The Digital Sanctuary » Technology

Social Media Summit – Join Us!

Cynthia — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:30:22 +0000

There’s a Social Media Summit this weekend that will inject a shot of redemptive light into the Des Moines Social Club. If you’re in the vicinity – sign up now!

Incubated by dear friend and colleague, Justin Wise, the Summit will be a hive of creative collaboration and a deep drill for Christian leaders who want a clearer understanding of participatory media evolution, new media values, opportunities, challenges and practical helps.

Justin, one of my team members at the Center for Church Communication, has done a masterful job of putting the Summit together and if you’re anywhere near the Des Moines, Iowa area this weekend and want a social media education, come dream with us. The children of Issachar understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Let’s do the same.

UK Presents Christian New Media Awards

Cynthia — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:14:11 +0000

One of the things I’ve been focused on lately is the self-referencing we Christians do when it comes to the web. Working with the Center for Church Communication has convinced me that there must be so much we’re missing in terms of global communications. Imagine my surprise when I discovered Steve Fogg who’s a brilliant student of church comm over in Australia.

So I’m doing a bit of scouting… and via a tweet by Jason Clark found this. It’s not necessarily communication (or technology) related, but it does broaden our perspective so we can see beyond US Christianity via the web.

Here’s a brief history of the awards:

The Christian New Media Awards were the first ever exclusively Christian award ceremony for bloggers and web designers in the UK. They were established in 2007 by Premier Christian Media to recognise and reward Christian achievements on the internet.

Now in its fourth year, The Christian New Media Awards continue to grow. The awards now feature a new media section, to recognise a wider range of Christian achievements in technology, from iPhone applications to VJ to flash games.

Here are some of last year’s winners:

Best Christian Blog:

Winner — Dave’s District Blog, www.davesdistrictblog.blogspot.com
Runner Up — Bible Study Exposition Online, www.bibleseo.com

Most Inspiring Leadership Blog:

Winner — Nick Baines’s Blog, www.nickbaines.wordpress.com
Runner Up — The President and Vice President of the Methodist Conference, www.methodist-presandvp.blogspot.com

Best Christian Blog for under 25’s:

Winner — The Rmablings of Hughbo, www.hughbourne.co.uk
Runner Up — Saved by Grace, Dan Blythe, www.danblythe.wordpress.com

Best Newcomer Blog:

Winner — The Church Mouse Blog, www.churchmousepublishing.blogspot.com
Runner Up — The Thoughts of a Thinker, Xander Coomber, www.xandercoomber.co.uk

Special Recognition (for the youngest entrant):

Winner — Faithful Catholic Girl, www.faithfulcatholicgirl.blogspot.com

Best Small Church Website:

Winner — Stevenston High Kirk, www.highkirk.com
Runner Up — Reading Family Church, www.readingfamilychurch.org.uk

Best Large Church Website:

Winner — Hope City Church, www.hopecitychurch.tv
Runner Up — Abundant Life Ministries, www.alm.org.uk

Best Christian Organization:

Winner — Divine Match – The UK Christian Singles Community, www.divinematch.co.uk
Runner Up — Christian Today, www.christiantoday.com

Best Christian Music Site:

Winner — Worship Central, www.worshipcentral.org
Runner Up — Musicademy, www.musicademy.com

People’s Choice Award:

Winner — Holy Trinity Monastery, East Hendred – A monastery of Roman Catholic Benedictine nuns in the Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, www.benedictinenuns.org.uk

Best use of New Media for a Christian project:

Winner — Clayton.tv, www.clayton.tv
Runner Up — New Frontiers Church Planting, www.ukchurchplanting.org

Best use of New Media for a Christian campaign:

Winner — Passion Play, www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqZjRh2cCnE
Runner Up — Tearfund – Make Life Flow, www.tearfund.org.uk/lobalooroll

Best use of Rich Media for Christians

Winner — 24-7 Shorts, www.24-7shorts.com/

Joint Winner — Island Wall Entertainment, www.islandwall.com
Runner Up — Planet Sport, www.planetsport.tv

SoChurch – Simplifying Church Communications

Cynthia — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 01:22:53 +0000

Creating products that actually serve the church is not easy, especially when it comes to technology. The interwebs are littered with Christian ghettos, static dead-end websites and social networking tools that promised they were designed to serve the church but somehow really didn’t.

Why a product or application fails is hard to say. Some apps end up as walled gardens, others accidentally fell into broadcast mode, offering no community appeal, and so died off, and still others never got over their clunky user interface issues or high bar fees.

Nevertheless, there are those courageous individuals who press forward always straining to develop services that really do foster richer communication opportunities for churches.

Recently, I was asked to check out a start up called SoChurch and I found myself curious….

Here’s what I learned:

SoChurch is being built with the church in mind.

SoChurch is a work in progress, with developers getting plenty of input early on to make sure the product release is stellar.

