THE BEST OF CHURCH AND SOCIAL MEDIA 2018, PT. 2

Welcome to Part 2 of  ‘The Best of Church and Social Media 2018.’ Picking up where we left off in Part 1, here are my top choices for the very best #churchtech and social media stories and sites of 2018.

Biola Media Conference – Biola University

Checklist For Your Ministry’s Online Strategy in 2019 – Church Juice

Christian Bestsellers, December 2018 – ChristianBookExpo

Christianity Today 2019 Book Awards – Christianity Today

Church Juice – churchjuice/ free resources to help churches communicate better

Daily eBook Deals – Gospel eBooks

Devon Franklin – DevonFranklin.com

Devon Franklin and Chad Johnson Discuss Relationships – DevonFranklin.com

D J Chuang -djChuang.com

How to Express Your God Given Talent on Any Job – Devon Franklin

How Religious Is Your State – Pew Research Center

How to Get Funded As a Female Minority-led Tech Startup – Entrepreneur

iChurch Method – Jason Caston

In-ear Monitor System Guide Options For Every Church From Small to Mega – Church Tech Today

An Interview with Faith Based Film Producer Devon Franklin – Slate/ Aisha Harris/ Represent

Millenial Mindset eBook – Church Tech Today

Ministry Brands Launches New Mobile Church App – Church Tech Today

Mobilize Disciples Like the Early Church – VisionRoom

New Year and New You – Christian Leadership Alliance

Pastor Jamal Bryant Appointed As New Birth’s Senior Pastor – YouTube

Pastor’s Mobile Office – Church Tech Today

Pastor’s Pay in 2019 – Christianity Today

Rainer Report – Best of 2018 – Thom Rainer

Seeking Peace of Christ This Christmastime – Ed Stetzer/ Christianity Today

Social Media That Worked: Videos and Connection – ChurchMarketing

Start a Free Church Podcast with Anchor – ChurchMag

U S Class Divide Extends to Searching for a Religious Congregation – Pew Research Center

The Virtual Church Office – Church Tech Today

YouVersion – Bible App/ Online Bible Experience – Life Church

Well, that completes my ‘Best of Church and Social Media 2018, Pt. 2’. Hope you enjoyed it.

What are your favorite Church Social Media stories of 2018?

Stay on top of the all the latest in #churchtech, faith, and socialmedia at Social Media and Ministry News.

Praying you have a Happy & Blessed New Year 2019! ~ Kenneth Lillard

 

 

 

Church and Social Media 2017, Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of “CHURCH and SOCIAL MEDIA 2017 – The Year in Review!”
Picking up where we left off in Part 1, here are my top choices for 2017’s Best Church and Social Media stories:

Be Wildly Successful Without Losing Your Faith – DevonFranklin.org

Christianity Today’s 2017 Book Awards – Christianity Today

Collected Best Christian Books of 2017 – Tim Challies

Designing An Inspiring Church Logo – Church Tech Today

Digital Mixing Top 4 Future-Shaping Trends – Church Production

How to Create Social Media Content From Your Pastor’s Sermon – Carrie Evans

How to Improve Your Church Website’s ‘About Us’ Page – Church Tech Today

How The Faithful Voted: A Preliminary 2016 Analysis – Pew Research Center

How We Could Better Leverage Social Media During Disasters Like Harvey – HuffPost

The Influence of Instagram – Church Tech Today

The Internet of Things Connectivity Binge: What Are the Implications? – Pew Research Center

Museum of the Bible – museumofthebible.org

Net Neutrality Repeal Means Your Internet May Never Be the Same – CNET

New Church App From TouchPoint – Church Tech Today

Planning a Successful Christmas Service – ChurchJuice

TD Jakes Ministries Mobile App – TDJakes.org

The Potter’s House Live Streaming – TDJakes.org

Ten Killer Apps for Church Video Producers and Filmmakers – Church Production

Thom S. Rainer’s Top Ten Posts of 2017 – Thom S. Rainer

Top 10 Posts of 2017 – ChurchMarketing

Top 17 Books of 2017/ The Best New Christian Non-Fiction – DesiringGod.org

Top 25 Best Church Websites of 2017 – Pro Church Tools

Top 300 Christian Blogs – Church Relevance

Using Social Media for Ministry – CRU.org

YouVersion Bible App Nears 300 Million Downloads – Church Tech Today

Well, that completes our ‘CHURCH and SOCIAL MEDIA 2017 – The Year in Review, Part 2.’ Hope you enjoyed it.

