Here’s this week’s roundup of articles, freebies, videos, deals, and more from Faithlife.
J.I. Packer is easily one of the most influential evangelical theologians of the twentieth-century. In the Faithlife TV original documentary Known by God: An Interview with J.I. Packer, the celebrated author reflects on his life ministry and legacy.
Watch it now with a free trial to Faithlife TV Plus.
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All too often, the job of making visitors feel welcome in your church is relegated to a couple of faithful volunteers who stand by the entry each Sunday morning, extending the right hand of fellowship with a friendly smile.
You know who I’m talking about. Aren’t you glad those brave souls take care of greeting visitors, so you don’t have to?
Actually, no, this is a team sport. While we can’t change people’s hearts or control how they respond to an encounter with Jesus, we can take very real steps to encourage whoever God sends our way.
Looking for a bargain on Christian books and other resources? Look no further. We’ve rounded up this weeks best deals on Christian resources from Faithlife. You even have the chance to win a Logos Bible Software package worth over $10,000!
Read on, and stock up!
Summer is here at last, which means it’s the perfect time to catch up on your reading or relax with a great Christian movie. Here’s a roundup of free books, new movies, great deals on Christian resources, and other ways to while away the summer hours with something truly meaningful.
Finding fresh graphics for church slide shows, websites, or bulletins doesn’t have to be a weekly headache, time pit, or drain on your church resources. On the road to protecting your budget from unwanted bumps and bruises, cheap is good, and free is better, right?
Maybe. Common wisdom says it’s good to be aware of the agenda behind the offer. (Yes, there usually is one.) Some free alternatives may not provide everything you need.
But don’t give up just yet. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned graphic artist, here are four safe ways to score high-quality (and non-cheesy!) graphic resources. Each one will breathe new life into your weekly presentations, from pre-service announcements to song lyrics slides. What’s more, they’ll provide cost-effective solutions today—and into the future.
We thought it could never happen to one of us. Until it did—and medical missionary Dr. Kent Brantly became the first American diagnosed with the deadly ebola virus in July, 2014.
But we still haven’t heard the whole story—until now, in the new documentary on Faithlife TV from Samaritan’s Purse, Facing Darkness.
Despite every precaution, Dr. Brantly contracted the disease while treating patients in the midst of Liberia’s horrendous epidemic. Co-worker Nancy Writebol also became ill around the same time. And though the outbreak would ultimately claim more than 11,000 African victims, the fate of the Americans would dominate headlines worldwide.
Beyond headlines, Facing Darkness reveals how God intervened in ways medical professionals have yet to explain, and brings us face-to-face with Christians who disregarded their own safety to help save thousands of lives. As Dr. Brantly explains in the film, “Medicine is a way to love your neighbor as yourself.”
Yet if Facing Darkness helps explain the “why?” behind one doctor’s selfless attitude, it also poses an unsettling question for the audience: Are Christians always sheltered from the storm, or sometimes called to serve directly in it?
This critically acclaimed documentary received top honors at the Heartland Film Festival and standing ovations at special viewing events.
Now it’s available through Faithlife TV across North America for pre-orders until the July 11 release date, and after that for instant streaming on your Roku, Apple TV, or other device. Learn more.
Note: Although the redemptive storyline will inspire the entire family, some scenes may be too intense for younger (under 10) viewers. This is, after all, a story of Christians who ran toward the plague, not away from it.
Release date: July 11, 2017 (U.S. and Canada only)
Every person has a unique journey to your doorstep. A story that led them to your church.
Maybe they just moved into town after years of being highly involved in a church that’s now miles away—and you’re conveniently located near their new apartment. Maybe a friend has been inviting them for months and they finally gave in. Maybe your latest community service project impacted them personally, and they decided to come check you out. Maybe your last sermon directly addressed something they’re going through—and your church shared it on social media.
Whatever their story is, they discovered you and decided to show up.
You can’t control how people find your church, and you can’t force them to come back. But every time a new person discovers your church, you have the opportunity to become part of their story—and you give them the opportunity to become part of a much bigger story.
“Think of [your website] as like your online home base,” says Justin Wise, author of The Social Church. When people arrive at your website, they should be able to find their way around and get an accurate feel for what it’s like to set foot in your church.
“Before people come to our actual churches, they’re checking us out online,” Justin says. If your church website isn’t optimized for visitors, people who find you online have a hard time deciding if you’re worth checking out in person.
It’s not hard for a church to be on social media. But it takes a lot of work to do it well.
In an interview with Faithlife Today, Justin Wise, author of The Social Church: A Theology of Digital Communication, shared some things every church should know about social media.
Imagine if every small group in your church started with a 10 minute video lesson taught by a prominent seminary or Bible college professor.
The videos were designed for the classroom, so they’re perfect for watching together. The content is focused on a topic or biblical book of your choice. The teachers are known, respected, and depended on by pastors around the country. And the small group is the perfect setting to grow together.
This could be the reality for your church. Right now.