CPM Blog: Church in the Digital World http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_index/11

Church in the Digital World

en info@churchproduction.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-31T18:21:24+00:00 Three trends for technology and auditoriums http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16835 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16835#When:13:21:24Z While there are some exciting things on the horizon in terms of what technology makes possible, there are some cultural shifts that are driving the way technology will be used in these rooms in the future. Three trends for technology and auditoriums 2012-01-31T18:21:24+00:00 What is the one thing you plan to STOP doing in 2012? http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16530 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16530#When:10:40:35Z I was inspired this week by Dorie Clark’s post in the Harvard Business Review on the “5 things you should stop doing in 2012.” It made me curious if there might be a list of things that would be beneficial for church technical teams to consider eliminating in order to make space for better, more effective practices. So I asked some of the most talented church creative and technical leadership that I know, and this is what they had to say… What is the one thing you plan to STOP doing in 2012? 2012-01-06T15:40:35+00:00 Do you know about Square? http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16490 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16490#When:11:05:44Z Square allows you to accept credit/debit card payments from your mobile phone--which allows even the smallest of churches to facilitate transactions with a swipe. Do you know about Square? 2011-12-19T16:05:44+00:00 Finding time to unplug during advent http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16335 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16335#When:09:26:17Z While advent is a time for peaceful reflection on the birth of Christ, for church technical teams it is often just the opposite as they work to create the experience. Find the time to unplug. Finding time to unplug during advent 2011-12-07T14:26:17+00:00 WFX 2011 - Exploring the Social Media Landscape http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16139 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/16139#When:06:14:13Z I had the opportunity to speak at WFX this week in Dallas about the social media landscape to explore the why, how, and to brainstorm ideas for content beyond posting sermon videos. WFX 2011 - Exploring the Social Media Landscape 2011-11-11T11:14:13+00:00 What I love about Google Voice http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/15909 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/15909#When:13:43:14Z Google Voice bills itself as "telephony reinvented." As a reinvention it is pretty great. And in digital world fashion, it blurs the lines between computer, mobile and phone. What I love about Google Voice 2011-10-24T18:43:14+00:00 SEO for beginners http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/15722 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/15722#When:04:35:32Z There are whole firms dedicated to consulting on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) so the topic is pretty broad, but there are some simple things you can do to improve your ranking in non-paid search. SEO for beginners 2011-10-10T09:35:32+00:00 Catching up with the tools http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/15213 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/15213#When:10:01:35Z One of the challenges of rapidly changing technology is that it takes time for the behaviors of the people using the technology to catch up. Catching up with the tools 2011-08-22T15:01:35+00:00 What should we do with Google + http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/15087 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/15087#When:15:07:01Z Chances are if you are active in social media at all you've been invited to Google+. So, are you using it? What should we do with Google + 2011-08-05T20:07:01+00:00 The Social Media Audit http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/14804 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/14804#When:16:54:28Z If you've been engaged in social media for awhile, it is probably a good idea to zoom out and look at your platform as a whole to determine which efforts are gaining traction and which are falling flat so you can refocus your efforts. This post is designed to help you do just that. The Social Media Audit 2011-07-05T21:54:28+00:00 Apps for spiritual development http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/14662 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/14662#When:11:02:19Z We have apps for everything from productivity to fun...but what about apps for spiritual development? The following is a list of some that may not be on your radar...yet. Apps for spiritual development 2011-06-17T16:02:19+00:00 Quick and easy websites http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/14197 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/14197#When:15:30:05Z Sometimes you don't need bells and whistles. Just something simple. Something that doesn't require you to know HTML. Something that could be edited as easily as a Word document. Luckily, the blogging platforms know this...and they have just made it easier than ever to get what you want. Quick and easy websites 2011-05-09T20:30:05+00:00 Are we all cyborgs? http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13902 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13902#When:08:46:12Z It is hard to talk about technology without getting a little bit of pushback. "I prefer interacting face-to-face" Or, you might hear someone talking about their latest media fast. Anthropologist, Amber Case, explores technology and how it impacts our selves. Are we all cyborgs? 