Church 2.0 - the blog

ChurchMediaDesign.TV

2009-11-19T13:24:00.002-05:00

ChurchMediaDesign.tv is a great site to learn more on how to use and create media for church.

Their newest episode #89 featured a documentary that Hillsong Television made about “Church News”. Church News is a 3-minute segment in their weekend services where announcements are made or ads as they call them. There area a lot of good tips on filming and producing video elements in this show along with the resources, technology, and programs they used to produce this seqment of their weekend services.

It's worth checking out! www.churchmediadesign.tv

Get An iPhone App for Your Church

2009-11-16T08:36:00.000-05:00

TruthCasting is a website that will allow you to host your sermon video's for free. Now they are offering you a customized iPhone app that will show up on iTunes for a small fee. Check it out.

Attractive and Compelling

2009-11-12T08:00:00.003-05:00

Following my post a couple days ago on Going Where the People Are, I wanted to say that going where the people are isn't enough, nor is content alone enough.

You need to be attractive and compelling. That's why CSS and layout is important. Don't worry you don't have to really understand CSS, but think of it as code that organizes content in attractive and compelling ways. In lamen terms it is code that personalizes the layout and background to websites or social networking platforms.

IT SETS YOU APART
One of the best facebook examples that I have seen is Soul City Church's fan site.

Yes, the photo to the left is a photo of their facebook fan site, not there website or blog.

Very attractive and compelling. It sets them apart from all the other churches on facebook. You can see more unique facebook fan pages at facebookdesigns.org.

THE ADVERSE EFFECT
The adverse effect of going from attractive and compelling look to a less than compelling layout is JesusCreed.org that has moved to belief.net. Even though Scott McKnight is brilliant, his content off the charts, the layout that belief.net has moved him to is distracting to say the least. It's actually difficult from me to read his content now because of the poor and distracting layout.

Check them out below and let me know which one is more attractive and compelling?

The old JesusCreed.org look...

The new...

Go Where The People Are

2009-11-10T08:10:00.000-05:00

It's obvious, that in the social networking scene, facebook has emerged as the front runner. Not only is Facebook powerful because of it's ability to collaborate, communicate, invite, and present to one another. But it's powerful because it's where the people are.

I can't even tell you how many people (from nearly every demographic) want be my friend on facebook. And I can't tell you how many people who have never set foot into our church gatherings/services, but have become a fan on our churches facebook fan page. So now our church has direct access into their lives and a platform to connect with them, and the best part is that they found us!

If your church or organization is not on facebook, you should be. I always say, 'Go where the people are.'

Guru's Tutorial...

2009-10-15T09:33:00.000-04:00

One of the most creative designers I've crossed paths with is Barton Damer (Alreadybeenchewed.net)

At Guru's conference Barton did some fabulous tutorials that are now online.

Here is a tutorial he did at the Echo conference...

BartonDamer-Tutorial 1 from Echo Conference on Vimeo.

The Nines Archived

2009-10-12T15:18:00.001-04:00

For those of you who missed the Nines online conference on 9.9.09 check out all of the archived videos...

Which speaker impacted you most and why?

Worship House Kids Launches!

2009-10-07T11:36:00.002-04:00

It's basically your one stop media shop for children's ministry.

Check it out!

Experience Catalyst Right Where You Are

2009-10-05T13:14:00.002-04:00

Can't go to Catalyst? Don't have the money? Missed purchasing your tickets before they sold out? Check out Catalyst Backstage the day of the conference for interviews.

GCC Exposes Themselves

2009-10-03T19:03:00.000-04:00

Just kidding. But Granger Community Church (GCC) is offering their Exposed Conference online to watch for free. If you missed the event you should check it out. Also check out the film festival. Very cool.

25% Off Igniter Media!

2009-10-02T22:10:00.003-04:00

Igniter Media is running a promo code to save 25% off any order. The code is 'SITEPROMO' and it's good until October 15th.

I wasn't checking email...I promise!

2009-09-20T07:46:00.000-04:00

Bible Gateway, a great resource for online scripture, among other things, recently noted that the greatest amount of traffic to their mobile site, mobile.biblegateway.com, is none other than Sunday morning during church.

It was comforting to know it's not just me.

Should we be encouraging people to use their mobile devices to access the Word on Sunday mornings (or whenever they worship) in order to help them become aware that the scripture is often no further away than their belt clip or purse during the rest of the week?

P.S. If you've not seen Bible Gateway's Bible-in-a-year via RSS and email, you may want to take a look. If you have trouble keeping yourself on track, having your reading show up with your regular news reading could be helpful.

Church 2.0 face-lift

2009-09-18T07:04:00.000-04:00

Just gave the old C2.0-the blog a face lift. Come check it out...

More importantly - What questions do you have about Technology and the Church?

We want to address relevant topics so let us know.