What are your favorite Church Social Media stories of 2017?

Stay on top of the latest Church Social Media news at SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS. See you in 2018!

 

 

 

CHURCH and SOCIAL MEDIA 2017, Part 1

2017 has, most definitely, been a year of creative innovation and unexpected change in the ChurchTech, Faith, and Social Media space!

To celebrate this exciting year, I’m happy to spotlight my favorite picks for the very best ChurchTech and Social Media news, views, and trends of 2017.
Congratulations to all of this year’s truly remarkable church social media innovators, contributors, and colleagues.

And, of course, a big “Thank You” goes out to all my amazing social media family, followers, and friends for all your fantastic suggestions, support and encouragement throughout the year. Much Love & Appreciation!

Here are my ‘Best of 2017 ChurchTech and Social Media’ stories:

3 Qualities of a Great Church Domain Name – Church Tech Today

4-Point Checklist for Live Streaming Church Events – Church Tech Today

4 Steps to Scheduling Rest for the Church Tech – Church Tech Today

5 Reasons Why Teenagers Need Theology – The Gospel Coalition

5 Ways to Communicate Thankfulness at Thanksgiving – Church Tech Today

5 Ways to Leverage Your Holiday Church Services for Growth – Church Tech Today

6 Questions Every Church Social Media Policy Should Answer – United Methodist Communications

7 Imbalances to Watch Out for in Church Leadership Teams – CommunicateJesus

7 Keys to an Effective Church Social Media Strategy – Lifeway

7 Tips for Going to the Museum of the Bible – djChuang

7 Ways Churches Can Use Twitter’s 280 Characters (Don’t Tweet Sermons) – ChurchMarketing

9 Awesome Black Women Tech Founders to Watch – Inc.

9 Ways Technology Can Help Spread the Gospel – Church Tech Today

10 Quick Things You Can Do to Improve Your Church Website – CommunicateJesus

10 Ways to Intentionally Thank Your Church Volunteers – ChurchJuice

27 Places to Download Free Images for Websites and Blogs – Vista Print

31 Ways to Become a Thought Leader – Jill Celeste

100 Fastest Growing Churches in America 2017 – Outreach Magazine

100 Largest Churches 2017 – Outreach Magazine

What favorite Church Social Media stories of 2016 would you like to share with our readers? Would love to hear from you!

Btw, stay on top of the latest ChurchTech and Social Media news, stories, and trends at SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS.

 

 

2014 Church and Social Media Year In Review, Part 1

Can you believe that 2014 is almost over? Yes, we just have a few more days until the start of a brand New Year! 2014 has flown by like a jet plane. However, it has truly been an exciting and eventful year in Church and Social Media.

FAITH BASED MEDIA 2.0 continues to tell the fascinating story of how today’s churches are using the latest technology and social media to share the Gospel. Here are some of the top #churchsocialmedia stories shared online via social media over the past twelve (12) months.

4 Ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Count – Relevant

10 Apps to Grab for Your New Smartphone or Tablet – Spiritual Living, Christian Faith/ crosswalk.com

10 Best Religious Personal Finance Blogs – Shared via @ChristianPF

10 Social Media Tools That Make Everything Easier – Chris C. Ducker

11 Imaginative Ways to Use Social Media for Your Church – Steve Fogg

20 Great Ways to Use Instagram at Your Church – TheCreativePastor.com

20 Tips to Tap Into Your Divine ‘Instinct’ for Business Success: T. D. Jakes – blackenterprise.com

21 Of the Best Social Media Articles This Year – SocialMediaToday

31 Days of Thanks – Our Daily Bread

49 Church Blogging Tips – Dave Hakes/ Internet Toolbox for Churches

55 of the Best Church Website Designs – Vandelay Design

100 Years of Glorious History From the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference – Huffington Post Religion

Stay tuned for ‘2014 Church and Social Media Year In Review, Part 2’ where we’ll share more of the top #churchsocialmedia events and stories of 2014!