2011-04-29T13:46:12+00:00 Twitter 102 - Using Twitter as an Organization http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13870 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13870#When:08:42:28Z While many of us are using Twitter personally, there are reasons to use it for organizations as well. Here are three tips for Twitter that your church or organization may find useful... Twitter 102 - Using Twitter as an Organization 2011-04-14T13:42:28+00:00 Applications for Managing Social Media http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13822 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13822#When:10:18:22Z Social media thrives on real-time interactions and current content making management of multiple social media outlets a real challenge. Luckily, the digital world has a variety of applications to handle all of your social media streams in a unified way. Here is a look at some of the tools you might want to explore... Applications for Managing Social Media 2011-04-01T15:18:22+00:00 Using Digital World Tools to Improve Meetings http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13789 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13789#When:10:27:58Z If you are part of church leadership, chances are you attend a lot of meetings. The good thing is that there are digital world tools that can help make meetings clearer, more effective, and hopefully shorter! Using Digital World Tools to Improve Meetings 2011-03-10T15:27:58+00:00 Digital World Culture Shifts | From Polished to Authentic http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13369 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13369#When:14:00:16Z The digital world takes away the ability to manage image. What used to be carefully crafted brands, companies, and celebrities now have their flaws revealed. And surprisingly, we love that.... Digital World Culture Shifts | From Polished to Authentic 2011-01-20T19:00:16+00:00 Meet the Cartographers | Camron Ware of VisualWorshiper.com http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13004 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/13004#When:11:20:37Z There is no map for the digital world. Like cartographers, those exploring ministry using new technology are writing their own. One of these digital world cartographers is Camron Ware of VisualWorshiper.com. Camron is breaking new ground using technology to create environments for a digital culture that is longing for ‘image-rich’ in the physical world. Meet the Cartographers | Camron Ware of VisualWorshiper.com 2010-12-08T16:20:37+00:00 Digital Church 101 | Overview of the Culture Shift http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12723 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12723#When:21:21:01Z Want to catch one of the presentations you missed at WFX? If so, here is the presentation on the overview of the culture shifts being caused by the digital world. Digital Church 101 | Overview of the Culture Shift 2010-11-04T02:21:01+00:00 Digital Church 101 | Overview of the Social Media Landscape http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12722 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12722#When:17:30:43Z As always, WFX is a fantastic place to connect face-to-face and find out what is happening on the cutting-edge of ministry. If you were able to attend the Digital Church 101 session, here is the portion of the presentation focused on the social media landscape. Digital Church 101 | Overview of the Social Media Landscape 2010-11-03T22:30:43+00:00 The best apps to load before WFX in Atlanta http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12676 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12676#When:12:15:02Z You know the drill. You go to WFX, meet tons of new people, then get back to your real world with memories of great conversations and a stack of business cards or slips of paper with scribbled phone numbers and Twitter names that sit and mock you from a pile on your desk. Luckily, the digital world offers a preemptive strike so that this year will be different. And that is just in a single app... The best apps to load before WFX in Atlanta 2010-10-20T17:15:02+00:00 Planning for Crisis Communications http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12517 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12517#When:16:02:05Z The digital world means that bad news can spread more quickly than ever before. Does your church have a crisis communications plan in place? Planning for Crisis Communications 2010-10-08T21:02:05+00:00 Celebrating the Hyperlocal http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12361 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12361#When:06:52:57Z As effective as the digital world is in creating community in cyberspace, web applications are morphing to match the desire for tangible, local communities. This trend is intersecting with another interesting trend--the decline of the local newspaper. The result is a change in the vehicles we use for the expression and characterization of geographic communities. Celebrating the Hyperlocal 2010-09-15T11:52:57+00:00 Managing Image on the Web http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12053 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12053#When:10:25:50Z You can't control what people post on the web...however, you can influence your own image. Managing Image on the Web 2010-09-02T15:25:50+00:00 Ten “Crash Landing” Strategies for Facing Down the Blinking Cursor http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12174 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12174#When:10:06:53Z Blogs live and die based on consistent content. So what are you supposed to do when your blinking cursor is mocking you and you haven't a single idea at all? Well, you could test drive the following "crash landing" strategies.... Ten “Crash Landing” Strategies for Facing Down the Blinking Cursor 2010-08-24T15:06:53+00:00 Virtual Teaming http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12054 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/12054#When:10:24:59Z One