It’s been 10 months and 8 days (or 311 days) since we first started and this blog post marks the 1,000th post on ChurchCrunch.com! We’ve managed to maintain a wickedly-high post volume count of about 3.216 blog posts a day.
Wow. Pretty insane.
And although myself (and about 30+ contributing authors) have been driving the content it’s only because of the community that’s been developed that all of this seems to be sustainable. Each blog post was simply a “brick” laid down that I hoped would create a pathway of connection and community.
Eventually, we might actually make something of it (or get “somewhere”).
So, a big Thank You to the community that’s been encouraging me forward as we seek to understand and explore how best to use web technology for the Kingdom.
The Big 1,000 Giveaway – 10 Winners!
If you’ve been here before, you know we like giving away free loot.
So, we’ll be giving away 1,000 Unique Business cards courtesy of MooMini: 10 people will get a set of 100 Mini’s to sport classy business card swag.
All you have to do is leave a comment below including something you’ve learned from the last 1,000 blog posts here at ChurchCrunch!
Ready?
Go.
[Image from Daniel]
Ohh first
What have I learnt. Loads but the thing that stands out is the use of IntenseDebate commenting system. I now use it on my blog (much smaller and lower volume than here) because of it's use on ChurchCrunch.
Keep it up guys …
Learned how to create a facebook app for a live show.
I learned that it's not human three rawr, and that even though @dewde thinks you are, you are not Chinese.
But mostly I learned about a bunch of tech nerds with a heart for Christ and have a great time learning from them and with them.
Congrats on the 1000th
Puhah. Congrats Church Crunch! I've learned how to meld authentic personality and real focused thematic content from following you here and at your human3rror side of life. Thank you!
1000? good gravy. k ready for this.
I was using WordPress when I meandered over to this here blog, but this is where I really became a believer that WordPress is the way to go. I guess you could say I'm a fanboy…
Well can't wait for the next thousand.
What have I learned? Way too hard to limit down to one or two things. John, I think you guys strike a unique chord of finding the marriage between ministry & tech life. So many great things you've introduced us to and/or started needed conversations about.
Happy 1000th post! Congrats!
I learn about lots of great new tech and try things out that previously I would probably have not tried. I learned about WordPress and it's amazing power and capability. I found lots more folks that share my passions for using tech to impact culture with the Good News. Thanks for the site and for sharing your passion and your experience.
I have learned a lot about how a church can use technology to engage membership and increase connectivity. Now if only I can help put it into practice!
Where should I begin.
I have learned a lot from church crunch in my little time here.
I have only been reading the blog for about a month, but the biggest thing that sticks out to me the most is the article on church planting and online community. The post that sticks out is the post about soul city church and planting a church with an integrated online stategy. Good stuff right there.
Hope I win, I have been working on getting some business cards
Churchcrunch.com kicks my butt on a daily basis…
I love that there are folks in the church (leaders and lay alike) that are ALL leading the way with technology and social networking. I read every post that comes down the pipe with the hopes of learning, implementing, and ultimately teaching these concepts to others right here in my own circle of influence (on and off line).
Thanks for doing what you do!
Congrats on reaching such a milestone!
Since discovering this Web site, I’ve acquired the most knowledge about social networks and how to potentially use them.
I’ve also been exposed to points-of-view outside my own personal frame of reference, and previous experience.
i've learned so much here. In fact, a big chunk of my blogging roots have been learned here off this site. I know that I can come back later and search the archives for something I saw months earlier.
I've learned from posts about strategy, hacks, missions. I jokingly tell others that this is like techo-seminary.
What have I learned? Hmmm… so much to choose from! I'd have to say that one of the bigger things was just thinking a little bit more about strategy in everything that I am doing.
I agree with one of the other commenters. I like the marriage between ministry and tech here. I've learned a lot of tidbits through this blog and found the site very helpful. Thanks for inspiring us all … (and making us more productive).
Happy 1000th!
–Terrace Crawford
http://www.terracecrawford.com
http://www.twitter.com/terracecrawford
1000 posts in 10 months? Dude you are the man! I like this blog because its always informative and it gives us some insight into the life of @human3rror
Keep rocking on John!