What were your top #churchsocialmedia stories of 2014?

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed

Kenneth Lillard

It’s Time To Close The Digital Divide!

Today, the term ‘inequality’ is everywhere – on TV, in newspapers and magazines, and more and more frequently, online. But the area of  ‘inequality’ that’s not getting enough attention is the ‘digital divide’!

The digital divide is an economic inequality between individuals and groups, in terms of who has access to, use of, and knowledge of computers, information and communications technologies.  It refers to inequalities between individuals, households, businesses, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic and other demographic levels.

Who has access to high speed internet, desktop computers, laptops, smart phones, tablets such as iPads, electronic book readers, MP3 players, Xboxes or PlayStations? Studies show that individuals and groups at higher economic levels have much greater access to these technologies than those at lower economic levels.

And this matters, a lot, because those with greater access have  enhanced advantages and opportunities for acquiring information, education, economic resources, and services (including online medicine where patients at home will be able to speak with their doctors, and thus gain access to lower-cost, higher-quality care).

This all translates into  enhanced advantages in achieving cultural and social capital, as well as mass economic gains due to dramatic increases in terms of productivity. And it, definitely, has implications for churches, congregations, and ministries in poorer communities, which would lag behind others in possessing and employing digital technology to spread the gospel, joining in online religious and social conversations, accessing resources, and enhancing internal communications.

One of the most important social, economic, and ethical questions facing us today is this: How can the incredible benefits of the internet, and information and communications technologies be made available to a broader range of individuals and groups, especially churches and ministries in disadvantaged communities? What if churches in poorer communities partnered and collaborated with more ‘technology rich’ churches and ministries for their mutual benefit? What type of impact would that have?

It’s, definitely, time to close this ‘digital divide’ so that everyone can benefit from the tremendous possibilities and benefits of these rapidly evolving digital technologies, which are so important to communications, information, and to one’s ability to succeed in a myriad of fields in today’s digital world.

Let’s make sure no one gets left behind!

For more information on the ‘digital divide’, and on effective ways to addressing it, see the following:

• A Global Church and the Digital Divide – United Methodist Church
• ‘App Gap’ Emerges Highlighting Savvy Mobile Children –  gigaom.com
• Church Tackles Digital Divide – Church of Scotland
• The Church in the Digital Divide: Bridging the Gap – Zawbdiyel Media
• Close The Gap – close-the-gap.org
• Comcast and Khan Academy Announce Help to Close the Digital Divide – Comcast
• Culture Watch: Digital Divide in the Church – JimErwin.com
• Digital Divide – Wikipedia
• Falling Through the Net: A Survey of the ‘Have Nots’ in Rural and Urban America – U. S. Department of Commerce
• Digital Divide Initiative – National Black Church Initiative
• Digital Divides and Bridges: Technology Use Among Youth – Pew Research Center
• The Digital Divide Isn’t Racial – It’s Economic – Salon.com
• The Digital Divide: Resource Roundup – Edutopia
• The Digital Divide Will Ensure a Broadband Ghetto – gigaom.com
• The Digital Divide: Where We Are – Edutopia
• The New Digital Divide – New York Times Sunday Review
• Obama Announces Public and Private Investments for High-Speed Internet in Schools – Washington Post
• One Laptop Per Child – one.laptop.org

Has the digital divide affected you? What examples can you give, or suggestions can you make, for helping to close the digital divide?

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

Merry Christmas 2013 And Happy New Year 2014!

Can you believe it’s Christmas Eve 2013? Yes, it is! It’s a time to rejoice and show love for family, loved-ones, and friends. It’s a very special season of gift-giving, and great expectancy when miracles, both big and small, can and often do happen!

Most of all, let us remember the real reason for the season. Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of Christ, and his timeless message of love, peace, and joy to all the world. (See YouVersion Christmas devotional reading plans.)

Oh, and while you’re enjoying the sights, sounds, and joy of this Holiday Season, don’t forget the less fortunate members of our families and communities. Reach out to them, so they may have a Merry Christmas, too!

Wishing You and Your Family the Very Best this Christmas Holiday Season! And Have A Very Happy, Blessed and Prosperous New Year 2014!

