Greg Atkinson

Anyone going to GodblogCon in November? Their website says that GodblogCon 2007 will equip you with a working knowledge of new media technologies and its impact on society, empowering your ministry to employ quickly and easily new media technologies to engage culture for the cause of Christ. One plus or minus (depending on how you view it) is the convention takes place in Vegas. So….you going?

BONUS:
I mentioned before that I’m working on a book project. I had lunch with Greg from Leadership Network today and he had some cool ideas. I’m thinking about creating the book first in a digital format, then having it published. This book is different in that it is a collaborative effort and conversation. I’m interviewing key Church leaders and thinkers and asking them about their unique approaches to ministry. I’d love for you to join my group for this book on Facebook HERE.

I’m always on the look out for good resources. Videomaker might be of help to you and your work. Check out their FREE tip sheet HERE.

As Outreach magazine gears up for their second annual “America’s Most Innovative Churches” list, coming in the January/February 2008 issue, they want your help. They want to hear about the churches YOU think are innovative, the diverse churches, perhaps under their radar, that are doing ministry “out of the box.” It could be your own, or one you admire. They invite you to nominate this church for consideration by their panel of experts as they compile a list of 25 churches, both from your nominations and their own research and experience, that will be featured as “America’s Most Innovative Churches” in 2008. Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 15, 2007. My church (Bent Tree Bible Fellowship) is listed so far. I know many of you are familiar with my church and what we’re doing. I appreciate you giving us the encouragement. I truly do think we are one of the most innovative and unique churches in the county. Maybe your church is, too? Go vote HERE.

EXTRA:

Voting is now available for SermonView’s sermon title contest. They have chosen the top three finalists from pastor suggestions and now need your opinion as to which title best suits their new image. Voting is open until the 25th of the month. The winner will receive a custom graphic set for their suggestion. Give them your opinion HERE.

BONUS:

Phil Cooke blogged about our copyright podcast episode. If you haven’t listened to it, yet, you’ve got to check it out. Also, don’t worry - we will be back in the studio next week recording Episode 6!

A while back I mentioned that I’m a member of a blogger network that reviews new products for companies. Last time I reviewed a new LifeWay product. Today I’m reviewing the Chip Ingram DVD series “Five Lies That Ruin Relationships - Wrong Beliefs Produce Wrong Behavior”.

The “Five Lies” resource provides insight from James 4 & 5 that addresses five lies that can hurt relationships with people we love:

Lie 1: Sensual pleasure will satisfy my inner longings for happiness.

Lie 2: If other people would shape up, my life would work out.

Lie 3: Upwardly mobile work opportunities are automatically the will of God.

Lie 4: My significance and value are measured by the quality and quantity of the things I possess.

Lie 5: The grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

In this 10-part DVD series centered in the book of James, Chip defines the 5 most common lies that have the potential to ruin relationships with those we love. He uncovers the source of quarreling, how our words wound, how not to make decisions, and why better things don’t always make things better.

POSITIVES:

Chip Ingram is a great communicator. I always enjoy sitting under his teaching. This study is powerful and could be life-changing. The DVDs give a good visual support to a solid Bible study - they also include small group curriculum samples. The workbook is very well put together, looks sharp and has some nice features such as “Video Notes” and “Discussion Questions”.

NEGATIVE:

I think Chip’s messages could have been filmed better and more professionally. They aren’t horrible, but I would have liked to see them be a little better quality.

OVERALL:

This product is insightful, solid and a great choice for your small group or Bible study to study together.

EXTRA:

Tonight we have the 2nd installment of Tech team training. Tonight we’ll be training our camera operators (current and new ones).

Some have emailed me asking what equipment we’re putting in our new worship center. I figured I’d just blog about it. Here’s a short list:

AUDIO: Meyers speakers and subs and the Digidesign Venue at FOH

LIGHTING: GrandMA full size

VIDEO: Ross Synergy 1 MD switcher and JVC’s GY-HD250U cameras (3)

EXTRA:

WorshipHouse Media’s HouseChat gave a shout out to Seth Godin’s blog (which I dig). You can check out what they had to say HERE.

BONUS:

Read my “Less is More” article on MinistryCOM’s website.

This just in from the “Think, Jump, Yak” blog of Kim Gentes. He did a technology and worship resource lineup. I was honored to have my blog listed on his list, but also found out about a couple of new resources that I wasn’t aware of. I definitely think it’s worth checking out (click HERE). Speaking of resource links, I’d encourage you to click on my LINKS tab at the top of this blog.

One of my greatest joys is guest teaching at colleges and seminaries. I’ve actually worked with a few schools to help them decide on curriculum and how to structure and plan their degree programs for media ministry. I’ve been asked to help a school plan for their new degree in Mass Communication. I’m familiar with what Regent and Biola (2 schools that I respect and keep my eye on) are doing. I’m curious as to what some of you would suggest. Feel free to chime in and I’ll pass on your suggestions.

PRODUCERS:

If you have something that you’ve produced for Father’s Day, send it my way. I’m speaking at the Moody Bible Pastors’ Conference next week and would love to show it in my classes.

EXTRA:

I encourage you to check out the Catch Fire blog from my friends at eleven72.

I’ve written two new articles. You can check one entitled “The Next Level” in Christian AV Magazine HERE. You can read my latest article on using countdowns in worship HERE.

Phil Cooke just told me about an intriguing blog post he recently wrote. We both encourage you to read it and share your thoughts.

Brian Davis (a friend of mine and the producer of my podcast with Anthony Coppedge) has entered the world of blogging. His new blog is called Worship Tech Online. Brian is a very gifted and smart guy, with an expertise in audio. He’s taught me a lot. On his new blog, he recently wrote about providing talkback to your Aviom system, with step-by-step instructions. I think his blog is extremely practical and one to check often. Check it out!

A couple of months ago, Bill Seaver of MicroExplosion told me about Twitter - it was about the time he told me of MySliceOfPi. Bill is the man with Web 2.0 stuff.

Bobby Gruenewald of LifeChurch.tv recently blogged about Twitter. I’ll post what he wrote, as he has more experience using Twitter for ministry purposes…

Twitter is a free online “micro-blogging” service that allows you to post short updates (text based and limited to 140 characters) via SMS, instant messaging, the twitter.com website or several applications designed for the service. –wiki–

We used the service a few weeks ago in conjunction with a three day fast that we did as a church. Over the three days…Chris Spadlin who taught a message about fasting the previous weekend sent out “updates” about the fast via the twitter service throughout the day. People could subscribe using SMS (text messaging) on their cell phones, via instant messaging or by visiting the LifeChurch.tv website where we could pull in an RSS feed of the updates. It is currently completely free…except for the charges that a person might normally have for receiving SMS messages.

Twitter is a platform for SMS applications and it doesn’t cost the thousands of dollars it typically takes just to get started.
Here are some possible uses for your churches/ministries:

• Have users subscribe to your twitter feed via SMS and send out a weekly thought/prayer/mico devotional
• Use twitter to allow people to signup for activities/events (this definitely require some programming on your end, but will work)
• Have people subscribe to a special twitter feed to be reminded of an event or church experience/service via SMS
• Create an interactive element where people can SMS during a worship experience/service and incorporate the feed of all of the responses into the experience in real-time
• Allow people to subscribe to the feed of a mission trip leader as he/she sends out updates throughout the day of what God is doing through the trip