I Like Streaming Video on the Internet - Far Better than Zoom

This is a screen grab, using the Snipping Tool, from the Ustream video.

I have heard funny stories and experienced the same with Internet tools like Zoom or Webx, where both sides are equally represented, more like a phone call.

Bad Zoom!

Zoom can give a view of everyone online at once, looking like cells in a beehive. Wearing masks would make it even better as the members crane their necks to spot others.

That seems like a lot of bandwidth to waste when a church service broadcast is really one-sided, with people listening at home, in the car, or in the office.

The funny part, which I have heard, is the clatter of dishes being put away while the meeting, discussions, or sermon is live. Others add road noise as they participate with the cell phones in the car.

Sometimes the speaker can mute everyone, which is good, but participants never had a great need to be on, for. My last academic meeting featured text questions from the faculty with the leader answering.

Good Ustreaming - Live and Saved Online

We have used Ustream for more than 12 years, starting with Cox Cable, then fiber optic lately at the same price.

Ad-free, it starts at $100 per month. Those files are saved online and easily shared like YouTube. Some convert them to YouTube.

Some requirements:

1. A web camera - about $50.
2. Monthly fee of $100 for broadcasting and storage of the videos. Rates vary with usage and complexity of the program.
3. A broadcasting computer with an excellent CPU and a boatload of RAM.
4. The highest bandwidth available, about $50 a month. Fiber optic is far more reliable than cable and handles better quality videos. Outage complaints disappeared when Cox did.
5. We monitor the broadcast from another computer, to get the sound right and make sure it is looking good.

Jesus has wise words about broadcasting the Word. It is not about testing the soil, as Fuller hallucinates, but trusting in the efficacy of the Gospel Word. Matthew 13. 

Our little congregation is very active in broadcasting the Word. Hint - broadcasting used to be an agricultural term, when seed was tossed by hand onto soil.

All our media ministries are linked here - they are independent and work in harmony with each other.

I suggested to our Philippine missionary, Pastor Jordan Palangyos, that he take advantage of blogging, Facebook, and internet video. He jumped into all three immediately, and these media mutually support the impact of his Gospel work there.

What we do is rooted in our faith in the Word. I expected nothing from starting a blog, but now we have people hating us all over Lutherdom. Mark 10 - it is all true.

The Accidental Paul McCain Blessing

Paul McCain, when promoting Rome and Objective Justification, hurled this blessing at our little congregation - "He broadcasts from the spare room of a rented house." Little did he realize the accidental reference to Bethlehem, since Ft. Wayne graduates are taught everything began with the immaculate conception of CFW Walther.

The ALPB+ Online Forum leveraged the McCain gambit by placing our chapel in the garage. I wonder if they ever heard of worship in the catacombs. "Don't worry, Maximus. These Christians are gathering in the underground tombs. Nothing will come of that. We own all the marble buildings - and we have entertainment!"

 Baby Walther was not born, but delivered, without sin, as LCMS advocates constantly teach (in the name of Luther).