The Best Video Ideas

by | May 24, 2010 | What Matters Now

Part of my role in ministry involves the creation of video teaching resources for K-5th grade and 3-5 year olds.  Every month, we create an average of 80 minutes of finished video for these age groups.  The more video I create, the more I realize that video is one of...

Creating a Smaller Here

by | Feb 11, 2010 | What Matters Now

The following paragraphs are taken directly from Stephen Johnson’s blog. In his essay introducing The Long Now Foundation, Brian Eno tells the story of visiting a wealthy friend in her downtown loft, in an otherwise destitute Manhattan neighborhood circa 1978: I...

Digital Literacy

by | Jun 29, 2009 | What Matters Now

In my ministry context, we focus early childhood curriculum on teaching key Bible stories.  We are not concerned with chronology or units per se and we try pretty hard to make sure that what we are teaching and applying in the Bible story is sound.  I believe that...

The Worst Sunday School Teacher Ever. Period

by | May 15, 2009 | What Matters Now

He was The Worst Sunday School Teacher Ever. Period. Last night a good friend of mine graduated from community college and I had the opportunity to attend her graduation ceremony.  Whenever I go back to the town I grew up in (Rockford, IL), I see people that I used to...

How to Become a Great Storyteller

by | Apr 24, 2009 | What Matters Now

Everyone loves a good story.  But the truth of the matter is that stories actually hold a special place in the brain.  Research from Sung-Il Kim in 1999 (and later reflected upon by cognitive psychologist Daniel Willingham) showed that the brain treats information...