The #1 Resource for Church Technology Creativity & New Thinking
We get a behind the scenes look at the Owlegories children’s mobile app that teaches kids about God and His creation in a very cool way.
Are you thinking about building an app for your church or ministry?
Or maybe you have a cool idea for a mobile app?
Take a listen to this interview: you’re sure to be inspired. đ
[Read more…] about The Man Behind the App: Owlegories [Podcast #74]
For most modern churches, design matters. Unless you are still using old hymn books, donât have a newsletter, and certainly donât use social media (in which case Iâd really wonder why you check out ChurchMag) then Iâm sure youâll be aware of those little elements of design that go a long way.
The sharp looking slides to accompany the sermon, the great looking social media graphic to invite people along, the useful handout with good information about the church service and the strong blog post image which reinforces the message of the sermon.
Designing these graphics can easily be a full time job especially to make top quality graphics, but for the smaller church who doesnât have a design specialist there is a new tool that can really help you. Canva for work.
Being a pastor is a tough job: itâs hard to care for and shepherd people who one minute are desperate for you counsel and prayers and then are furious at you and threatening to leave the church in the next. Fortunatelyâor notâI only work as a pastor part-time.
However, that doesnât mean that I donât have to keep track of people who need care, counsel, or prayer. And to be honest, Iâm not really good at remembering those types of things. Thatâs why an app like The CareNotebook is so perfect for me.
[Read more…] about The CareNotebook: Follow-Up for the Digital Age
There’s no question that online giving has made tremendous strides with churches in the past half-decade. Unfortunately, as one recent study reveals, churches still lag far behind other nonprofits when it comes to the adoption of this important technology. Currently, only 42% of churches offer online giving. Compare this with the roughly 70% of non-church nonprofits who offer an online option and you’ll see that we still have a ways to go.
After a few years working for a church giving provider, I’ve grown familiar with many of the reasons offered by “the other 58%” for why their church doesn’t need online giving at the moment.
Cost is a big concern for many churches. Demographics is another one that comes up often. (i.e. “We’re an older congregation. No one will use it.”) Some pastors are worried about complicating the administrative process. Still others are concerned about the controversialâpotentially unbiblicalânature of these new giving tools. “Ruffled feathers” and “rocked boats” are mentioned frequently.
[Read more…] about Online Giving: Whatâs Holding YOUR Church Back?
A long time ago there were these terrible horrible things on the Internet called âpop-upâ ads. If you are under a certain age you may have heard of these legendary beasts, but never seen them. However, if you were using the internet in the 90s and early 00s I’m sure you remember them. Sometimes these forms of abusive and intrusive adverts could cause your whole computer to crash as more and more appeared when you tried to kill one like the mythical hydra. However, tools came out to avoid these horrible adverts and advertisers had to settle for banner and sidebar ads.
[Read more…] about Ad Blockers on iOS 9: Should You Use One?
[Note: This is part two in a series discussing practical, pastoral uses of an iPad. You might find it helpful to start with part 1.]
A pastorâs number one job is not to feed the sheep or even to tend to the flock in his* own home. A pastorâs number one task is to keep himself in submission to his Shepherd, to be continually recommitting himself to a deepening relationship with Jesus. That might sound trite, but itâs so very true. Too many pastors sacrifice both their spiritual health and their families for the ministry: this is not what God has called them to do. A good shepherd makes sure that he is right with God so that he can rightly care for his familyâhis first calling as a husband and fatherâand the church.
Given that, an iPad could serve quite well as a tool for guiding and energizing our spiritual development. That that end, let’s now look at several iPad apps that can be used for this purpose.
[Read more…] about The Pastor and the iPad: Spiritual Development [Series]
