Jesus Film

[Wilson L. Deaton]

I'm just returned from DA which was a great one in about every way....

However, I want to mention our NMI Convention's guest this year, Brian Helstrom.

Brian is the Nazarene point man for the Jesus Film.

A few years ago many of our churches got copies of the film and passed them out to neighbors, etc. Response was lukewarm at best. Interest in supporting the project waned. That is extremely unfortunate!

There are other areas of the world where the Jesus film continues to meet with phenomonal success! Success almost beyond comprehension. If you get the chance to hear Brian share about the Jesus film do not pass it up. Furthermore, don't back off on supporting the ministry due to lack of a local response (as I had done).

Wilson

[Ed Phillips]

Wilson,

A couple of years ago I had to do Children's Church on a very short notice. I went and got the Jesus Film for Children and used that. That morning if I remember it right 5 children in our church gave their Life to Christ. It is a Great Ministry tool.

We hope to show it to a group of Children again this coming year.

Ed Phillips
Parkville Church of The Nazarene
Mid-Atlantic District

[Ian Gentles]

It is a great tool, sadly though it hasnt been very affective in UK.

[Kevin Rector]

A stat that Brian mentioned at Assembly was that it takes about $3 to make a convert overseas, but in the US it costs about $50,000.

Wow.

[Ryan Scott]

It also costs $3 to buy a house in a lot of places too.

I understand and appreciate the success of this project, but there is a lot of opportunity for misuse that makes me uncomfortable with it and I absolutely hate the cost per convert statistic as if getting someone who's never seen a movie before to say a prayer at the end is really fulfilling the goal. I'd like to see more emphasis on the numbers of people completing discipleship programs afterwards. Those numbers are still impressive, even if they are smaller.

[Dave McClung]

It also costs $3 to buy a house in a lot of places too.

I understand and appreciate the success of this project, but there is a lot of opportunity for misuse that makes me uncomfortable with it and I absolutely hate the cost per convert statistic as if getting someone who's never seen a movie before to say a prayer at the end is really fulfilling the goal. I'd like to see more emphasis on the numbers of people completing discipleship programs afterwards. Those numbers are still impressive, even if they are smaller.

Ryan, I had some of the same concerns until I visited Zambia. Actually seeing the people who have come to the Lord, participated in discipling and joined the Church of the Nazarene is inspiring. The growth is so dramatic that it is impossible to keep up with the most basic infrastructure, like making bibles and Manuals available to those who have been called to preach. When I was in Zamabia, I watched as Nazarene pastors shared Bibles. The growth is real.

That being said, I think it would be money well spent to upgrade the actual film being used. In many ways, the Jesus Film is like the King James Version of the Bible. It was the best version available and it has been used very effectively, but it could be made even more effective by updating the language and by using more skilled actors.

[Ryan Scott]

Ryan, I had some of the same concerns until I visited Zambia. Actually seeing the people who have come to the Lord, participated in discipling and joined the Church of the Nazarene is inspiring. The growth is so dramatic that it is impossible to keep up with the most basic infrastructure, like making bibles and Manuals available to those who have been called to preach. When I was in Zamabia, I watched as Nazarene pastors shared Bibles. The growth is real.

Yeah, this is exactly what I mean. I've seen the numbers involved in discipleship and they are exciting, but you don't get those numbers in the "sales pitch." You only hear how many are making commitments after seeing the film, which shouldn't be our goal and certainly isn't indicative of much. Discipleship provides a better indicator of actual impact.

I've heard Jesus Film people talk about how the goal is to show this movie to everyone in the world, so everyone will have heard and Christ can return. I know we've partnered with other groups that don't share some of our theology, but in Nazarene circles, I think they should emphasize Nazarene ideals, like discipleship.

They include in the conversion those people who "convert" because they're afraid the video team will hang them from a cross like the guy in the video if they don't in their conversion totals. I'd just rather hear the numbers of people who have become serious followers of Christ because of the movie, that's all.

That being said, I think it would be money well spent to upgrade the actual film being used. In many ways, the Jesus Film is like the King James Version of the Bible. It was the best version available and it has been used very effectively, but it could be made even more effective by updating the language and by using more skilled actors.

This is my other concern. I know we can't make Jesus in the video look like every group we show it to, but at least we could keep him from being so European.

I'm around a lot of people who find the Jesus Film downright manipulative. Honestly, I can see how it could be (and might actually be) at times, but overall, most people who see it understand what's going on. It's a good tool, although I doubt its the "cure all" that I feel some people make it out to be.

[Gina Stevenson]

Discipleship provides a better indicator of actual impact.

For sure.

I know we've partnered with other groups that don't share some of our theology, but in Nazarene circles, I think they should emphasize Nazarene ideals, like discipleship.

Uh, I tho't "discipleship" was one of the universally shared ideals, Ryan. Of course, perhaps you're thinking of how some might actually think that "Once saved always saved" means they just have to have them acknowledge their sins, put another few (proverbial) "notches in their belt," and then move on to the next showing.

