eMinisterBlog

Facebook Releases Group Chat

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:54:00 +0000

In a press conference at Facebook’s Palo Alto headquarters, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the social network is releasing Group Chat to its 750 million members.

The multi-person chat feature was inspired by the chat functionality inside Facebook Groups and will be incorporated in the new design of Facebook Chat. Group Chat will be rolled out to users beginning Wednesday.

“Now when your friends can’t figure out what movie to see, you can just add them to a chat and decide together,” Facebook video chat engineer Phillip Su says of the new feature. “To include more friends in your conversation, simply select Add Friends to Chat.”

More than 50% of users on Facebook are active in Facebook Groups, and Groups have an average of seven people, the company revealed Wednesday. The idea, then, is to make Group Chat more ad-hoc and accessible to all Facebook users.
In addition to Group Chat, Facebook is also releasing its highly-anticipated Skype-powered video chat feature Wednesday.

Source: Mashable

4 Ways Mobile Tech Is Improving Education

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:38:00 +0000

Communication centers, computers, laptops, mobile phones and tablets have all been spoken about at one point or another as technologies with promising applications for education.

But mobile phones stand apart in an important way. In United States high schools, 98% of students have access to some kind of smartphone, according to a report by Blackboard and Project Tomorrow.

The United Nation’s International Telecommunication Union estimated that there were 5.3 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide at the end of 2010 — and that a full 90% of the world population now has access to a mobile network. In contrast, only about 2 billion people have Internet access.

Students around the world are increasingly bringing their own mini-computers (or some connected device) to class. Whether this creates a distraction or a boon to learning is debatable, but these four uses of mobile phones in education — and countless others — could one day help prove the latter.

Click to Read More...
Source: Mashable

2011 Ministry Strategy #1: Digital Content

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:35:00 +0000

As we prepare to enter into 2011, I thought it would be useful to begin the new year with a few strategies to assist Ministries in accomplishing our online goals. These strategies are meant to both establish a foundation and to enhance the strategies that may have already been implemented.

In our efforts to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the majority of Ministries distribute media in the forms of cd's, dvd's, books, handouts, or some other format. These items are either purchased at the Church, through a distribution channel or through an online store and shipped to the purchaser.

Since we are living in a digital age, Ministries must begin to embrace the times and respond accordingly. Ministries must begin to make the 'Digital Shift' and keep pace with how people are purchasing, receiving, listening, and viewing Christan content.

Including digital content as a Ministry Strategy is a useful, efficient, and cost effective method of distribution. Digital content is not limited to audio, video, and documents. It can also include Applications that can be run on Smart Phones (iPhone, Android, etc.) and other Devices (iPod, iPod Touch, iPad, Tablets, etc.). Some of these applications can be used to retrieve updated content and to view and listen to streaming content. The possibilities are endless but we must begin to utilize the technology that is available.

Recently I read an article from Pew Internet that stated '65% of Internet users have paid to access or download some kind of digital content. Music and software are the most common kinds of content purchased.' According to the study, most users will pay $10 a month for online content.

Why Digital Content?

Digital Content is becoming more and more popular and a preferred method of today's generation. There are many reasons for this shift that include:

1) Easy payment methods via the Internet or a Mobile Device
2) Improved Digital Delivery Methods (content can be downloaded as files or applications)
3) Advancement in Smart Phone and Portable Device Technology to facilitate Digital Delivery
4) Simplified formats that will support multiple devices
5) Portability and accessibility of downloaded content
6) Cost Effective Method of Distribution (Low overhead cost, eliminates shipping and re-production cost)

Method of Delivering Digital Content

To deliver your Ministry content digitally, your content must be accessible on the Internet or Portable device for download. The easiest and most popular method of delivery for Digital Content is a file download. File downloads include documents, video, and the most popular content audio/music.

An Online store can be equipped with functionality to allow users to download audio, video, and documents from the store during the checkout process as compared to shipping the product to the user. This method greatly reduces the overhead cost of the product delivery process. As a prerequisite, all you have to do is upload your content and then make it available for purchase via an online store.

For Applications that can be used on Smart Phones, iPads, etc., the applications must first be created and then made available for purchase via the Apple Store (iPhone, iPad applications) or through the Android Market (Android Applications).

