A couple of months ago one of the men in our church, a fella named Gene Michalak came up to me with the idea to put our Elevation services on local community cable TV. He said he'd be willing to go take the training at community television to be well-prepared for the task. He also noted that as a result he would be able to check out and utilize all of their cameras and equipment free of charge. He also mentioned that Community Cable would be glad to put us on weekly for at no charge and play it several times a week.
Initially I felt kind of uncomfortable about being on television, I didn't want people to think I was one of those guys; you know the guys with the clear plexiglass podium, who jones after your benjamins, and who try to grab the wool and yank it firmly down over your occipital lobes. I've never had a desire to be on TV or radio or write books or do any of the other things that many people look at as being symbols of ministerial success. So this is a stretch for me personally. I want to love and shepherd the people God gives me, reach out to those unconvinced around me and teach his Word faithfully, that's all.
Gene reminded me that this would be an opportunity for people to see Elevation in action, people who might not come through the doors without seeing it first. He noted community tv would be a good way to reach out to our community since our worship service and teaching looks and feels very different from the other church services on community cable in our area.
As a result Elevation services is now on community cable television 8 to 12 times a week, free of any charge to Elevation.
Church planters take note - if you have some folks who like to play with cameras and computers would be willing to go get trained at the local cable TV station... - if it's like ours they can check out the gear for free your service will be broadcast free. This is also great opportunity to incarnationally plug-in with people that work at community TV in your town and serve them.
All I need now is a plexiglass podium...
Some Show-times coming up are: Tue 09/14/10 10:00 PM, Wed 09/15/10 06:30 PM, Thu 09/16/10 11:00 AM, Sun 09/19/10 06:00 AM, Mon 09/20/10 04:00 PM
Comcast channel 27/ Charter cable channel 73 Santa Cruz County only
For more listings in the future, see their website http://www.communitytv.org/schedule
Huge thanks and props go out to Gene and his partner in media crime, Peter Moore, as well as the local guys at Community Cable who have been a blessing and great help to us!
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