WEB EVANGELISM BULLETIN
. . . learning from each other
W-E-B Issue 149 ~ June 07
Every 3 or 4 weeks ISSN 471-0323
News this time...
NEW OUTREACH SITE FOR IMMIGRANTS
SHARK JUMPING
"THAT FRODO SKYWALKER... SOMEHOW IT RINGS A BELL"
SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE GRAND RAPIDS
CHURCH MINISTRY
GETTING THE E-VANGELISM MESSAGE OUT
THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
A COOL IDEA FOR KIDS
POPULAR CULTURE
VIDEO OUTREACH
WARNING: COMPUTERS CAN SERIOUS DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH
COMMUNICATING WELL
TIPS
VACANCY
TAILEND
"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was YOU"
(via wwj.org.nz )
NEW OUTREACH SITE FOR IMMIGRANTS
CCCI have launched a new site "geared to reaching the South Asian immigrants in North America with practical help toward cultural adjustment and introducing them to Christ."
Cathy Douglass writes: "This website is not static; though we are now beginning to publicize, we will continue to add content and welcome helpful suggestions and specially offers to write good content.
"I may not look like an immigrant, but I feel like one. After living abroad for 21
years, when we returned to our native US in 2002 it felt like a strange foreign country.
We had lived in Kenya and interacted closely not only with Africans but also Asians
(Indians and Pakistanis) living there. By culture I was more eastern than western. I
struggled with feeling that Americans were unfriendly and rude. I worried about how the
moral standards would affect my family. I made friends more easily with Indian immigrants
than with other Caucasians. Soon I was dreaming of a website which would help South Asian
immigrants adjust to life in North America. I love the idea of extending a helping hand to
those who may be as confused, lonely, and uncomfortable in their new land as I was at
first. Together with some great friends who also care about immigrants, we designed
NayaJeevan.org.
"When I started out to make a website, I was totally naïve and knew nothing about
websites. That was two years ago. If I had known then what I know now about websites, I
probably would never have attempted it! But I had conviction that this was a great
strategy and that Jesus was in it, so I went ahead in faith and slowly built up a great
team of volunteers. Webmaster, e-mentors, writers, editors, PR advisors, financial backers,
and praying friends are all making it possible. We are believing God for results!"
http://www.nayajeevan.org/
SHARK JUMPING
'Jumping the shark' is a metaphor that comes from broadcasting. It originated with the
TV series 'Happy Days', in which The Fonz character water-skies over a shark. It denotes a
turning point at which the show makes an illogical or ridiculous (within its own terms)
plot twist, loses public credibility and before long is closed down. (Or merely passes its
peak - after 129 episodes of Lost or Prison Break, some viewers may lose the will to
live.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark
The term is increasingly used more widely, indicating a loss of credibility or tipping
point, leading to decline. We can apply the concept to gospel communication too. Many
people, (and also society as a whole), can reach a tipping point in their own perception
of Christianity, through a range of factors. Hypocritical actions or statements by
Christians in the public eye. Unlovely pronouncements on public issues. Using weak
arguments as if they are strong ones, to back up an apologetic position. Presenting
personal opinions as if they are unchangeable Christian principles. Failing to understand
the concerns and needs of not-yet-Christians. Appearing to exclude, rather than include.
Not being spoken to when visiting a church for the first time. By anyone. Or being deeply
hurt as this story, whether true or fictional, demonstrates:
http://home.att.net/~scorh5/Dressed.html
Of course, the fallen human heart may often want to find excuses to distance itself from the claims of the gospel. But many feel hurt and repelled for genuine reasons. Communication is not about the sender, but the receiver. At least, with online communication, we have time to test a website with if possible, non-Christian users, and make appropriate changes. Ad agencies spend considerable time testing a new campaign with real users. And maybe we can meet with hurting online.