Here's a great tutorial from ChurchDrop on how to create an iPhone Application for your Church.

Remember, people are purchasing digital items and the Church must shift towards meeting the growing demand and make digital Christian content available.

Is Digital Content included in your Online Ministry Strategy? If so, what type of Digital Content is your Ministry making available?

Link Your YouVersion Account to Facebook and Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:46:00 +0000

Posted by Scott Magdalein
@ http://blog.youversion.com

Linking your free YouVersion account to your social networks makes it really simple to use the Bible App to share your thoughts about verses you’re reading, or about how God is speaking to you through Scripture. You’ll always have control over what you share—no surprises in your Twitter or Facebook feed. It’s an easy way you can share your faith with your friends.

And setting it up is really easy. It literally takes just about a minute. Here’s all you have to do:

Click to continue reading.....

PostPost: A Social Newspaper of your Facebook Feed

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Image waking up every morning in your PJs with a cup of coffee and reading your Facebook updates as an online newspaper. With the help of PostPost, the dream is now a reality.

According to Mashable.com, “Data management and rapid application deployment solutions company TigerLogic has just launched PostPost, a real-time “social newspaper” that’s created from the links, photos and videos your friends share on Facebook.”

In essence, what PostPost does is take your Facebook newsfeed, but presents it in a way that is more manageable. PostPost also uses the Yolink search API to help you find context and backlinks within your paper”.

To view your Facebook Social Newspaper, go to PostPost.com and sign-in with your Facebook ID.

Check out the video…..

New Facebook Profiles are Here....

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Just in time for Christmas!!

The new Facebook Profile Pages are now available to try out.

According to Mashable.com 'We were expecting the new profiles to go live tomorrow, but it seems they’re up and running now.

That's good news to me. To activate your new Facebook Profile, simply click on Facebook’s announcement.
Some of the features include:

* Revamped personal info
* More prominent pictures
* Top interests showcased as images,
* More descriptive relationships

Check out Facebook’s video and our walkthrough:

Facebookers Changing Profile Pics to Fight Child Abuse

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 03:30:00 +0000

Why is Rocko, that one-dimensional wallaby from the ’90s cartoon series, now a friend of mine on Facebook? And Charlie Brown? And Chip ‘n’ Dale?

Other Facebook users — if they haven’t jumped on the bandwagon already — will likely see a similar trend in the next few days. A new campaign is asking users to change their profile picture to a photo of a favorite childhood cartoon to raise awareness of child abuse.

According to a Facebook Page that appears to be promoting the profile pic switch, this is the Campaign to End Violence Against Children – Childhood Cartoon Faces.

Click to Read More....

Source: Mashable.com
Posted by: Emily Banks

More Colleges using Hand-Held Devices

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:53:00 +0000

EVANSTON, Ill. — If any of the 70 undergraduates in Prof. Bill White’s “Organizational Behavior” course here at Northwestern University are late for class, or not paying attention, he will know without having to scan the lecture hall.

Their “clickers” will tell him. Every student in Mr. White’s class has been assigned a palm-size, wireless device that looks like a TV remote but has a far less entertaining purpose. With their clickers in hand, the students in Mr. White’s class automatically clock in as “present” as they walk into class.

They then use the numbered buttons on the devices to answer multiple-choice quizzes that count for nearly 20 percent of their grade, and that always begin precisely one minute into class. Later, with a click, they can signal to their teacher without raising a hand that they are confused by the day’s lesson.

But the greatest impact of such devices — which more than a half-million students are using this fall on several thousand college campuses — may be cultural: they have altered, perhaps irrevocably, the nap schedules of anyone who might have hoped to catch a few winks in the back row, and made it harder for them to respond to text messages, e-mail and other distractions.

Click here to continue reading.

SOURCE: The New York Times

Jacques Steinberg

Read the Bible on Facebook with YouVersion

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:39:00 +0000

I personally don't spend as much time on Facebook as I did in the past. I try to use a good portion of my 'online time' reading the Bible.

With the new Facebook YouVersion application, I can make my Facebook time more useful by reading the Bible without ever leaving Facebook.