More seriously, even those Calvinists who think they believe this can't easily pass off the Scriptures that tell us to teach all nations (not just tell, & then leave/move on) ... which definitely involves discipleship: "Make disciples ...." we're told ... it's in the same Bible both Calvinists & Wesleyans read. ;)

I'd just rather hear the numbers of people who have become serious followers of Christ because of the movie, that's all.

This is my other concern. I know we can't make Jesus in the video look like every group we show it to, but at least we could keep him from being so European.

Agreed.

It's a good tool, although I doubt its the "cure all" that I feel some people make it out to be.

Like any "tool," the hands it is in can make a difference, but that doesn't mean it's a bad tool if someone doesn't handle it quite like we might. Think of the gorgeous woodworking ... or the sloppy messes (like I might make) ... that can come from the same type of tool(s) used with similar wood, yet wielded by two different workmen.

[Barb Bouldrey]

Only about a third of those who view the Jesus Film and get saved become Nazarenes,but it is still a huge number.

Once the film is done and the praying has been done they immediately begin to disciple these new Christians. Then they start a church using one of the new converts as a lay leader until God calls some to be pastors. These pastor have to be trained as they pastor. The Libraries for Pastors offering is doing a lot to provide them with a basic library, but then they also have to learn to read.

Our missionary at convention this last week told me at lunch that Sudan saw 105,000 new converts in one year and only 15% of those came from viewing the Jesus Film.

Update this film? Those who view it have never seen a movie in their lives. The important thing is to tell the story of Christ so the Holy Spirit can convict people of their sins and they get saved.

I compare it to a children's revival service. When an altar call is given to children many children respond because of the emotion and because others are raising their hands. I am sure that a percentage of those who are "converted" from viewing the Jesus Film are just caught up in the emotion of the film and those around them. They do not stay with their experience to become disciples.

I prefer to see the good in this project instead of the flaws. That is the way I desire to see people and the church, also.

Barb

[Ed Phillips]

If you look at the Prayer Mobilization Line, that is sent out on Tuesday & Friday each week they give updates on the Statistics, How many people have seen the Film, The Number of Converts, New Churches started and the number of people called into the Ministry.

Ed Phillips
Mid-Atlantic District

[Ed Phillips]

AN addition to my earlier post. My wife said she gets an E-Mail update from The Jesus Film Harvest Partners. That is were the Stats are published. So sorry fo the misinformation.

Ed Phillips

[Ryan Scott]

I guess, for me, if it comes down to a choice between showing people a movie and showing them the love of Christ, I'll take the later. I just wonder what impact we could make if we dedicated the Jesus Film money to education and health initiatives in impoverished areas?

[Charlene Clevenger]

The JESUS Film was shown at our church several years ago. I was not impressed. I'm used to much better quality of film making. I can see that the film would not be the best discipleship tool for richer countries.

However, working for Christian Literature for Africa I have received reports of the great impact the film has had on Africans. It's really exciting! The best part is that most are able to hear the words of the film in their own language, or in a language they can understand.

Concerning discipleship, from what I understand, that is the main reason that the JESUS Film people wanted to partner with the Church of the Nazarene a few years ago. They needed a group to do follow-up and establish churches in the areas where there were converts.

[Karen Mercer]

The Jesus film is very appropriate and phenomenally effective as an evangelism tool for poor, third-world countries. I can't imagine how it could be expected to be as appropriate or even remotely as effective in developed countries where the medium itself is not a novelty.

Brad

I'm just returned from DA which was a great one in about every way....

However, I want to mention our NMI Convention's guest this year, Brian Helstrom.

Brian is the Nazarene point man for the Jesus Film.

A few years ago many of our churches got copies of the film and passed them out to neighbors, etc. Response was lukewarm at best. Interest in supporting the project waned. That is extremely unfortunate!

There are other areas of the world where the Jesus film continues to meet with phenomonal success! Success almost beyond comprehension. If you get the chance to hear Brian share about the Jesus film do not pass it up. Furthermore, don't back off on supporting the ministry due to lack of a local response (as I had done).

Wilson

[Dennis M. Scott]

The Jesus Film is about way more than the quality of the acting. Other "methods" and tools have come and gone, but nothing - nothing - since the Day of Pentecost, has penetrated the pagan pool or impacted the Kingdom like this effort. It's not just about the tool, either. It is a tool that was "ready" when the Holy Spirit brought together other factors, too. The fact that it is far from perfect makes the wonder of it all even more amazing. Of course there are weaknesses. God's Grace and Power are made perfect in weakness.

I can hardly wait to see what other weaknesses He chooses to use.

[Bob Evans]

The Jesus film has far more good than bad to it.

At our church we have a large English as a Second language ministry. We have 34 language groups involved in the ministry. Some are christian but many are not.

In an effort to make our english class a desciple building activity we offered the film on a voluntary basis. We ended up ordering them in 18 different languages. Were having follow up discussion groups with those who ordered the film.

I am not sure there are many movie critics in many of the places the movie is shown but I am pretty sure there are those who need to hear the message of Jesus.