YouVersion Live Demo

2009-09-17T13:46:00.002-04:00

I just got an email from the YouVersion team
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This October, YouVersion Live will give you a brand new way to interact with live events like church services, conferences, and more. Want to know how you’ll be able to use it?

Join us for a live webinar: Wednesday, September 23 at 2:00-3:00 PM CDT at http://www.youversion.com/live

LifeChurch.tv Pastor, Innovation Leader Bobby Gruenewald and Digerati Pastor Terry Storch will guide you through YouVersion Live and show you how this free new tool can work in your environment.

• What will it look like to use this in a church service or other live experience?
• As a communicator, how can I use it to help people get more out of my message?
• How will people find a live experience?
• What will it take to set up an experience ahead of time?
• How likely is it that people around me will be able to use it?

Get answers to these questions and have a chance to ask your own during this free webinar. To join us, just go to http://www.youversion.com/live on Wednesday, September 23 at 2:00 CDT. Hope to see you there!

The YouVersion team
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So mark it on your calendars!

YouVersion Live looks amazing. Check out this ChurchCrunch Exclusive of YouVersion Live with Tony Steward.

YouVersion Live Exclusive from John on Vimeo.

Own the Mix

2009-09-17T08:33:00.002-04:00

Own the Mix is an awesome site for your sound guys/audio team. If you are a church leader and value excellence in all of your ministries you need to get this.

Imagine the best in audio giving your team tutorial and tips of how to better your worship ministry. Imagine having access to a group of the best audio techs on the plant at anytime. It does cost $20/mo or $200/yr, but it would be worth it for your team until they have developed.

Giving/Offering Kiosks

2009-09-15T11:22:00.002-04:00

I've seen some companies try to push this, but Granger Community Church is the first place I've seen adopt them.

Check out Tim Steven's and Mark Beeson's blog posts on why they added them.

I never have cash on me. If it wasn't for online giving with automatic withdraw, I'm not sure I would give on a regular basis. I know that's bad coming from a Pastor, but it's true.

Do you think online giving and giving kiosks detract from the worship aspect of giving/offering/tithing?

Free Web Hosting for Non-profits

2009-09-09T07:45:00.001-04:00

DreamHost is offering FREE web hosting for Non-profits. Yes Church, this means you!

Click here to see how you sign-up.

Free Leadership Conferences

2009-09-07T12:33:00.001-04:00

I am sure that most of you have heard, but I thought I should give these two FREE conferences a plug anyhow.

THE NINES - On 9/9/09 Leadership Network and Caltayst is having a conference from 9:09a CDT and will be approximately 9 hours. Each speaker will have 9mins to communicate one thing, idea or principle to you.

THE FORUM - presented by LifeChurch.tv, Southeastern University, and 316 Network on Sept 10-11th looks to be a very high quality, high impact leadership conference.

You will want to check both of these out, and why not, they are FREE!

Make the Shift...

2009-09-04T09:22:00.000-04:00

The culture and industries are making the shift to social media.

Has your church?

8 Keys to Effective Word of Mouth Advertising

2009-09-02T15:03:00.001-04:00

Truth Advertising just put out 8 Keys to Effective Word of Mouth Advertising in there latest newsletter. They are...

Give people something positive to say
Be the church “that”
Make it easy for your members to invite others
Throw a party
Don’t do boring types of marketing
Put your pastor’s picture in your direct mail cards
Be Relevant
Be the church that changes lives

My favorite one is #8 followed by #4. My least favorite one is #6.
What is your favorite and least favorite? What would you add to the list?

TheCommon.org

2009-08-13T15:24:00.003-04:00

Looking for ways to serve your church community and even your city? Check out TheCommon.org

TheCommon.org - In Book Form

How awesome is that!

Free Video Countdowns

2009-08-11T09:59:00.004-04:00

FreeCountdowns.net is a great site for FREE Video Countdowns.

Blockbusters Online

2009-07-08T02:06:00.004-04:00

Well it's not Blockbuster, but there will be blockbuster movies online for free through EpixHD. Many of you may use hulu for TV shows. Epix will be the Hulu of movies.

Let's see what comes of Epix when it finally goes live.

Fax for Free Online

2009-05-26T18:38:00.001-04:00

If you need to fax a file or document and you don't have a fax machine. Check out faxZERO. It's Free!

Vote | Church Conference

2009-05-21T06:17:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of church and ministry conferences out there. And everyday it seems I hear about a new one popping up. What I want to know is what is your favorite conference? If you only could go to one, what is the one to go to?

Online Meals Ministry!

2009-05-17T17:01:00.000-04:00

Food Tidings is a perfect website for your church's food ministry. Set up a schedule for a new mother and let people sign up for the day they will cook for them. They can put what they are cooking that way people will not get the same meal twice.

Check it out!