You can check out the YouVersion Facebook App @ http://apps.facebook.com/youversion/

YouVersion Mobile Bible: 10 Million + Readers and Growing...

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:28:00 +0000

Wow is all I can say. The number of Mobile Bible Readers using the YouVersion Bible App is more extensive than I could image.

I LOVE the YouVersion Bible ..and so do 10 Million + other people.

See for yourself....

Creating an Internet Talk Show for your Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 13:51:00 +0000

Need another creative way to expand the reach of your Ministry? Try starting your own "Ministry Internet Talk Show"!!

With today's Technology and the Internet, starting your own Internet Talk Show is quick, easy, and affordable (free in some cases).

If your interested in hosting an Audio Internet Talk Show, BlogtalkRadio, is the way to go. And best of all its a free service.

If your interesting in hosting a video Internet Talk Show, here's a good article from Mashable.com on starting and hosting a Video Internet Talk Show.

Do you have an Internet Talk Show? Please share your experiences....

Access Granted: Blogging Pastors

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:36:00 +0000

There is one item that many visitors and church members look for in a Ministry once they've become comfortable with the Word being preached and its Ministry offerings.

Accessibility to the Pastor.

This extremely important to new and existing members. People are looking for answers, have questions, and desire insight that can be provided by the Pastor.

I've seen occasions where people will stand in the Church parking lot waiting for the Pastor to leave just ask questions about the Word that they've just received.
People want to have access to the Pastor. They desire to hear your thoughts and know the Heart of the Pastor. An inaccessible Pastor is a quick way to make your Ministry members and visitors feel 'isolated'.

With busy schedules and duties of Family, Ministry, etc., Blogging is an easy and effective way method for a Pastor to be accessible to the multitudes outside of Sunday services.

Blogging, as defined by Webopedia.com, 'is a Web Page that serves as a publicly accessible personal journal for an individual. Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author'. In layman terms, a Blog is a web page where the author/Pastor will periodically post articles and write about a topic.

For example, the Pastor just finished preaching about a topic on Sunday and wanted to give more background information or a further explanation of the subject. Blogging is a great method for the Pastor to continue 'preaching/teaching' the sermon. Additionally, a Pastor may feel the need to responsd to a World Event. Blogging is an easy method for sharing your thoughts with the congregation.

For church members and visitors, Blogs provide the ability to comment and ask questions about the posted topics and allow Pastor to quickly respond. This will create a dialog that can be extremely beneficial to both parties.

Blogging enhances the communication flow between the Pastor and the congregation and allows members to feel connected.

Are you a Blogging Pastor? What topics do you Blog about?

Starting a Mobile Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Someone recently asked me a very intriguing question: ‘How can they Start a Mobile Ministry’?

With the latest innovations in Mobile Devices and Cell Phone technology, Mobile Ministry is the next great platform for Ministry. (Please read my article: Mobile Ministry:
A New Harvest).

Being able to ‘Push’ or ‘Display’ information for your current Church Website on a Mobile Device allows your Ministry to be accessible on-the-go. Mobile Ministry is another valuable tool that can be used to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Minister to the masses.

The first thing to be considered in Mobile Ministry is the purpose of your Mobile Ministry.

Just like your local Church, Mobile Ministries must have a Mission and Vision. Your Mission may take you in different paths. Your Mobile Ministry may encompass a Mobile Website, making your Blog RSS Feed available, having MP3 Messages for download/Podcast, or a Ministry that uses Text Messaging for encouragement, etc. Video is also something to consider.

Whatever it is, clearly define how you want to expand the Kingdom of God via Mobile technology.

To carry out the Mission of your Mobile Ministry, the type of content that you desire to use must also be considered. Mobile content can consist of Text, Images, Video, and Audio. Not all Mobile Devices can display Video or play Audio. The majority of Mobile Devices can handle text, images, and for the most part play MP3 audio downloads. Please consider this fact in your Mobile Strategy.

I recommend beginning with a Mobile site that consist of text and images. Audio and Video can be added later or you can provide links to this type of content for users that have Mobile Devices with this capability. Remember, text Messaging is huge!

