Progressive Eric Elnes, who splashed onto the national scene with a walk across America and the popular Phoenix Affirmations, is keeping a step ahead with a new ministry in his church called Darkwood Brew. It’s an online TV show that’s got music, interviews, and Bible talk to help others in their walk with Jesus.
Eric says this latest venture into new media has served to invigorate his church, and many others, as they work to produce Bible Study content for small group leaders. Eric says small groups are the bedrock of new vitality not just in his church, but other mainline congregations. I was inspired by Eric’s contagious passion for Christ and his willingness to celebrate the new opportunities of our inventive age, you may be too.
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Duration 49:41
Eric is committed to equipping his small group leaders with practical, top quality curriculums, so he uses his media studio to produce such topical studies as ‘Praying for Revolution,’ ‘If Love Wins,’ and ‘Hope: A Pessimist’s Guide.’
Answer Questions People Are Asking
The success of Darkwood Brew, Eric says, is listening to the religious curiosities all around him. People are encouraged to ask any question they have about God, which Eric will try to address.
Seize the Day
Eric is convinced that later generations will look back at this time of radical technological and social change as a turning point on par with The Reformation. He says church leaders need to recognize the incredible moment in time we are experiencing and make the most of it by being open to the newness unfolding all around us.
Eric Elnes is senior pastor of Countryside Community Church (UCC) in Omaha, NE, with a Ph.D. in Biblical studies from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of a number of books and articles on worship, theology, and Bible, including Asphalt Jesus, The Phoenix Affirmations, and Igniting Worship. Having entered ministry with a strong aversion to technology in worship, Elnes ironically is recognized for his innovations in this area. Starting with his development of The Studio multisensory worship in Scottsdale, AZ, and most recently with OnFaithOnline.tv, his work suggests that mainline Christians are not only capable of using technology beneficially in worship and teaching, but can change the whole paradigm of how its use is conceived. (www.darkwoodbrew.org)
Books Eric Recommends:
Anam Cara – John O’Donohue
Listening for the Heartbeat of God – J. Philip Newell
The Heart Aroused – David Whyte
Sponsors I Mentioned
Church Post - If you are looking to improve your church’s communications you’ve got to check out this great email platform. I’ve found it easy-to-use, reliable, and John, Debra and Kim are great to work with.
Wistia – If you’re still hosting your videos at YouTube or another ‘free’ video sharing site you know the drawbacks. Wistia helps me put out great looking videos and see who’s watching for how long. The Wistia staff is easy to work with and very professional.
The Grow My Church Store- Everything from mugs to pens to fridge magnets, this is a promotional products store aimed at helping churches become closer communities, more hospitable, and welcoming. I started this store and shop there often because I couldn’t find anywhere else to go for these products.
