Gods Geeks

Last Week Todd and did a presentation at the Society of Adventist Communicators 2007 convention in Nashville,TN. The title of our presentation was “The Power of Podcasting”.

Here you can download the PDF of our Presentation Slides and the MP3 of the Audio.

Let us know what you think!

 

 SAC2007 - The Power of Podcasting - Audio [83:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 SAC2007 - The Power of Podcasting - Slides: Download

Last week I mentioned that I attended a session by Kent Shaffer of Bombay Creative and ChurchRelevance.com at Gospelcom.net’s (now/soon to be Goospel.com) Internet Ministry Conference in Grand Rapids, Mi. I Actually attended 2 sessions by Kent. The first was titled “Communicating Without Words”. We often concentrate so much on the words that we are sharing, that we forget to think about what we are saying without words.
The second was called “Design is Credibility.” It was a great discussion about Design and art. We so often underestimate the importance of good design. Just like when meeting someone on the street, be it good or bad, people make assumptions based on appearance very quickly online and in print. Design is especially in in ministry. With attractive design, people give the credence to the content. It also helps engage emotional attachment. Peoples perceptions of your ministry are effected by the quality of your delivery.

Both of these sessions had so much good content that it was almost impossible to keep up with notes. I am so glad that Kent posted his rough notes over on his blog. Check them out.

Communicating Without Words - Rough Notes

Design is Credibility - Rough notes

The final Session I attended at the new Gospel.com’s Internet Ministry Conference 2007 was a session by David Bruce of HollywoodJesus.com. The title of his session was Tearing Down Walls Building Bridges. His message was to put aside our partisan politics, not tear each other down over our differences, but build each other up in the love of Christ. He reminded us that Christ loves each one of us, he embraces our differences. We need to love each other and find value in each other just as Christ does.

That really struck a chord with me. Anyone who knows me is likely to have heard my Un-Rant lately. Each one of us are Christ’s Creations. Made with a specific propose, and equipped with a specific tool set. That tool includes not only spiritual gifts, but also talents and abilities. It also includes interests. God has given us interests and passion for specific purposes that glorify Him. The connect us with specific people. Those are the people that we can connect with naturally. Not that God does not call us to step out of our confort zones, because he does, alot. But those are the base set of everyday interactions that equip us for Gods calling.

David’s message of loving each other, because God made of us, and loves each of us how we are, is often hard to do. Jesus loves the republican, the democrate, the rich, the poor, the black, white, red, blue, whatever color, the activists, the pacifists, the jocks, the nerds, the freaks, the geeks, the pimps, the preachers, the pushers, the users, the haters, the abusers, the friends, the foes, the butcher, the baker, and the candle stick maker. Sinners, one and all. And Jesus loves them each and every one. If I pray Daily and ask for Jesus to teach me his love, and If I remember that God built each aspect of each person for a reason loving others gets a little easier every day.

This morning I attended a session by David Bruce of HollywoodJesus.com. David is Passionate about People. He shared some of his philosophy about ministry that really made an impact on me. He shared a philosophy of ministry that makes so much sense.

1. Respect the Natives

2. Respect the Culture

3. Respect their Stories

4. Look for redemptive analogies

He said that these ideas came from a Book Titled Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson. Then he made a statement that slapped me across the face with its truth. “We do not use missionary principles in our own culture”. Wow what a summary. I have been starting to get a bit of perspective on the importance of community. They are where we are and where we have been put. Thats where we are missionaries. We may not change the world, but we can change someones world.

Thank you David, for letting Christ use you to change mine.

Probably some of you have seen this before, or something similar. I can’t resist passing this on since it is so very appropriate for the times. By the way you see he is using a MAC!! Click the picture to blow it up.

Tags: Mac, God, God’s Inbox

Take a look at this interesting video from Rob Bell at Mars Hill.
What do You think?

Since the democratic debates were on TV tonight I thought it appropriate to ask the question, who do you think Jesus would vote for? All the candidates have their faults but which one do you think stands out of the pack and represents more in line what Jesus would do if he was a earthly president. I don’t have an answer for you but I do have a link that tries to cover the candidates and where they all stand on issues. Go down each listed item and ask yourself where would Jesus stand on this topic. I personally liked the comment that Senator Mike Gravel said tonight. He said if you want to find out the true intentions and a good candidate follow the money trail. Because of the the original sin (Greed) committed by the Satan himself, we live in a world where money drives our decisions and outcomes. Instead of allowing us to be sucked into the downward spot of consumerism let’s follow Christ example and look at what Christ did for us.

Tags: Mike Gravel, Democratic, President, Debates, Jesus, Consumerism, Greed, Candidates, Sin, Satan

A few weeks ago some friends and I attended part of the Buzz Conference held at a Church coffee shop in Washington D.C.

National Community Church has created a church that is very innovative and is thinking outside of the box when it comes to doing ministry. I didn’t get to attend all the sessions, but National Community church did post some of the sessions online in audio and video format. I would strongly recommend this conference to anyone involved with ministry. Their story is worth checking out and a inspiration to the ones that want to make a difference in today’s postmodern world.

Tags: Buzz Conference, National Community Church, Washington D.C., Postmodern

I often find great sites on the web that converse or link to some form of ministry, but rarely do I run across a site that just blows my mind, of course in a good way!! Such a site is change.org, where a social network is built around social activism, linking and connecting like minded people together for a social cause. It’s where non-profits, politicians and others can build community around social change. I think is a wonderful platform where non-profits and like can raise money and where a grass roots group can make a real felt impact on a social issue. I also find the “tag cloud” on the homepage a wonderful way to see where people’s hearts are and where a real social change is needed and accepted.

Click the link below to join Todd Mace’s network.
http://www.change.org/admin/sign_up?invited_by=11580

Tags: Change, Social, Activism, non-profits, politicians, social networking, ministry

I’m sure most of my readers have heard of Digg.com where all kinds of submitted stories are voted on or (dugg). It’s a great way to find out what is really going on in the world today since there are no editors. If you want to take that same concept but apply a religious twist to it, then that will bring you to gospelshout.com. This is a great site where you can find great content around a religious theme. It is a great place for new idea’s in ministry.

Tags: Digg, Gospel, Media, Content, Ministry, Stories