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Archives For June 2012

Social Network Management with hootsuite

June 29, 2012 — Leave a comment

People often ask me what are the 3rd party tools that I like to use when it comes to Social Media. While I have tried and will continue to try many, there is really only one that I use on a consistent basis: hootsuite.

While I really do prefer to use Social Networks on their site (especially Facebook), hootsuite is a great tool for many reasons. While there are many uses for hootsuite, here is how I use the tool:

  • Scheduling future posts on multiple platforms at the same time
  • Social Analytics reporting
  • Monitoring multiple network simultaneously

One of the things that I like most about hootsuite is that it really is easy to use for beginners while also providing high level features for pro users as well. I also highly recommend paying the extra $6/month for the Pro Account if you’re an active social media user.

I would love to hear about your experience with hootsuite or other 3rd Party Social Media tools that work well for you.

In Social Media , , , , , ,
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Google for NonProfits

June 27, 2012 — 1 Comment

I love Google products and believe they can be a great asset to every ministry!

So maybe Google + hasn’t worked out as planned, but that doesn’t mean that Google hasn’t developed other products that can greatly benefit your ministry.   Whether it’s as basic as GMail or Google search or maybe more complex like Google Analytics or Google Alerts.  In the coming weeks I will be highlighting several Google products that we use on a regular basis with CBC Online.

The biggest resource that seems to have somehow flown under the radar is Google for NonProfits.  Originally this program was closed to religious organizations, but recently Google opened it up to all NonProfits (including churches).  There are many benefits to this program, but the big appeal is that they give you $10,000/month in free Adwords credits.

Yes, that is $10,000/month or $120,000/year in FREE advertising with Google!

Some other benefits include a customizable YouTube channel (with Live Streaming), a 40% discount on Google Apps for Business, and Google Earth Outreach.

Does it seem too good to be true?  It’s not.  I’m using both the YouTube channel and Adwords accounts at no cost yet seeing great ministry impact every day!  Apply now and start taking advantage of this incredible opportunity that Google has made available to your ministry or nonprofit.

One last thing to throw in.  If you use the alloted $10,000/month effectively you can apply to become a GrantsPro user and Google will up your budget to $48,000/month.  That is half of a million dollars a year in FREE advertising!  Could that help your ministry or church?

I would love to hear comments from anyone already taking advantage of this program and what your experience has been or any questions that you might have regarding this program.  If anyone has any reasons not to use this program I would love to hear your thoughts as well.

In Ministry, Resources, Social Media, YouTube , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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iPad App/Book Recommendation: Gracenomics

June 24, 2012 — Leave a comment

 

If you have not yet read Gracenomics by Mike Foster, please don’t wait another minute to either download the iPad App or Kindle version of the book.  The book is only .99 on the Kindle and the iPad App has some great interactive elements with video for just $1.99.

Mike Foster is an incredible storyteller and shares with great vulnerability throughout this book.  He lays out some very practical methods in which we can begin applying second chance living to our daily lives.

You will find the the principles that Mike suggests in this book do not just apply to our personal and spiritual lives, but also to our professional.  As we begin applying Gracenomics to our daily lives, we will begin seeing dramatic change in all of our relationships.

One last thing that’s important to note is that this is really a very quick read.  I was able to read the whole book in one three hour flight.  I think  you will find though that this not just a quick one time read, but a book you will go back to again and again.

Mike has also developed a great resource in Gracenomics Groups if you are looking for a resource that will create a conversation in your church or organization.  Take a minute to watch this video with Mike Foster below and join the movement People of the Second Chance.

 

In Books, Leadership, Ministry, Resources , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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iMinistry 2012 Conference

June 20, 2012 — Leave a comment

I’m excited to share with you about this exciting Conference that I’m honored to be a part of on October 10-11, 2012 in Rockwall, TX.  It is actually less of a conference and more of a conversation about the Online Church.  We will discuss things like building a volunteer team online, small groups online, analytics/defining wins, and so much more.

You will hear from ministry leaders from CBC Online as well as LifeChurch.tv, Seacoast, Lakepointe, and many others.  This is an exciting opportunity that I know you will want to be a part of!

Some other great news is that the conference is only $99!  This means that it’s affordable for not just you, but your whole team!  I hope you won’t wait to sign up for this exciting event, I would love to meet you there!

Here’s the link: http://iministry2012.com, go sign up now!  Can you tell that I’m excited about this event?

I also want to thank our good friends at Media Social for sponsoring this event and helping to make it so affordable for everyone to attend.