of the best things about the digital world is its capacity to facilitate virtual teaming. Churches have greater access to other churches than ever before. And for pastors, creatives, musicians and technical teams, this potential for connection not only creates community but also can make the day job a whole lot easier. Virtual Teaming 2010-07-27T15:24:59+00:00 Designing your Mobile Site http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/11677 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/11677#When:08:53:59Z With more and more people accessing your site via their phone, it is becoming important to develop a mobile version of your site. Here are some things to consider while planning it. Designing your Mobile Site 2010-06-30T13:53:59+00:00 Digital World Culture Shifts | Privacy vs. Transparency http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/11359 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/11359#When:06:47:39Z The debate about Facebook's privacy policies raises new awareness over how transparent our information really is. As the digital world exposes things once considered private, what should we do about that? Digital World Culture Shifts | Privacy vs. Transparency 2010-05-20T11:47:39+00:00 Developing your Social Media Strategy http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/11335 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/11335#When:13:28:50Z As easy as it is to engage social media personally, for organizations the dynamic is different. While personally, it might be about broadcasting your "lifestream," for organizations there has to be purpose. Here are some things to consider when mapping out your social media strategy. Developing your Social Media Strategy 2010-05-07T18:28:50+00:00 Meet the Cartographers | Andrew Conard of Resurrection Online http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10874 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10874#When:09:41:27Z There is no map for online ministry. Like cartographers, those exploring ministry using online tools are having to write their own. One of these new digital ministry cartographers is Andrew Conard of Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas who serves as pastor of the church's online campus. Meet the Cartographers | Andrew Conard of Resurrection Online 2010-03-30T14:41:27+00:00 Digital World Culture Shifts | Leadership Changes http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10785 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10785#When:06:50:04Z While "digital world" fluency isn't strictly divided on generational lines, there is a difference between those raised on the technology and those who have had to learn it. Gallup reports that in 2008, 50% of the US workforce was made up of the Boomer generation. In 2018, the dominant group (43%) will be Millennials. Given that the Millennials are "wired digitally" that's a huge shift for us to make in our organizations and structures in just eight years--a shift that has leadership in industries from advertising to architecture talking. So, what might this mean for church leadership? Digital World Culture Shifts | Leadership Changes 2010-03-11T11:50:04+00:00 Top 10 Reasons Linked In is Useful http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10612 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10612#When:10:46:52Z Even if you are secure in your employment, chances are that a large percentage of your congregation is not. One of the ways you can help "digital immigrants" leverage the digital world in a job search is by coaching people not only how to do it, but why to do it. People use technology they find useful. So, here are the Top 10 reasons LinkedIn is useful in the current economic climate... Top 10 Reasons Linked In is Useful 2010-02-11T15:46:52+00:00 Meet the Cartographers | Mark Horvath of invisiblepeople.tv http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10309 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10309#When:14:21:23Z There is no map for online ministry. Like cartographers, those exploring ministry using online tools are having to write their own. One of these new digital ministry cartographers is Mark Horvath of invisiblepeople.tv. Mark's vlog is having the type of impact on his community most churches strive for but few reach. Meet the Cartographers | Mark Horvath of invisiblepeople.tv 2010-01-15T19:21:23+00:00 Posterous 101 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10140 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/10140#When:10:36:36Z If you are using multiple media outlets to create an online presence for your church--or even if you are just maintaining your own personal lifestream--Posterous makes it easy to get content where you want it, or to simply pull all kinds of content (blog posts, 140 character tweets, images, etc) into a single stream. Posterous 101 2009-12-15T15:36:36+00:00 Meet the Cartographers | Paul Watson of reachingtheonlinegeneration.com http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9952 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9952#When:16:47:32Z There is no map for online ministry. Like cartographers, those exploring ministry in the online culture are having to write their own. One of these new digital ministry cartographers is Paul Watson of ReachingTheOnlineGeneration.com. Paul shares a few things he's learned while "Lewis and Clarking" the digital world. Meet the Cartographers | Paul Watson of reachingtheonlinegeneration.com 2009-12-01T21:47:32+00:00 On communication, connection and static http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9951 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9951#When:12:26:17Z One of the beautiful things about the digital world is that you have access to people you never had access to before. There is unprecedented opportunity to connect in a digital world. However, the flip side is that everyone knows this, so the volume from salesmen, marketers, old friends, business people, charities and causes is at an