Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts

Do It Yourself or Web Designer?

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There has been a dramatic push lately for businesses and churches as well to create their own website. Just yesterday I saw two different hosting companies commercials saying it was more affordable, and easier to just do it yourself.

And while to those who really haven’t thought about a budget, it may seem like a good idea. However, the templates they offer to ‘build’ your website with are very dated, and limited in ability to make a site that is usable for your ministry.

And if you are expecting to have some fancy site like the church down the block, who is offering an alternative to your church, well then unfortunately you might be sadly mistaken.

Lets face it. Your ministry website is one of the first things prospective members will see, and if it doesn’t grab them, chances are you won’t even get them in the door.

So What Do You Do?

I know most people think hiring someone to work on the ‘church’ site seems crazy. Surely there is someone in your church that could do it, and many times the person who gets delegated, especially in a small church, is the pastor. He doesn’t have much else to do with his time, and it is ‘his job’ to reach the lost, right?

And there are free options out there. Really! I am telling you free options can work. However if you are going to have a website, even a free one, you have to realize that your website is an extension of your ministry. And it needs to be accessible to everyone.

More people access the web, Facebook, even their personal bank account via their smart phone, or possibly a tablet computer than any other option. Your site must be friendly to those users. And even more importantly, it needs to keep updated. Even the biggest churches with full time media departments fail on this and that is one of the main reasons you need to hire a designer. Not just for the original creation of your site, but for maintenance.

But I Already Have A Site

Just today I took a look at a website that I was hired to do several years ago. When a new pastor came in, he decided that they no longer needed someone to do the site and would go with another option.

The first option they tried was one of the free hosting deals, and it was an okay site, but it really didn’t have much personality.  I never bothered checking their site again until today, and they have changed to a Word Press site.

Word Press is a good option for churches that want to control their own content, and is fairly easy to use. There are plenty of templates to use and if you know what you are doing, you can make a decent site with it.

However, you must keep it updated. You must change out the premade content in templates for your own, or remove the widgets that contain the WP content.

On this particular website, they had filled in a contact page, and a page for accepting money, but the rest of their site had lots of generic information waiting to be filled in.  So, it kind of sounds like what most who do not go to church think. ‘They only want me for my money.’

If your website is not current with relevant information about your ministry, then people will take a glance one time and move on. You will have lost a potential saint in your church.

Content Is King!

When people think about a website most of them immediately think about the flash, big photo galleries, a place for media downloads, and all of those ‘fancy moving parts.’

But what most forget, is if the information is not current, and relevant to your ministry, then it really doesn’t matter if you paid $10,000 for your website or made it yourself on a free host.

And the only way to make sure of that is to keep it updated. Whether you make time during the week to update it, or possibly add a blog widget so at least it appears you are active, even if all you do is tweet out scriptures or upload your sermon notes from the last message you preached, something must be done to keep it current.

Or if there is someone in your church who at least knows how to keep their Facebook page up to date, then perhaps they would be good. If not, hire a designer. They will keep on you for new content, if you happen to get behind, and usually the monthly update fee is very minimal and you don’t have to know all the technology behind it all.

Most Important Content

All of the website is important, but what really matters the most? This is debatable and really depends on who you ask, but there are a few things that I personally would make sure was accurate at least once a month. You might be surprised that some of these are not up to date.

  • Contact InfoCrazy as it sounds, often there are changes in email or phone numbers that gets updated on business cards, other internal church documents, and even newspaper advertisements, and the website gets over looked.
  • Pastor Name and/or PhotoCan you believe it? Yes, there are church websites out there that have not updated who the current pastor is on their site, or have a photo of the pastor that is more than ten years old.
  • Current Church Location I know! The church moved across town into their beautiful new building and didn’t mention it on their website. A visiting evangelist had come in a night early and had set his gps to go direct to the church based on the address online and was surprised when there was no church building there.

Everything is important to keep current, but those items are vital to your ministry.

It would be as if somehow the animals were headed to the ark and it got moved and Noah was no longer in charge. Chaos!

We Can Help!

Getting Busy

Jesus-Is-King-5It has been quite a summer. Sometimes we get so busy with life that we tend to neglect things that don’t seem as relevant to us at the moment.  I must apologize because I do believe that keeping updated on my design blog is important.

These past couple months I have went through some health battles,  started working for a radio station, updated my commercial website, and helped plan and celebrate my parents 50th anniversary.

With all that has happened, it would be easy to excuse not updating my blog and design website, but when we do that, we get caught in the trap of rationalization and before we know it, not only days have passed, but weeks, months, sometimes years. It is hard to catch up, and so rather than deal  with it, we just seem to forget it.

A lot of ministry websites are in serious need of updating. Some need completely redesigned. I have covered this topic before, but it bears repeating. It is one aspect of ministry that can be forgotten, but it is very important.

UPDATE YOUR LINKS!

Recently, I went to a website to check out their live stream video of a conference and while I enjoyed the services immensely, I was distracted a bit, because it was hard to find which link to click. Someone had taken the time to link to the videos, but they had forgotten to place those links on the front page of their website. Overall their website was decent, but its very important to make sure links work and are in proper places for people to be able to find them.

Your ministry website reaches places you might never be able to go. World wide, you may be touching souls, but if it is a difficult search to find where your message is, chances are they will give up looking. Its just a fact of life. We are willing to search, but many of us don’t dig too deep.

A FEW SUGGESTIONS

If your website is more than ten years old, chances are you need a new website or at least a redesign. Truthfully, if you have a website five years old, its probably only accessible to a few people.  Just as we update our wardrobe when it no longer fits, it is important to update the way people contact us. Our world is forever changing.

Here are a few suggestions for areas to update on your ministry website, that would not be too hard.