The next step requires a decision. If you have an existing Ministry Website or Blog, you must decide if you want to make the content on that site available to a Mobile Device or create the Mobile site from scratch.

Part II and III will examine the pros, cons, and how-to's of converting an existing Ministry website to a Mobile Version or creation of a Mobile Ministry site from the beginning.

Do you currently have a Mobile Website for your Ministry? What is your Ministries Mobile Vision?

Mobile Keywords for Your Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:35:00 +0000

Communication within the Ministry is vital to the success of any Church. Leadership and members need and desire to be kept up-to-date on the activities of the Ministry.

These items are usually communicated during services, e-mails, via paper bulletins, Church Website or other advertisements. The methods are 'sufficient' but not always 'efficient'. For example, most Ministry Communications process are slow to a) Sudden changes in scheduled activities and b) Sudden scheduling of Meetings.

The reason for this inefficiency in communication can be linked to the Technology that Ministries use to communicate.

The standard practices to communicate these sudden changes are to send out additional e-mails, make phone calls, or by word-of-mouth. The Church website is not always a good idea since some members may not have access to a computer during their work hours.

The idea behind this technology is to leverage a tool that over 90% of American use: A Cell Phone. Text Messaging, especially with the younger generation, is extremely popular. Most church members have a cell phone which makes communication through this tool a viable solution.

So what is our Strategy to make this process more efficient? Mobile Keywords!!

A Mobile Keyword is a one-word phrase that identifies a product, service, action, or business. People text a mobile keyword to a pre-publicized 4, 5 or 6-digit short code number to receive additional information and to join your mobile distribution list.

For example, your Ministry first creates a Mobile Keyword for meetings. An announcement would be sent to encourage members to text the 'mobile keyword' to a pre-defined short code number to join the Mobile distribution list for meetings.

At any given point, the Administrator for the Meetings Mobile distribution list can send a 160-character text message to everyone that has joined the mobile list informing them of newly scheduled, cancelled, or updated meetings.

Need to coordinate group activities and coordinate on the go? Mobile Keywords provide the means to make this a reality.

Interested in this technology? Please visit TextMarks.com.

Here are a few items that you can do with Mobile Keys @ TextMarks.

Manage text alert lists.
- Your group members can easily join your list and receive text alerts whenever you send them.
- Ideal for schedule changes, updates, game results and reminders.
Facilitate many-to-many text discussions.
- Just like an email discussion list, but on the phone.
- Users save time and money by sending to one number that forwards to the entire group.
Provide updates and collect feedback.
- Update your keyword's response with the latest information.
- Collect real time feedback at gatherings and events

If your Ministry is using Mobile Keywords, let us know what they are and how your Ministry has benefited from their use.

Pay-Per-View Ministry Events with uStream

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:52:00 +0000

There are some Ministry events such as seminars and training classes where churches would like to recoup some of the overhead cost by charging a small donation for the events.

This is extremely easy to do when the events are held at a physical location? But what about online Ministry events that are streamed via the Internet?

Setting up a process to charge a small donation for these online events is not an easy task to implement.

uStream recently announced an upcoming service called "Open Pay Per View" which will allow broadcasters to charge viewers to watch uStream content. Payments for the service will be processed via PayPal.

Interested in Open Pay Per View for your Ministry? You can begin the process by completing an Application.

What are thoughts on this service? Do you think that your Ministry could benefit from from Open Pay Per View?

A Vanity Facebook URL for your Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:16:00 +0000

With over 500 Million (and counting) users on Facebook, your Ministry is just another needle in the haystack of this ever expanding Social Network.

Everyone wants to be unique and stick out from the crowd. Everyone wants their message to be heard. Isn’t that the main reason why were are online; so that people can hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be ministered to?

So the real question is: How can we be effective and Minister online if no one can find us? People have to be able to find you so that they can experience your Ministry and what it has to offer. If they can’t, then you’re just someone screaming in a space where there are very few people.

Everyday I meet people that want to connect on Facebook and receive information about my Ministry. I usually give them my name and then they perform a Facebook search. This works in a conversation but what about printed material such as the church bulletin, hotcard, etc.? What information can Ministries place on printed material to assist people in finding it on Facebook?

