Lord, Save Us From Your Followers
Interview With Dan Merchant

The film was (finally) scheduled for theatrical release in September 2009 and is currently playing in theatres across the United States. Dan has (somehow) made a living by writing, producing, directing and talking people into his ideas. Dan’s creative brain rarely slows down and he’s currently applying his unique vision to a heartwarming, web-of-life ensemble drama about grace, fittingly titled Grace Finds Beauty. Dan is also developing The Armor, an exciting, supernatural action-adventure tale inspired by the biblical battle between the "seen and the unseen worlds."

Dan began his career at CBS affiliate KOIN-TV (Portland, OR), where he won an IRIS award for We’re Makin’ Movies, and three Northwest Region Emmys for writing/producing The Dr. Wilderness Show and the original Bill Nye the Science Guy pilot. Dan, a self-described expert on the loom, has been happily married for twenty-one years (in a row, to the same woman) and is the father of two teenage boys who are both better looking and smarter than him. Merchant and his family live in the rainy woods near Portland, Oregon (it’s really dreary, so don’t move here; seriously, you wouldn’t like it).

Dan Merchant: The good news is: the Gospel of Love ISN’T dividing America; WE are. And by "we," I mean the Lord’s Followers and everybody else. As often happens when you are dealing with human beings, we get caught up in what is immediate, easy and – often – we end up focused on the wrong things. I did discover it is a lot easier for us to be RIGHT about everything than it is to live out the Gospel, as Jesus demonstrates and calls us to. I know for me, humility just isn’t as much fun as outrage. Hah.

Christian-Movie.com: What inspired you to embark upon the adventure of creating this documentary? When did the adventure begin?

Merchant: A trip to Africa (chronicled in detail in the Lord, Save Us book, though it gets less attention in the movie) really opened my eyes to what truly TRUSTING in God looks like. I spent time with Christians from around the world who were involved in relief work in Ethiopia, as well as Ethiopian Christians and – frankly – I was deeply moved by their faith and understanding of God.

"It is a lot easier for us to be RIGHT about everything than it is to live out the Gospel, as Jesus demonstrates and calls us to."

Christian-Movie.com: It’s evident from watching your documentary that you met some fascinating people on your journey. Who are the two most fascinating people you met and why?

Merchant: Good question. Only two, eh? Okay, Dr. John Perkins, the 79 year old racial reconciliation activist from Mississippi, and Sister Mary Timothy, the "gay nun" from San Francisco.

Tim, because his make-up was AMAZING and he reminded me how complicated people can be – and that God loves every last one of us. And also because I didn’t want to like Tim, but he is such a funny, warm and sweet-hearted person that I couldn’t help but like him. My initial interview with Tim taught me something about my own heart and mindset. Namely, it reminded me that we are all on a journey through this life on our way back to the Father. Some routes are longer and more rocky than others, but it’s a surprisingly similar journey.

Dr. Perkins, a man with a third grade formal education, may be the wisest person I have ever met. His hardships and trials during the Civil Rights movement in particular have given him the right to speak into difficult arenas. He does this with such grace, kindness and Godly wisdom that it’s amazing to me. Only through God’s grace and strength is it possible that this man has resisted hate and championed love all these years.

Christian-Movie.com: Do you have past experience in film production? How did you cast the vision to your production team: Jeff Martin (Executive Producer), Matt Miadich (Associate Producer), Jon Manning (Producer) and James Standridge (Cinematographer/Editor)?

Merchant: I have worked in entertainment and film production for the past twenty-odd years as a writer, producer and director. Much of my writing/producing work has been in television, mostly comedy, some children’s programs too. But as a director, I’ve been doing commercials for 15 years or so, and this wealth of experience served me well on Lord, Save Us.

Jim Standridge mirrored my every step on this project and, since we’d known each other for 20 years and worked on numerous projects together, I definitely benefited from our short hand with each other. Plus, the fact that Jim is a world-class editor and graphics designer, in addition to being a tireless cinematographer, gave me additional creative freedoms: I only had to explain the vision to ONE guy. Once he understood where we were going, he applied those creative principles to the various facets of production. Such a thing is a luxury that is tough to come by, and Lord, Save Us definitely benefits from my ability to "jam" with Jim on the creative execution.

Jeff’s support from the operations side allowed me to focus on the creative elements, and it was Jeff’s original match-in-the-gasoline comment of "Hey, we should do a movie about this stuff" that got the ball rolling in the first place. Every so often, Jeff and I would sit around and shoot the breeze on our favorite bits from the interviews we’d gathered, or whatever new piece we’d cut, to touch base with each other.

"I’ve basically found that all that is required for the conversation is a little humility, good listening and NO agenda, but I didn’t know that until I’d walked around America for three years, dressed as a human bumper sticker."

Christian-Movie.com: The jumpsuit with bumper stickers all over is definitely a trademark for you. Whose idea was that and what was the reasoning behind it?

Merchant: The Bumpersticker Man suit is one of those goofy ideas that just popped into my head. I really was wondering what it would take to be able to have a conversation with anyone, about anything, regardless of whether they agreed with me. So that suit – which features competing ideologies – seemed like a good way to signal a truce.

