SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
There are many opportunities to share faith online. Relationships through social networking is one area:
http://ied.gospelcom.net/social-networking.php
Posting video clips to secular networking sites is another. Please let us know of video clips you find online which fit into this category:
http://ied.gospelcom.net/video-outreach.php
SCIENCE FICTION WITH A SPIRITUAL MESSAGE
If you have experience in writing science fiction, there is a new site about to launch, looking for Christian writers who can share truth through this medium:
http://www.wayfarersjournal.com/
COMMUNICATING WELL
COUNSELING SKILLS - are extremely valuable for handling incoming website inquiries, especially from hurting people. And indeed, for many sorts of ministry. In UK, there are a range of counseling training options:
http://www.btctraining.co.uk/
Also consider a short 'listening course' if you can find one locally.
CULTURE: relating to the culture around us - 'living in sin?' asks Jason Clark:
http://guide.gospelcom.net/offsitelink?b06oct-clark
FOR KIDS: animation of the Bible on two DVDs. Preview samples online, plus graphics and games.
http://www.TheGloryStory.com/
TECHNOLOGY AND THE CHURCH. If there are a gazillion blogs out there, which to read? Here's thoughtful stuff from Cynthia Ware, on
"exploring the unfolding relationship between technology and the Church":
http://thedigitalsanctuary.textdriven.com/
THE LONG TAIL. You may read, with reference to internet marketing, the concept of 'the long tail'. What this means is: the Web gives a unique opportunity for niche marketing. Unlike a high street store stocking a limited number of items but hoping for high unit sales on each, a web store can build its strength by the supply of a million items, even though sales of any particular item may be tiny.
Likewise, any website with a large number of pages on different topics may find that visitor numbers to 80% of the pages are low, but nevertheless, they are feeding people into the rest of the site, like the tributaries of a river.
This changing face of our culture also means that people are no longer happy with 'one size fits all' solutions in a church context:
http://www.ill-legalism.com/thelongtailrpbr.htm
And the beauty of the web, in the context of evangelism, is that we are no longer forced to offer 'one size fits all' presentations of the gospel. Outreach sites can target very specific affinity groups with a message that is contextualized especially for them.
INTERNET EVANGELISM DAY 2007 - has been set for 29 April 2007. Still quite a time to go, but pencil it in your diary, and consider if there is any way your church or group would like to plan an activity on or near that date.
www.InternetEvangelismDay.com
FAMILY 2.0: TECHNOLOGY AIDS TOGETHERNESS
A Yahoo/OMD study found that modern families are using technology to their advantage. "Family 2.0," as the study calls it, is "harnessing pervasive technology and media to help them manage busy households and achieve more balanced, satisfying lives."
http://guide.gospelcom.net/offsitelink?b06oct-family
CONTENT FOR YOUR SITE
What would our Tips for Church Sites look like, added to your site? See here:
http://ied.gospelcom.net/churchsite-example.php
This page is an ideal addition for any resource site for pastors, denominational HQs, webmasters, etc.
MISSION CHALLENGE VIDEO SHORT
PhotoMission offers a free 5-minute downloadable video 'Every Knee Shall Bow'. With worldwide pictures, appropriate bible verses and music, but no voice-over, it offers an ideal keynote introduction to the urgency of the mission mandate, which can be used in any mission-advocacy or church meeting. The video is available in a range of resolutions, and PhotoMission is happy for it to be redistributed on, for example, mission promotion CDs and DVDs:
http://photomission.jkpphoto.com/eksb.htm
THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
HOLOCAUST - survivors' pictures and MP3 interviews:
http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/life_after_holocaust/survivors/
THE EXPERIMENT - a short parable story on postmodern relative truth:
http//www.bibletoday.co.uk/blog/?p=95
PHISHING: be constantly aware of emails attempting to steal information from you. 'Phishing' requests for you to 'validate' or confirm personal details are never sent by legitimate companies:
http://guide.gospelcom.net/offsitelink?b06oct-phishing
TAILEND ô¿ô
Get out of that?
You are driving in a car at a constant speed. On your left side is a big drop, and on your right there is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you.
In front of you, running side by side, are a pig and horse. You cannot overtake them. Behind you is a helicopter chasing you at ground level.
What can you do to safely get out of this dangerous situation?
[answer at end]
More faith
I was listening to a lady who called a radio pastor. The pastor was a wise, grandfatherly gentleman who has that calm reassuring voice that can melt all fear.
The lady, who was obviously crying, said, "Pastor, I was born blind, and I've been blind all my life. I don't mind being blind but I have some well meaning friends who tell me that if I had more faith I could be healed."
The pastor asked her, "Tell me, do you carry one of those white canes?"
"Yes I do," she replied.
"Then the next time someone says that hit them over the head with the cane," he said. "Then tell them 'If you had more faith that wouldn't hurt!'"
[Answer: get off the children's roundabout]