  • DOMAIN If your domain is not reflect your current church name, then it needs to be changed. Many churches by a domain name once, and then change the name of their church, or their pastor, or have a domain that is not easy to remember. You can update your website simply by changing to a name that is easier to remember and more appropriate to your website. (You can keep your current domain pointed to the new one, just for the few stragglers that don’t like change.0
  • TWITTER If you haven’t heard of Twitter by now, then perhaps the internet is not available in your area. And you probably do not have a cell phone. However, Twitter is a valuable asset for your ministry.  Your current church members can receive important updates, your church schedule,  special speakers,  and other information on their cell phones, Facebook, or own Twitter pages simply from you sending out one small 140 character paragraph. And, it can be embedded in your website to keep it up to date.
  • PHOTOGRAPHS One of the areas churches really lack in, is updating the photos on their sites. Sometimes, the photo they have of the pastor is more than five years old, and you might even still have the former pastor’s photo on the page. Very important that people who visit your church are not greeted by someone that doesn’t match what is on your website. (PS. New Visitors will check out your website, before they ever step foot in your sanctuary.)
  • CALENDAR It seems obvious, but many churches update their calendars for hand out, or in their announcements, but forget to keep it updated on their website. (While a calendar on your website might not seem important, it is a way for visitors to know that a special even is happening, or this coming Sunday we will be meeting at the park, or a concert is planned for this Tuesday.)
  • VIDEO While it used to be very difficult or expensive to include video on your website, it has become relatively easy. Everyone knows about YouTube, and other websites that allow you to upload video to share with others. It is available on cell phones, Ipad, or on the web, and can be embedded directly in your website. it is a very accepted practice, and can help make your website more user friendly and approachable.

Today on a ministry website, I came across the following video. It was very stirring to me, and I hope it blesses you as well. GBU

That's My King!
from Albert Martin on Vimeo.

The God Of 4th Quarter Comebacks?

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This past week there has been a multitude of news stories both online and on major media about Tim Tebow. It hasn’t been just about his achievements on the field lately, but rather most of the articles or broadcasts focused on the fact that he kneels to pray and give thanks to God.

The way Tim kneels down on the sideline has become such a phenomenon that he has been emulated all over the world.

Tebowing

In school hallways, sporting events, on desert sands, and more there have been people who have kneeled down similar to Tim Tebow does in games. Are they giving thanks to God? Mocking? Or is it just a fad or a salute to the man for what he has accomplished lately?

I really do not know.

Let me set the record straight. I am a diehard Denver Broncos fan. I have been since before Elway. I have jerseys, signed trading cards, and random trinkets of the Broncos. In good times or bad I am a fan. So, it doesn’t hurt my feelings that Tebow has played as well as he has. In fact, I am thrilled.

However, this act of ‘Tebowing’ has caught on so  much there is an actual website called, Tebowing.com. People from all over the world have submitted photos of themselves or others kneeling down in the pose.

Good thing? I don’t know. Are they giving glory to God? Not sure.

Tim Tebow does seem to be a good guy. He seems true to his faith, he is involved in charity, he is a good football player and team leader.

And he has done amazing the last several weeks pushing the Denver Broncos to victory in the fourth quarter.  In fact, they are behind right now, it is the fourth quarter, and he has just ran in for a touchdown. Will he win again? I am not sure.

 

Fourth Quarter Again

As I have mentioned, somehow they have been pulling it off in the last moments of the game to win.  There have been many images and video posted of Tim kneeling on the sidelines, eyes closed, alone with his thoughts or prayers.

Many have remarked of the miracle of coming from behind and managing to win anyhow. Last week seemed to be a miracle. They won the game in the last few minutes after having been beaten it seemed.  And most gave credit to Tebow, but some actually gave credit to God. Yes, that God.  They took it upon themselves to say God must have been helping the Broncos win.  In the last few moments of the game, somehow God helps us win the victory. Amazing how familiar that sounds?

Most of us treat God the same way, even if we don’t admit it.

 

Our Fourth Quarter Miracles

We preach it from our pulpits. ‘Hang on, endure, your promise is coming, He will come through!,’ the words have become our anthem.  From our music, to our teaching, to our brochures, and our fired up shouting, we proclaim that if we can hang on long enough God will hear us.  We just have to keep keeping on.

Ever hear that? Sure you have. We all have if we have any sort of Christian background, let alone apostolic.  We have become accustomed to God coming through in the last moments of life, or in meeting our need.

 

WHY?

Why does God seem to come through in the last few moments before it is too late? Does He somehow enjoy our stress and pain?  Does He not understand what we are going through?  I mean how could He allow us to go through so many trials and struggles?

Did He not say, ‘I am the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. I am God, and there is none beside me. Is anything to hard for God?’ We are talking about the creator of the Universe. The One who is omnipresent, omniscient, all powerful God.

The God of Jericho, the Red Sea, that spoke by fire for Elijah, walked on water, raised Lazarus. That same God, who came to earth as a baby robed in flesh to later die for our sins. Jesus.  The I AM. All power in heaven and earth was given unto Him. And He is coming back for us.

 

That God!

Why does he let us stew in our troubles, let innocents die at the hands of horrible actions, doesn’t  He answer our need? Or if He does, why did he wait so long? Is He really the God of the fourth quarter comeback? Just in time? An on-time God?

Yes, He is those things, but we have become so complacent, so disrespectful, so ungrateful, yet we expect Him to come through and drag us out of our problems.

Does He not have the ability to answer and deliver in the beginning? In the middle? To even stop the trial or situation from happening? Yes!

 

The problem is us!

He wins from the beginning, if we follow His plan. And when He wins, we win! He told us exactly how to win. We just get so caught up in trying to figure it all out. We forget to let Him be in charge at the beginning, or we get so excited at the little  successes that we assume it will keep going that way, and we let down on our praise, gratitude, and even think we are the ones doing it. And then we lose.

We preach it from our pulpits how God will answer prayer, and then we try to figure out how he will do it. And when he doesn’t do it our way, our time, our… we give up, whine, murmur, complain, get depressed, and get angry at Him.

The fix is pretty simple really:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Quit making Him be a come from behind, fourth quarter God. Let Him lead from the beginning, listen and follow His way. Win from the beginning.

 

How is this about Christmas?

Yes, I realize this doesn’t seem like a Christmas message, but it is. He came to earth, born in a manger as a baby because He knew the troubles of life. He came to rescue us once again, and even more, take us to be with Him always. Only problem is we have to put Him in our game, or we can’t win. 

This year for Christmas give Jesus something back. Give Him the gift of gratitude, praise, and love.  He’s been good all year… well always.

 

Oh, and by the way, today Denver lost.  I wonder what the media will say about this next week?

Children’s Ministry

humility2I came across a new resource today to teach values, share thoughts about the Bible,and have a little fun with your children. 

Maybe you have heard of it, but it was new to me. It is sponsored by Focus On The Family, and is similar in format and style to Sesame Street & Veggie Tales.

It is called JellyTelly, and from what I have seen the videos teach concepts and values on a child's level but even adults could learn something.

humility1

If you click on the image above it will take you to a video about Humility, and who among us cannot use a little more humility?

