by Cynthia on April 29, 2008
I finally finished the outline for my breakout session at the Dynamic Church Conference in Dallas which is now just a little over 3 weeks away. In another week, I'll give it some final updating. My session is Ten New Media Values Impacting Ministry.
Because digital media operate differently than traditional media, they change what we value. For example, the first characteristic I've listed in my outline is Interactivity. We now value that which we can actively participate in, that which we can interact with.
I wonder if you can identify some of the other values that digital media embody? What would be on your list?
ChMS, digital media, Dynamic Church Conference, Dynamic Church Conference 2008, Fellowship One, Fellowship Technologies, interactivety, New Media Values, social media Technology/Ministry Conferences
by Cynthia on April 28, 2008
Facebook for Pastors by Chris Forbes is available now online. Thanks to all of you who spread the word and participated by submitting testimonials.
Facebook for Pastors was written to help Pastors and other ministry leaders make the most of the popular social bookmarking tool, Facebook. It includes endorsements from Kent Shaffer, Greg Atkinson, Mark Driscoll, and many other Pastors and church leaders about the value of social networking. These are some of the topics covered:
- * How to make the most of your profile information
- * Tips for Networking with People in Facebook
- * All about groups, messages, poking, etc
- * Brand Your Ministry
- * Meet prospects for your church
- * Learn more about the members in your church
- * Fine tune your communication skills
- * Testimonies from Pastors who use Facebook
- * and much more!
Get the e-book here free using this link: Facebook for Pastors
(PC users, right click and select “Save As” for best results)
http://ministrymarketingcoach.com/free-e-books/
Chris Forbes, Christian leadership resourses, Facebook for Pastors ministry resources
by Cynthia on April 24, 2008
The upcoming Biola Media Conference (May 3) provides a great opportunity for all Southern California tech / media / ministry professionals to converge, converse and collaborate in our own backyard. In fact, a conference is a perfect excuse for a get together.
To capitalize on our opportunity, Greg Atkinson of Church Video Ideas has organized an informal and FREE pre-gathering. Called the Church 2.0 Local Forum, it's open to those as far south as San Diego. Billed as an event for church leaders in the Southern California area involved in ministry who would like to meet, network and share with others in ministry, that means you.
Join us Friday, May 2nd from 11:30am to 3:30pm in Grant Hall at Hollywood UMC. You must sign up so the sponsors know how much lunch to provide. To RSVP go HERE.
And by the way, the sponsors are: eight20eight, iStockphoto, RevoStock and SermonSpice. I'm looking forward to talking to the iStockphoto people about all the video they now offer.
Following the LA Forum there will be another in Chicago and then others throughout the year in other locations.
You've likely already heard about this event on Facebook, twitter or elsewhere in the blogosphere. Don't miss this chance to connect with other leaders who have a passion for ministry in the digital age.
audio/visual ministry, Biola Media Conference, Church 2.0, Church 2.0 Local LA Forum, Church 2.0 Los Angeles, Church Video Ideas, media ministry ministry technology
by Cynthia on April 23, 2008
image attribution: TFWM
More and more established churches are refurbishing and redesigning their existing facilities. The creation of state-of-the-art worship sanctuaries with media/sound production in mind is booming. Audio acoustics, projection screen placement and lighting considerations are now all part of church design. In fact, digital technology considerations are now in the forefront of design.
For example, Technologies for Worship Magazine currently features an article on the continuing multi-site expansion of The Church on the Way, originating in Van Nuys, Ca. With three campuses, this multi-lingual congregation is still growing. Having attended The Church on the Way in the early 1980's, and having received such life-changing and dynamic ministry there, I was excited to think about how many individuals these new facilities might serve.
But, in contrast, LifeWay Research has just released a newsletter with this article in it: The unchurched prefer cathedrals to contemporary designs. (You've got to subscribe to read the whole newsletter.) According to the study, by a nearly 2-to-1 ratio over any other option, unchurched Americans prefer churches that look more like a medieval cathedral than what most think of as a more contemporary church building. The assumption is that there is a desire to link to the past.
