WEB EVANGELISM BULLETIN
. . . learning from each other
W-E-B Issue 131 ~ March (ii) 06
Twice a month ISSN 471-0323
News this time...
INTERNET EVANGELISM DAY - GONE ALL DIAGONAL
DOUGLAS YEO - 10 YEARS OF ONLINE MINISTRY
MIDDLE EAST: INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES BEAR FRUIT
SEARCH ENGINE NEWS
LEARNING ENGLISH AND EASY ENGLISH
CHURCH SITES
DA VINCI CODE - BE READY TO USE IT
TIPS
LINK TO AUDIO INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL CHANG
THE PASSION FILM AND EASTER STORY
THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
BOOK REVIEW
FEEDBACK ON THE TECHVANGELISM CONFERENCE
CHILDREN AND TEENS
MEETING SPECIAL NEEDS
TAILEND
"Nobody believes the official spokesman, but everybody trusts an unidentified source" - Ron Nesen
"We are shaped and fashioned by what we love" - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
INTERNET EVANGELISM DAY - GONE ALL DIAGONAL
Thank you to everyone who distributed the news releases or made links to the IE Day site.
Here's a new opportunity to make it known - diagonal corner banners. With grateful acknowledgement to MakePovertyHistory.org, we've adapted the concept so that any site can add an eye-catching corner banner in any corner of a web-page, or the corner of any suitable page element if preferred.
It is very easy, and just needs the copy/pasting of a small block of Javascript. Please,
if you have a site which targets Christians, consider adding a banner for the next two
months:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/banner-linking.php
And we need a spare-time publicist for IE Day. Could this be you?
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/publicist-needed.php
DOUGLAS YEO - 10 YEARS OF ONLINE MINISTRY
Douglas Yeo was an early pioneer of 'bridge strategy' sites. Starting ten years ago,
with the assistance of Campus Crusade's new web team, he created a site built around his
professional interest and gifting - classical bass trombone. He wished to give support and
encouragement to music students and others considering an orchestral career - but all
expressed through his own Christian worldview. Over the ten years, he has replied
personally to 100,000 emails. This is on top of his professional engagements and family
commitments! He writes:
"My website celebrated its 10th birthday on February 12 and in celebration of that
milestone, I have added a new page to my website which details the history of my site, how
and why it was launched and the people behind it."
http://www.yeodoug.com/home/text/yeodoug_history.html
MIDDLE EAST: INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES BEAR FRUIT
Christian web sites in the Middle East are receiving nearly nine million hits per month, according to the Strategic Resource Group (SRG). One Christian organization that hosts chat rooms for Arabic-speaking web users estimates that more than 42,000 people visit those sites every day.
More than 2,000 Bibles in the Arabic language are being downloaded from the Internet
each month, according to Paul Schultheis, SRG founder. One organization reports that 20
people per month are
converting to Christianity as a result of learning about the Christian faith on these
sites.
Although some governments attempt to block these web sites, generally the Internet knows no borders. More than half of the population in the Middle East is 25 years old or under. Many young people own computers or have access to computers at Internet cafes, schools, or through friends.
The Internet provides anonymity and privacy for anyone searching for answers to life's
most important questions, including one's spiritual destiny. This technology has connected
people together through email groups, networks, blogs, and chat rooms. Consequently,
people are becoming “ideological soulmates” on-line, according to a recent Washington Post
article. Christian organizations are seizing the Internet opportunity to create
communities of people who can openly talk about faith issues in a safe environment.
Full story: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s06020031.htm
Strategic Resource Group: http://www.srginc.org/
SEARCH ENGINE NEWS
PODCASTING - is comparatively new, though there are already numerous podcast search engines and it's important to optimize your audio files if you want listeners to find your spoken content: http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3590246
TECHNORATI FAVORITES: If you have a blog, you can add a 'click to add to favorites'
button (in a similar way to Delici.ious central sharing of bookmarks:
http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/060223-091634
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION: Four vital steps for optimizing your website:
http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2006/mar/1prt.html
LEARNING ENGLISH AND EASY ENGLISH
'English Language School' looks to be a good overall secular resource on learning
English:
http://www.web-evangelism.com/rd?b06march-languageschool
The Easy-English.info team continue with an excellent program of producing downloadable
easy-English scriptures and commentaries for use in the non-western world. These include
simple translations of the books of the Bible (1200 word vocabulary), plus Bible
Commentaries (2800 word vocabulary), Bible Studies, and other good things. Latest
available is Galatians:
http://www.web-evangelism.com/rd?b06march-easyenglish
And the easy-English evangelistic SOON paper is available free in any reasonable
quantity. See online PDF samples - also in African French, African Portuguese, Swahili and
Fulani:
http://www.web-evangelism.com/resources/free-papers.php
Gospelcom's Bible Gateway includes a huge range of online Bibles in different languages,
including the easy-English version 'WE' New Testament:
http://bible.gospelcom.net/
CHURCH SITES
What is the purpose of a church site? What should be its priorities? Read this very
significant discussion, conducted with generosity of spirit, between Frank Johnson of
StrategicDigitalOutreach.com and Paul Steinbrueck of OurChurch.Com:
http://www.web-evangelism.com/rd?b06march-churchsites
DA VINCI CODE - BE READY TO USE IT
"With this May's release of the movie version of The Da Vinci Code, our churches will
have a potentially unprecedented opportunity to answer questions about Jesus from
spiritual seekers in our communities. If you haven't begun to consider your church's
response to the movie, these ideas will help you get started," says Lee Strobel:
http://www.pastors.com/rwmt/default.asp?id=249&artid=9211&expand=1
Da Vinci Code training: Learn how your church can join a nationwide outreach telecast
on The Da Vinci Code with Lee Strobel, Mark Mittelberg, and Erwin Lutzer. The telecast is
scheduled for May 21:
http://www.ccn.tv/programming/event/evt_21may06.htm
TIPS
- non-techies look away from screen now
BIRTHDAY ALARMS - get email alerts before friends'/relatives' birthdays:
http://www.birthdayalarm.com
CASSETTE TO MP3 - record, or convert tape records, to MP3 with no-pay Audacity
program:
http://audacity.sf.net/
ONLINE IMAGE VERIFICATION - ensure form submitters are real people; how to create a
simplified image verification system:
http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/patterson20060301.php3
Web Page Creator from Google: Want to create your own web page, but don't know how to
begin? The new Google Page Creator is a simple,tool that allows you to build a site.