I love the innovative approaches that you bring. I especially like the post a couple weeks ago about new ways to do online registration, casual/informal. I think it's a great approach to engage people and keeping the entire experience relatable and not at all sterile.
Gosh, how can I narrow it down to one thing? I learned about Media Temple here, Intense Debate, how to make better use of WordPress layout, hacks and plugins, how to leverage social networks to direct traffic to my blog, etc.
Yeah I saw that post too but my thoughts were I'm too small fry to make decent use of that.
I've learned a ton here. Sad that I haven't been able to keep up with everything since I have been in the Dominican but the biggest thing I learned here was wordpress and my blog has come a long way from the blogger days.
When I first started reading this blog, I was enamored mostly with the technical/geeky stuff that was brought forward from a Christian perspective. However, over time I've come to appreciate and be reminded by what you write that the technical goodies are merely just tools. It's the people who are using those tools and how they're using them that is important especially when in the context of lifting up His Kingdom. The post that illustrated this more than any other was this one:
http://churchcrunch.com/2009/04/16/twestival-the-…
It was through that, I learned about Charity Water and over the last 4-6 months have been reading more about what God is doing through people in Africa and it's just amazing. Recently, our church challenged small groups to take a more active role in communicating with missionaries around the world. As such, I have been kind of lobbying to connect with the missionary family that is in Togo and perhaps we can connect our missionaries with an organization like Charity Water to see what we can do not only to spread the Gospel, but make a real difference.
I've really come to appreciate Church Crunch not just for the blog entries and the wealth of information they provide, but more importantly, to me, I appreciate the effort that you have made John, to make it a place of community where people can share ideas, thoughts and make connections with people we might otherwise never know. I'm looking forward to the next 1,000 posts!
Congrats on the 1,000th post! I just hit 500 in a much longer period. It's amazing to get there so fast! As many others have already commented, I was first introduced to Intense Debate here and love the system.
The big thing that I take away from here every time I read is that attention to detail is as important as content. Thanks for that. I think we don't always do that in the church. We can spend a lot of time on the content, but if it isn't presented well, no one will listen.
What have I not learned. I have learned that the Church world is totally embracing technology to reach the world with Christ. The power of technology helps to break down walls, borders and the distance to reach out to spread the Gospel.
congrats John!
i've learned that collaborative innovation is better than hording "mine own" creative endeavor… been good to work with you and this site has been a fantastic resource.
Woo! I love ChurchCrunch!
I've learned a ton, but I especially love reading about all of your WordPress tips/tricks. Learning a little bit of code to help improve my sites definitely helps
Practical learn-age: I appreciated your post on how you set your Feedburner settings: http://churchcrunch.com/2009/05/16/feedburner-set…
Straightforward, explained clearly, and delivered on its promise: both effective and awesome.
I have also implemented numerous WP recommendations that have come from this site. Keep them coming.
Intangible learn-itude: I appreciate the affirmation that:
1) passion + social web tools + consistent effort can produce something substantial (1900+ feedburner readers, top 120,000 website [Alexa score]) very quickly (10 months?, I've known babies that have been made quicker).
2) there are other people out there who are PASSIONATE about Christ, enthusiastically employing their gifts, and have a sense of humor.
Keep up the good work.
I have learned that I need a plan for my social networks. Just because I have an account on the latest social networking fad, doesn't mean that it's helping me. Thanks ChurchCrunch! Congrats on 1000 posts!
I've learned that communication does not start with words – it starts with connection. And Church Crunch has learned (and taught) how to create dialogue as it relates to the New Digital Media advancing the Kingdom of Christ. Excellent work my friend.
That leaving a comment CAN help you win stuff.
congrats on 1000! I've learned that WP rules and I should switch, and my thoughts have been confirmed in regards to social media and the church love each other.
I think what I have learned, in my short time following this blog, is that there other voices out there and I get to learn from them. This blog is essential in helping me understand how we can start a prayer movement on the campuses of California. If this blog is a participant to that success, then God will get a ton of glory, that's for sure. =)
Thanks for the work you put into this.
