We’ve had a successful re-launch of the Faith Growth blog. Thank you for making it a great two weeks! Many of you have asked if you could write a guest post for our blog, so here’s your formal invitation to write for the Faith Growth blog. Guidelines … [Read more...]
Welcome to the re-launch of Faith Growth. We have been working hard on a new look and producing great content to aid your ministry in a digital world. We have assembled a team of talented writers who will share with you their insights about ministry and technology. Our team of writers are actively involved in congregational ministry and will bring their perspective as ministers grappling with ministry in the digital age. We live in a time of a communication reformation. The day of the printed … [Read more...]
We have been working hard the last month to refocus this website as a place for great content to aid ministry in a digital world. We have lined up a great group of writers and will be publishing fresh content to aid your ministry. … [Read more...]
I have enjoyed my time in Waco. I always enjoy catching up with colleagues and and learning about their ministries. The conference also severed as an important networking event for the ministry of Faith Growth. It was a time to inform everyone of the great websites and social media consulting that I offer. Monday night's tweet-up was a blast and I am thankful to everyone who attended. Below is a picture from the tweetup and pictures of the drawing winners. … [Read more...]
UPDATE: I now know my room number. The tweetup is in Marriott Courtyard Suite 226. Next week I will travel to Waco, TX to attend the Tri-Synodical Theological Leadership Conference of the ELCA churches in Texas and Louisiana. I am looking forward to catching up with my Lutheran colleagues from around the state. One of the speakers, Roger Paynter, is my former Spiritual Director. So I am particularly excited to see him and hear him speak. I was able to secure a sweet suite for … [Read more...]
I am sure you have heard stories of individuals losing their jobs because of things they have posted on social media sites like Facebook. This happened to one of my very good friends. Some people fear social networking sites because they have heard stories such as these. I think this is misplaced fear by many. It is a fear of the unknown or the unexplored. As a society we have long established communication norms. Norms for what is confidential, what is over sharing, and even norms … [Read more...]
I had the wonderful opportunity to present at the Austin Seminary Recent Graduate Seminar yesterday. My topic was the Pastor's Role as Social Media Guru. The presentation flew by and the discussion was engaging. In this post I will share my rough speaking outline, power point slides and links to the resources I mentioned in my presentation. I hope you find this information helpful. Please feel free to post questions and comments below. Rough Speaking Outline Intro … [Read more...]
Social Media is all the buzz these days. For those in the church this new technology leaves us wondering how to use this tool as a means to support our ministries. There are questions of mastering the technology, engaging the conversation, social evangelism, social media polices, Facebook group vs. a Facebook Page, and the like. The cultural shift occurring in society is greater than social media alone. Social Media is just one of the first manifestations of this shift. A Shift in … [Read more...]
The tenth anniversary of the tragic events September 11, 2001 falls on a Sunday this year. How will your congregation commemorate those events? My friend Rich Melheim and the folks at Faith Inkubators have prepared some excellent 911 worship and teaching resources to help your congregation commemorate. A Pause to Remember Pause for a moment to… Wonder… Think… Thank… and Consider… Who would our Lord Jesus have us to be in this new strange, dangerous, churning, hopeful … [Read more...]
One year ago today my niece, Lily René, was born sleeping (stillborn). I have always been one to turn to the prayers of the church for comfort and guidance, and so to cope and as a way to offer pastoral care to my family I put together a prayer book for my niece. On the first anniversary of Lily’s birth I would like to offer her prayer book as a resource to all who have lost children in stillbirth and miscarriage. These prayers have been most helpful to me and my family in the last year. At … [Read more...]