SoChurch wants to change the way ministries and churches leverage web technology for church communication.

SoChurch is a communication platform for community development both within and beyond the church walls.

SoChurch is going to be scalable, dynamic, and culturally flexible – and I can’t wait to see what that means!

John Saddington, a SoChurch advisor & evangelist said this recently, “Organizations who are weak in terms of communication end up with frustrated programs, initiatives, and burnt out personnel.” So true!! So bring it SoChurch, help us communicate.

You can expect to hear a lot more in the near future and follow SoChurch on Twitter to get daily status updates.

Disclaimer: I am on the advisory board for SoChurch.

Technologies for Worship at NAB Expo

Cynthia — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:49:09 +0000

NAB Expo is right around the corner – from April 12 – 15 2010 in Las Vegas.

The Technologies For Worship Pavilion at NAB will offer comprehensive training for church worship staff and technical volunteers. The pavilion is set up like a virtual worship environment, incorporating video projection, web streaming, moving lights, digital audio console technology, personal monitoring and live worship music.

If you want to plan your Technologies for Worship Pavilion tour you can use this schedule for planning. You can register for a free floor pass here compliments of TFWM; use code TF01 when prompted.

And pastors, you should be there – if only just to hear FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski. Bet you didn’t know that wireless mic of yours needs a license, huh?

Plus, I got this from Jason Rouse:

The Technologies for Worship Pavilion offers comprehensive training for house of worship staff and technical volunteers and is the focal point for all things related to worship technology at the NAB Show. In addition, you may be interested in Destination Broadband – the newest broadband-centric exhibit at the 2010 NAB Show. It will be featuring technologies like online video platforms, streaming video, mobile video distribution, and much more.

Technologies for Worship Schedule
Destination Broadband

The reason I’m reaching out to you is because I have a special registration code for you to pass along to your readers, giving them access to the show – a $150 value – for FREE. This special pass includes the exhibit floor, the Opening Keynote and State of the Industry Address, Info Sessions, Content Theater, Destination Broadband Theater and Exhibits. All you and your readers need to do is visit http://ow.ly/13TL9 to redeem or register at http://nabshow.com/register with the code A913.

SxSW platforms LifeChurch on Measurable Results

Cynthia — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:35:16 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

Remember way back when, when we all voted on panels for SxSW?

Videos of today’s SxSW gathering are already hitting YouTube. Thanks Tony Steward for streaming live on your iPhone.

Technology For Results, Not Profits featured a couple of the LifeChurch.tv digerati, Terry Storch & Bobby Grunewald, engaging audience members on ways nonprofits can maintain and even grow their support base.

“Profit isn’t a bad thing. When you incorporate free tools to engage your users (like LifeChurch.tv’s youversion), you are funded from a philanthropic perspective – people donate to support the cause,” Grunewald said.

Churches – quantify your results.
“It can be even more important for nonprofits to use online analytic services to stay in touch with their communities. Because many nonprofits are local, it’s important for members to feel connected and to know that their organization is in touch with them. As a nonprofit, it’s important to see your measurable results compared to how your community is actually doing. Crunch the numbers. See if you’re making an impact.” (via http://sxtxstate.com/)

Is your church measuring their results overall and in every department at every level? If so how? What metrics do you use and what do you measure?

Want a Dynamic Church Conference Discount?

Cynthia — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:15:37 +0000

My great friends at Fellowship One Technologies hosting the Dynamic Church Conference (DC10) are offering a $50.00 off deal! This is an unbeatable opportunity for all those happy campers who use F1 technologies and those interested in doing so.

DC10 is a three-day educational event focused on teaching users and developers how to effectively leverage Fellowship One. I, myself, have spoken at Dynamic Church Conference and inspire churches to impact their ministries through complete utilization Fellowship One. It will be held this year on May 12-14 at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

The goal for DC10 is to educate and inspire churches so they can impact their ministries through Fellowship One. Here are a few reasons you should attend DC10…

Lower Cost… just $249 — that’s less than half the cost of previous years! (Use the promo code IMPACT prior to March 31^st to get $50 off the registration fee!)
Education focused… DC10 will feature 60 education sessions across six tracks, 40 breakout sessions and a Consulting Lab staffed with computers and Fellowship One experts
Dynamic Speakers… Check out featured presenters
Developer Track… Geared specifically to application and web gurus wanting to extend the power of Fellowship One, register now for just $99
Networking… DC10 Meet & Greet, Networking Lunch and panel discussions offer great opportunities to hear how other churches are utilizing Fellowship One to grow their ministries.

Ed Young Gets His Rap On

Cynthia — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:25:46 +0000

Ed Young gets his rap on…..

By referencing a handful of well known US pastors in this You Tube video rap experiment, Fellowship Church’s Senior Pastor, Ed Young takes ‘using video clips for ministry purposes’ in an unexpected direction.