What is JellyTelly?

JellyTelly is an online destination for families, developed in partnership between Focus on the Family and Phil Vischer’s Jellyfish Labs. As a Bible-based alternative to video and gaming sites, JellyTelly provides families with a safe place to learn and play online.

JellyTelly was developed by the creator of Veggie Tales, Phil Vischer because he felt kids were not grasping everything they were taught in Sunday School because it is only one hour a week in most places, versus all of the other forms of information they would get during the week.

Churches are doing wonderful work with kids – innovative work – but a church will get about an hour with a child on a Sunday morning and then before it sees that child again, that kid on average has watched more than 22 hours of Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. Is it any wonder that our kids are growing up knowing more about Hannah Montana than about the apostle Paul?

We need to do something about this – half of kids growing up in church in America are walking away from church when they graduate from high school.

We can do something about this by using the same technology that kids are adapting to as they consume media in new ways. JellyTelly is a way to bring the Bible to life for kids on a daily basis, to show them the work of the church around the world and the role they can play in it.

JellyTelly is more than just videos though. There are also craft ideas, games, and other resources available to put Christ and values in front of your kids, and teach Bible stories as well.

It is important that we spend more time with our children. But, lets face it, between our own work and activities, and everything our little ones are involved in, it can be hard to find time and know that they are getting sound ideas and teaching.

A lot of parents turn on the Disney channel, and then wonder where little Jonny learned this or that. But I have to ask you, have you actually watched the Disney channel with them? Sure, there are still some programs that have some educational, or positive messages, but not all are.

What do you think about having your child watch a show where the babysitter is a vampire?  If you turn on the so-called ‘family channel’, children are engaged in sexual activity, drugs, and other non-christian activity.

I realize the world we live in is no longer ‘Leave it to Beaver’ but honestly I would not want my child watching a show where one of the main themes, is about sex and babies.

Losing Our Children

Now I understand that as apostolics we may not agree with all the values of secular Christianity, but the truth of the matter is many times the children in our churches are overlooked.  Yes, most churches still have Sunday School, but even that is changing in a lot of our ministries.

As churches gravitate from a multitude of services to just one on Sunday, sometimes the children's ministries are the first to go. Sunday School is more than a babysitting service offered to our members, but it is a sad fact that many churches and even some pastors treat the ministry as an afterthought, or just a place to stick the children until we are done.

The bible says to ‘train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.’ The sad fact, however, is that in most homes there is no ‘family time’ that isn’t playing video games or watching TV, let alone Bible reading, teaching Bible stories, or even stories with good principles. And schools are so regulated, that even our Christian teachers are limited to what extent they can bring in that God created the world, let alone about Jesus dying on the cross for us. So, if our kids do not get some training at home, we just may lose the next generation.

Use What Is Available

No, letting your child watch JellyTelly will not teach your child everything they need to know about God, values, and our beliefs, but it is better than what they are getting on TV. Plus, it is interactive. Coloring pages, games, and craft activities are also available.

Yes, I know it means spending a little extra time with your children, but shouldn’t you be doing that anyway? And its free, online. Instead of spending all that time updating your Facebook, take a few minutes and let your child watch a message that will uplift, encourage, and teach.

Is Your Church Website Born Again?

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Ok, brace yourself. I know some of you saw the title or image and stepped back in disbelief.

The idea that I would say your website needs to be ‘born again.’

Some I am sure are scratching their heads, some think I am being sarcastic, and yet I think there may be a few who have an idea of where I am going.

I do realize some who are reading this may not even have a website. You either have not had funds available or do not understand the importance of a website for your church or ministry. We have covered the purpose in a previous article which is available to you. (Read more…)

You need a Born Again Website to be effective in reaching the lost with the message, as well as keeping your own membership up to date with what is going on in your church or ministry.

Continued from Part I

Really, for most of us, the internet has only been around about ten years or a bit more. The actual internet was created in November 1969 but almost no one had access and the internet as we know it didn’t really come to life until 1983.

Even then, most of us did not get online unless we got AOL and for the most part that was more of a network than what we know of now as the internet. The majority of us probably started getting online in the mid to late 1990s and then it was chartrooms or learning how to use email more than anything.

Essentially, the internet is always evolving. As technology and knowledge increases, so does our abilities, and what we can do with it. Most of us only dreamed about having a cell phone in the early 1990s, but now nearly every individual over twelve years old has one at their disposal. Same goes for the internet and computers.

In the United States, nearly every home has two or more computers and more than 75% of them are connected to the internet at least part of the time. it is the most effective tool of reaching masses of people. Yet, the message is not getting to them.

A Born Again Website?

So what exactly do I mean by a ‘Born Again’ website?

There were relatively few church websites online ten years ago, and until the rise of Google, it was hard to find websites unless you knew the exact url or address.

For Apostolics and Pentecostals, the numbers were very low on who had a website. I do recall The Pentecostals of Alexandria had one, and they were a sustaining force for me in a time of need.

Most church sites were very simple, with a name on a free host, most of which I cannot even remember anymore, and they consisted of a welcome, maybe an image if you knew how to code html, and contact information. They worked, but weren’t pretty to look at.

A short time later, homestead, geocities, and other hosting services showed up with drag and drop layout where you could make a ‘pretty’ site, and most church sites used what was cool at the time.

animated-cross

Remember these?

Animated crosses, fish, sometimes colorful headings were a big part of what most church websites added to their websites to make them ‘stand out.’

Granted, many of the images and icons were much more grainer and pixelated than this cross, but businesses, churches, or individuals, we all had to have the cool images and logos.

But still most churches didn’t use a professional web developer and relied on the skills of a student who knew some html code or was learning some in school to learn ‘how to design.’ And frankly, even the technology and software that was available to professionals was expensive and still relied on some very basic designs and layout. Let’s face it. Websites were ugly and mostly useless.

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The sad thing is, some still are. Some churches and ministries have not updated their website since they first made it. The site on the left is an active site that I took a snapshot of today. It has not been updated since 2001, and I hope they didn’t pay anyone to make it. Links are broken, there is no real information on the front page other than the name and an address I blocked out. The green part is links for advertising.

Old sites had lots of advertising links on the sides in order for the free hosting companies to make money. Many of them went under simply because the truth is, not very many people actually click those links, regardless of what advertisers and seo marketers tell you.