Knowing Google's expert abilities, this may turn out to be a winner:
http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3586916
BLOG ANALYITICS: Google has purchased an analytics service for bloggers called Measure
Map:
http://www.adaptivepath.com/team/news/2006_02.php#000578
CSS: See a CSS site develop before your eyes: step by logical explained step:
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/livedesign/
LINK TO AUDIO INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL CHANG
Eric from HCJB radio write, "If any bridge website or ministry can use this interview,
please feel free to copy the links. We were fortunate enough to interview tennis great
Michael Chang. At one time he was ranked number 2 in all the world. A Chinese ministry
told me how popular he is in Asia and that he would be a great guest. Well, our interview
is now featured on his webpage. He clearly talks about his faith and our email address is
given 3 times for people wanting to know more about Jesus (also, our mailing address and
website). I pray that non-Christians will go to his site and find the Lord! This is the
'bridge strategy' working to perfection!"
http://www.mchang.com/latestnews.html
You are encouraged to link directly to the audio file of this interview, which is hosted by HCJB.
THE PASSION FILM AND EASTER STORY
CCCI's site PassionofChrist is an all-year resource, but is particularly significant in the run-up to Easter, as people are reminded of the story in different ways. To date, this multi-language site has had 400,000 visitors.
Use it as a resource - link to it, or share it by email with inquirers:
http://www.PassionofChrist.com/
THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
ONLINE USAGE: Pew Internet says more Americans are going online purely for fun:
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/175/report_display.asp
Meanwhile in the UK, TV ratings for both the public service and commercial channels are falling, as more Brits get their entertainment online.
CHRISTIAN HISTORY: The Christian History Institute produce a short weekly email
focusing on a noted Christian from the past. They say: "We find Christian history
inspiring. We hope you will, too, Refresh your week with morsels of courage, faith, hope,
love and humor."
http://chi.gospelcom.net/guestbooks/form_chinotes.shtml
VIRTUAL TOURIST - learn from this Wiki-like site written by volunteer members to help
each other's travel plans:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/
VIRTUAL JIHAD: Denial of Service and other cyber-attacks on websites are on the
increase:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,62505,00.asp
BOOK REVIEW
N@ked Conversations: How Blogs Are Changing the Way Businesses Talk With Customers
Robert Scoble and Shel Israel, Wiley 2006
"I've written a brief book review and posted it on the e-vangelism blog. Thought you
and your readers might be interested," writes web evangelism commentator Andrew Careaga.
"Many of the principles apply to churches or individuals wishing to use weblogs as a means
to share their faith online."
http://www.e-vangelism.com/2006/03/book-review-naked-conversations.html
FEEDBACK ON THE TECHVANGELISM CONFERENCE
Frank Johnson shares his experience of the 18 March California conference:
http://www.strategicdigitaloutreach.com/
More conferences information:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/events.php
CHILDREN AND TEENS
In countries where religious assemblies are permitted in schools, there is potential
for Christians to provide what may be the only Christian teaching the children will hear.
UK-based Damaris are launching new material for primary (ie age 5-11) schools:
http://www.assembliesonline.com/
http://www.damaris.org/
The Spiritual Problem With Teens: They're Following U:
http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dwwgwwz_nzdpnob.html
Disturbing research shows what avowedly Christian teens in USA don't actually believe.
And this in a country with more Christian radio, TV, books, trained pastors and youth
leaders, than any other:
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1378663.html
MEETING SPECIAL NEEDS
"Does this link stimulate ideas for evangelistic sites?" writes web evangelist
Lois:
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5048937.html
What she is suggesting is an outreach site for people with learning difficulties. Since they are adults, they do not want children's material. Pages written in easy English for second-language users are not quite what they need either, since these pages will still probably address complex issues.
What might a site for people with learning difficulties look like? I guess a design
brief might look something like this:
- restricted vocubulary
- easy concepts but non-patronising
- easy clear navigation, with large visual clues, and maybe audio instructions on
mouseover of page elements
- short pages
- large font size
- plenty of pictures
- use of audio, video clips, music
- could include help with life/health issues
I have never found anything like this in either Christian publishing or secular web
media. Could this work? Join the CWM forum and add your feedback. (Or just write to
me!)
http://www.christian-web-masters.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9468
TAILEND ô¿ô
Here's an unusual take on a 'blonde joke' - by a blonde - and a Christian. (Don't shoot
the messenger, please.) It will take you a little time to get it:
http://everydaymusings.blogspot.com/2006/01/its-blonde-joke.html
I wonder if this methodology might work in some sort of evangelistic blog context?
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