Ed names Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Craig Groeschel, John Piper, Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, TD Jakes, Rob Bell, Dino Rizzo and others, uses simple editing technology & builds a rhyme to distribute his message – U. B. U.

Thoughts?

Worship Leader Magazine Adds Tech Expert

Cynthia — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:22:13 +0000

Worship Leader magazine just emailed me announcing that DJ Chuang will join the company as Network Developer. Although I forgot to blog it, I got the privilege of writing for Worship Leader last summer (Cynthia Ware – Worship Leader’s Toolbox) and have been so impressed with their persistent and ongoing focus on the use of technology and it’s overlap with worship. Hiring a specific Network Developer just seems so right.

DJ, who has been an amazing support to me over the years, has been at the forefront of spearheading network communications, software development, Web strategies, and multi-site church growth and administration with Christian nonprofits such as Leadership Network and the American Bible Society. He will contribute to Worship Leader’s efforts to inform their leadership community of over 35,000 subscribers—reaching well over 150,000 congregations in North America —regarding new media resources and their use in the service of worship.

“I am excited to welcome DJ,” say’s Chuck Fromm, publisher of Worship Leader magazine. “We have been dedicating significant editorial space to the discussion of the digital revolution, Christian networks, and the lead-worshiper’s role in participatory culture—the major trend set off by new media. Whether singing a hymn in the sanctuary or engaging in community prayer via the Internet, participation is a core practice and value of the worship community,” relays Fromm. “Through the digital production and distribution of music, worship leaders have been at the forefront as early adopters of new media. They have discovered through Facebook, MySpace, Ning sites, Twitter, and a variety of blogs how these technologies can be managed to engage with God and each other. Because of his deep theoretical and practical knowledge, DJ is an important contributor to that mix.”

Daniele Kimes, Worship Leader’s VP of Sales & Marketing weighs in saying, “New and mobile media are changing Church communications by the micro-second (digital minute). We are using every tool possible to serve our advertisers and those who are part of our training network.”

DJ brings an impressive history in the Christian nonprofit world to his role at Worship Leader and says, “I’m thrilled for the opportunity to bring my work and life experiences together to serve a growing and thriving media ministry. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team and anticipate a great working relationship.”

Chuang worked at L2 Foundation (developing next generation Asian American leaders), at Leadership Network (as Director of Digital Initiatives) and The American Bible Society (in software development and Internet donor development). In addition to his work with Worship Leader Media, he currently serves as Leadership Community Director for Multi-Site Churches at Leadership Network. Having served as a pastor for five years and with both a degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech and a Masters in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, he is a perfect fit for Worship Leader Media, merging media savvy and theological practice and application.

New Year’s Resolution? Mobile Bible Reading

Cynthia — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:12:32 +0000

Exciting news to report from the YouVersion Team. (thanks @tonysteward)

They’ve just launched 20+ Bible reading plans across their website and their mobile applications.

Although there have been lists and plans out there for while, this is the first time they’ve integrated them into a free Bible platform that offers so many different translations/languages and is on over 3 million mobile devices.

With New Year’s just a day or so away many people are looking to make new commitments and resolutions. Reading the Bible daily is the single best habit a person can establish. I’ve been reading the Bible on my phone for 3 years now and love it.

YouVersion Reading Plan Details:

20+ plans are available online and on your mobile device, so you can keep up with your reading no matter where you are.
You can customize each plan to match your schedule by making it shorter or longer.
Easily track where you are by checking off each day’s reading. We’ll also show you how far along you are with a percentage of completion.
Your online and mobile accounts will synchronize your information, including your plan and your progress.
Soon, you’ll be able to build a support system by opting in for accountability emails to you and/or a friend.

Links:
Reading Plan Page: http://www.youversion.com/about/reading-plans
Mobile: http://www.youversion.com/download

If you already read the Bible on your phone or use the You Version app, can you encourage others here?

The Electronic Gospel – How Tech Shapes Faith

Cynthia — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:16:59 +0000

Dallas Theological Seminary’s Center for Christian Leadership is hosting Shane Hipps, author of Flickering Pixels (my review), for a one day conference in Dallas called The Electronic Gospel: How Technology Shapes Our Faith on February 8th, 2010. Here’s the official description:

A conference about engaging technology with discernment, creativity, and purpose as you articulate the gospel in a digital age … Whether you’re leading a ministry, volunteering in church, or parenting children, this conference will help you navigate the digital age. You’ll be equipped to evaluate technology, discern its effects, and utilize it to communicate the gospel.

John Dyer will lead one on controlling technology in our daily lives, Scott McClellan of Collide Magazine will lead a session on social media, and Bill Buchanan of Irving Bible Church will lead one on technology in the worship service.

(via John Dyer Don’t Eat the Fruit)