Just like in the days of old when the URL (a.k.a. website address) of your Ministry website was important, your Facebook URL or Facebook web address should at the same level of importance as your website address.

By default, your Facebook page will get a randomly assigned number and URL (facebook.com/pages/yourprofilename/123456789). Facebook allows Vanity URLs or customized Facebook web addresses to be created for pages that have over 25 users or likers. I recently created http://www.facebook.com/eminister.

To begin creating your Ministry Facebook Vanity URL, visit facebook.com/username and follow the wizard.

A Vanity Facebook URL is an effective tool in establishing your Ministry presence.

What Vanity Facebook URL are you using for your Ministry?

eBook: 7 Ways Technology Helps Churches Win at Disciple Making

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:41:00 +0000

Lauren Hunter @ ChurchTechToday recently wrote a great article entitled '3 Positive Results from Having a Disciple Making System in Place .

In the article, Lauren referenced an eBook by Steve Caton and Ben Stroup that really grabbed my attention.

For anyone interested in improving the Disciple making process within your ministry, the eBook "Getting the Disciple Making Right" is worth reading.

Planning for your Digital Afterlife

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:13:00 +0000

Each of us go through life day-by-day Tweeting, sending Facebook status updates, posting pictures on Flickr and enjoying our life in the Cyber world.

Just like life in real world, many of us are taught to handle 'our business' and prepare to handle our earthly assets by creating wills, trusts funds, insurance policies, etc. We are encouraged to take care of our families and make sure that our assets are properly managed and distributed after are death.

I am the first to admit that I have never given a single thought to what happens to my digital assets after my death. I never thought about the footprints that I leave in Cyberspace will remain there for the rest of eternity.
Here's an article from Mashable that gives seven (7) services that will help manage your digital life after death.

Do you have a plan for the your Digital Afterlife?

The 'Online' Countries We Live In

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:31:00 +0000

Today's world can be broken down and measured by many things. One of the more significant items in a world of Technology is how it can be defined by 'Online' communities.

The map below was created by illustrator Randle Monroe and provides a world view of Online communities in 2010 if they were actual countries.

Please visit the original article at Mashable to see a 2007 representation of Online communities and how the world has changed in the past 3 years.

Where would your Online citizenship reside?

Social Media: Empowering the Homeless to Achieve

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 03:14:00 +0000

Today, I viewed a video by Mark Horvath that discussed his testimony and how through the use of Social Media, he and other were empowered to change their lives from a life of homelessness to a life of prosperity.

Over the few months, I've been reading and re-reading the Seven Mountain Prophecy by John Enslow. The Mountain (Kingdom) of Economy is one of the kingdoms mentioned that is ruled by the Canaanites and prefers to keep people in poverty.

Mark's testimony is a great example of how Social Media (i.e. Technology) has been used to overcome the Kingdom of Economy and it's influence on financial poverty.

His dream is 'to empower people that are experiencing poverty and homelessness to learn Social Media'. We are Visible (www.wearevisible.com) is the manifestation of that dream and has helped a number of homeless people become empowered through Social Media.

Please visit We Are Visible and help Mark continue this great and powerful Ministry.

Without Technology, your Ministry may be 'Outdated'

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:52:00 +0000

This is the response that some visitors have when they visit Ministries and observe the daily operations of the Church.

Today's generation is a generation born and raised on Technology.

If you're not using Text Messaging, Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other technologies such as Audio/Video Streaming, your Ministry will appear to be antiquated.

I would even go as far as saying that your Ministry is sometimes 'viewed' by the amount and/or use of Technology it uses to fulfill the Great Commission.

Technology is a great tool that will compliment but not replace your Ministry efforts. Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about the Word of God and what the Bible teaches. Technology is vehicle to help carry that Word to the Nation.

Are you using Technology in your Ministry efforts? How has it been implemented?

Fast Follow: SMS for your Ministry - Without a Twitter Account

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 05:17:00 +0000

OK everyone, this is a solution that I've been waiting for!

*** breathe in / breathe out ***

First, let me start by stating the problems.

One of the main issues that I've encountered at the Ministry that I belong to is how to communicate with Church members to provide updates and information via SMS, aka text messaging and send out alerts at a moments notice.