all time high. So given that you have this amazing opportunity being obscured by the static, how do you communicate in a way that connects? On communication, connection and static 2009-11-18T17:26:17+00:00 Church in the Digital World at WFX http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9718 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9718#When:11:42:58Z If you are making plans to be in Charlotte in two weeks, come explore Church in the Digital World live. Church in the Digital World at WFX 2009-10-15T16:42:58+00:00 Search Engines | Are you Visible? http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9434 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9434#When:11:24:33Z It may come as a surprise to you that some of the most engaging church websites are completely invisible to search engines. If you've Googled your site lately and aren't happy with the results, there are some things you can do to help your site's performance and make your church easier to find by those who are looking. Search Engines | Are you Visible? 2009-09-28T16:24:33+00:00 Webinars http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9134 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/9134#When:14:02:00Z While desktop video conferencing is great for smaller groups with bi-directional communication, webinars are primarily one-way with a speaker presenting content to a large audience. Ever thought about hosting a webinar? Wondered which provider to use? What it takes to plan one? If so, read on... Webinars 2009-08-20T19:02:00+00:00 Digital World Culture Shifts | Navigating Conflicts http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8912 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8912#When:08:29:48Z It would be great if the world changed uniformly and at an even pace, but the reality is that we all find places where the world as it has been collides with the world as it is going to be. So, how do you handle it when a changing world presents conflict? Digital World Culture Shifts | Navigating Conflicts 2009-07-27T13:29:48+00:00 Finding Inspiration http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8639 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8639#When:09:53:52Z Creating content for a digital world can be artistically demanding. Here are a few things to try if you find your internal creative tank on empty. Finding Inspiration 2009-06-23T14:53:52+00:00 Digital World Culture Shifts | How Real Time Interaction is Changing Everything http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8039 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8039#When:06:18:41Z The ability for real time interaction is changing things and while many are writing about how this affects business, I'm curious how this shift is affecting the church... Digital World Culture Shifts | How Real Time Interaction is Changing Everything 2009-06-03T11:18:41+00:00 The Power of the Face-to-Face http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8359 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8359#When:20:24:14Z One of the reasons the digital world is so powerful is that it can virtually replicate the experience of face-to-face dialogue. However, this week, at WFX--we are enjoying the real thing. The Power of the Face-to-Face 2009-05-14T01:24:14+00:00 Cultivating Clarity http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8126 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/8126#When:20:10:21Z We live in a complex world. (But you already knew that.) There is a growing role for people who are gifted at taking the complex and making it simple. Videographers, web designers, artists, pastors, educators and a host of other communicators with a gift for clarity are in high demand. Where do you fit in? Cultivating Clarity 2009-05-02T01:10:21+00:00 Google Site Search http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7965 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7965#When:18:49:11Z If you have a content-rich website, adding a search feature can be as simple and affordable as Google Site Search. Google Site Search 2009-04-06T23:49:11+00:00 Desktop Video Conferencing http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7641 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7641#When:06:56:29Z Webcams and free applications make desktop video conferencing accessible to just about everyone. Here's what's out there that you might want to test drive. Desktop Video Conferencing 2009-03-14T11:56:29+00:00 Twitter 101 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7438 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7438#When:09:36:03Z There is a lot of hype about Twitter lately. So, if you're asking, "What's the deal?" you aren't alone. This post explores the basics of what it is, how to use it and what it can and cannot do for you. Twitter 101 2009-02-04T14:36:03+00:00 The Web Audit http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7132 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7132#When:10:13:20Z We've become so accustomed to our own websites that we barely see them anymore--if we even visit them at all. How long has it been since you viewed your site from the eyes of a newcomer? The Web Audit 2009-01-20T15:13:20+00:00 Digital Photography 101 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7030 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/7030#When:18:02:20Z When digital cameras first came on the scene, for the most part they were used like film cameras. But now digital photography has a life and language all its own. Is your church using photos to connect? Digital Photography 101 2009-01-07T23:02:20+00:00 The Word in the Palm of Your Hand http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/6924 http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/blog_entry/6924#When:11:50:20Z It was revolutionary back in the day when the Gideons put Bibles in every hotel room. Now Lifechurch.TV is putting it in the palm of your hand. The Word in the Palm of Your Hand 2008-12-17T16:50:20+00:00