Modern Parables (Compass Cinema) is an original film-based Bible study curriculum based on Jesus’ parables. It uses short films of the parables combined with teaching by pastors and in-depth study materials to create an entirely new learning experience.

Modern Parables seeks to re-create the emotional immediacy that Jesus’ 1st-century audience felt when hearing the parables. It does this by using some of the best parable scholarship and exploring it through creative filmmaking. The gut-level understanding made possible visual immersion can often foster deeper understanding of the Bible.   

Worth revisiting. 

Great news if you're looking for the place where media & the Church converge.  COLLIDE Magazine has a brand spankin' new, redesigned website.  It's less than 48 hours old.  

And how can I resist mentioning COLLIDE when several Digital contributors are featured in the magazine's new May/June issue.  Odd happenstance?  I don't think so; it's more like Spirit-led inspiration if you ask me.  

Our Digital contributors in COLLIDE include:

Aaron Linne (Mr. Vimeo himself) His article, Stop Throwing Sheep, explores how we can use Facebook applications to spread the messege.

Cynthia Ware My article, Technology and the Virtual Church, was written to inspire early adopters of new media technologies to forge ahead.

Joe Suh (MyChurch.org founder) Joe's interview explains how social networking can serve local churches and facilitate their members connecting online.

Additionally, there are a lot of other good resources, articles and reviews in the magazine and while you're visiting the new website, it's easy to get a risk-free issue or subscription. 

Congratulations again, Tim Stevens, on Pop Goes the Church making the cover with some amazing graphics by Barton Damer.  And speaking of Barton and his way good digital media skills… you didn't think I was going to forget to show off some of his video maneuvers did you? 

Not when they feature this August's Echo Conference…..

ECHO Full Promo Video from barton Damer on Vimeo.

Fellowship Technologies is hosting it's 2nd annual Dynamic Church Conference in about a month.  If you are a church leader who wants to know more about ChMS, learn more about leveraging the power of the internet, networking with partners, etc., please join us in Dallas, May 15 – 17. 

Because there are two Leadership Network Digital contributors on the speaker list, I thought you'd like to know we'll be at the Frisco Convention Center.  We'd love to meet you.  Here's more of what's offered:

    * An pre-conference called 'Power Start' with six different, personalized training classes 
    * 60% more sessions across six different tracks, both Beginner & Advanced user levels
    * Guest speakers include:

            Terry Storch, Digerati Pastor, LifeChurch.tv and YouVersion.com

            Joe Suh, Founder, MyChurch.org

            Cynthia Ware, Pastor, Writer, Blogger, The Digital Sanctuary

    * 50% more hands-on training labs, both Beginner & Advanced
    * Dedicated Q & A – 'Ask the Experts' with Fellowship Technologies staff
    * Free wireless Internet throughout the conference facilities   
    * Free 2 hour live worship concert featuring Lincoln Brewster   
    * And much, much more!  

Although I only got to go for 1 day, causing me to miss a couple of the speakers I had hoped to hear, I had a great time at the Awaken 2008 Conference put on by Mosaic in Pasadena.  Erwin McManus did the hosting and I did get to hear an evangelism panel discussion with Lee Strobel, Mark Mittleberg, Rick McKinley, Dan Kimball and Eric Michael Bryant.

And speaking of Eric, he was kind enough to get me in at the last minute unexpectedly and he made sure my registration was covered because I could only be there for the day.  And he reminded me that he's  making a special offer at his website on his book Peppermint-Filled Pinatas – if you buy a case, he'll give you a case free!  You can find my interview with Eric about the book here.

I was also able to visit a couple of booths.  I got to talk to the Sermon Spice folks whose beautiful media resources you've read about here.  I also got to meet the founder of a prayer application called Kindle Joy.  I hope to look into this product further and if you've used Kindle Joy let me know.

I also got to share time with Mynhardt & Lisha Van Pletsen who were wonderful to connect with.  Timely, too, as they only have months left in the US before returning to South Africa.  More on the launch of their the bread & wine.org soon, I promise.

By the way, Dan Kimball – who I practically ran into jumping out of a PT Cruiser (I know, so appropriate) – wrote a good Awaken wrap up here with a photo of wired DJ Chuang in all his orange-ness.  My wrap up can't complete with his and neither can my iPhone photo of DJ.

Erwin McManus & the red sofa

  Mark Batterson out of the pit & onto the big screen

  Me, Mynhardt Van Pletsen, DJ Chaung, Lisha Van Pletsen

The Freeze Project, a movement designed to bring awareness about social injustices via creative means, will converge in Santa Monica today at the 3rd Street Promenade. 

The project will be held in conjunction with Just One, One Voice to End Slavery, and new media award winner Stop the Traffik.  All the details are on the website & Facebook.  

In case you're wondering what in the world does an event like this have to do with new media & the Church, it's an example of how collections of individuals are leveraging online technologies for drawing attention to their causes.  These online promotions are gaining momentum, especially with non-profits and especially targeted at youth. 

Additionally, we see that such online connections bridge chasms.  The new media break down traditional communication barriers (i.e. geography) and reassemble individuals in groups based on interests, beliefs, values, and other commonalities. Furthermore, as in this case, they can mobilize individuals into groups and result in action.

Next thing you know, believers will be meeting in flash mobs to pray.  I mean, it is LA.  

HT: Charles Lee