The video “Our Mission Field,” has an extremely important reminder. There is just as much of a need to reach our own culture with the gospel as there is in reaching other countries. I talked with Shane Sooter, Artistic Director/President of City on a Hill Productions, the company that created the video, about the gaining momentum of using visual media to reach the unchurched.

City On a Hill is a high-quality, non-profit production company that uses the language of film to tell contemporary stories of faith that speak to the heart. Located in Louisville, KY the seven year-old ministry has produced a variety of short dramatic films and multi-episode DVD based small group studies including H2O: A Journey of Faith, The Easter Experience, and not a fan.

Shane was Co-Director for: The Perfect Stranger, Another Perfect Stranger and The Stranger TV Series (3 episodes). He received his BFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University.

Shane, where do you see media today?

Two things have changed our world as a media ministry. The first is technology. We couldn’t have existed ten years ago. The tools are just so much cheaper. The second is the adoption of story-driven media on a large scale. We’ve never seen this before. More important than the content being created, is the mindset that’s being represented. It’s a foundational shift in the way the church looks at media as a tool.

It’s an exciting time with unprecedented and limitless possibilities. So many things are coming together to accelerate our work. It makes me excited to see what Christ is going to do with media to further His kingdom.

So the church is ready for using visual media?

The front runner churches have really grasped media as a tool within their worship experience and as a resource for small groups. However, whether it’s by God’s design, or it’s just people’s unwillingness to change, it always seems the church-at-large lags a decade behind the rest of the world.

To do story-driven media with actors and drama is much harder to pull off than cool backgrounds for a worship chorus or a sixty-second countdown at the beginning of a service. It’s a lot riskier, but more churches are going for it and I think the majority will follow.

How good a job is the church doing in using media for outreach?

I think they haven’t come close to maximizing its potential for reaching those who aren’t already sitting in the pews. It’s such a new tool that I don’t think they know how to use it yet. Quite frankly, that may be a good thing. I’m excited that churches are embracing media, but the media at many churches is not yet ready for public consumption. It’s media that is blessing the church, and edifying people in the services, but the people who don’t go to church don’t measure media by what the church has done before. They measure by the TV show they watched last night or the movie they went to see.

We always say at City on a Hill that the theology of what we do is critical, but if the quality’s not there, people outside the church won’t listen.

Practically speaking, how would you coach an organization into getting started?

If you’re just beginning, I would take the resourcing route. Go out and identify the tools that have been the most effective, produced by people that know what they’re doing. Tools that have been test driven in churches. Then, embrace some of those tools and learn how to integrate them into the life of your church and into your outreach strategy.

Creating your own tools is ultimately the future of media in the church, but in my opinion, you need to start with people not technology. If you needed a senior pastor, you would go on a fairly exhaustive search to find the right person, the person who has the right skills, the right knowledge. Most churches don’t take that approach when it comes to media.

I think you will achieve more, more quickly, by finding a skilled media professional, even if it’s somebody right out of college. Churches hire pastors right out of college all the time. They’ve got a lot to learn, but they’re equipped. I think if you take that approach, and get skilled people into the churches, then you’re set up for success.

You can also find an individual, a freelancer, who does media. Put them on retainer. The technology is there for the taking, if you’ve got somebody that knows how to use it.

Can only large churches aspire to using visual media?

No, not at all. I would argue that a small church can use media just as effectively as a big church. While Director of Drama at Southeast Christian, a church of 20,000, I recognized that the tools we were creating with media would be just as powerful in a church of 50 or in somebody’s home. They transfer fully. I thought, there’s a huge opportunity for resourcing the kingdom at large and that’s part of the mindset that led to the formation of our ministry.

Could a group of churches or organizations get together and share the cost of producing resources that would target the needs of their community?

A project we’re working on now is called “The Life Project.” We’re working with a number of Crisis Pregnancy Centers to develop a full library of resources that would meet all their media needs no matter what size they are or where they are. So that may be a precursor of what you’re talking about.

What does the future of media look like?

The future of media is I want it, when I want it, where I want it on the device of my choosing. We’re trying to get on the leading edge of how we can deliver our resources in the widest number of ways. Future technologies will rival television and eventually the big screen. People will walk around with the screen all day long and they will want their media with them.

If you could address an auditorium full of Christian communicators, what advice would you give to help them see the power of media?

Story is the language of our hearts. Media is the language of our times. We use both to share Jesus with the world. City on a Hill

Christian communicators can best understand the power of media by recognizing that they’re already to some degree acquainted with the power of story. Good communicators are often good storytellers. If they think of the way that the culture around them consumes story, the vast majority of it is in the form of media. It’s not about entertaining people in the pews, it’s about entertaining people into the church.

