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TRANSFORMINGTHECHURCH.ORG

e-Newsletter - Volume 3, Number 33
The Development Series for Building Effective Online Ministries
by Bill Anderton

Many members of our special-interest community are planning to develop a new website or upgrade other aspects of their Internet presence. In the Community Blog, we have been writing and discussing the development process itself.

To read the series and join into the discussion, pop into the community.

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Click here or on the button above to see the list of all of the postings or click on the links below to see each individual posting.

What Are Online Ministries: Classifications and Continuums

From: 04/26/2013

Abstract: We tend to refer to most of the activities undertaken by churches as “ministries.” The term becomes a catchall term for many efforts that churches embark upon.

Even in the title of this community, I use the term “online ministry” but what does that actually mean?

Click here to read the full posting in the community.

 

The Team Role In Online Ministry Projects

From: 04/24/2013

Abstract: For the last week, I have been writing this series of blog postings that builds upon an earlier three-part series titled, “Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts.” In the current series, I am writing about how online projects can be set up and managed in order to illustrate to beginners a few well-established best practices that remove risk for online projects and help insure that online projects meet the expectations of heir sponsoring churches and ministries. One critical component of my posting of April 22, “Common Characteristics of Successful Online Ministries” was the role of the “Team,” the people who develop and operate the church’s website, Internet presence or online ministry. Today, I am going to expand on my writing of about the Team.

Click here to read the full posting in the community.

 

New Projects; Times of Beginnings

From: 04/23/2013

Abstract: The very beginning on an online ministry project is the time for taking delicate care that the balances between what you wish to build and the realities of what you can build are correct. Having written that lead, I am compelled to also write that, absolutely, one’s reach should exceed one’s grasp. Challenging yourself and your whole ministry is a good thing. However, don’t aspire to something so grand that you are setting yourself up to fail, particularly if you are new to these technologies and processes. Like I said, it is a balance that requires delicate care!

Click here to read the full posting in the community.

 

Common Characteristics of Successful Online Ministries

From: 04/22/2013

Abstract: There are some basic requirements that must be met whether you build only a simple website, a comprehensive website, a full Internet presence or are elevating a presence to an effective and meaningful online ministry. However, it is very hard to draw neat lines around only a few specific disciplines that are needed; we have to be broad generalists, wearing many hats. This can lead to what appears to be an uncrackable code to beginners. Beginners are often dropped into the deep end of the pool without a very broad range of skills. Obviously, as beginners, they simply lack the experience to be generalists. Herein is a classic Catch-22, how does a church just beginning an online project without the experience of a generalist BUT how does one gain the experience without beginning a project?

Click here to read the full posting in the community.

 

Development Frameworks: The Pillars Supporting an Online Ministry

From: 04/17/2013

Abstract: There are a number of development frameworks. Some are very complex and detailed. Others are simpler and more streamlined. Which framework you use should be one that fits your team. However, it is important that you use one! Almost all of them will provide the important rigor and structure that your team needs. The development framework that I use is based on a well-known one that I modified for churches and online ministries. “Measure twice and cut once!” is good advice.

Click here to read the full posting in the community.

 

Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts - Part 3

From: 04/16/2013

Abstract: In this three-part series, I have been writing about a common situation at a friend’s church that produced an unacceptable website. In the third part of this series, today, I would like to address structural improvements in how the church’s Internet committee works, its roles and how it should function. This committee is the logical and typical place to do the required strategic planning but I see a need to make some changes first to make the planning go better. Hopefully, these suggestions will yield a much better outcome.

Click here to read the full posting in the community.

 

Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts - Part 2

From: 04/15/2013

Abstract: In the first part of this series, I wrote about an all-too-common situation; one that I see so often, I have given it the name, “Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts.” I described a situation where someone with a great deal of technical prowess, a geek, produced an initial tactical success of producing a nice website but ended up with a strategic failure by having a site that couldn’t be updated with fresh content often enough, or sometimes at all. The battle was won but the war was lost. In the second part of this series, I am going to discuss why things went wrong; the root of why things turned out as they did.

Click here to read the full posting in the community.

 

Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts - Part 1

From: 04/12/2013

Abstract: I just have to share this story. For the last couple of days I have been in a running dialog with the pastor of moderate-sized 500-member church in an affluent suburb of large urban city in the southwest who is a long-time acquaintance. He has a mess on his hands. It is a story that I have heard often but his is an extreme case, one that provides a teachable moment.

Click here to read the full posting in the community.

 

New Special-Interest Community:
"Building Effective Online Ministries"

Christian College and TransformingTheChurch.org have endeavored to make this community as RELEVANT and as ACCESSIBLE to as many pastors and church leaders as possible. We have made access to this community FREE in order to ensure that even those on a “lean” professional development or educational budget can participate. Also, since access is FREE, any and all interested volunteers from churches are welcome to join. This is not only fresh, new content on an important subject, but the community affords direct interaction with subject-matter experts and mentors. We believe that the VALUE is unsurpassed, and we offer this community to the Church and Her Servants with hopes that you can participate.
 
Access is FREE!
There is no cost to participate in this community.
 

Help Us Add New Members

Please help us spread the word about our community by inviting your colleagues to join the community too. Please help us pass the word by inviting your colleagues to join us and pass along the following links:

Click here for your colleagues register into the community.

Click here for the news release about the community.

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