I have learned that we have a long way to go when it comes to the church "becoming all things to all people" in utlizing technology. I pray for innovation in the church daily. That we would be the leading web community that is developing new tools and the rest of the world would come to us to see what's happening.
I have been incredibly thankful for some Word Press tricks & tools!
From your site, I've been encouraged to keep learning and getting a better grasp on tech for ministry purposes–to continue extending the kingdom of God in every way possible! It matters how we present ourselves online.
I've learned that there is SO much out there that we can connect to so many people using technology…but that tech should never control our lives. Jesus should. Thanks for helping us understand that.
Aaron Alexander
Based on my collection of bookmarks from churchcrunch.com, your Twitter tips have provided me the most insight. Looking forward to your next 1,000!
man, I think I have read most of them. Congrats John and gang!
What I have learned is social media can be used wisely, or massivly abused. It may seem like any idiot can use most social outlets, but that is not true. You really have to be intentional on the web.
I've learned that there is a passionate community of believers who want to use technology to further the kingdom of God and I think that rocks!
Congrats, gang!
I love this site .. it's one of the ones in my Google Reader that I "discipline" myself to read, regardless of how overwhelmed I am. I studied extensively and learned a lot about facebook and using social media in church before making our presentation for social media strategy at SSCC.
I have learned a ton on how to bring my staff and people I work with up to speed with Twitter and how to be effective as a church in the realm of social media! Love it…keep it rocking for another 10,000+
It's tough to summarize everything that I've learned from this site. It's cool as a 22 year old person in ministry to have a place that is innovating in technology because alot of times you can feel alone in the church in that regard.
You get personal web enhancement and also ideas to pitch to your church or org. Plus if you've got a service that you think can meet a need that the church has then you will definitely show up here on this site.
I love it. This and Seth Godin are my 2 favorite spots to take in as much knowledge as possible.
Well i have learned a lot more about social media tools that are able to be used in ministry, the things you guys discover educate me to take strategic risks in ministry using the web. Also learned a ton of wordpress, never knew it was able to do all that i am doing with it. Thanks! and keep it coming.
I have learned so much from ChurchCrunch. Even though my blog is still a mess in some of the coding, I have learned RSS, Feedburner and a ton of helpful WordPress info from you guys!! Thank you so much. Some times I wonder how in the world you post so often, but it makes sense with 30 contributing!
I have learned the power of collaboration to further the Kingdom. Well done!
What have you taught me, John? Oh…a ton. No big deal
From you I've learned about a ton different web apps that can be used for ministry. I feel like you're my "inside guy" on the lookout tower scanning the horizon. I trust you to bring up web apps and issues that are relevant for my ministry.
I've also learned a ton about how to blog. Having some form of multimedia in each post, how the frequency of posting affects growth, layout. I first discovered intense debate through your blog.
There's also many, many more ways..
You've been a big blessing in my life and have affected my ministry and churches for the better. God bless you and keep doing what you're doing. You'll see the fruit of your labors in heaven. Cheers.
I've learned that big images and one word email reply's are a mark of greatness. That adding value is the key to community, and that authenticity and transparency make for great content.
I have learned that John S. is a blogging machine.
I have just learned by your example of blogging to be consistent and provide relevant and practical information. Thanks for the last 1,000 posts.
I've learned a tremendous amount from this site. This has become one of my must-read sites in my Google Reader, and that's not an easy club to crack. It seems like every day I learn about a new way to engage people online.
I've especially appreciate being introduced to new WordPress plugins (or, in some cases, new-to-me WP plugins). As much as I love to write and publish content online, I've found that I equally enjoy tinkering with my content provider. I think that might be something you and I have in common, John. =)
Congratulations on reaching this milestone! You've made a real winner here.
I discovered just how many other church tech geeks were out there. I no longer feel alone.
goood.
John,
All I can say is that you are mad prolific, bro. I'm speechless reading this post again. 1k in one year!! That is epic.
Ho Ho Ho, my street
I'd like to get little tiny pack of business cards