I’ve basically found that all that is required for the conversation is a little humility, good listening and NO agenda, but I didn’t know that until I’d walked around America for three years, dressed as a human bumper sticker. Guess some of us have to learn the hard way. Hah.

Christian-Movie.com: Lord, Save Us has received a respectable amount of attention from mainstream media, including an appearance for you on The Today Show and Dennis Miller Live. How do you think you got their attention?

Merchant: Yeah, this has been interesting and seems to illustrate part of the problem I’ve noticed in the media. I think the various media outlets have been interested because I don’t sound too much like the voices that they’re used to hearing represent Christianity in the mainstream media. There is a bit of a fascination that I’m not angry and yelling, being particularly didactic, or whatever they’re used to seeing.

Of course, the mainstream media are the ones who booked these other guys in the first place and put them into an US versus THEM position on one of their confrontational shows, but – still – we need to avoid that trap.

A Fox News producer was considering having me on as a panelist for something and asked, "What do you feel is the biggest problem with such and such?" I replied, "The biggest problem is that you guys are always oversimplifying the story and trying to turn everything into a black and white issue. These are complicated issues attached to complicated people. Quit oversimplifying things and we might actually get somewhere."

Needless to say, they didn’t select me as a panelist. The shows that do book me seem to think I’m making some kind of sense and also seem to believe that most of us in the country are tired of making enemies out of everyone we disagree with on a given issue. We can disagree on certain things and still be respectful and loving – we’ve seen the alternative and it’s a dead end.

Christian-Movie.com: What is the most meaningful comment anyone has made to you about Lord, Save Us?

Merchant: Mercifully, there have been hundreds and hundreds of comments I’d put in the "most meaningful" category. The comments that involve people having their faith restored or affirmed, or that the film has started a faith journey, have been inspiring to me.

"I hate church. It’s boring and irrelevant. I hate church people. They’re mean and just want to shove what they think down your throat. But I LOVED YOUR MOVIE."

Christian-Movie.com: Have you seen positive, tangible responses to Lord, Save Us, aside from individuals smiling, nodding and agreeing emphatically that the movie’s message is right on? Do you know of any instances where people have actually started to live differently after internalizing the message?

Merchant: If all people did was nod and smile after seeing Lord, Save Us, then I’d feel as if I’d failed. I get comments and emails all the time about 3-hour conversations that followed the watching of the film. I’ve been hugged by weeping atheists, weeping Christians, weeping lesbians, weeping pastors, you name it – not everyone weeps mind you, but the film does bring a heavy emotional impact for many.

One of my favorite stories involves an atheist kid who saw the film at a special screening at a secular university. He came up after and said, "I hate church. It’s boring and irrelevant. I hate church people. They’re mean and just want to shove what they think down your throat. But I LOVED YOUR MOVIE. [SPOILER ALERT] I didn’t understand that part at the end where the Christians were washing the feet of the homeless. And I didn’t understand why I was crying while I was watching that...I think I’ll have to try that."

In the three weeks after that screening, 80 kids from this secular school volunteered with the ministry caring for the homeless – alongside those dreaded church people (hah).

I didn’t make the movie to have people agree with me. I made the film to emulate the experience I am going through – which is to understand what I believe and why I believe it. Because, as those things have come into focus for me (after 30 years of being "saved," mind you), I can’t sit still. I need to find ways to understand my faith deeper, and putting that faith into motion must be an integral part.

Christian-Movie.com: Do you think the MPAA’s PG-13 rating for Lord, Save Us is justified? Did you have any issues or concerns about the rating process?

Merchant: Yeah, I think a PG-13 rating is fine. The subjects are grown up subjects and should be taken seriously by folks with some life experience. Kids under 13 generally don’t have that kind of experience yet. There isn’t anything in the film too outrageous or inappropriate for pre-teens; I just don’t think they’d relate to it and it surely wouldn’t have the same impact as it does on teens and adults.

The rating process was great and painless. In fact, we received a lovely personal call from the spokesperson for the group that viewed our film. He loved our movie and thought the conversation created by this film is important to our country. If only the MPAA gave endorsements too. Hah!

"I learned that the Gospel of Love is more important than the Gospel of Being Right. Winning the argument is a pale substitute for the boldness that love requires."

Christian-Movie.com: What was the most satisfying moment you experienced during the creation of Lord, Save Us?

Merchant: The moment actually came just after a sneak preview screening at a Christian college in Michigan. I stood in front of the room, looking over the audience of 300 or so packed into this auditorium. Some of the kids were wiping their eyes, some were chatting excitedly with each other, some were looking at me with an expression that seemed to say, "I KNEW it."

While I stood there waiting to speak, this calm feeling came over me and told me I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. That the financial chaos, the years and years of working on the film, all the ups and downs had led to this place – a place where I was supposed to be. I have had a certain sense of mission from the beginning – the details are occasionally hazy – but the direction is clear. That moment on that stage reminded me I had a part in some plan, even if I didn’t know the whole plan.

Christian-Movie.com: What was the most significant lesson that God taught you, from a personal standpoint, during the making of Lord, Save Us?