That would be my challenge to Christian communicators. You understand the power of story. Embrace the power of media. And use both to share Jesus with the world.

On June 24-25, 2006, Bob Russell preached his final sermon as Senior Minister of Southeast Christian Church, the 6th largest church in America. I was there and had the privilege of seeing Bob pass the baton of leadership to Dave Stone, his handpicked successor, and teaching pastor Kyle Idleman. More than ever, Bob believes stepping aside at the peak of his ministry was the right thing.

In Transition Plan: 7 Secrets Every Leader Needs to Know (Ministers Label Publishing), Bob Russell tells the whole story. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Bob about his new book, the importance of succession planning and life after retirement.

Q: Bob, it’s great to talk with you again. Of all the great lessons of effective leadership you could have written about from your 40 years of ministry at Southeast, why did you choose this topic? Why do you think this is such an important issue for our time?

Well, I chose that because I think it’s one thing we did well. I think it’s rare, in churches especially, that preachers are able to pass the baton and the church continues to move forward.

I’ve seen so many examples of churches that have either stagnated or declined when the minister left. I’ve seen examples of preachers who have hung on too long or have actually worked against their successor.

So I feel like this is really a needed topic in churches. And it’s been a hot topic in business as well.

Q: When did you first become aware that putting a succession plan in place was something God wanted you to do?

It was in the back of my mind for several decades, to be honest with you, because of a situation that I had seen in my home church when I was a little boy.

We had an elderly pastor in his eighties. They asked him to step aside because he had outgrown his effectiveness, and it was a sad time for Dad who really loved this preacher. For a period of months, this preacher wouldn’t even speak to my Dad, because he was one of the elders who had asked him to step down. And this preacher stayed on in the church and made it really difficult for the young man in his early twenties that succeeded him.

So having that image in my mind all throughout my ministry, I thought … when the time comes I want to make sure I step down before people start questioning whether I’ve outlived my effectiveness. And I want to step aside in the most gracious way possible.

Q: You say the five years you spent with the Elder Board carefully planning and executing the transition process were some of the most important years of your ministry.

I felt like if Southeast’s ministry was going to continue on, these four or five years of planning would impact the next decade, or two.

In fact, when I brought it up, it was toward the end of a long elder’s meeting, and it got a little silent there. One of the young elders said, “Guys, this is huge. What we’re beginning to talk about here is bigger than anything we’ve discussed at this entire meeting or maybe even in the last several months.”

I think from the very beginning everybody understood it was big.

Q: What was the toughest aspect of the transition for you personally?

There was a lot of it that was tough. Everybody’s got an ego. And the sense of losing control, losing importance, is tough.

I guess I would say, the toughest part was the reduced number of times that I was preaching. I love to preach. I enjoy writing sermons. And to not be up on Sunday morning when I was accustomed to doing that 48 out of 52 Sunday’s a year … that was probably the hardest for me.

Q: What were the last days at Southeast like for you?

The church was very gracious to me in the last few months. I say in the book that they went overboard, to the place where even I was sick of hearing about it. (laughter)

Looking back, I think it’s good for the church to find a way to say good-bye, because in a sense, it’s like somebody dying and there needs to be a grief process. But, once that itch is scratched, then I think people are ready to go on to the next phase.

After Southeast had finally said good-bye to me, it was finally over, the next Sunday that Dave Stone gets up, he just walks to the pulpit and everybody stands up and applauds. That was, number one, an affirmation of saying to Dave we’re going to do everything we can to support you. And number two, it was a way of the congregation saying we’re ready to turn the page.

Q: How is the retirement plan going and what do you mainly focus your time on these days?

Retirement shouldn’t be regarded as a phase of self-indulgence but of service.

I’ve been reminded that the Lord has another phase for me.  And I’ve done a number of things the last four years that have been really, really gratifying.

My life is spent primarily now in counseling and encouraging ministers all across the country. And I not only do that through mentoring groups and through seminars that I conduct, but every day all most I get e-mails and phone calls from younger pastors asking, “Can I tell my situation to you? Can I run it by you?”

Preachers don’t have that many people they can talk to. Because of the experience I had at Southeast, because of my age, I think they feel comfortable turning to me.

I have really enjoyed this role.

Q: What do you think of the Social Media phenomenon? Do you see a role for new media and technology in evangelism?

It’s amazing how many of the younger people get their information from the Internet and how effective the Internet is for sharing information. We all know there’s a lot of evil that takes place there, but the church has an incredible opportunity to take the gospel worldwide on the Internet.

I’ve just been reading a book called Hipster Christianity, and it talks about how some young pastors and church leaders are almost obsessed with being cool and being edgy and impressing the world with image. And I think we have to be careful that we don’t become so super concerned with the coolness of our website or the edginess of the gospel that we preach, that we detract from Jesus’ call for us to be counter culture and to be distinctive people.

