rusty Burchard at Ridge Church in Charlotte, North Carolina
7. You Can Do It Too – 1,090 views
   Jeff Jackson from Journey Church in New Albany, Indiana
8. The Junkyard – 1,088 views
   Derek Studt from Generations Christian Church in Trinity, Florida
9. The Weave - 1,041 views
   by Jeff Abbott from Christ Church in Hickory, NC
10. Texturesized – 1,039 views
    by Camron Ware from Visual Worshiper

Great job, stage designers!

Blaine is the Creative Director at Willow Creek. He has some great insights into the creative process. This book is his manifesto of encouragement to the church creative.

So if you’ll be in the area and want to go, we got your ticket! Leave a comment below and we’ll choose six, randomly, next Sunday. And spread the word to your friends in the San Francisco Bay area!

Get all the details on the meet up here.

That’s right! You’ll be schmoozing it up and listening to Barton Damer and Stephen Brewster at the meetup.

Our goal is simple – To connect Inspiration with Collaboration.

Hear from amazing Creative Leaders, connect with local creative contributors in your area, and be back to work by 11.00am…if you so desire. Creative Collective Meet-Ups begin promptly at 9.00am and are done by 10.30am.

Spots are kept limited to foster better connection, conversation, and collaboration.

How do you get a free pass to the event? Simply tweet this:

Holy cow! I want to meetup with Stephen Brewster and Barton Damer in Austin! Enter for your free pass! http://csdi.info/kD6XWD

Simple, eh? Then I’ll randomly select 6 winners on Tuesday, June 28th at 9am CST. Get tweeting!

And if you aren’t a Tweeter…leave a comment below. You won’t be left out! :)

1. Bubblewrap – 1,985 views (again!)
   by Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
2. The Weave - 1,107 views (again)
   by Jeff Abbott from Christ Church in Hickory, NC
3. Texturesized - 1,055 views (again)
   by Camron Ware from Visual Worshiper
4. Playing with Blocks – 942 views
   by Rich Probert from Horizons Community Church in Ham Lake, MN
5. The Weave Woven – 893 views
   by Yoel Torres at Potential Church in Florida
6. The App Wall - 892 views (again)
   by Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
   
7. The Weave Love – 887 views (again)
   by The Source in Bradenton, FL
8. Sunburst - 807 views
   by Sarah Comer from City Impact Church in New Zealand
9. Crinkled to Smooth – 779 views
   by Dan Olsen at Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, IA
10. Exploding Boxes – 775 views
    by Jeremy Framstad from Grace Community Church in Fremont, OH

Great job, stage designers!

1. Bubblewrap – 2,131 views
   by Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
2. Playing with Blocks - 1,450 views
   by Rich Probert from Horizons Community Church in Ham Lake, MN
3. Pining Away - 1,089 views
   by Andrew Hunt and his crew from Blue Ridge Community Church in Forest, VA
4. PVC a’Plenty - 983 views
   by Charles Harnach from Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Trussville, AL
5. The Weave - 908 views
   by Jeff Abbott from Christ Church in Hickory, NC
6. The Weave Love - 904 views
   by The Source in Bradenton, FL
7. Dithered - 887 views
   by Ben Cole from Bellevue Student Ministry in Memphis, TN
8. Exploding Boxes - 827 views
   by Jeremy Framstad from Grace Community Church in Fremont, OH
9. The App Wall - 806 views
   by Van Metschke from South Hills Church in Corona, CA
10. Texturesized - 764 views
    by Camron Ware from Visual Worshiper

Great job, stage designers!

“Do You Hear What I Hear” (MP3)

“It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” (MP3)

PS. Add my friend on Facebook and show him some love.

This is worthless. It absolutely does nothing to point to the truth of the text–just a big ol’ cutesy distraction. I wouldn’t care, but it is the epitome of entertainment worship that causes people to be wary of true creativity in the church. If you have any respect for church creativity and the reputation of your site, you need to remove it, or use it as a teachable “what not to do” moment.

This was on my Everything Marious video I posted a few months back. Normally I don’t worry too much with anonymous comments. (Unless they are positive…then I assume an angel wrote it to validate what I’m doing.) But this comment brought up something I think would be great for us to discuss on this site.

Obviously the comment was speaking negatively about using an entertaining Mario Brothers themed video during a worship song. I’m a firm believer that it is not the church’s job to be a vehicle for entertainment. I also believe that a musical worship service is an extremely valid and wonderful way to express our hearts to God and have Him respond to us. I don’t believe the music time is an “ice breaker” for the message or an opportunity for the late-comers to slip in without embarrassment.

However I also don’t believe songs we sing are “sacred”. They are pieces of art…they are not Scripture. They are tools based in Scripture (ideally) that we use to point people’s hearts toward God. A tool is only as powerful as your use of it. Coroplast was never intended to be used as a stage design tool, but, wow, it works well!

Most of the people who enter your church for a service have not been preparing their hearts all week to worship God. (This often includes the worship team. :)) Their minds are on the annoying co-worker they dread seeing tomorrow. On their frustration from searching for the kids’ shoes and hustling them out to the car. On the guy from the “other church” who cut them off in traffic.

Unfortunately these distractions create walls that keep them from engaging with the service. It often takes them 2 or 3 songs to begin to focus on the service (if they ever do). A worship leader’s job is to meet the congregation where they are, and take them to a place of focus on God. (This looks different for each church.) And the worship leaders in a worship service are not just on the stage. They are also the sound guys, the stage designers, the lighting/video folks…they are all working in conjunction to remove distractions to help the congregation focus on God.

So back to the video. On that note, isn’t the Mario Brothers video a huge distraction from worship? If the “Everything Glorious” song was used as a tool for “traditional worship”, yes. But that wasn’t the goal this time. Just like a pastor will use a joke before his message to break the ice and help people focus, this video was intended to remove distractions. Would I be willing to take 5 minutes of a 25 minute worship set to shift people’s focus from their frustrations and worries? To make them laugh–have a bit of fun, in order to help remind them that they are at church and they came for a purpose?

Obviously this video was used at the start of the service…not right after a gut-wrenching, tear-drenched ballad of Brooke Fraser’s “Hosanna”. Obviously we only used it once or twice (it would get lame if you used this video every time we did the song). Obviously we let all the chuckles out and brought people’s attention to worship after the fun. The two times we used this video, I noticed a level of engagement in the services that pleasantly surprised me.

So I apologize for this lengthy post in a site filled with short-and-sweeties. I’d like to hear your opinion. What do you think? I’m willing to change my mind if you bribe me enough. But please let’s keep this discussion civil and loving. :)

“In Essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.” – Augustine

This site’s an attempt at creating a brainstorming community among Christian stage designers…what’s your input?

(Don’t worry…the image above is a 3d rendering…those aren’t weird looking alien people. As far as I know they don’t exist.)

Watch the video right here, then download all the video files in zipped format below.

Download the Videos