The US population at the time of this writing is 308,400,408 (and that number just changed as you read it). Some estimate the percentage of Christians in the US is as high as 85%. According to an article written in 2007 in the denverpost.com entitled Jesus may save, but Christians spend “The Christian market, however, with almost 70 million American adults and $2.1 trillion, or 28 percent of the national annual income in 2006, is the main event”. Another article in USA TODAY written in 2006 called Faith’s purchasing power explains that, “Nearly 12% of Americans spend more than $50 a month on religious products, and another 11% spend $25 to $29, according to a national survey of 1,721 adults by Baylor University, out in September”.

I threw all those numbers at you to make a point, and believe me there are more fascinating numbers concerning Christian buying power then these, which we may visit on another blog.

So here’s my question: Why does Hollywood, a place that prides itself on doing the numbers, targeting demographics and monitoring the spending habits of consumers conveniently overlook the Christian moviegoer? They certainly can’t argue that Christians don’t go to the movies especially if Christians make up 85% of the population. They can’t argue that Christians don’t buy Christian products, nor can they argue Christians don’t support Christian movies. So why are we shunned by Hollywood?

Obviously the issue is not money, demographics, or consumer spending, the issue is values. And to be frank, from Hollywood’s point of view, the issue is Jesus. The purity and righteousness, the simplicity and modesty, and all the virtues of character that Jesus represents apparently don’t make good storytelling. For example, romance Hollywood style most often includes adultery or fornication, and these are words that Hollywood avoids in order not appear judgmental. And then of course you have the onscreen murder rate coupled with other acts of violence, the stealing, the swearing, the nudity and the list goes on. Hollywood is not comfortable around Jesus and Jesus is not comfortable around Hollywood.

Hollywood is willing to ignore a mega demographic like Christians if it means not having to face Jesus. If only it were that simple.

Christian filmmakers should not be deterred by Hollywood’s rejection, but we should see it as a blessing instead. There is not a better time in the history of filmmaking than it is right now to be an independent filmmaker, especially if you’re a Christian. Let me cite a few examples for you since we’re looking at the numbers.

Fireproof made for a budget of $500,000. Total US theatrical sales, $33,451,479, and total US DVD sales $32,135,369…

Letters to God made for a budget of $3,000,000. Total US theatrical $2,848,587, and total US DVD $4,990,902…

The Passion of the Christ made for a budget of $25,000,000. Total US and international theatrical $611,899,420. DVD sales somewhere near 15 – 18 million copies sold bringing in something near $400 million in receipts.

I wish Christians understood that we don’t need to knock on anyone’s doors begging for opportunity when opportunity has already been provided for us. Jesus has made provision for us right here at home in His church. If we are Christians, and we are filmmakers, then we should make films for His audience reflecting His values because we love Him and we believe in what He stands for. We want Jesus to be comfortable around us, and we want to be comfortable around Him.

Let’s tell stories about romance in marriage, and stories that fortify the family, stories that uplift human character and point people Christ-ward. And praise God at the end of the day, we don’t need Hollywood to do that….

Blessings…

I've been experimenting and trying to figure out what would be the best format for presenting Psalms Poetic. Obviously we're going to have to find an online home for it that exists outside of the Chloe Foy blog, but I thought this would be a good place to get some exposure and get things started. So far so good, but I just want to be clear about what our intentions are overall.

Stressed to the Elements!!! by Clarence E. McCall...

Psalms Poetic:

If it sounds poetic it was meant to be, if you love Christian poetry, then Psalms Poetic is the place to be. We’re taking steps to build an audience for Psalms Poetic and we need you to help us pass it along. Our vision is to feature poetry that admonishes, correct, uplift and adores Christ. Our vision is to provide a venue for artists who want to express their Christian creativity. Our belief is that this is part of the process of the renewing of the mind spoken of in Romans 12:2. (see below) Youth take a break from popular culture and create some culture of your own. Adults you are youth too… ;)

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Below you will find our first installment, a poem called Still written and recited by Clarence E. McCall. If you're interested in submitting a piece to Psalms Poetic send us a link to your video: clamccall@yahoo.com

I’ve been taking stock of myself lately but not in the depressing way where you feel a bit forced to self-evaluate for reasons that are beyond your control, for example aging, family problems, or financial woes. None of those things are on my mind, instead my mind is filled with thoughts of something of greater significance.

