Blue Like Jazz - Childrens Ministry Online

Blue Like Jazz Opens Today

by Kenny Conley | Apr 13, 2012 | Random | 2

A few weeks ago I got to see an advanced screening of Blue Like Jazz. It was a wonderful movie and I was inspired to do whatever I could to support the film. I certainly want to see more movies like this go to the box office. Movies that tell great stories that point to authentic Christianity. The best way you can support a film is to go see it on opening night. How a movie does on opening night may determine its future at the box office.It will determine if the movie will open in more theaters the next week or if it will begin shutting down to even less theaters.

So, I decided to do my part in supporting BLJ and I organized a group outing. I’m taking almost 30 of my student ministry volunteers and high school students who play in our student band to go see it.

So, here are some ways that you can support Blue Like Jazz:

Blue Like Jazz blacklisted

by Kenny Conley | Mar 25, 2012 | Random | 0

Yesterday I posted what may be taken as a harsh critique of Christian media. I do realize that personal opinion and preference is often going to play into critiques, so no one is entirely objective (including myself). There have been a handful of Christian movies, many Christian books and scores of Christian songs that have impacted me, and still do. I think I’m just excited about a fresh perspective in the “Christian” genre. There is certainly room for others, right?

What probably prompted yesterday’s post and my passion was probably the frustration I felt when reading a post by Steve Taylor on Donald Miller’s blog which was late picked up by Christianity Today.

My problem with Christian media

by Kenny Conley | Mar 24, 2012 | Ideas | 2

I really enjoy reading, especially fiction. I have so many books on my “to read” list and sometimes I can get into a rut. The cure is to pick up a work of fiction to keep me going. While in Middle School, I was first exposed to Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness. For years it held the “my favorite book” award in my heart. Unfortunately, it’s been 20+ years since I’ve read it and it’s become more of a distant memory. Then something changed.

In the past 5-10 years, I’ve become increasingly tired of most Christian media, primarily novels and movies.

Film Review: Blue Like Jazz

by Kenny Conley | Mar 22, 2012 | Ideas | 0

Today I had an opportunity to attend an advanced screening of Blue Like Jazz. Donald Miller, Steve Taylor, Marshall Allman and others were there for a Q & A. What a wonderful privilege. I’ve heard Donald speak twice at Orange and as a result, I read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years last fall. It was probably one of the best books I read last year. I’m only half way through Blue Like Jazz right now. I wrote more than a year ago about how KickStarter was used to get this movie funded, which is an incredible story of it’s own.

So, last week I got an invite to attend the screening and I made arrangements for Sara and I to get a little date and see the movie. So, what did I think?

Blue Like Jazz: The Movie

by Kenny Conley | Jun 20, 2011 | Ideas | 4

Four or five years ago, many people were telling me about the book Blue Like Jazz, encouraging me to read it. I wasn’t reading anÂ awfulÂ lot at that time, so I didn’t ever pick it up. Then in 2008, I heard Donal...

Kickstarter and Blue Like Jazz

by Kenny Conley | Oct 26, 2010 | Geek, Ideas | 1

I just came across this post on Michael Hyatt’s blog. I guess I totally missed this. In case you don’t click on the link, I’ll catch you up. Donald Miller wrote a very popular book 5 years ago called Blue Like...