Christian Media 2.0

Digital technology has spread throughout every sector of society. It has created a tsunami of change. And there’s no end in sight. Church leaders are still finding it difficult to stay on top of it. Engaging through online communities is one way of getting some help.

Who has the time, right? By building an online community and interacting with other leaders for just thirty minutes a day, it is possible to learn what you need to know to move forward. You’ll be better equipped for making informed decisions regarding technology and New Media.

Here are six reasons leaders should engage online communities to stay on top of emerging technologies.

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When the rain is falling and the roads are slippery you never know when someone may slide, swerve, or slam on the brakes. We need to be alert and constantly on our guard. The same is true in our lives – we need to be on “Constant Watch” for Christ’s return.

These are my sermon notes, live blogged from Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY. “Constant Watch” was the final message in the series “Early Warning System.” Teaching Pastor Kyle Idleman.

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On a recent trip to Houston, I met Patty Shull, a staff representative and online missionary for Global Media Outreach (GMO). GMO is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ presenting the gospel online 24/7.

Internet evangelism, or evangelism without borders, is gaining ground as strategy for building the Church globally. I have blogged about it, most recently, here.

Patty gave me the opportunity to experience online evangelism live for the first time.

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This is an edited version of notes taken from the live blog of the Auxano Houston co::Lab Session #6. All coaching sessions took place at Gateway Community Church in Clear Lake, TX with Vision Coach, Will Mancini.

The Primary Objective: To define Vision Proper, explain how to cast vision and discuss how to use the Vision Frame in ongoing visioning and planning work.

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The Auxano Houston co::Lab has inspired four previous posts: Pursuing God’s Vision for Technology in the Church; Finding Your Church’s Sweet Spot; Digital Missions: What Do You See? and Whose Vision is it Anyways?

In the final hours before our last session (that will be live blogged), I have been reflecting on what I’ve learned about casting vision.

Vision-casting was not new to me prior to co::Lab. Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I’ve participated in vision planning retreats many times.

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This is part two of my conversation with Cynthia Ware, Executive Director of the Center for Church Communication (CFCC).

Q: Cynthia, What new strategies or ideas are coming down the pipe at CFCC?

Right now, we’re doing some thinking and planning about new directions.

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The Center For Church Communication (CFCC) is a nonprofit organization helping churches more effectively communicate the gospel. At the end of 2009, Cynthia Ware became the first Executive Director of CFCC.

Cynthia’s blog, The Digital Sanctuary, has been one of my primary sources of information about technology in the Church. She kindly agreed to have a phone conversation. I was eager to hear her thoughts about the current state of church communications and trends she sees for the future.

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Increasingly, churches are using outsourcing for help with communications. For most industries, certain professional standards are expected by outsourcing organizations.

Called “industry promises,” I’ve listed seven that churches should be able to expect from providers of church communications.

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Advances in digital communication have made it possible for anyone to present the gospel and disciple others from the convenience of their home, office or just about anywhere. The opportunities are there, but it will still takes thousands of volunteers to meet the need.

In my last post, I mentioned that technology had opened the door for participating in local outreach to people from all walks of life and various professions. Today, even leaders in full-time ministry with packed schedules are volunteering. Meet Dave Sears.

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Churches often lag significantly behind other organizations in their use of technology. The time may have come for some to “catch up.” It could be one of the best investments made this year.

For the purposes of this discussion, “technology” refers to enterprise-level operational solutions and Internet-based outreach and communication technologies.

A lot of folks are talking these days about the role of technology in the church…

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