Here’s the deal, I’ve been a baptized member of my church for 9 years. I’m proud of my decision to get baptized, I believe it’s the single most important decision that I’ve made in my life. I don’t take all the credit. Of course my friends worked really hard to bring me to the valley of decision, and the church members were so kind and nurturing, and we cannot forget the powerful experience with the Holy Spirit that drove me to the point of recognizing that I am a sinner in need of a savior. And here I am, 9 years later, still committed, even after folks said I wouldn’t stay. Here I am, 9 years later, even after so many of the people that I loved in the church moved away. Here I am 9 years later; even after the pastor who baptized me had to move on to shepherd other churches. Here I am, 9 years later, asking myself “why do I stay?”

I ask this question because I have grown exhausted of the dragging monotony of Sabbath service. I have grown weary of interchurch politics. I’m tired of seeing people sleeping in the sanctuary while spiritual persons of God preach their hearts out. I’m tired of dead Sabbath services. I’m tired of seeing God’s visionaries hampered, delayed and destroyed. I’m tired of religion getting in the way of spirituality. I’m tired of seeing youth sitting curb side while adults try to turn back the hands of time; all the way to the 1800s. I’m tired seeing youth leave the church. I’m tired of debates about jewelry, music, drums, tattoos, the illuminati, free masons, praise dance (signing), hip hop, television and so on. I’m tired of folks saying we need to return to that old time religion, and I’m tired of folks saying we need to be more progressive.

This cesspool of adjectives is how I describe my Christian experience after 9 years: exhausted, weary, and tired… why would someone remain in a circumstance that makes them feel these things?

This question has been on my mind for at least a couple months now and it’s a jarring (to affect disagreeably) question because I’m not sure what it is that I am asking myself. Am I asking myself to leave? No, not exactly. What I am asking is why do I stay?

The operative word in the question is stay? And the context of the question is, “why do you stay when things aren’t the way you want them to be?” “Why do you stay when your emotions about being here have turned negative?”

It took me a couple of months but I thank God for this question because I understand now why I stay, and I understand why folks leave. Folks leave because these feelings can be overwhelming, and when one is feeling overwhelmed and disconnected, leaving becomes a coping mechanism. Our Christian experience should not be filled with dread and disillusionment, but it often is.

When we are feeling overwhelmed with our Christian experience if we don’t face that reality with purpose and clarity we will either leave, or stay and wreak havoc. You ever wonder why some of the members of the church who have been there for 20 some-odd years come across as bitter and generally unhappy? I’ve met so many of them. And it seems to me that these folks have not cried it out with God and asked Him what is going on with me…

So why do I stay? I stay because Christ’s values are now my values; I personally own His statutes and deeply honor His commandments. I stay because I still profoundly believe in His plan of salvation and I honor His commitment to that plan. I stay because I continue to see His vision for my future by looking at what He has delivered me from in my past. I stay because He has started a work in me and I’m looking forward to Him completing it. I stay because the only beauty I know in life is Christ and I am marvelously drawn to that beauty. I stay because words like faith, hope, grace, deliverance and victory have meaning in His presence. I stay because in Him I am alive.

I suppose it’s important for Christians to evaluate their reasons for staying, because it’s for certain that your reasons for staying will be checked and challenged at some point. It’s a bitter experience, but well worth it, if you’d only stay.

Psalms 18:16-18

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

Job 14:14 ...all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come...

I think the last time we shot a frame of footage for The Baptism of Chloe Foy was in late August. You can imagine my frustration. It's the end of November and I always hoped we would be finished by now, instead we've probably shot about 20% of the movie, and some of that will need to be re-shot.

Between August and now, it's been long stays in the hospital, antibiotics, scary misdiagnoses, decisions about surgery, a threatened pregnancy, a very active one year old son, and seriously, every distraction that could be thrown my way.

I'm old fashioned in that I'm one of those Christians who still believe that there are enemies in the unseen world that attack us when we're on the move for the Lord. There's something about this ministry that irritates the enemy. Perhaps it's the fact that we're trying to focus on strengthening the spirituality of the youth which is in direct conflict with what the enemy wants for the youth. Or maybe the enemy feels cinema is a territory that he wants all to himself. I don't know for sure.