Image links are what people click on, simply because as we are all taught as children, ‘a picture is worth 1000 words.’ Websites are no different. If we think about it for a moment, it is all advertising.

The site on the right (new site) is much easier on the eye, information is easier to find, and the images grab your attention. The likelihood is that you are going to stay on the website if you are looking for information much longer than you would on the other site.

A Born Again Site

So, here we are. What is a Born Again site?

To be born again, you must grow, change your lifestyle, adapt to the environment, and live differently. How does that apply to your ministry or church website?

Some decide they will use what tools their organization offers and pay them, but most items on their website look exactly the same as the churches in other cities and states that belong to the same group.

In fact, there are some churches I know of that when someone changes the top of the page on a church site in Indiana, the churches who use this same company in California, Florida, even Idaho have the exact same image. There is no individuality and it doesn’t always apply to the people you are trying to impact in your own city.

We don’t always grow the same, look the same, act the same, or have the same needs when we are born and begin to grow, so why should our church website and ministry? Growth and change are vital to being Born Again.

Build a new website? Yes, that would be the biggest change, and very beneficial to your ministry. You can hire someone to design, or redesign your site. A good designer/developer can help increase your visibility and impact your ministry and effectiveness. It really helps if people are talking about your website and church or ministry to get the message spread.

But you don’t have to.. shhh, don’t tell anyone! A church designer telling you that you do not have to hire someone. What is the world coming to?

Give Your Website A Checkup!

There are a few simple things you can do that will help as well, without costing a dime. You may have to invest some time, or find a member in your church to do so, but it will help bring growth.

  1. Check for broken links (menu, references, etc.) and fix them.
  2. Fix any images that do not show up, or add in new ones.
  3. Check to see if your contact information and emails are still correct.
  4. Is your logo on the page the same as what you use on your business card?
  5. If you are on a free host, is it the same hosting address as what you have told people?
  6. Has your website been updated in the past week, month, six months?
  7. Do you have the capabilities to either add messages or video to your website?
  8. Does your website share the gospel of Jesus Christ in an understandable way? (Many do not share the gospel at all.)

There are many more things you can check, but right away these will make a difference in your site. However, there are also things you can add to your site to make it more effective.

Add some or all of these options to your ministry.

  1. Get a YouTube account and add videos. (nearly every cell phone has some video recording capability, and its Free)
  2. Start a photo gallery (Flickr has free options)
  3. Create a Facebook Page for your ministry.
  4. Add a Twitter account to help keep your site current, as well as notify your members nearly instantly of schedule changes, prayer requests, and information.
  5. Start a blog (pastor’s thoughts, messages, etc. Blogger is Free)
  6. Add links or widgets from these services to your site to keep information more current.
  7. Make sure your  website is regularly updated so that there is always something new to offer.

And if all else fails, hire a designer. You would be surprised how affordable we are and how we can help make your ministry more effective.

Then you too can say that you have a ‘Born Again’ website!

Is Your Ministry Born Again?

htmlflameI started working on this article a couple months ago and failed to do the most important thing everyone who works on a computer knows. When you are working keep saving, and do not try to go backwards. This also could apply to our Christian Walk…

Too many times we get caught up in being busy and trying to get the job done that we forget to save. It is easy to get sidetracked with the work of God to actually forget that one of the primary purposes for us to live a Christian life is to win souls. Yes, it is vital that we serve God because He first loved us, but how can we love something or someone and not want everyone else to experience it?

We know the scriptures. ‘He that winneth souls is wise; Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.’  Most of us want to see our family and friends saved, and many do have an actual burden for souls. It is a part of our makeup as Christians. It is a part of our apostolic doctrine.

Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter three, ‘Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.’ Being born again is crucial to our salvation. Without being born again, we are eternally lost.

Now I realize that none of us who are apostolic would ever tell anyone they don’t need to be born again. There are some who think that just living a good life, being nice to one another is good enough. There are many more that believe that regardless of our activities His grace will be enough to save them.

While I would never discount His grace and mercy, Jesus himself said, ‘Ye must be born again.’ He did not leave room any error in judgment. Multitudes of people believe that the bible is just about telling them what they cannot do. There are a lot of practices that we follow that are not in scripture that we many times consider part of the walk of holy living. Yet, this is one area where it can be said, this is a no no. This is a must do. Ye must be born again.

I realize this is not a problem for most of us.

The Great Commission

However, when the Bible also states that we should go into all the world and preach the gospel, we relegate that portion of scripture to our missionaries.

Most churches support some sort of plan raising money to send other people to people we will never see. We feel that by donating our money that we have accomplished this task. Many churches place a great deal of focus on reaching tribal areas in Africa, Asia, Europe, usually sending our missions minded members  to the major international cities members. While it is great to be passionate about trying to help out in those areas we believe we will never visit ourselves, we are sadly lacking many times in reaching those just across the street in our local communities.

Sure we may ‘witness’ when an opportunity presents itself. Perhaps when we know our friend has gone into the hospital for a surgery or when we hear about a member of their family passing we may offer our prayers, but lets admit it, we are not near as proactive as we used to be in reaching out to others.

All of us mean well I am sure, but do we use all the potential available to us in trying to win souls? Do we use the tools that are in our grasp to reach into areas we may not have opportunity to go ourselves?

 

Easy Ways That Reach The Lost

While there is no specific way that is more impacting that others, there are many methods that most of us know about but probably do not use.

  • Tracts/Revival Brochures
  • Newspaper/TV Advertising
  • Home Bible Studies
  • Community Bake Sales
  • Church Carnival/Charity Events

With the exception being mentioned in a sermon in our churches, or the occasional testimony of how this person was giving a friend a home bible study, it has been ages since I have heard of these methods being used by most Apostolic or Pentecostal churches. I am not sure why because honestly most of them cost very little.

But there is an even easier way to reach in the lost in your community, and even around the world. You may have the potential to reach some relative in a far off land simply by having a website for your church or ministry.

 

Embrace Technology!

If you are reading this article it is either by a computer, e-reader, smart phone, or someone printed it out for you to read. Almost everyone from the time they are very young has the opportunity to use a cell phone, play video games, or check email. And while some of us might deny it, lets face it, everyone really is on Facebook, or for sure has family members who are.

Yet for some reason many Apostolic/Pentecostal churches have not taken advantage of this opportunity. I am not sure if they are afraid of technology, or they think it costs too much. With the exception of a few remote areas in the jungles overseas, for sure nearly everyone is aware of the internet and computers.

