Yes! Yes! Yes! Let's quit making Christian crap and be Christians making artistic excellence.

I think you're on the right track. Facing the Giants was great - but it still lacked the quality to reach the mainstream nonbeliever. But if you are targeting Christian kids, then it has a strong place!

I'm not sure what you mean by "we don't need more Christan businesses." ? If you mean that a Christian business acts as a sub-culture, then I do agree. Let's just be whoever we are (business owners, artists, etc...) and let our life demonstrate the gospel without having to categorize it as such.

Good thoughts. I featured this on a recent blog entry.

Certainly, there's no harm in more Christian media (as long as it doesn't suck). However, it feels kind of 90's.
Jesus seems to use people to advance his kingdom, not culture. Our church has a terrific children's ministry, and the first thing on their wish list is not curriculum. They need committed adults to show up and love-lead children.

Concern #1 - Christian media that isn't poorly done.

Concern #2 - Conflicts of interest. e.g. I don't want [insert denomination, church, etc. here] using this media because [they're heathens, they don't preach the gospel, I don't like the color of their carpet, etc]

Concern #3 - Ties in a little with the above: Churches don't cooperate for the most part. We've lost the attitude of different people doing different work, all for God's glory. If Church XYZ puts out something great, they often want to receive the fruits for that and not see people going to church ZYX who did very little to help the project.

I agree with the general concept. Our (Western) world is consumed by entertainment. If we can engage people in their leisure time, we can get to know them and share with them. If our leisure activities never overlap, then we won't ever see them. That kind of implies that we can produce that quality entertainment that people want to experience - excellence in whatever we do. If someone attends a local church drama and it's poorly done, they won't want to come back. However if someone attends a drama that's well done (even if it's "secular"), they will be intrigued.

Look at artists through the ages - the great Christian artists did their work for God's glory, but it was stuff that could be appreciated by all. I think that's what we need to regain.

Personally, I am looking forward to what Phil has in store. I tend to agree with him, especially after talking with some people in Christian retail. It's disheartening what happens there.

And Joel, I agree - we do need people who are committed to show up and love children. I'm seriously considering being a coach next year in our Upward program in order to work with the children who attend. Curriculum is important as well, but to me only for sound doctrine and a lot of ideas on how to teach kids and meet their needs.

I think a big factor holding all of this back, is if the church is considered a "media platform" it will be considered just another entertainment choice.

Which is kind of what is happening now. Christian media is considered the "Diet choice" of any kind of media that is shown now. There are so many places where christian media is shown with "well if you like ABC artist or movie then you would like XYZ christian alternative"

I don't think this is Vischer's original dream.

The questions really are why aren't people wanting what Christians make? Are we really doing our best to give the best as a church to give out entertainment to the masses (world, non-believers)?

Just want to fix the typo on the 2nd to last paragraph. I meant to say "I don't think Fischer's dream is Jesus' original idea"

this is referring to the "Christian Nick, or Disney channel"

I love him for what he (Fischer) does with Veggietales and the his other works, I just don't think we need another "Christian" anything.

We need Christians to minister to the people.