How are you celebrating the Christmas Season?

Have you written out your goals and plans for 2014? It’s not too early to start!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus! Be Blessed, Kenneth Lillard

Facebook and Today’s Church

Is your church on Facebook?

Chances are many of your church members already are on Facebook – posting updates, commenting on messages, ‘liking’ posts, and otherwise engaging with others online. You may well be reading this post on Facebook right now. And while many may feel Facebook is a complete and total waste of time, there are actually many very good reasons for you to be on Facebook, as evidenced by the many churches and ministries that are already there.

There are over 1 Billion, with a B, people on Facebook today! It is the world’s most popular social networking platform. Facebook is where the people are. Digital technology has empowered everyday people to connect and interact online, and they are doing so at a rapidly increasing rate.  Facebook has emerged as the most popular social network on the planet, and it’s still growing.  Having a presence on FB is a great way for your church to connect with the very people you’re trying to reach.

Being on Facebook is a great way to introduce people to your church. In fact, Facebook, for many, has replaced the Yellow Pages as the go-to source for seeking out churches to visit in new communities.

For pastors, a personal Facebook page provides a great opportunity to be an ‘online shepherd’, and to stay connected with your congregation  beyond the Sunday service. By establishing a Facebook Church Page you can conduct vital outreach beyond the four walls of your church and immediate community. It enables you to share your church’s message with many people who otherwise may never hear of you. From your Church’s FB page you can also direct others to your church’s website, where they can access more specific information about your ministry’s vision and mission.

While many may complain about the negative things some people post on Facebook, by being online, you can serve as an example of a positive role model of good online behavior and character.  Finally, your intentional presence online can help to fulfill the Great Commission, Jesus’ final instructions to the disciples while still physically here.

My recent book, SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY Sharing the Gospel in the Digital Age, points out ‘100 Ways to Use Facebook to Help Grow a Ministry’ (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes). In addition, here are some links to more information on how Facebook might benefit your church:

• 7 Ways to Have  a Great Church Facebook Page – Pastors.com
• ‘Church on Facebook’ Unites Students Around the World – Liberty University
• Do You Use Facebook and That Other Stuff – SR. Susan Wolf, SND
• Facebook Passes 1.19 Billion Monthly Active Users – The Next Web
• Facebook vs. Your Church Website – Internet Toolbox for Churches, David Hakes
• Facebook for Pastors That Don’t Want to Use Facebook – Internet Toolbox for Churches, David Hakes
• Lacrae Questions ‘Judgmental Christians’ in Viral Facebook Post – The Christian Post
• List of Most Popular Facebook Pages of Churches and Ministries – djchaung.com
• Should Pastors be on #Facebook, #Twitter and Other #Social Media? – iChurch Method, Jason Caston
• Social Media Glossary for 5 Major Social Networks – Social Media Today
• T.D. Jakes Ministries on Facebook – tdjakes.org, Bishop T. D. Jakes
• The United Methodist Church on Facebook – UMC

Btw, to stay up-to-the-minute on the latest developments in ‘church social media’ be sure to check out SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS for daily updates.

How is your church positively using your Facebook to share Christ’s gospel?

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

The Best of ‘SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS’ – June 2013

SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS is a daily online publication which brings you the very best information from across the Internet on all the latest developments, news, and views in the social media, faith, and technology space.

It’s halfway through  Summer 2013 and we’ve pulled together the top inspirational stories, chats, podcasts, and thought-provoking opinion pieces from the June editions of SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS for your information, convenience, and enjoyment.  The following represent the summer’s hottest church social media stories – the Very ‘Best of SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS’ – June 2013:

