The Daily Telegraph, based in Sydney, has just done a feature on Tom Stuart’s DVD sermons. Tom’s based in Parkes and resources a number of small rural congregations. But instead of delivering a sermon in each little place he’s prepared a sermon, recorded it on video camera and sent it out on DVD. It’s a good move. Also included in the package is a selection of childrens songs and hymns. I had a look at some of them earlier this year. Some of the music is a bit daggy. But the concept is great. The locals certainly appreciate being able to meet at their own building without having to burn themselves out preparing new learning material each week.
Here’s the introduction from Samantha Williams’ article in the Daily Telegraph from August 22:
“A REVEREND dressed as a bushman isn’t what you expect to see at church on Sunday, but this isn’t an average congregation.It’s 9.30am and church is about to begin but there is one thing missing – the vicar. In his place is a DVD. There were only 14 at the combined Gunningbland/Bogan Gate service at a country church that could hold 40 in the state’s west yesterday. However that didn’t deter lively interaction with congregation members. It’s a typical service with prayers, hymns, readings, youth messages – the only difference is they sit and watch a DVD, which is on a screen at the front of the church where the vicar would normally stand.”
Samantha finishes with a reader survey. “Would a DVD sermon encourage you to go to church?”
There’s an in-house story on the Mid-Lachlan region in NSW Synod, Uniting Church Insights Magazine.