Can we honestly say Jesus would not want us to be online? Sure there are areas online that none of us should venture into. But Jesus said to go into the highways and byways and compel them that my house might be full.

Jesus was always reaching out to the sinners. Whether it was crooks, murderers, prostitutes, or even into those in government positions. No one was above Him reaching out to. If you knew your brother was being beaten up in  a  bar downtown somewhere, would you sit there waiting to see if he came home, or would you go down there and try to get him out?

Jesus was all about reaching out, shouldn’t we be?

 

Does Your Ministry or Church Have A Website?

I am sure many of you can answer yes. Do you know the website address so you can point someone there? Do you ever go and look at it yourself?

However, there are many churches and ministries who rely on word of mouth. They have no website to point friends, family, or visitors to. And lets be real here.

There is not a day that goes by that you do not hear about a website. Nearly every food package in your pantry has a website address on it. Our bills, our banks, our child’s school, they are all online. If we want to find anything from a doctor to a plumber, chances are most of us go to the internet.

Sure, we have phone books, but most of us don’t even know which drawer we stuffed it in when it was dropped at our door. Better than 90% of homes in the USA have at least one internet ready computer, television, or other device. And if you don’t have that, you have a cell phone. And nearly all cell phones have internet capabilities. So I ask again does your ministry have a website?

 

Yes We Have A Website

Some churches embraced the technology quite a few years ago. They had their church location, maybe a few photos, service times and was hosted on some free internet site. Some still have their websites, but there were many who seemed to think the internet was a fad or just didn’t see the importance at the time.

A lot of companies offered free hosting for churches because they realized the importance of sharing the message, but I was amazed how hard it was to find Apostolic or Pentecostal churches online.

And it still is.

We don’t even think about going to Facebook to share photos or play games anymore. For many it is a daily habit. It has almost become as common for many as breathing. And even more people, whether for business reasons, or keeping in touch with friends use email every day.

It is common now if you meet someone in a supermarket and talk about your business, life, or church for them to ask if we have a website, or a Facebook page.

Many of us can say yes we do have a website. We paid XYZ Marketing Company $1200 to list us in the Yellow Pages and to create a page where people can find some information about our church seven years ago. But, let me ask you, has your church website been Born Again?

Upgrade Your Media & Technology

old_typewriter

Let a microphone or sound system go out in the middle of the pastor’s preaching and immediately someone is trying to fix it. Lights go out and someone is frantic until the burned out bulb is fixed.

It happens. It is a fact of life, things do not last forever. Yet as shocking as it is, some churches and ministries rely on old technology to get the message across.

I realize not all churches have much of a budget, but in larger churches if you are still using an overhead projector and wipe off pens on plastic sheets to display your announcements, you need to catch up. I realize we invested quite a bit of money in products to supplement our  tape ministries, but does anyone even own a tape player anymore?

What do you use?

We find it very easy to upgrade our personal cell phone. If we have a TV or monitor in our home, then it is usually less than five years old to keep up with the changes in technology.

Other than in a laptop, most of us do not even have a CD player anymore, and for most of us, it is a DVD drive not a CD anymore. Society has changed and if we mean to reach the lost, or even keep our own members updated with what is going on, we need to upgrade.

Cell phones, multimedia players, and computers are all based in similar formats, and our message needs to reach them where they are. However, if we are not using the tools that they are using we can’t reach them.

Is The Message Worth It?

Our first instinct when we think about upgrading  is the cost. Many times it isn’t cheap, and we delegate our ministry equipment to what we don’t use at home anymore, or perhaps what someone has donated. Yet, if we look around our church we would see that some areas need serious updating.

I have been in churches in the past couple of years where they recorded their sermons on CD but in a format that most CD players don’t even play anymore. One church used software that they had to restart every 15 minutes, so there were gaps on the CDs in the messages, and instead of flowing words, it seemed that some of the thought was lost.

And that is really unnecessary. There are programs available that are free that can record from beginning to end, and even include output formats that can be played on cell phones and iPods. This would reach many more people.

Yes, it is worth spreading the message no matter the cost but to buy a computer, or laptop that can be used better than the antiques we use in our ministries, really is not as expensive as we like to think. Chances are the amount of money you paid for that iPhone is more than what it would cost to get a good laptop for your ministry. And if you use an iPad or tablet computer, well it for sure is cheaper.

If you have the money to buy yourself an iPad, you have the money to buy a laptop for use in your church.

Ministry Uses

Just a few areas of your church that could benefit from upgraded technology and software that get overlooked include:

  • Church Bulletins, Newsletter, & Other Printed Materials
  • Media Ministries (CD, DVD, Video Presentations)
  • Power Point (Songs, Announcements, Minister’s Message)
  • Sunday School
  • Attendance
  • Church Member Directory
  • Church Website

There are many more areas that are crucial to your ministry but you get the idea.

Consider The Cost

Yes, it is very important to consider the cost of upgrading. To be honest, I miss having song books to hold  as we sing, and it really helps visitors. The idea of buying new song books can be very expensive, and many churches have gone on to using an overhead screen or some sort of monitor system to show the words for everyone to see.

It can be difficult if the worship leaders sing new songs that visitors, elderly people, or those who sit in the back do not know. If the words are hard to read either because of too small of font, or some background that really isn't suited for words, or  if the one screen on the platform is too far away, then many of the congregation will still get lost.

But most of us have no upgraded our hardware or software in so many years, that our computer still uses old formats that you can’t even get supplies or tech support and is incredibly slow. If your computer is more than three years old, and even that would be considered antique, then you need to find some money in the budget to update.

Older computers heated up more, had weak video cards to display media, and formats that will not work with newer systems. The hard drives are generally full with information, images, and databases, that if not backed up elsewhere would be lost forever if your hard drive crashes.

We even update our bibles more than that, and The Word never changes.

Plus if you are requiring your Creative Missions Team to work with outdated equipment, then do not be surprised if the materials you put out do not look as good as someone down the street. Many ministries supplement this by outsourcing ‘important materials’ to a designer and pay more for that than they would to just buy a new computer. It is more cost effective to have at least some of your media created by the talent God has placed in your ministry. Plus, you can also hire someone if you choose to make materials, that you can edit yourself later. It saves money and time.

Do You Know What You Need?

Now, I realize not everyone knows what they need to bring their technology and media up to date, and before you make a big purchase, you should make sure you know exactly what you need. Do not base your decision on what a friend told you; the advertisements you may have seen; or even on the knowledge you have gleaned yourself. Speak with someone who works with media and design on a regular basis.