Q: You recently returned to Southeast to talk about the Restoration Revolution. What is that?

The National Missionary Convention combined with thirty Bible college presidents, have banded together because they see an alarming trend of declining number of people interested in the pulpit ministry and the mission field. Bible college enrollment has remained about the same but the number of students interested in ministry is declining. This is at a time when our movement is one of the few that is growing.

So this doesn’t pose well for the future when Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” We’re not producing the laborers for the future harvest.

The Restoration Revolution was formed by this coalition and their goal is to recruit 10,000 new harvesters–missionaries and ministers–over the next decade.

Q: What kind of response did you have?

My appeal that weekend was for people to understand that while everybody’s a priest and we’re into discipleship, there’s a special calling for men and women to be missionaries and ministers. God has equipped some to be pastors and teachers “to prepare God’s people for works of service” the Bible says.

More than 70 responded.

So I made an appeal. I said we’re praying, that there would be at least one youth in this service who at the end will say, “I’m ready to change my vocation plans.” More than 70 responded. I said I should’ve prayed for three. (laughter)

It was an overwhelming response. We were just thrilled.

In preaching, Gordon, there are a few times in life, they’re not often enough, but there are a few times where you sense a double outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I would have to say in the last three or four minutes of that sermon, all three times I preached it, I knew that the Lord was speaking to people through me. And that is a humbling and awesome experience.

(You can watch a video of Bob’s sermon International Harvesters here.)

Bob, I know you don’t think that Southeast’s transition plan is a cookie cutter model for everybody to follow. But, as you mentioned in the book, the process you went through asks the right questions, introduces the right subjects, and can stimulate thought and discussion.

I pray many will read Transition Plan and be helped by it’s lessons. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us.

Retired Senior Minister Bob Russell delivered “A Prayer for Mom” on Mother’s Day, 2004. Happy Mother’s Day!

Thank you, Lord for this opportunity to pay tribute to our mothers.

Thank you for those who endured the disfiguring of the body, morning sickness, months of discomfort, anxious moments and excruciating pain to bring us into the world. We were oblivious then.

We give you thanks for her endurance now.

Heavenly Father; You said, “In pain you will bring forth children.”

It’s obvious that prophecy wasn’t limited to labor pains. There is ongoing emotional pain that every mother experiences. And today we want to pause and thank You, and them, for the hurt they tolerated for us.

Thanks that our mothers climbed out of bed at 3 a.m. to feed us when we were hungry and held her nose to clean up after us when we were sick. We weren’t capable of saying thanks then. We do now.

Thanks that our mothers sat on hard bleachers in the hot sun for hours to see us perform for a few seconds and then fought back tears when we struck out. Or agonized during a missed note in a recital and then reassured us on the way home that we did great.

Forgive her, Lord, when she when she wasn’t totally truthful, but she knew what we needed to hear. We were probably too immature to say thanks then–we do now.

It’s not pleasant to repeatedly correct improper behavior, tolerate insolence and stay up late worrying about a teenager’s safety. We resented her sometimes then–we say thanks now.

Lord, it had to hurt when she worked for hours preparing a special meal, no one said anything positive when it was over in 15 minutes and everyone went their selfish way while mom was left to clean up alone. She must have felt so taken for granted then. We say thanks for her sacrifices now.

Thanks for moms who taught us about the Bible. We never even dreamed that she could be tired and would just as soon put us to bed without reading about Moses in the bulrushes again. We thought she was in a rut then. We say thanks for her perseverance now.

Lord, it’s got to be extremely painful to see a child, who was loved and instructed about You, leave home and forsake that teaching. When a child goes to the far country, there’s a sense in which a sword pierces the mother’s soul. We laughed at her pleading then. We give you thanks for her devotion now.

Help us to find some way today to encourage her and to let her know that we finally notice and are appreciative.

For those whose mothers are no longer living, would you communicate for us and reward them accordingly? Thank you that you see what is done in secret and you have promised that one day you will reward openly.

Father, none of us has a perfect mom. Instead of blaming them for what ails us, help us to forgive and understand as we want You to forgive and understand us.

It’s in the strong but tender name of Jesus that we pray.

(Courtesy of The Southeast Outlook)

–

Bob Russell retired from his position as the senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky where he served for 40 years. During his tenure, Southeast grew to become one of the ten largest churches in America. Russell is nationally known and respected for his clear biblical preaching. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including When God Builds a Church, When God Answers Prayer and “Transitions.”

Sermons from Bob Russell’s preaching archives are broadcast every week on the SermonCast Channel.

