-The Necessity of Transparency and Disclosure

Early on many bloggers were anonymous or assumed fictitious names to ensure their privacy. Even a number of pastors took this tact in order to be free to say whatever they wanted to online without creating a controversy in their church.

However in the long run ‘trust’ became an issue particularly among Christians. If bloggers were unwilling to share their real identities then could their observations and stories be completely trusted? Also some actually went out of their way to create controversy and responded rather badly at times to fellow believers and leaders. Transparency is now winning the day and Christians in particular should be very open and truthful about who they really are. It is a matter of integrity and credibility.

-Social Media: Cradle to the Grave- Ministry Implications?

According to AVG, the Internet security firm, nearly 92% of children in the U.S have some type of online presence by the time they reach just 2 years of age. The young children either show up in articles and pictures in their mothers social net page or they have their very own site.

We are seeing the rise of a new phenomenon with the lives of people receiving full documentation on the Internet from the time they are born and even before. 

-The Rewards of Blogging Holidays and Special Events

Holidays present a number of unique opportunities for ministry on-line but also can bring on quite a few scheduling problems with added church and family commitments. Sometimes it is a balancing act.

Nevertheless, I have found that around Christmas time folks are looking for posts telling the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus. Then around Easter, articles about the Resurrection are very popular. These holidays give ministers an opportunity to reach people on-line with the gospel story like no other.

-Court: A Right to Bully and be Mean Online

Here’s an interesting internet case. An 8th grade student was suspended from school for “cyber-bullying” and  humiliating another student online in a YouTube video. Her parents took the school to court and last month a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that the school had gone too far. Students do have a 1st Amendment right to be nasty in cyberspace. Implications for internet ministry:

-Online Integrity and Credibility?

Integrity and credibility are two issues that everyone online are going to be involved with one way or another. Whether you are writing a blog, publishing a website, or just reading and commenting. For the Christian blogger or social networker it should be absolutely crucial and obvious.

We really should be asking ourselves before we hit the ‘publish’ or ‘send’ button –How will this reflect upon who I say I am. If I am presenting myself as a Christian does it reflect favorably on Christianity or the church? Is this article, comment, or observation really reflective of what I want to do and be Online?

-Mobile Phone Revolution: Implications For Evangelism

 We have written about how the Internet is a new ‘Roman Road’ making it possible to reach the ‘unreachable’ all around the world. In the first century the roman roads made it possible for Christianity to spread quickly around the known world. Not only that but English is the dominant language (the new Greek) and many people around the world are becoming literate in it through its use on the Internet and in new media.

-Tips for 'Brilliant' Writing

Here’s a great article by 'pro-blogger' Dean Rieck @ Copyblogger:

“51 Smart Tips for Brilliant Writing"

 The First 11 tips:

1. Have something to say

2. Be specific

3. Choose simple words

-Facebook Has Over a Billion Users: Implications for a Worldwide Harvest

Facebook has over a Billion users which includes nearly half of all those on the Internet worldwide.  According to a LA Times article Facebook execs are shooting for the rest:

"We’re not a company that is just trying to add more people," said Chris Cox, Facebook’s vice president of product. "What we are trying to do is build a service that everyone in the world can use."

-Virtual Prayer Walks Using Google Maps & Earth

 Here’s a great idea: using Google Earth and Google Maps to do virtual intercession. 

What a wonderful use of technology. An incredible tool for intercessors. Google Earth and Google Maps can take you downtown and into every neighborhood in your city right from your computer, ipad, or phone.

It can even take you to Washington DC, the White House, Congress, or the Supreme Court. .What an incredible tool for Intercessors and ministry prayer groups.

-5 Common Grammatical Mistakes That Make You Look Dumb!

 Here’s a helpful guide to some common mistakes that I make every once in a while and you probably do to. Written by Brian Clark of Copyblogger: “Five Grammatical Errors that Make You Look Dumb”

He lists five mistakes to avoid when blogging and writing web copy:

1. Your vs. You’re

2. It’s vs. Its

3. There vs. Their

4. Affect vs. Effect

5. The Dangling Participle

Read what he has to say about these common errors. I have broken them all at one time or another. Very helpful!