Apostolicvision Design Services offers free quotes, and we can consult with you on what your ministry needs to stay updated with today’s technologies.

Identify Yourself

light

Sometimes, the phrase ‘Identify yourself' can strike fear into even the toughest individual. Usually it means that we are in a place where we do not belong.

A flashlight may shine into a dark room where there is a rustle in the background and the voice may come from a police officer, or perhaps the voice may come from a military aircraft when we have not let them know why we are in restricted airspace, and then there is a reason  to fear. However, many times, it is just a question that people wonder about us. Who are we? What are we about?

It is easy as a ministry to just wear the tag christian or perhaps religious, but there is such a varied mix of spiritual ideas and theologies that sometimes,  no one knows what we are. That isn’t a good thing in most situations.  Our beliefs can be so varied, yet in our hearts and minds we know what we believe but sometimes we are either afraid to tell anyone, or perhaps we do not know how.

Individual spirituality is very important. We have to know what we believe without question, otherwise we are just a boat on the ocean with no engine and no oars to help us get where we are going. Stranded, just riding the waves. It is a scary thought, especially if you are in the ocean.

Having a church with no identity is the same way. Oh, I know everyone wants to be identified as a christian, but in the world we live in, we need to be sure and let them know what we actually believe, who we are, and where we can be found.

Yet, most churches don’t have an online presence of any kind. Not on Facebook, not a website, not even a church logo in most cases. So, which is more important? A logo or a website?

A Logo or a Website?

I thought about that a lot the last few days. Which really is more important? With a website you can show people what you you are about, how to find you, and contact information. A logo though is your brand. It is how you want to be identified. Maybe you are Pentecostal? Maybe you are Apostolic? While they are both very similar there are differences. There are a lot of Pentecostal churches that are independent and do not belong to an organization, not that I think an organization is the most important thing, but there are also Pentecostal churches that practice the Trinity faith. I don’t really get that one since Pentecost goes back to Peter, and he told them exactly how to baptize, but that is for another blog.

There are also differences between Apostolic churches, but most of those have to do with personal convictions and standards. However, does your city, your community, your neighborhood know who you are or even where you are?

How are you identified?

A logo can make the difference. It is a brand, the same way McDonalds is different from Burger King, the way AT&T is different from Verizon. We know what we are going to get because of the branding.

Your church or ministry is the same way.

When they see your logo they know about you even if they have never entered your church. They have heard about you already. They know your brand.

So make sure your brand is something that you are ready to be identified for a long time. It is how people are going to know you. If you say the word Nike, everyone knows they make tennis shoes. If you say Boeing, you know they make aircraft. And Kodak is known for? Exactly. You know without even having to think about it. So, what is your brand? How do you want to be known? A cross? A flame? Something else in mind?

Here are a couple ideas for you to think about.

churchlogos

 

If you are interested in defining yourself, creating a brand, an identity, contact us. We can help. Any of the above logos, for a limited time we will offer for a one time price of $49. We will edit them with your church name, ministry, or organization. If you are interested in something more unique, when you contact us mention the phrase “Identified with Christ” and we will take 30% off your logo design order. Hurry though, this is a limited time offer. Identify yourself!

Design for iPad? NO!!

jesus-ipad

This past week I was laying in a hospital bed recovering from surgery and I decided to turn on one of my favorite online apostolic video broadcasts. I have made a habit of watching the services from this particular website for several years and have been very blessed.

However this past week it was different. I tried to tune in as usual but they had decided to change the video format and it just wasn’t as good. The video content was choppy. It kept timing out. A couple of times I had to reboot my computer because it froze the screen, and truthfully I started wondering if I was going to be able to watch them anymore.

The pastor came on and mentioned that they were doing some updates to their website and in trying to keep up with technology they had decided to host their video feeds elsewhere, and were planning to have the services broadcast live for iPhone and iPad. I sent them an email about how degraded their content was, but they never responded back. I am hoping that they can fix it, but I have to say that their tech and design people have made a huge mistake in changing the usual windows media format for their online webcast. And this is the reason why…

Breaking down the iPad

I realize that right now iPads are all the rage. It is the newest ‘cool’ technology. On street corners, in bus terminals, on airplanes, and even in some church pulpits, the usual laptop, paper notes, or other formats have rapidly been changed to those who have this idea that the newest toy is the best. The majority of them are also the same people who have bought each new version of iPhone, Macbook, or other apple product. There is even an ideology that somehow having apple products that you have the best there is and many are willing to pay the high prices multiple times even when the technology hasn’t changed that much. It has become a church-like social group or perhaps even a cult.

Lets break it down though. From a design standpoint the iPad looks cool. It is lightweight, easy to hold in your hands, and already developers have made hundreds of applications to work on it. That is applications, not software, because unknowingly to many, the iPad is not a computer.

I realize some would disagree and they have their reasons, but from a technology standpoint the iPad is missing many of the key elements that would make it a must have for most people.

First, there is no keyboard. Yes, it does have a touch screen keyboard, but the average person needs the feel of the keys in order to type quickly. So, for most it would not be any good for any sort of data entry.

Second, there is no stylus, or even software for drawing available unless you want to use just your finger, and as a designer, that just wouldn’t cut it. You cannot do precise enough edits or touch ups with your fingertip regardless of what videos they show you. There is also no handwriting ability, even without recognition software. You can do a better job on some android phones than you can with an iPad.

Third, there is no video or camera component built it. Almost every computer you buy now has a built in webcam whether you buy a desktop, laptop, or netbook. Even the newer generation of televisions are coming out with built in video capabilities so that you can talk to family, friends, or perhaps do business and do a live video fee. Even most cell phones have built in cameras and video cameras that can take high resolution photos for you to share. Yet, somehow in the design process of the iPad they didn’t think a webcam was necessary.

The list could go on and on from no usb port without a special adapter you have to purchase separately, no hardware to even play a video on the iPad unless you download it online. Simply put, the iPad is just a reader with games, and internet capabilities. Its usability factor is just not there for most people. There will come a time when handheld touchscreen computers will exist and be a part of our everyday lives, but for now, the iPad is just a fad. It isn’t even a beta version of what is coming though, by then we will speak to the computer like they do on science fiction shows.

The souls factor of iPad

If you are still reading you may be wondering what all the tech perspective has to do with whether or not your church website should be available using iPad technologies.