Merchant: I learned that the Gospel of Love is more important than the Gospel of Being Right. Winning the argument is a pale substitute for the boldness that love requires. Love is a different kind of being right and – as I’ve begun to understand this – I see things in the Bible so much more clearly than ever before.

I don’t find Jesus holding out a check list of how a person is to be BEFORE he’ll interact with them. His patience and understanding of our brokenness AND our willful disobedience is truly humbling. And if God is willing to show ME that grace, then I see more clearly how to treat my neighbor.

Pretty humbling lessons for someone who thought he had this Christianity thing figured out. But really I think all I had done was shrunk my box so small that I could control things. Of course, when we shrink our world until everything fits just so, we end up shrinking God too.

Christian-Movie.com: One of the documentary’s powerful sequences is when you set up a confessional at a homosexual event in Portland, Pride Northwest. In the confessional, you confess the Body of Christ’s sins, as well as your personal sins, toward the homosexual individuals who come into the booth. What was that experience like for you?

Merchant: I had to trust that God’s truth and grace were real, in order to set foot in the confessional that day. I braced to be yelled at all day – to be treated with the same scorn and revulsion that homosexuals have often experienced from Christians. I prayed that morning, "My words be your words, Lord." I was conscious of not making the divide wider by getting into a wrestling match when I was offering hugs, but I wasn’t prepared for the outcome because I guess I didn’t trust that God could do something wonderful – which He did.

"There is never an excuse to demonize another. God made all of us in His image and, when we decide to make an enemy of another, we aren’t standing for God or Truth or any other label; I think we are acting out of fear."

Of the 28 people I visited with at Gay Pride, half of them wept with me; they all graciously accepted my apology (save for one guy who made a joke of it and, ironically, was the very last person to enter the booth), and we enjoyed getting a chance to talk openly with each other.

It was heart-breaking that their visit with me was such a rare encounter with a Christian and that they had, indeed, been wounded and hurt by those who claim Jesus. The fact that they were so curious and so fascinated about why I would want to talk to them indicated to me that the conversation is there for all of us, if we want it. And the fact that I met gay Christians was also fascinating to me. What do we do with that? Ignore the fact that they worship the same Lord as I do?

I went home tired that night and wearing some of the hurt I had come in contact with. There is never an excuse to demonize another. God made all of us in His image and, when we decide to make an enemy of another, we aren’t standing for God or Truth or any other label; I think we are acting out of fear. Usually fear of the unknown. And after spending that day in the confession booth, the unknown became known in a whole new way for me. I hope that the segment in Lord, Save Us conveys that, so others can benefit from my experience.

Christian-Movie.com: What was the biggest hurdle that you faced while creating this documentary, and how did you overcome it?

Merchant: The financial realities of making a quality film are a huge hurdle. Raising money slowly, in fits and starts, required that the production roll out slowly and organically, as opposed to on a rigid production schedule. This was actually a creative benefit in some ways, as I was going through big changes on this journey and the course of the film was impacted by that fact. Time to contemplate, edit and re-edit, and allow for some actual investigating became a strength of the production, rather than a liability. That said, I won’t want to do my next film this way. Hah. This personal growth stuff is exhausting.

Christian-Movie.com: What are the top three things you wish you had known before you started?

Merchant: That well-intentioned people rarely do what they say (that means you, investors). That working inside the Hollywood system is WAY easier than working outside it and then trying to slip your movie into the system once it’s in the can. And to be more patient with people because no one else is going to work as hard as you, so why waste energy getting irritated that they can’t keep up. Hah.

Christian-Movie.com: What’s next for you?

Merchant: A nap. Then after that, I have a book and two screenplays to finish up and we’ll see where God points me. Plus, I’m remembering that I was in the middle of a different script when Lord, Save Us hatched. I’ve learned to let God lead.

"I think the movie works so well because I DON’T spend much time on what I think –
I want you to think."

Christian-Movie.com: When and how may Lord, Save Us be purchased on DVD?

Merchant: The movie will continue to roll out to theaters through the end of 2009 and I’m also doing select church and college appearances, so keep your eyes peeled for various things Lord, Save Us. The deluxe DVD of Lord, Save Us will be out in 2010 with tons of bonus features, additional interviews and small group study videos. We don’t have a final release date yet, but check in at our official website for updates.

Christian-Movie.com: You have also written a book by the same name as the documentary. What can people get from the book that they can’t get from the movie?

Merchant: Yes, Thomas Nelson publishers has released the Lord, Save Us companion book, which is in bookstores everywhere, online book stores and the like. A book is very different from a film in the level of detail. The book is much more in-depth when it comes to the interviews with Al Franken, Tony Campolo, Rick Santorum, Michael Reagan, Sister Mary Timothy, the Confession Booth conversations and so on.

Plus, it’s a much more personal look into what this journey was for me. In the film, I’m more careful to just present information and let you decide what you think about it. In the book, I get into my personal feelings about some of the things you see in the film, so – in that respect – it’s deeper. I think the movie works so well because I DON’T spend much time on what I think – I want you to think. But I’m told by many who have read the book that the Lord, Save Us book seems to work on that level as well.

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