An SMS solution is definitely the answer to this issue but I wanted to find a text messaging solution that was low budget; I mean LOW budget. I thought about Twitter and Facebook as solutions but members would have to sign-up for an account to receive the updates.

Enter Twitter Fast Follow - Stage Left
I recently discovered a Twitter feature called 'Fast Follow'. In its simplistic form, Fast Follow allows individuals that DO NOT have a Twitter account to text "follow TwitterName" to 40404 (Twitter's U.S. shortcode) and they will immediately begin receiving tweets for the account that they are following without ever signing up.

Text Messaging is great for updating Church members on upcoming events, reminders, cancellations, or any other Ministry related information.

Here's an interesting statistic: 90% of text messages are read within three minutes of delivery and 99% are read eventually. It’s a powerful medium.

What SMS solutions are you using in your Ministry? Are you using Twitter's Fast Follow??

Facebook Groups..looks interesting...

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 03:26:00 +0000

So the third largest country, Facebook revealed a new feature to create 'Groups' or 'mini' Facebooks. (Facebook is not really a country but if it was, it would be the third largest based on membership.)

How many ways can you find to incorporate Facebook Groups into your Ministry? Please share them with us.

To learn more about the NEW Facebook Groups, check out the video.

Kingdom Strategies for Technology

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:48:00 +0000

Next week I am preparing to speak at a Summit on "How to Use Technology to Overcome the Seven Mountains (Kingdoms of Influence).

If you are not familiar with the Seven Mountain Prophecy, please read the book by Johnny Enlow .

Part of my presentation involves Kingdom Strategies that we as (e)Ministers, or those that Minister through Technology, should keep in mind as we create, provide, and engage others for the Kingdom of God online.

1) The Church must become Content Providers. Technology should be used to create Christian content that contain positive news, stories, and information to counteract the the kingdom of Darkness and to saturate the airwaves with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2) The Church must provide Alternatives to existing Content and Media Outlets. Let's be real. We live in a society that loves to be stimulated by what we see and hear. Ministries must provide alternatives to the videos posted on YouTube and the music that our Youth are downloading over the Internet. I am not suggesting creating separate 'Christian' sites to facilitate the alternative content, but in some cases this may need to be considered. The primary focus should be to increase the saturation of Christian content - on every media channel.

3) The Church must become the online Voice of Reason in a time of corruption and false doctrine. People are searching for answers and seeking God. They have questions and are being lead by anything that 'sounds' good or feels good. Too many souls are not receiving the truth or are hearing lies disguised by the selfish motives of others. Through our blogs, social networks, rss feeds, video, etc. we must educate and saturate the airwaves with the truth and sound doctrine. We must preach the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christians we should initiate and participate in online discussions and be the light that speaks Truth.

4) The Church must become Innovators and only Imitators when needed. Satan has become creative in how he attacks us online. Ministries must become creative in our implementation of Technology and how we use it for Ministry. People are way beyond the basics.

For example, websites are good but Social Media is the latest and greatest. Therefore, becoming knowledgeable in how businesses and other industries are using Social Media to connect with people globally is a process that the Church should imitate to do the same.

With every emerging Technology, one of our first thoughts should be 'How can I use this to advance the Kingdom of God'. We must keep up with the latest Technology and become experts in how current and future Technologies can be used.

Do you have other strategies for using Technology to overcome the Seven Mountains? (Media, Family, Government, Religion, Arts & Entertainment, Economy, and Education)

What other Kingdom Technology strategies are you using in your online Ministry?

Ministry Websites: More than just IE

noreply@blogger.com (Darryl E. Bozeman) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:37:00 +0000

Testing the changes made to your Ministry website is just as important as the update itself.

Making sure that the changes render correctly in multiple browsers is one of the differences between a good website and a great website.

According to data from StatCounter, Internet Explorer, aka IE, has less than 50% market share and came in at 49.87% (September 2010). With steady growth from Firefox (31.5%) and Chrome (11.54%), web designers need to consider these up and coming web browsers when implementing and testing website updates.

I personally love Firefox. Which web browser do you prefer? Are you testing your Ministry website changes on a browser 'other' than IE?