In Conferences, Leadership, Ministry, Social Media , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Problems? No, Opportunities!

June 19, 2012 — Leave a comment

 

I’m excited to share with you this incredible book written by my friend and colleague, Elmer Hembree.  Elmer is an incredible leader serving as our Senior Adult Pastor at Community Bible Church in San Antonio, TX.  I’ve known Elmer for almost two years, but honestly it wasn’t until I read this book that I felt I really knew him as he shares about God’s work in his life with such vulnerability.  God has done and is doing an amazing work in and through Elmer’s life that is so powerfully communicated through this book.

This is a book that is packed with great content yet is an easy and quick read (I read it in about a day and a half).  You also can’t beat the price as it is a .99 download on the Nook or Kindle!  I hope you will take a minute to watch this interview I did with Elmer for CBC Online and then go to one of the links below to download or purchase the book.

 

 

Purchase it at AuthorHouse: http://bit.ly/IaDP2r, Amazon:http://amzn.to/JwelyN, or Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/InmSB7

 

In Books, Ministry, YouTube , , , , ,
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Interview on Social Media Church Podcast with DJ Chuang

June 18, 2012 — Leave a comment

I was honored to be interviewed by DJ Chuang on the Social Media Church Podcast.  DJ is a blogger at http://djchuang.com and a student of the Online Church.  He continues to resource so many ministries in a variety of ways and I’m honored to be a part of what he is doing.

You can click here to go to socialmediachurch.net to listen or download the podcast or you can watch the recorded video footage from Skype below.

 

In Leadership, Ministry, Podcasts, Social Media, technology, YouTube , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Thank You St. Stephen Church

June 8, 2012 — 2 Comments

This past week I had the great honor of consulting with the staff of St. Stephen Church in Louisville, Kentucky.  Before my trip I studied the church and was amazed by their rich history and tremendous growth over the years.  This is actually one of the first churches that I’m aware of to have multiple campuses in different states (Kentucky and Indiana).

It wasn’t though until I was able to sit around a table with their administrative staff that I was able to really capture how special this church is and how bright their future could be.

Here are some of the keys that I saw to their success:

1)    Strong Leadership and Vision- Dr. Kevin Cosby has been the Sr. Pastor at St. Stephen since he was 21 years old and his leadership along with the team he has assembled is strong, focused, and driven.  Vision for the future is consistently communicated and enthusiastically embraced by a passionate congregation.

2)    Passion for the People- St. Stephen has incredible programming, but their primary focus around everything they do is people.  Their programs, services, and facilities are all focused around the needs of their congregation and the community they serve.

3)    Freedom and Flexibility- you won’t find much red tape in this church as leaders are given freedom to risk and try new things that might further the ministry of the church.  Church members are encouraged and empowered to lead and teach or use their gifts in whatever way they can.

4)    Openness to New Things- generally I have to sell Social Media before I can train a group on how to use these online tools.  St. Stephen did not need to be sold, but wanted to learn now and implement yesterday.  This culture of learning and innovation has been a part of their DNA for years and will continue to be a part of their bright future for years to come.

5)    Phenomenal Preaching- let’s be honest, the pulpit drives the church.  St. Stephen’s success is not due only to Dr. Cosby, but his powerful preaching has dramatically impacted thousands in Kentucky and Indiana over the years. I cannot wait for St. Stephen Church to go online, because lives all over the world will be touched when we all have an opportunity to hear the powerful messages that are preached each week from this pulpit!

I cannot  express enough how thankful I am to have had this opportunity to invest in this great church. I am especially grateful to Christine Cosby for coordinating this trip and organizing all of the meetings with the various staff and ministry teams.  It will be so exciting to see what is ahead as this Church without walls begins to reach from Kentucky to Indiana and to the ends of the earth.  There is no doubt in my mind that the best days for St. Stephen Church are yet to come!

For more information about St. Stephen Church you can visit them at:

website- http://ssclive.com

Facebook at http://facebook.com/ssclive

Twitter: @ssclive

In Leadership, Ministry, Social Media, technology , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Heart Your Church Interview

June 2, 2012 — 2 Comments

I was honored to be interviewed by Jason Stambaugh of Heart Your Church.  Jason is a serial entrepreneur and a visionary when it comes to Social Media and the Church.  I hope you will take a few minutes to watch this interview and then jump over to see the full article here.

 

In Leadership, Ministry, Resources, Social Media, technology , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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