No one who walks in the door for their appointment at the Toy Store has had an easy year. Single moms like Jennifer Hitt and Janae Jones work several jobs to meet the needs of their families. Sometimes making income stretch to cover food, clothing and bills is like balancing on a high wire.

The toy store was a life-saver for Southeast member Kristal Summers, 27. She had no idea how to provide Christmas for her five children, ages 18 months to 11 years old, before coming to the Toy Store.

It wasn’t at all what she expected.

Long rows of tables packed with the latest toys that fill shelves at area stores like Target and Wal Mart. Ride ‘ems, electronic toys, art supplies, My Little Pet Shop, Fisher Price, games, dolls, trucks and sports equipment covered tables arranged by age groups.

A volunteer helped her find just the right books, Tonka trucks, Barbies and games.

And when her cart was full with three toys for each child, she rested in the hospitality room and enjoyed a snack while volunteers wrapped her gifts in colorful paper and added bows.

Summers’ name is on each gift tag. Southeast is a silent partner in her Christmas.

“This is so amazing,” Summers said.

When her gifts were ready, a volunteer helped her load them in her trunk and added a big box crammed with food. She wasn’t expecting that, either.

Hitt found My Little Ponies for her 6-year-old and a pink fleece jacket for her 12-year-old, but the biggest find was a brand new Lite Brite. Her children played with the Lite Brite that Hitt had used as a child until it wouldn’t work anymore and had to be retired.

“I’m so excited about this,” she said. “This was here just for us. It’s perfect.” Hitt is a member of Southeast. She works several jobs to care for her family, but finds time to volunteer in Daybreak, a ministry to single moms.”This toy store helps a lot,” she said. “I feel guilty because I know people in worse shape.”

A blessing to volunteers

Volunteers might argue that the Toy Store is a bigger blessing to them than it is to the shoppers.

On Saturday, Sam White helped scores of families choose gifts for their children. “This is my chance to do something for someone else,” he said. “I met people like Andre, who lost his job through no fault of his own. He has an interview next week. I’ll be praying for him.”

Randy Cummins volunteered on Saturday. A few weeks ago, he buried his 20-year-old daughter, Blakely. “I’m better when I’m here,” he said.

Melanie Cox, who directs outreach at the Berrytown YMCA, brought several moms to the Toy Store. In that community, just three miles from Southeast, need is always front and center. “This means a lot to our families,” Cox said. When we don’t have Kids’ Café, we know many of our children don’t get a meal. They depend on us for food and school supplies.”

A bridge to relationships

Janae Jones’ three children have been in the Berrytown after-school outreach program for the last four years. It’s a lifesaver while Jones is at work. “This means so much,” she said. “I always feel like I struggle with three kids, but the things on these tables are exactly what they hoped for. We are so grateful to be part of this.”

Debbie Ward, who leads the Serve Ministry at Southeast, said the Toy Store was far more than just another giveaway.

“The Toy Store is all about relationships. We know our partners. They know each person they invite to come,” she said. “This year we doubled the number of families we served. The congregation made that happen. No agency or staff could have made that happen. The generosity of our members and the relationships we’ve developed with our partners made it happen.”

Libby came to the Toy Store with A Loving Choice, a pro-life center in Shelbyville. Her husband had recently abandoned her and their three children, 10, 5 and 1 year old. She pulled a thin sweater around her shoulders to ward off the wind. ”This is such a blessing,” she said in Spanish. “Gracias.”

Sheila Day, who founded Mom’s closet, a ministry to single parents, brought 13 moms to the Toy Store and watched them shop for their families. “This is overwhelming,” Day said. “We are collaborating together to help women who are caught in this position.”

Denny Dillman, Urban Outreach Minister, overheard many conversations at the Toy Store. “The toys are amazing,” he said. “People at Southeast were so generous in a tough year. They bought the same toys for these children that they bought for their own, but it’s not really about the toys. It’s about the relationships volunteers forge. They are as excited as the parents. I’d often hear a collective oh or ah when they’d find the right gift.”

A lifesaver

The Toy Store was almost closed when Lisa Acree and Jessica Kingsbury made it to the church through heavy traffic. They were afraid they’d miss it. Both are staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Kosair Children’s Hospital in downtown Louisville.

Acree’s son, Stephen, is battling cancer. Kingsbury’s newborn son also is critical. The outreach was a lifesaver. Neither parent has left the hospital for weeks. Prayer that their children will be healed is at the top of their wish lists, but they came to shop for their other children. Though Christmas is way down on their daily survival list, they were excited to find some special gifts for their other children.

“This is amazing,” Acree said through tears. “I had no idea how to provide Christmas for my family. I wish I knew how to thank everybody who made this happen.”

By Ruth Schenk, The Southeast Outlook | rschenk@secc.org