• ‘2 Minute Pastor’ Takes Daily Devotionals to High Tech Land of Video App – Christian Post Tech
• 5 Incredible Takeaways From Behind the Scenes with Carl George, A Master Church Consultant – Will Mancini
• 9 Hispanic Christian Celebrities You Should Know– Christian Post
• 12 Twitter Chats for Community Managers and Social Media Pros –  Simply Measured
• BET’s Lift Every Voice on Pinterest – Black Entertainment Television
• Church Documents You Should Post on Your Website – The iChurch Method
• Church Internet Strategy: How to Make it More Than a Pile of Paper – Internet Toolbox for Churches
• Church Mag’s 2013 Top Church Tech Blogs – ChurchMag
• Creating and Sustaining a Social Media Voice for Your Church – #ChSocM Weekly Twitter Chat/ Meredith Gould
• Dr. Martin Luther King Nominated for Canonization by the Christian Orthodox Church – Christian Post
• How to Get Your Church Started on Twitter – Episcopal Share
• Joel Osteen iPhone App Reaching Tens of Thousands – Christian Post
• List of Online Churches – djChauang.com
• Pursuit of Diversity and the Local Church – Christianity Today/ Trillia Newbell
• The Rise of the @Pastor – The Barna Group
• Top 5 Churches That Use Social Media Best – Christian Post
• Top Ten List for Using Social Media for Ministry – Catholic Web Solutions
• Social Media and the Church – Social Media Today
• Summer Boone of Church by the Glades: Episode 51 – Social Media Podcast/ Social Media Church
• Why Your Church Should Have a Podcast – Media\Outreach

Are there any June 2013 church social media articles, online chats, podcasts, or posts you would recommend to our readers?

During Summer 2013, stay on top of all the latest SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS by subscribing today!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Stay Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

The Best of ‘Social Media and Ministry News’ – April 2013

The month of April has been a very exciting time at SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS, a daily online publication which keeps you up-to-date on all the best and latest developments in the social media, faith, and technology space.

Many inspirational stories, exciting events, and lots of great information have been shared in this month’s issues. Here are some of ‘The Best’ featured articles from the last 30 days!

90-Hour Bible Reading Marathon – The Christian Post

List of Online Churches – djChuang

Praying for Others … There’s An App – Kye S. Chung

Church Success in the Digital Age – Church Tech Today

Top Digital Tools for Churches [Infographic] – Bill Reichart

Facebook for Churches: Key to Social Media Success – Church Tech Today

The Bible Miniseries Being Made Into Movie – The Christian Post

A Handy Guide to Develop Your Church Communicatons Plan – Church Leaders.com

Responding to Crises & Using Digital Tools for Ministry #chsocm: #ChSocM Chat Transcript: 4/16/13 – ChurchSocMed #chsocm

Pastors Respond to Boston Marathon Bombings – Christianity Today Gleanings

What church social media news would you like to share for April 2013?

I truly appreciate you!

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

Top 10 Social Media and Ministry Stories January 2013

The best and brightest thinkers in the social media and ministry space have been very busy during the first month of 2013.  Before sharing my recommendations for the top ten January 2013 stories, here are a few suggestions for those involved in church social media:

• Develop or order a church app that people can download to their smartphones. Mobile continues to be a real leader in the digital space.
• With increasing numbers of people accessing the Internet from their smartphones (a trend that will only accelerate) make sure your website is mobile friendly.
• Consider using QR codes to communicate more information in a smaller space.
• Pinterest and related visual platforms continue to rapidly grow in popularity. Be sure you have a presence there.
• Vine video is the new kid on the block! Think – Instagram for video! Vine presents tremendous potential for ministry use.  So, check it out!
• The social network Slideshare continues to experience rapid growth. Don’t sleep on it!

Now, to the top 10 stories:

Church Social Media 2013 Predictions – Tweetchat #chsocm

Tech and Bold Goals for 2013 – Tweetchat #ChSocM

21 Social Media Predictions for 2013 From the Pros – SocialMedia Examiner

Build Your Platform This Year: Check These 7 Steps – ChurchLeader

Accessing the Bible With 21st Century Technology – Algemeiner

Episode 30: Meredith Gould – Social Media Church – Podcast D J Chuang

8 Leadership Lessons From Martin Luther King, Jr. – Michael Hyatt – Podcast

Mobile Apps and Sites are Now – iChurch Method

How to Be Involved In Your Church’s Internet Ministry If You’re Not the Pastor – Internet Toolbox for Churches

Fly or Die: Vine – TechCrunch

To stay on top of the latest news and developments in the Social Media and Ministry space check out the new daily church social media publication, SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS.

Which church social media stories from January 2013 would make your Top 10 list?

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed

Kenneth Lillard