“What is a Twitter?”
February 2nd, 2009 Categories: E-Vangelism, Technology for Pastors
I can’t believe I’m having to write this article, but I was just reading a post on some Yahoo! blog about which Congressional Representatives tweet the most on twitter. 50% of the comments asked what a twitter is. Others blast the author for not defining the term “twitter” or “tweet,” to which I ask, “Where have you been for the last 18 months?”
The author of that post no doubt exists in a parallel universe where people actually adopt new technology and assimilate it into their lives, as do I. But, perhaps that’s too much to ask of a political machine that’s apparently running 1980’s computers in the white house.
Listen folks. I’m speaking from a position of love here…… Google is your friend.
And, just for a public service announcement, a ‘tweet’ is not a text message, although you can use a text message to create a tweet. Just go to the website and read it, for crying out loud. When you’re done, come back and read this post about how we can use twitter for the kingdom.
We Build Blogs
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Three Reasons Why Your Myspace Page Is Not A Blog
January 13th, 2009 Categories: Technology for Pastors
OK. It’s time to draw a line in the sand. Myspace is a useful tool for personal connection. It’s got potential for marketing. It’s great for keeping in touch with military friends you haven’t seen in ten years. It is NOT, however, a blog.
I know, I know, it has a “blog” function. It updates in reverse chronological order, so it is technically a blog. But, it’s anemic, lacks function, and doesn’t have the appropriate accessibility. If you’re writing for an audience that is more expansive than the twelve year olds in your life, you need an actual blog.
1) Blogs are rubust, customizeable, and easy to use. Myspace is not. I know that you can change the colors and stuff, but for the purpose of this conversation that is not the type of custom ability I’m referring to. If I wanted to build a fully custom java application in my sidebar, I could. I just installed a Twitter feed. I’ve put in mybloglog and other cool applications in the past. Your myspace journal can’t do that.
2) Myspace blogs don’t link to other blogs. Of course, you can hard code a link if you like, but it doesn’t really have the ability to build community the way a Wordpress blog does. Some of the most important features of a blog are its ability to link, relate, and generate conversation around a topic. You need something with a blogroll, trackback capability, and a full-featured commenting capability. We won’t even go into the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) benefits of writing on a Wordpress blog rather than a Myspace blog, but trust me they are plenty.
3) You need to be a member of Myspace to participate in your blog. I know what you’re thinking: Who’s not a member of Myspace, right? About nine-tenths of the world, actually. Half of my church couldn’t find myspace if I gave them the web address. Point in fact, they still google “Grace Community Fellowship” every time they want to visit the site, despite the fact that the address is www.gracecommunityfellowship.com. You see where I’m coming from? Make it easy for folks to share in your vision and get a Wordpress blog. Your would be readers will thank you.
We Build Blogs| Discussion: 3 Comments »
Using Twitter for Prophetic Synergy
January 12th, 2009 Categories: Technology for Pastors
I have to openly repent: I originally thought Twitter was a total waste of time. Now, having seen the “light” as it were, I’ve decided that there are some potential uses for twitter that can help mobilize the prophetic army of God’s people. That is, if the church will ever get on board before the technology becomes obsolete. We have a habit of being late adopters.
Once you check out the functions of twitter, you will see how it can be used. Image Pastor So-In-So in New Jersey get’s a prophetic word about something. In 140 characters or less, he summarizes said prophetic word and shoots it out to his homies around the globe. Then, it’s off to the races. “Hey, I had that same vision,” or, “God has been saying this and this to me that goes right along with that.” The benefits are obvious.
Now, the obvious problem: Finding spirit-filled believers who have twitter, update regularly, and with whom I want to connect. If that’s you, follow me.
We Build Blogs| Discussion: 1 Comment »
Do We Insist On Being Last?
January 7th, 2009 Categories: Technology for Pastors
I was just sitting and thinking how practically every business in the world has embraced blogging as a way to enhance personal communication, boost marketing efforts, and just plain revolutionize web presence throughout the land. Why does the Church insist upon being the last entity to embrace any particular phenomenon?
Take rock music, for example. The world began rocking some time in the middle of the century, but the church only began accepting guitars and distortion in the mid nineties. Maybe a little earlier, but certainly not as part of the main stream of worship influence.
What we don’t realize is that the technology currently exists to connect prophetic voices from throughout the land, offer them the ability to share ideas and prophetic insight in real time, and create a vetted, coherent, prophetic message for the world at large to view. And, we can do it all with one website. I’ve already explained that in detail elsewhere, but the truth remains that it is possible.
What would it take to totally revolutionize the way that prophetic people communicate? It would take two to three national prophetic voices who are willing to give it a try.
We Build Blogs| Discussion: 1 Comment »
The Lakeland Outpouring: Streaming Difficulties
May 20th, 2008 Categories: Technology for Pastors
I tried to tune in to the latest session of the Lakeland Outpouring last night, and I have to tell you that I was less than impressed with the streaming video application. Now, I have blazing fast internet, so it’s not me. Also, this isn’t the first time I’ve had this problem. It may be a problem on the website of some sort, so I thought I would do my part and speak up.
I have found that if you click on “Menu” on the bottom of the streaming video application and set the “Buffertime” to 5, it helps some, but not much. In my own opinion, it’s just about time to disable that chat room (which is probably the root cause of the issue) and move it to another page.
Even if it freezes up occasionally, it’s still worth watching. If you’re having streaming video problems at the Lakeland outpouring website, leave a comment, especially if you figured out a fix.
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