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

The month of May has been another exciting and busy time at SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS, a daily online publication which brings you the very best information from across the web on all the latest developments, news, and views in the social media, faith, and technology space.

Many inspirational stories, chats, thought-provoking podcasts, and insightful opinion pieces have been shared in this month’s editions. Here are some of the very best featured stories:

• 20 of the Best WordPress Themes For Churches – Templates – Website.net
• Does Your Ministry Have a Strategy? No? You’re Not Alone – #ChSocM Weekly Chat, Meredith Gould
• Why is Social Media Important for Churches – Jason Caston
• Not a Celebrity Pastor’s Wife? 10 Reasons That’s OK – Megan Hill
• Book Review: Social Media Guide for Ministry – Church Tech Today
• Free eBook – 7 Things Every Church Should Communicate Every Sunday – Tim Peters
• Internet Outreach: What Others Are Saying – Internet Toolbox for Churches, Dave Hakes
• John Dyer – From The Garden to The City: Episode 45 – Social Media Church – DJ Chuang [Podcast]
• Followers, Friends, and Faith in the Digital Age – The Christian Century, Edward J. Blum
• Noel Jones and the Real Pastors of Southern California – The Christian Post

Which May 2013 social media and ministry articles or blog posts would you recommend to our readers?

Don’t miss any of the latest developments in the church social media space.  Subscribe to SOCIAL MEDIA and MINISTRY NEWS!

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

Be Blessed,

Kenneth Lillard

 

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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

Chasing The Very Best

Happy New Year! Faith Based Media 2.0 welcomes 2011 with a great deal of anticipation and expectation for a truly exciting and blessed year!

But before keying in on 2011, let’s pause for a moment to take a look back at some of the best of 2010 in ministry, social media, and technology.

I thank God for blessing me to publish my new book SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY Sharing The Gospel In The Digital Age (available at www.Lulu.com) in 2010! It is a practical guide, a how-to-manual to social media. An innovative handbook for pastors, church leaders, and others, it provides strategies and tactics for using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to help fulfill the Great Commission of sharing the Gospel with every nation! I pray it will be a blessing to you and your ministry!

The following were 10 (ten) of the most popular church blogs of 2010 ( many of which you can follow on Twitter):

• Desiring God
• Between Two Worlds 
• Michael Hyatt
• GetReligion
• Tim Challies
• Stuff Christians Like
• Dr. Albert Mohler
• Internet Monk
• Pyromaniacs
• DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed

To this list I would definitely add Bishop’s Blog written by T.D. Jakes, and Going Beyond by Priscilla Shirer!

 The Center for Church Communications has compiled an outstanding Church Marketing Directory to help churches creatively communicate their message. In addition, it has compiled a Church Excellence list called Firestarters which identifies, in its opinion, some of the most cutting edge, creative, passionately communicated ministries on the scene today. To this list I would add The Potter’s House! 

Looking forward to bringing you the very best in ministry, social media and technology in 2011!

What were some of your ministry highlights of 2010?

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

Be Blessed!

Kenneth Lillard   

SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY – A New Guide To Social Networking

 

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6

Loyal readers, I’m excited to announce today the publication of my new book, SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY Sharing The Gospel In The Digital Age!

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. The cover of the new book shows people connecting from north, south, east, and west forming a cross!

Social media is all about connecting with people and building relationships. Being a  follower of Jesus Christ is also about relationships – a life-changing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and with others in love, service, and humility!

SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY Sharing The Gospel In The Digital Age explores the broad impact of social media. It is a guide which provides practical information on how ministries, pastors and others can use Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to increase influence. It is a handbook for putting digital technology to the service of the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18-20) in the Digital Age!

To preview this new book or to purchase it go to Lulu.com.

Thank you for your encouragement and support!

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

Be Blessed!

Kenneth Lillard