How to Create Your Own Video Sermon Illustrations

It doesn't take a lot of fancy studio equipment to put together a high-quality video for your church or small group. In fact, because of innovations by both Apple and Sony, you can find inexpensive "pro-sumer" (for both the professional and average consumer) equipment that many of the major corporations use.

For example, the Sony HDV camera (or ZU1) is ~$3600. When Sony first announced this high-quality product, companies like CNN purchased these cameras by the dozens to get them to all of their field producers. They're simple to use and shoot in a compressed HD format.

Apple has been working with video editing software/hardware for years. Many people have mixed emotions when it comes to the Mac vs. PC, but when it comes down to it Final Cut Pro/Express is an amazing program that is simple and intuitive.

Right now, all Apple computers come with iMovie, iDVD and GarageBand. These programs would allow you to shoot video, edit the video, add music and burn a DVD. Many people might find iMovie to be all they need. Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro add many more features that are not necessary to shoot high-quality videos.

The key to creating good meda for you church is not always just the equipment, but also the pre-planning. You can spend a lot of time shooting footage that is not useful if you don't plan ahead.

In the end, video can really help enhance your presentation. But if it is only a distraction to your presentation or it doesn't support your purpose, than video is probably not they way to go.