Want to Write for Us?Read This | LoginBecome a Member
Social Media, Web 8

Zetify Launches, Fellowship with Christians

Posted By on October 27, 2009

zetify_home

Zetify.com, a new social networking-like service, recently crossed my desk and appears to have a plethora of different services, features, and functionalities.

I think the most standout thing immediately was the apparent “mix” of target audiences for both the obviously-Christian and then the Christian-Curious (which is an interesting tag).

With a prayer board, groups, a blog, and even a heatmap (below) of churches and information, it seems to be more than just another Christian social networking site.

zetify_heatmap

Creating a profile looked easy but it was not. In fact, I never actually signed up since my church wasn’t listed and it required a lot of information from me to move forward.

Too bad. The service looks cool but I’m all about low-bar registration. This was not easy for me!

Actually, I lied. Apparently it did sign me up but the process was a bit confusing.

Check it out and let me know what you think. Useful? Or is it just another player in a saturated field? I’m looking hard for the “unique” value props and either I’m missing it or I’ll have to dig further.

Strategy, Twitter, Web 11

Using Technology To Keep The Faith

Posted By on October 27, 2009

keepthefaith

This is a Guest Post by Tom McFarlin.

Between all the technology and online services that we’ve created each of which demands our attention on some level, sometimes I wonder what we’ve really done to ourselves. There is a constant temptation to feel like we need to stay udpated with all this stuff online.

It’s amazing we get anything done.

Yeah, I know. There’s already a lot of critics out there about this kind of stuff. I’m not one of them. Sure, I think you can go overboard with certain things but that is something that’s held true long before the Internet. Instead, I’ve attempted to actually to leverage all of this stuff to help keep myself honest in pursuing my faith rather than distracting me from it.

Here are three ADD-inducing technologies and one ancient strategy that I leverage to help me keep the faith:

Continue Reading…

Blogging, Strategy, Web 23

Blogging and 10,000 Hours

Posted By on October 26, 2009

workhard

The title to this post seems ridiculous to me because it seems to me that it’s so obvious. But I’ll admit, I haven’t always had this attitude nor this perspective.

As a member of the so-called Generation Y, I have a problem with pressures and entrapments of entitlement and being “successful” without actually having to do anything. It’s a disease I tell you (and it’s well-documented that Gen-Yers have some serious issues with “paying their dues”)!

But we have to work hard at it. We have to earn it. It’s amazing how many blog posts (and blogs) that want you to believe the lie that it’s really that easy to make it big and that all you have to do is signup for this and do that and follow this person, yada yada yada.

LIES!

Your blog and your blogging is an investment and it’s much better to understand that it’s a marathon race and not a sprint. I believe that what Malcom Gladwell says in his book Outliers is true: There is a 10,000 hour rule to practicing your skills as it relates to success. He points to Bill Gates and the Beatles as examples.

You want to be a “success” at blogging? Think long term. Think the “long road,” and think 10,000 hours, not 10.

So here’s an encouragement to you, yes you; the person who hasn’t “made it” yet: You’re on the right track.

[Image from Klash]

Web 15

If We Are Moving Too Fast it is Your Fault

Posted By on October 26, 2009

music

I’d like to take a second to clear up a common issue that needs some serious correction: It’s not their fault if we are moving too fast!

We, as the lucky few who have the time, interest, and passion for web technology need to slow down or at least learn to communicate more effectively and clearer. In other words, it’s our fault if they’re not getting it.

I’m at a place now where I’d rather slow down than lose the people that need to know. Running at the pace of the world will never get the Church there faster, it’ll only leave the Church farther behind than it already is.

Let’s be patient with those that aren’t up all night reading their Google Reader, ok?

Web 9

Sunday Special QA No. 31

Posted By on October 25, 2009

It’s that time again…! Sunday’s a good day to take it easy.

I’ve decided that on Sundays I’m not going to do any blogging except for a very simple post series called “The Sunday Special” where you get to ask me anything.

You can ask about me about web technology, WordPress, blogging, what I ate for breakfast… whatever.

I can’t promise that I’ll answer all of your questions, but feel free to answer each other’s questions as well.

I’ll try to answer all the questions throughout the coming week.

Simple enough, right? Go.

[Image from gshok]

Web 7

Social Networking Sidebar Tabs

Posted By on October 24, 2009

socialnetworkingsidebartabs

Want some some cool, slick, and easily installable social networking sidebar tabs? Sure, of course you do.

I wrote the tutorial here on how to get them. Go do it and stop banking on 3rd party services to give you the coolness.
:)

Strategy, Web 5

Finding the Right Volunteers for Online Ministry

Posted By on October 23, 2009

dilbert_volunteers

Finding the right volunteers for your developing online ministry can be as challenging as building your online campus (if not harder). There can be huge gaps of trust, control, expectations, and simply general understanding of what exactly you want them to.

Now, I can’t tell you exactly how you need to vet your volunteer because every ministry is different in terms of “qualifications” but what I can tell you is that one of the most successful ingredients that I’ve seen in the marketplace when looking for “volunteers” (but we don’t call them volunteers) is interest.

The catch here is that it must be self-generated. It can’t be fabricated or forced. In other words, some of the best volunteers are those that are already doing what you’d like them to do; they’re just not doing it for you and your ministry (yet).

This way they don’t get tired, they don’t get frustrated, or necessarily burnt out because you’re not forcing them to do something unnatural or having them try to feign interest. Find the people that love to do “online ministry” (whatever that means for your ministry) and then empower them to help out for yours.

Blogging, Web 7

Do You Honestly Love Writing?

Posted By on October 23, 2009

lovewritingI’ve been talking to a number of bloggers trying to understand their core interest in blogging and what motivates them to continue to do so.

I’ve discovered that many bloggers don’t really enjoy writing but they do it for a various assortment of other reasons.

This begs the question: Do you have to love writing to be successful at blogging?

For myself, I honestly can say that I really enjoy writing. I enjoy the process, the challenge, the mental gymnastics required to maintain a robust schedule and to not sacrifice quality over quantity.

But do I love it?

I’m not so sure.

So, from my perspective, I’m not sure you have to love writing to be successful, but that might change tomorrow (because I’m pretty mercurial at times).

Eh. What are your thoughts?

Web 14

Exciting and Big Things are Coming Soon…

Posted By on October 22, 2009

monstertruck

There are a number of things happening behind the scenes here at ChurchCrunch and we’re getting close to letting the world know.

I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself.

Stay tuned for some big news and some great opportunities for you. Yes, you.

[Image from Lawrence]

Code, Google, Plugins, Web, WordPress 2

Translate Your WordPress Content with Google Ajax

Posted By on October 22, 2009

wordpress-translator

This nifty little WordPress plugin can easily translate any of your content into a number of other languages with the click of a button: Google AJAX Translation.

On a few local tests the system performed really well. Of course, I’m not really able to confirm the accuracy of the translations, but knowing Google’s continuing improvement of their translation technology I’m confident that it’s better than nothing at this point.

As the Church becomes more global we’re going to need to continually think about getting our content in areas that aren’t just english-speaking. Thank goodness for Google.
;)

Page 2 of 8«12345»...Last »