With the way technology and the internet is changing, even the most ugly, poorest designed websites are live online, even on your current cell phone if you have a data plan.

While it seems nearly everyone wants an iPad or iPhone, the truth is not very many people actually have one. Number one, anything apple makes is very expensive for the average person.

Right now the price for even the cheapest iPad is about $500. If you are an apple fan you can get the brand new MacBook Air for around $1250, or you can use a windows based computer and get the same speed, bigger hard drive, bigger screen, and much more software for about $600. If you are not a tech person, you can get other laptops that you can do your emailing, social networking, video watching, etc. for around $350. If you go with a netbook, you can cut about $150 off that price. We are in a recession and most people cannot afford $500 for a reader and another $6-800 for a cell phone.

According to Fortune Magazine last week, there were 8 million iPads sold in 2010. There were 9.5 million iPhones sold. These figured are worldwide, not just U.S.

As for Windows-based computers, there was 240 million Windows 7 computers sold. I am not a fan of Windows 7, I still prefer Vista and XP, but the fact remains that the huge majority of people are still buying Windows-based computers.

If you go into a coffee shop probably one person out of everyone in there will have an iPad, unless you are in a tech region. Most libraries and schools still use Windows computers,and some are open to the general public who may not have a computer.

I have never in my life seen so many people begging for help on the street and I can guarantee you that they do not have an iPad or they would be selling it for food or to pay bills. We are in a hard recession, and the likelihood is that in the next year it will turn into a full blown depression. People are losing their homes, their health, and divorces are on the rise from so much stress in just day to day life. I hardly think that any of them would give up their bed for an iPad.

I know it sounds as if I am jealous of iPad owners. I am not. I have one. I won it in a design contest. I am thinking about selling it though because honestly it really isn’t useful for me. The Peek with its texting and email capabilities is more useful for me than an iPad. And it is much more affordable.

So, back to my point. You shouldn’t let your web designer create your church site, or produce your media on a format that most people do not have. I realize they are just trying to keep current but at what price?

That soul that is homebound doesn’t have an iPhone or iPad to pull out on Sunday and hear the word of God. That saint who used to come but has had a run of bad luck isn’t going to look for his church on an iPad. That missionary in a far off land is not going to grab his iPad when it is time for church in America. That lost junkie in the boroughs of New York is not going to hear the message of God told on an iPad. He may be lucky if he even has any computer.

The bible says to ‘go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’ That used to seem like such a monumental task, but now because of computer café’s widespread affordable internet, knock off computers even those in remote areas of Peru, or the Deserts of the Sudan, or perhaps even in the Kremlin or White House have access to the truth. It is our job to tell them, and now we have the ability to do so without having to ‘go.’

It cost less than an airplane ticket to broadcast your service live online. Actually it is probably closer to the cost of what you will have for lunch on Sunday afternoon. The message and technology has made it finally really reachable to the uttermost parts of the world.

Again, according to Fortune Magazine, statistics say that apple computer products; cell phones, laptops, iPads only has a 25% market share of the United States.

But no, lets design for the 8 million using the iPad and forget about the 7.5 billion who don’t. Without a vision the people perish.

Would Jesus have used an iPad? Don’t design for the fad. Use today’s technology to preach the old fashioned gospel.

Twitter Tips

If you haven’t heard of Twitter by now, come out of the cave and into the sunlight.

According to recent Twitter statistics, there are 160 million people on Twitter. With 370,000 new people joining each day, the likelihood is that almost everyone you meet is already on there.

If not, you can pretty sure guarantee that the majority of your church 40 years and younger is active on Twitter, either by cell phone, website, or some other application on the internet.

 

Is it for your ministry?

Yes, it can be. Your ministry or church can keep your members, friends, and even new prospects up to date with happenings in your ministry with a ministry Twitter account.

Special events or announcements, prayer requests, scheduling changes, special offers on CDs, or books, and many more uses to numerable to mention are available to all of us through 140 characters on Twitter.

You can also update your website or Facebook page at the same instant either by the Twitter page, an email or text, or even with applications that are available to most cell phones. Share photos, share links to other sites or events, share your burden, free and easy. It can definitely benefit your ministry.

However, there are a few suggestions or guidelines I would make in having a Twitter account for your ministry.

 

The Basics

I cannot stress this enough. Have a separate account for your ministry than you do for your family and personal thoughts.

Too many times between family and friends we may say things, that will have an effect on other’s perception of our character. We may not even do it intentionally, but sometimes, things are said that we did not mean, or we may accidentally post a link to some site, and have it wrong or there could be something on part of the page, and people may get the wrong idea.

Keep your ministry and your personal life separate.

That being said here are a few more tips:

  • Don’t make claims you cannot back up. It will be on the internet forever.
  • Do not post photos that you wouldn't want someone to see. Again, it is online forever.
  • Don’t become all holy on Twitter. Be who you are all the time, not just show how righteous you are online. People will find out you are a hypocrite.
  • Focus on sending tweets that are vital. Do not ‘forward’ or ‘retweet’ every kitty link that comes your way. People will stop following you.
  • Do not use Twitter to criticize the speaker at a conference. Use it for encouraging, uplifting comments. Remember the person you criticize has a Twitter account too.
  • Don’t tweet during your own sermon.
  • Remember Twitter is just a tool like many others available to help spread the Truth of God’s word.
  • Don’t follow everyone who follows you. You will not be able to keep up with everything everyone says. Ministries should be leaders more than followers.

There are many more tips I could write but I will cover some of those in future blog postings. I may also offer FREE Christian twitter backgrounds, so stay tuned.

 

A Few Terms

Twitter ID – The name you choose for your profile. Without one, you cannot participate in Twitter.

Tweet – Your message sent out to your followers in only 140 characters. It is also live for anyone to see on your Twitter page unless you change your privacy settings.

ReTweet – (RT) Essentially it is forwarding what someone else has said to your followers. However, the 140 character restriction applies, so it may be hard to add your own take on the saying.

Twitter Page – Your own personal page that will have a small bio, your most current tweets, your lists, and people you follow.

List – You have the option of categorizing your followers by topics. For instance I have lists for friends, networking, designers, church, and other lists. My followers are categorized in the lists in how they relate to me. It can be more than one list, but it helps you keep track of who is who.

Followers – People who have decided to get updates on what you write. You have the option of deciding if they can follow you, and if you want to follow them.

