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ChurchWatch 05/15/08

Michael W. Smith Film Studio's New Release; Notes from the Bulletin

Michael W. Smith, Seabourne Pictures and Randall House have joined forces to produce an innovative new small group study series on DVD called C2: Giving Movies a Second Look.  C2 is designed to help individuals develop critical thinking skills when watching movies.  The first two titles are With Love At First Sight [Volume One] and Relapse [Volume Two].

Each C2 DVD contains a twenty-minute original short film along with bonus features, which include a personal introduction from Michael W. Smith, behind-the-scenes movie features, out-takes, director’s comments and deleted movie scenes.  The leader of a small group will have access to helpful tools, including study guides for three separate lessons relating directly to the movie and promoting critical thinking.

Michael W. SmithSeabourne Pictures was founded in 2005 by Michael W. Smith, along with his son, Ryan Smith, and partner Mark Cowart, with the objective of creating thought-provoking and engaging feature films. Over the past three years, Seabourne has produced various music videos and short films, while developing several feature film projects, one of which is now in pre-production.  (http://www.seabournepictures.com/htdocs/index.html)

“Seabourne Pictures and Randall House have created a groundbreaking product,” says Michael W. Smith. “Nearly everyone goes to the movies, but how often do we stop to evaluate and filter what we just watched?  C2 really raises the bar by providing quality short films supplemented with small group curriculum to guide discussion.”

View the video clip “What is C2” from Michael W. Smith. 
 
“C2 is unique because it captures the movie experience,” adds Ryan Smith, Seabourne Pictures co-founder.  “Movies can be so influential in our life experience.  That’s why I think it’s important that we develop the necessary critical thinking skills in order to evaluate what we are watching.”

C2: Love At First Sight [Volume One] is a romantic comedy dealing with themes of romantic love, true love, judging others and accepting differing opinions.  Watch the comical “Zomleah” clip from Love At First Sight.

Watch the C2: Love At First Site trailer.

C2: Relapse [Volume Two] is a drama dealing with themes of addiction, grief and bioethics. 

Watch the C2: Relapse trailer.

ChurchWatch Notes from the  Bulletin

Mormons and Evangelicals Cross Religious Barriers

More than 500 Mormons and Evangelicals met last month at the Tempe Institute of Religion at Arizona State University to participate in an interfaith dialogue hosted by Greater Phoenix Latter-day Saints Interfaith Council and the Arizona Ecumenical Council. "A Conversation Between a Mormon and an Evangelical" was led by the Reverend Gregory Johnson, founding pastor of Ogden Valley Baptist Church in Utah, and Robert Millet, dean emeritus of religious education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The two have been leading similar "conversations" since 2001. Last November they published the book "Bridging the Divide: The Continuing Conversation Between a Mormon and an Evangelical" which contains excerpts of the public dialogues.

My sources tell me that there has been dialogue like this between Mormon and Evangelical theologians on many leading Christian college campuses. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would lead these discussions and that God's truth would become clear to all involved.

Isaiah Scroll on Display Again

Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR) reports that in honor of the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence, the Israel Museum is displaying the Isaiah Scroll for a limited time. Because of its fragile condition, the scroll has not been on public view for 40 years. To learn about this important scroll and about the Dead Sea Scrolls in general, visit The Dead Sea Scrolls and Why They Matter on the BAR Web site.

You can also download a free e-book by BAR editor Hershel Shanks, "The Dead Sea Scrolls--What They Really Say."

Relate CBN News/Christian World News Story: The Miracle Called Israel

More from CBN News Inside Israel

Hagee Apologizes to Roman Catholics

The Associated Press is reporting that Pastor John Hagee apologized to Catholics Tuesday for his stinging criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and for having "emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews."

Hagee's support for John McCain has drawn cries of outrage from some Catholic leaders who have called on McCain to reject Hagee's endorsement. The likely Republican nominee has said he does not agree with some of Hagee's past comments, but did not reject his support.

In a letter to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee wrote: "Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful."

Donohue, one of Hagee's sharpest critics, said he accepted the apology and planned to meet with Hagee Thursday in New York. "I got what I wanted," Donohue said in an interview. "He's seen the light, as they like to say. So for me it's over."

In a statement posted in the Catholic League's Web site, Donohue added: "What Hagee has done takes courage and quite frankly I never expected him to demonstrate such sensitivity to our concerns."

Read the letter from John Hagee to William Donohue of the Catholic League

John Hagee Ministries

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