As Christians, we obviously have a strong desire to share our faith with others, but should we design our buildings with them in mind? Or, are our temples primarily for those who name themselves as believers?
church audio, church design, church media, church sound, contemporary churches, lifeway research, modern churches, Technologies for Worship Magazine The Church on the Way
by Cynthia on April 18, 2008
Always on, always available and everywhere - mobile technology provides the unique ability to connect like never before. Mobile Verses develops and manages mobile marketing services and can reach people in a variety of languages using text messaging, mobile Internet and other mobile formats.
In fact, Mobile Verses is the leading provider of Faith-based Mobile Marketing Solutions. Their services provide the latest in church communications by integrating your church congregation's mobile phones into the church's communication portfolio. Check their services out here:
Bible verses, cell phone Bible, cell phone scriptures, gospel technology, mobile Bible, mobile technology, mobile verses, new media technologies, text scripture wireless technology
by Cynthia on April 16, 2008
One of the most predominant characteristics of the New Media is it's interactivity. Regardless of what specific application you're using, web-based media, in general, provide more user-to-user interactivity than any other form of mediated communication in history. Additionally, interactivity between user and information is what marks the shift from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0. The "one-to-many" model of traditional mass communication is being replaced with a "many-to-many" web of interactive communication.
Since the New Media alters traditional models of mass communication, we must radically review the ways we interact and communicate with others. The Church, as a primary vehicle for communicating the Good News, stands to amplify it's voice by using the interactive attributes found in the new media.
The image below represents a New Media mindset rather than a string of specific apps. Whether you blog or podcast, whether you facebook or MySpace, whether you Twitter or Jaiku, the significance of your web presence (whether individual or corporate) is greatly diminished if you are not providing ways for your users to easily hear and access you.
Let's remember, the congregation is not just listening. They're also talking.
Image attribution: Wayne Sutton
by Cynthia on April 15, 2008
When I changed my domain name and upgraded my WordPress from 2.3.3 to 2.5 I noticed a lot of things around here were neglected. I found a pile of 51 unpublished, incomplete drafts. Time to delete. I found mis-loaded images, broken links, outdated blogroll entries, etc. I could use a couple of days of site keeping.
No posting while I clean it up. Oops! Too late, already published.
Here's the new URL: http://thedigitalsanctuary.org/ so you can update your blogrolls.
What's on your electronic 'to do' list?
WordPress Upgrade
by Cynthia on April 14, 2008
by Cynthia on April 11, 2008
Some people are skeptical about the internet being a viable tool for sharing one's faith. While some argue about the validity of such efforts, others are mobilizing resources and taking action.
For example, the Internet Evangelism Coalition, an umbrella group of evangelical Christian organizations who share a vision for online outreach, backs the Internet Evangelism Day, a day set aside each year to draw attention to promoting usage of the net for evangelism. Some of the partnering organizations supporting this day include:
The day set aside for you, your church, or your ministry to focus on web evangelism is April 27, 2008. If you need more information about this topic, consult the people at Gospel.com who help sponsor the annual Internet Evangelism Day.
by Cynthia on April 9, 2008
Fellowship Technologies is hosting it's 2nd annual Dynamic Church Conference in about a month. If you are a church leader who wants to know more about ChMS, learn more about leveraging the power of the internet, networking with partners, etc., please join us in Dallas, May 15 - 17.
Because there are two Leadership Network Digital contributors on the speaker list, I thought you'd like to know we'll be at the Frisco Convention Center. We'd love to meet you. Here's more of what's offered:
* An pre-conference called 'Power Start' with six different, personalized training classes
* 60% more sessions across six different tracks, both Beginner & Advanced user levels
* Guest speakers include:
Terry Storch, Digerati Pastor, LifeChurch.tv and YouVersion.com
Joe Suh, Founder, MyChurch.org
Cynthia Ware, Pastor, Writer, Blogger, The Digital Sanctuary
* 50% more hands-on training labs, both Beginner & Advanced
* Dedicated Q & A - 'Ask the Experts' with Fellowship Technologies staff
* Free wireless Internet throughout the conference facilities
* Free 2 hour live worship concert featuring Lincoln Brewster
* And much, much more!
ChMS, church content management, church software, Dynamic Church Conference, Fellowship One, Fellowship Technologies, Joe Suh, LifeChurch.tv, My Church, Terry Storch the digital sanctuary
