The WHM Blog

I wear glasses which, for the most part, make my eyesight pretty close to perfect. I can see things at a distance with pretty decent clarity. BUT – not everyone in your congregation is that way… particularly some of the older or more visually-challenged folks in your church.

That’s why my lyric slides have to pass the squint test. Not only do I need to be able to see the lyrics clearly with my glasses on, but I also need to be able to make out the basic shapes of the words when I squint my eyes. This is as close as I can get to simulating poor eyesight (if I remove my glasses altogether I probably won’t even know I’m looking at a screen).

A couple of examples of slides that pass the squint test:

A couple of examples of slides that fail the squint test:

These are both fairly obvious examples, considering that one is dark text on a dark background and the other light text on a light background, but the principle holds true for some that aren’t so obvious…

Squint a little and if your slides are still legible, your lyric slides are good to go!

We at Salem Church Products are mega excited about the newest addition to our family of sites, VideosForYouth.com. If you or someone you know is the youth pastor, student minister, nextgen guy, or if you just have a goatee and wear cargo shorts year-round, this is your one-stop shop for great video illustrations, funny viral videos (somethings’s got to reel those 14 year old boys back in), countdowns, worship backgrounds, and more. We have great stuff from some of your favorite, well-trusted media producers like Skit Guys, onetimeblind, YouthMinistry360, and the list goes on.

And don’t miss the free download from Johnny and Chachi and Igniter Media: Killer Youth Ministry Tips.

Once again, we loved being a part of the Create Conference in St. Catharines, ON, Canada this year. (For those of you not up on your Canadian geography, that’s just short trip over the border from Buffalo, NY and Niagara Falls.) The organizers of the event put heart, soul, and a little elbow grease into creating a space where church creatives can be inspired and equipped. So thankful for all their hard work in serving the church.

Ben Cantelon led worship for the conference, and it was really cool to see motion backgrounds being used by one of our Canadian producers, Church Motion Graphics. These were the motions used:

http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/38338/Awesome-Blend
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/36957/Elements-Rain-Down
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/35229/Starlight-Falling-Stars
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/36959/Elements-Dark-Sky
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/37894/Emerging-Light-Cross
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/35230/Starlight-Blue-Flare
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/37888/Emerging-Light-Freedom
http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/26338/Lcd-Datastream

We also hosted a mini-movie premiere featuring new videos from Dan Stevers, Media that Matters, and the Inspire Collective. If you haven’t seen their new stuff yet, check them out here.

Father’s Day can be a great time to laugh about dads but also to be inspired about our dads as well. Here are a couple of videos that I think would inspire in a good way!

 - “The Discovery’ by StudiOrange

Growing up, I thought my dad could do anything. He always seemed like the strongest, and wisest man I could ever know. If I had a problem I knew my dad could always take care of me.

That isn’t to say that my high-view of my dad has changed now that I’ve gotten older but that time when I was a young boy is still very special in my heart because of how I realized now how great my dad was and is.

“The Discovery” resonates with me because as I was into superheroes as a boy, I felt like I had one living in my house! This video is great to help people appreciate the great dads out there as well as encourage men to be the kind of Dad that would make their children think they are superhuman.

-The Adventure of Fatherhood by Igniter Media

I am not a father yet, but as I would be blessed and excited to be one day it is crucial to understand the weight of fatherhood lest I enter into it cavalierly as many do with regards to parenthood. “The Adventure of Fatherhood” does a wonderful job of using this visual metaphor to show that being a father is shaping, guiding, protecting, serving, leading and loving a child and guiding them toward our Heavenly Father. This is a can’t miss!

Father’s Day is this weekend! If you haven’t picked out the media you’ll use in this year’s Father’s Day service, there is still time! We have a lot of great mini movies, countdowns, and backgrounds in our Father’s Day Seasonal Store to help you honor the dads in your church. We wanted to share some of our favorite Father’s Day videos this week to help you out! Here are some humorous dad videos that we like, including some best sellers and some brand new videos! Preview them below, or check them all out here.

Fatherhood by Skit Guys Studios

The Discovery by studiOrange

Dads Know by Centerline New Media

Ode To Fathers by RomanMedia

My Dream Father’s Day by The Sound Tank

Our video blog is back with an installment to help you find the right video for Father’s Day this year! We have some great choices. While Luke is out representing WHM at the Create Conference Dale gives you the scoop this week on 3 of our favorites.  What is your choice for a video this year?

Our Father’s Day picks for this week:

Father’s Day Prayer: Floodgate Productions

Thanks Dad: Gentz Studios

Fatherhood: Skit Guys Studios

This week we are in Canada at the Create Conference. We partnered with Create to host a producer showcase where several amazing videos were premiered, including new videos by Dan Stevers, Media That Matters, and The Inspire Collective. You don’t want to miss these amazing new videos that were just released today on WHM! Check them out below:

Evermore by Dan Stevers

Worship by Media That Matters

The Workshop by The Inspire Collective

Father’s Day is around the corner, and we have a lot of really great content for you in the Father’s Day Seasonal Store, adding new videos each week! And of course that includes theme packs, one of our favorite things! We picked out some of our favorite packs for Father’s Day, to help you have a seamless service honoring the dads in your church. Check out our favorites, and be sure to check out more Father’s Day media in our Father’s Day Seasonal Store!

Service Pack: Father’s Day Volume 3 by Centerline New Media

Father’s Day Theme Pack by 4ThoughtMedia

A Very Special Daddy Collection by Steelehouse Media Group (includes the best selling mini-movie!)

We Salute You, Dads Title Graphics Collection by Igniter Media

Tell us, which theme pack will you use for your Father’s Day service? See all of our Father’s Day themed collections here.