It may be the most commonly voiced complaint we hear. At some point, many media ministers experience the disconnection between personal conviction of the power of digital media to communicate the Gospel and frustration at a pastor who produces sermon notes an hour before worship.

What does one do when stuck with a pastor/boss/team who has no interest in pre-planning, no understanding of the power of team development, and seemingly no respect for the work that goes into creating media for worship?

Check out a few of our helpful suggestions in our
newest article here.

The recurrence of hurricane weather in the Gulf Coast is a reminder that storms in life are unexpected, deadly, and sure to return at some point. Thank God that we have a Savior that pulls us from the wreckage and a Counselor that comforts us. Next time you develop worship on life’s storms be sure to use this month’s media freebie, a Lighthouse Loop.

This is a different kind of video for us—rather than a short film with a beginning and end, the loop is just like it sounds—a cyclical video whose beginning and end are the same, that can be played before worship to set a mood, behind song lyrics, or wherever you want to reinforce your theme with an attractive video element. There are other loops out there, but ours match themes established in spark and flame. Lighthouse is from volume 3. We’ve been creating loops like this for our own worship services for years, and if enough of you like the concept, may be something we offer to you, as well. Let us know your feedback on loops here.

Speaking of storms and lighthouses, it’s time to announce our contest winner! Our latest step-by-step Photoshop tutorial, on Lighthouses, generated a number of excellent entries to our usual contest. It was a difficult decision this time to select a top entry, but we went with the entry sent in by Ruth Bowler from the United Kingdom. Hear straight from her:

How long have you been creating media?
About 6 months; just still images with text to support the preaching in church on Sunday.

What is your position at your church?
I am primarily the youth leader, but it's quite a small church so I get involved in other things too - like creating images that are used during the
services at church.

I see the connection. What was the most challenging thing about the Lighthouse Tutorial?
Getting the reflection of the lighthouse in the water to look realistic and getting good highlights on the lighthouse and rocks.

How long did it take you to complete the image?
I'm not sure - I had a day off work and had plenty of time to work on the image without any interruptions. It's always more fun when you are able to do that, because you can spend more time experimenting.

We're humbled. Taking off work to do our tutorials! Since this is an award contest, do you have anyone you'd like to thank?
I'd like to say thank you to all those who comment on the images I create. People are so encouraging! And those who were too scared to "have a go" because they don't know very much about computers, or haven't done a course. Perhaps I can share my virtual seminar with them. I'd also like to thank all of you for the great tutorials - so many of the techniques can be used on other projects. It's fun to be able to create something and compare it with your image (and others in the gallery). Keep up the good work!

For her winning submission Ruth receives a copy of our Virtual Seminar and a media ministry shirt. Congrats Ruth!

As we said earlier, the fall season approaches. Make plans now to attend one of our digital storytellers seminars in your area. The schedule:

My favorite things were the emphasis on consistency in image, the resources, and the understanding of how metaphor parallels parable.
-Judy Van Hemert, Ennis TX

You spoke to me, who knows very little. You showed us and didn't just tell us.
-Sharon Robertson, Hico TX

This workshop has given me courage to make friends with Photoshop.
-Nancy Woods, Ft Worth TX

You work so beautifully together. I can see the Spirit working in both of you. I greatly admire your very obvious love for God and desire to make an "experience" of worship that people will be impacted by. I came not knowing what to expect. It was the most exciting, enlightening and inspiring day. You have blessed everyone here. Great sense of humor, too!
-Tommie Sledge, Irving TX

Some of us are making plans to include the 40 Days of Purpose campaign as part of our fall. If you are one, make sure to check out the official worship media resource for 40 Days, On Purpose Media. Inside you’ll find unique videos and graphics in the Midnight Oil style to correspond to each of the weeks of the campaign. As always, customizable Photoshop files are included. We are proud to work with Purpose Driven Ministries to bring this exclusive resource to you. And for July only, save $5 off our regular price.


Even if you’re not doing 40 Days this fall, you can use these resources like any other Midnight Oil product with the included wordless graphics and videos and layered Photoshop files.

Last but not least—our Summer Sampler is proving to be a popular addition to many worship media libraries. Only $30 for 10 sets of media from the spark and flame library, this limited edition download is only available through the end of August.