-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!  

-Re: WordPress Plugins—What I’ve discovered.

 PLUGINS

For those working on a WordPress platform (WordPress.com or WordPress.org), plugins play an essential part in setting up and maintaining your site. It certainly can be confusing to new bloggers and even those of us who have been blogging for years. 

Those working with Blogger don't have to worry about Plugins since everything is provided by the Blogger program. It is the perfect program for those with little time to invest in a website or blog, like pastors. 

-Evangelism and Social Media

 

The OurChurch.com blog has an article on evangelism and social networking where they evaluate and link to a recent PBS article.

John Saddington of ChurchCrunch, was one of those interviewed in the PBS article and points out:

“One of the nice things about social media is that it establishes a two-way conversation… Instead of blaring our faith into people’s faces, we can use blogs and social media to dialogue.”

The social media really does make it possible to naturally share your life and faith with your friends and relatives. A genuine tool for evangelism.    

-10 Commandments for Bloggers

 

The following 10 commandments came from a conference of Godblogs in the Uk held by the Evangelical Alliance. The gathering of Christian bloggers gave the conferees an opportunity to network and think through a Christian approach to blogging.

The ten cyberspace commandments:

-You shall not put your blog before your integrity.

-You shall not make an idol of your blog.

-Dressing Up a Blog with Images and Pictures

 

Images are one way to dress up your blog and set it apart from millions of others that feature only text. They say that “a picture is worth a thousand words”, advertisers have proved that proverb a long time ago and have taken it to another level. 

Note: Free web hosts like Blogger and WordPress.com only allow a limited amount space and images take up a lot, so care should be taken to use pictures and images sparingly.

With pictures and images mixed into your posts, you can create greater interest in your viewers to actually read your posts. Images and pictures definitely improve a post and can also help you take your blog to the next level.

-Why Youth Ministers Need to be Online

 Here's a quote from an article that used to be available on line but no longer is. I believe it says it all why Youth Ministers need to have some kind of web presence on a website, blog, or social media:

From JoeRBennett formerly of Churchsmo blog: 

"So why do Youth Ministers need to be online?

 

The answer is simple – because that’s where your students spend a lot of their time.  The Internet is a mission field in and of itself.  You have an opportunity to connect with students in a whole new way.”

Amen!

-Pastors and Ministers: "Got Blog?"

 Here is an article published in Charisma Leader Magazine: “Got Blog”,  by John Brandon. It is a short article to help ministers get started blogging. The three main topics:

1. Why Blog?

The writer gives good reasons why someone in the ministry might consider blogging as an extension of their ministry.

-“10 Things Your Blog Doesn’t Need”

 From DailyBlogTips– by Donny: “10 Things Your Blog Doesn’t Need”

1. Auto-Music

2. Animated Gifs

3. Tiny Type