Jun. 11, 2007
Church Planting · Culture · Faith · Life · Seminary · Urban Missions
Online Sermons: Redeemer vs Mars Hill
I am a big Tim Keller fan, and I am also a very big Mark Driscoll fan. Recently in talking to friends at church we have started to talk about the fact that Marshill gives away all there media and take special care to give it away from of copyrights so that it can be given to others. On the other hand Redeemer charges 2$ for every sermon.
If I had the option of Driscoll or Keller I’m not sure who I would chose to listen to, but that question doesn’t matter because I can’t chose to listen to Keller or Driscoll unless I have a paid subscription to Redeemer.
What about other churches? How do your churches see their online content? Is a church’s online media for Christians who miss service, and need a catch up; or is it more like a mix that that they are hoping people will pass around and copy.
And I wonder how many people actually download the sermons from most churches.
That’s a really good point Sam. I’ve been thinking a lot about the availibility of content, especially over the internet (i.e. podcasting). I think this would be an amazing step for most churches, becuase think of how often people miss servies for random reasons and therefore miss a part of a serman series or just a great sermon or whatever.
I remember you telling me that CHRP needed to podcast and I in turn laughed and said how I disagreed. Now, I couldn’t disagree more with myself. I’m going to make this happen…. eventually.
Anyway, I think it’s odd that they charge, and sort of disheartening. It’s like they would rather make a buck than get the message out there. Now I know it costs them money to host it; as well as, time and enegery in doing it, but you’d think they’d see the benefit in getting the message out there as opposed to being compensated.
Also, Jon and I want to have Thai food with you ASAP. Let’s make it happen.
Posted by Chris Carson on Tuesday, Jun. 12, 2007.I have always felt like Redeemer charging for sermons was an artifact of a tape ministry, where there was a physical product to produce and ship, although there can be an argument made for that being equivalent to bandwidth costs today, especially on the scale of some of the larger churches distributing today. In my opinion though the blessing I have received from Keller’s preaching is well worth the 2$ to support a church in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
“I wonder how many people actually download the sermons”
Posted by Anthony on Tuesday, Jun. 12, 2007.We serve up about 60k mp3 files a day, ~ 280k a month at this point, and that does not include any video files. These are served through feeds, like iTunes auto downloads, and actual downloads form the site.
I would probably agree that its likely that the cost for mp3 comes from the old tape ministries of the church. I wonder which cost more money, Tapes or Mp3s? I actually remember a few years back that Redeemer charged 2.50 for tapes and 2 for mp3s. I actually asked for a subscription to Keller for Christmas, so I totally agree that its worth 2 bucks a sermon. I just wish it were free so I could pass around the stuff that is really interesting.
Posted by Sam on Tuesday, Jun. 12, 2007.Anthony you can count me as part of that 60k a day, I love the stuff you guys are doing.
I don’t have any problem paying for it at all. NYC is expensive. And Keller didn’t even get his church building yet.
The only problem I have is it make it much harder for me to give it to my friends and family.
Posted by Bumble on Wednesday, Jun. 13, 2007.Personally, I like Driscoll more, he is a younger Keller in my mind. Both are great preachers though and how they hold on and fit for what they hold most dear, is impressive.
Posted by Robbie on Friday, Jun. 15, 2007.There is quite a lot of free Keller available. I haven’t paid for his stuff yet, and have got some from the Desiring God Conference, the Resurgence web site and the samples from the Redeemer Web Site.
Posted by amandajane on Friday, Jun. 15, 2007.However, now that my appetite is whetted, I think the $2 is probably worth paying.
I like MD too, enormously, and think he is a hipper version of TK and I can see TK’s (good) influence in MD’s ministry.
We really are spoiled for choice on the internet. Loads of good stuff on Resurgence - Bruce Ware/Alistiar Begg etc.
Keep it coming!
Sam-
I like your blog!
I realize this conversation is over and done with, but I thought I would add my two cents anyway. I have listened to Driscoll for years and I really appreciate his preaching. Over the course of the last year I have spent about $50 on sermons from Redeemer, and I have to say that I have not been dissapointed in the investment! I think Keller is a great preacher for preachers to listen to. He does a great job of motivating through the gospel week in and week out. He does not have the style or humor of Driscoll, but content wise I think he is the best preacher/teacher in America.
Posted by Kevin on Wednesday, Jun. 20, 2007.