Nov
9
Theme Change……Again
Filed Under My Life | 8 Comments
Ok, here’s the deal. In switching over from Wordpress 2.2 to 2.3 I converted my categories to tags which are supported in 2.3. Tags are cool but….. they weren’t working well with my theme. Yes, another excuse to put up a new theme.
Oct
20
The Birth of a Website
Filed Under Mac for Ministry | Leave a Comment
Since we moved over to all Mac from the PC darkside at our church I have done a lot of searching for information about using Mac’s in churches and ministries. I’ve found a lot of information on both hardware and software that has helped us. I thought it would be nice to put all this info on one sight. And so, a website is born. Let’s welcome into the Web World Mac For Ministry. Check it out. It may be a little light on info now but I will be adding posts and links as time permits.
Oct
14
Good Enough For Church
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
I saw this post last week on a blog at a website called InnovatingTomorrow. The site is put out by a guy named Matt Farina who along with Rob Feature put out the Geeks and God podcast. When I found their podcast I enjoyed it so much that I downloaded all the previous ones and listened to them. It’s been a great source of info in numerous areas of technology and the church and it’s been just plain fun to listen to. Anyway, this post really sums up what I think happens in too many churches as far as excellence is concerned so I just reprinted the whole thing.
The Challenge
A couple months ago I was trying to tie in a web service my church was using into our new church website. The service advertised tying in their service to church websites as flexible and easy to do. Not finding it so flexible, I contacted their technical support for answers. What I found was that the amount of customization and tie into church websites was lacking. It was methods and technology that were available at the turn of the millennium. When I asked why their service was out of date they, honestly, said that churches and ministries didn’t expect more. This is what my friend, Bob, likes to call ‘Good Enough For Church’.
Good Enough For Church
‘Good Enough For Church’ is where churches settle for just having something rather than doing it well. Maybe the church has a website so they can say they have one rather than having one that makes a difference. Maybe the church has a podcast to say they have one rather than having one people actually listen to. There are a million places this can and does happen. Technology is often a place where ‘Good Enough For Church’ shows itself.
It’s UnderstandableThis makes sense. Churches and churches leaders have a lot going on. Why should a podcast take a priority over something else? Why should they time to support and be involved in one?
Technology people are busy in churches. The time and skill to do things well takes time and energy. Something that is often not there.
Then there is the elusive dollar issue. Technoloy costs money. Is a CD/DVD duplicator worth the $1000 cost? How about the church sound system? How about the difference between a great church website and one that passes as having one?
Time For A Change
It’s time for a change. Churches should expect more from their service providers. Church service providers should be doing more for the mission. ‘Good Enough For Church’ doesn’t cut it. Good use of technology in ministry can make a difference. It can reach people. It provides other ways to reach people with the message. It can aid in connecting people with people to help each other out. Taking advantage of what’s out there helps us in the church take the message to people where they are at.
The Challenge
The challenge is for every church technology person to go for more. Take it beyond ‘Good Enough For Churches’. Learn how to do it well. Learn what to expect. Learn how to take full advantage of what’s out there. Learn how to use technology to take the message to the people where they are at. Learn to use technology to serve others.
That’s what this blog is about. Stepping up to the challenge. The Geeks and God podcast has been one avenue to seek doing it well. This blog is another.
If you’re a church technology person, or even just someone interested in how and why it matters, subscribe to the blog and check out the podcast. technology is now about people and where they are at.
Aug
17
MacChurch
Filed Under Uncategorized | 5 Comments
Yes, I think we can officially qualify as a “MacChurch” now. Grand total as of today: 5 MacBook Pros, 2 IMacs, and 1 Mac Book. Now all we need to do is start wearing jeans and black turtlenecks!
Jul
14
NO, NO, NO, WHY, WHY, WHY, WAAAAAAAAAA!
Filed Under My Life | 5 Comments
This is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.