Direct Message – (d) Sending a message direct to one person and bypassing everyone else or your Twitter page. You must be followers of each other for this to work.

@ – You have to use the @(TwitterID) to reply, reference, or otherwise include specific individuals in your tweets.

 

And…

Since the inception of Twitter, many other words have been crafted using the Tw prefix. Tweeple, TwitPic (for photos), Twittonary, and many more. However, if you start adding Tw to all your words, “Twust me, you will look like an twidiot.” LOL

These are just a few guidelines and tips for using Twitter. If you are looking to make your church website match your Twitter page, or perhaps you just want a custom Twitter background to display the message of salvation, contact us, we can help!

The Importance of Media Ministries

Are you using all of the available tools to reach the people in your community? Are you an evangelist who travels the world and you know that the message isn’t getting to everyone you would like it to? Do you have a church choir, and love the way Sister Susie sings that one song, but she doesn’t have it recorded?

There are all questions we should be asking ourselves when we sit down to determine how to do a better job at reaching the lost. With the technology available today, it is a shame if we don’t use more of the options available.

We have all heard of tape ministries. Most of us would purchase cassettes at conventions or even take home tapes from the message the pastor preached last Sunday. But in most instances, there were very valuable messages, and insights that have been lost because we did not really put enough effort into that ministry; it was mostly just an afterthought. Yet, a tape recorder, a few blank cassettes, and hook it up to a microphone and we had a way of reaching those that didn’t make it to church that day.

Now, I realize not every message is worth documenting for posterity, but the bible says “all scripture is given by inspiration of God.” Even those Bible Studies where it was all we could do to keep awake, had some importance, but most of them are lost in some box and we have no idea where to find them.

Having a tape ministry was more than just something to add to our already overburdened church, it was a history of what transpired, and for those of us who still have a few tapes lying around, and a way to play them, we can still glean inspiration from those messages of old.

It is too bad we did not use that tool to its full effectiveness.

Many years ago, God gave insightful messages to my late pastor, Peter Shebley, involving the end time, and things that would transpire. Usually, the church was packed out during the messages about the mark of the beast, black helicopters, and how we could be persecuted, but it was a message that not many wanted to hear. Yet, even today, someone mentioned a friend talked to them about the earthquakes, wars, and all that is going on us right now, and said they wish they could hear Bro. Shebley talk about the end time again. The sad thing is, even though I am sure someone has a few tapes stored somewhere, they are not available to those who really want to hear the messages. The message has been lost.

I remember several times in the past of discussions with the pastor, and different ones would say, we need to have you write a book, or perhaps record it on cassette or video, so that when the time comes, we can know what to do. There was even a time or two where his relatives started to do something like that, and yet it never happened for some reason.

I still remember portions of those messages, and sometimes in my closeness with my pastor, we would discuss certain aspects, but for the most part, those messages have been lost, because the value of documenting those topics was not fully seen, or at least not enough effort was made.

My aunt wrote a book in the final days of her life, and labored even though she was gravely ill. She was a pastor’s wife, a minister and great preacher in her own right, and would also do revivals in her younger years, and there were some topics that she felt were important for people to hear, or read about, even after she was gone. They made tapes of some of her final messages she preached,and they are sitting in a box somewhere at my parents, but her anointing and her fervor is greatly missed because she is gone, and the messages are misplaced. The book she wrote, and even left funds to publish in her will, has never been completed or published and it sits somewhere, collecting dust. Again, the message has been lost.

What I wouldn’t do to be able to sit down with either of them, and talk about what is happening in my own life, let alone what is happening in the world around us. It is heartbreaking really.

I preached a message once called, “Memorial Stones.” In it, I talked about the children of Israel when they crossed into the promise land, were told to leave behind twelve stones beside the Jordan river, and when asked what those stones meant, they were to tell about the victories, the trials, and wars and about how God delivered. I am fairly certain those stones are gone, but in my message I tried to explain to others how important it was that we left behind memorials for all the things God had done for us so that those that come after would find something to draw strength from. 

I still believe that today. Sometimes, the message gets so confusing in our world today, and while we still have the bible to draw from, there are times when we all wish we could hear someone preach one more time, or we could talk to them, or even read what they left for us to help us find direction. Yet, much of that message has been lost, because we did not realize how important it was.

Now, I realize that almost no one has the necessary equipment to play cassette tapes anymore. Many years ago, most churches that recorded messages put them on CDs, and when the time came moved to DVDs. So, if there is any documentation it is on those items, if they can be found.

Many ministries have moved on to video in the past several years, which is understandable giving the technology is more readily available and affordable than it used to be, but the fact is, most churches still think it is too expensive, or even impossible to get their message out in these media applications.

However, being able to record your messages in mp3 format is very easy with the available hardware and software that is very affordable. Using programs like Audacity, gives us the ability to edit, encode with titles, dates, etc on each file with relative ease.

It is becoming more and more possible for even the smallest ministry to spread the message even further than ever before. We just have to make the effort.

But what do you do with the messages you record? You could put  a series of them on a DVD available for sale, which is what a lot of new media ministries do. Or, you can upload them to a website, not looking to profit from the message, and let anyone who has access download them for listening at their convenience.

Whether you are a shut-in in a nursing home, a miner working underground, or even an airline pilot, the technology is available to spread the message across the world in ways we never dreamed of in the past.

MP3 players are very inexpensive and most of us even have one on our cell phones, ready to play at a moments notice.

Preacher, is your message worth sharing? Are you ready for it to go to the uttermost parts of the world? It can, if you will let it.

But, you say, you don’t have a website? That too is no longer a problem, because another part of your ministry, is what you write. And there are many places online where you can create a blog, for FREE! You are reading one right now. It didn’t cost me anything, but I can let you know who I am, what I believe, what I do, etc. And, with some of the FREE Hosting options available, you can upload your message in mp3, and link to it in your blog, and it won’t cost your ministry a cent.

In the coming weeks, I will be covering some of these topics in more detail:

  • FREE Hosting Options
  • Blogging Site
  • Audio & Video Software Sources
  • Your Message Online FREE
  • so much more!

Your message is just as important to reach those who are busy, or shut-ins, or across the world, as it is to preach to those who walk thru the doors of your sanctuary, and now you have the power to do it. Paul, Peter, even Jesus did not have the options to spread the message the way we have it now. It is a very important time in the world, and our world needs Jesus.

Media Ministries can change the world. Is your message worth sharing?

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