"THAT FRODO SKYWALKER... SOMEHOW IT RINGS A BELL"
A look at the concept of the archetypal universal story:
http://www.web-evangelism.com/offsitelink?b07june-archetypalstory
It is remarkable how often we can see 'echoes from eternity' in supposedly secular
stories:
http://www.web-evangelism.com/resources/parallel.php
C S Lewis of course believed strongly in the power of story to tell a greater truth, and as well as explaining this in his academic writings, in 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader' he describes Lucy's reaction to the redemptive story which has faded from her mind:
"And she never could remember; and ever since that day what Lucy means by a good story is a story which reminds her of the forgotten story in the Magician's Book."
SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE GRAND RAPIDS
The Internet Evangelism Coalition and Gospelcon conferences are now fully integrated as
one, rather than being back to back. I'm hoping to be there.
https://www.internetministryconference.org/
CHURCH MINISTRY
LEARN LIKE A PAINTER: "Another church's formula for success may not work for your
church. Do not replicate what other churches do, but study what principles and techniques
make them successful. Learn like a painter," says Kent Shaffer:
http://churchrelevance.com/?page_id=728
THE DARK SIDE OF WHITE SPACES: How digital broadcasting in US may affect wireless mikes
in church:
http://tfwm.com/newsletter_6207article1
Outreach Magazine's top 20 sites for church communicators:
http://outreachmagazine.com/Library/webexclusives/JF07webexTop20WebSites1.asp
GETTING THE E-VANGELISM MESSAGE OUT
"Mission field covers world, but the work is done from home," writes the
Tennessean:
http://www.web-evangelism.com/offsitelink?b07june-tennesean
Articles like this are major way to communicate the potential of online evangelism to
the wider church. Please make use of our own free articles in print publications or email
newsletters in any way you can:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/free-articles.php
You can also insert many of these articles directly into your own site using a
javascript insert code. Our book offer for May-June now applies to any site which adds a
javascript insert article, or our church website tool:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/churchdesign-syndicate.php
Just send us your postal address and the URL of the article, and one webmaster will be
chosen to receive a copy of Church First by Eddie Gibbs and Ian Coffey:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/feedback.php
Internet Evangelism Day allowed many churches to focus on the potential of online
outreach. Report of how different groups used it in May IEC newsletter:
http://www.webevangelism.com/index.php?id=85
THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
THE GODDESS PRINCIPLE: why is it so attractive? Understanding it, and helping those who
believe it:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2007/mayjun/5.30.html
VIRGINIA TECH KILLER - was obsessed with violent video games:
http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2007/3417va_tech_videos.html
WHEN DISASTER STRIKES - a one-page online tract based on tragedy:
http://www.whendisasterstrikes.com/
WHAT GOOGLE KNOWS: The information that Google can potentially have about a person is
quite mind-blowing. And one interesting thing: Google engineers are encouraged to spend
20% of their time working on personal projects. 50% of new Google projects come from that
"20% time".
http://www.web-evangelism.com/offsitelink?b07june-google
HEALTHmap: Global Disease Alert Map - a real-time map of emerging infectious
diseases:
http://healthmap.org/
PEW INTERNET report on spam email:
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/214/report_display.asp
SECOND LIFE: the virtual world within a virtual world. It is developing rapidly -
Sweden and Lithuania now have embassies within Second Life. If you have experiences of
Second life, please share them:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/feedback.php
A COOL IDEA FOR KIDS
Bill Zimmerman writes, "I am an author whose books are used in many school programs to
encourage children to express themselves through writing. I have just launched a website
where students can create their own comic strips. The site offers fun animal and human
characters with different moods, thought and talk balloons to fill in with words, and
story prompts. It's a wonderful resource to spur children and adults to write, read and
communicate their ideas and to practice English. It is also being used as a tool by
educational therapists who work with deaf and autistic people to help them understand
concepts and communicate." An interesting (secular) idea - check it out:
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
POPULAR CULTURE
American Idol: Christian involvement. Comments Christian Post: "Even non-competitors
have had a significant impact on this year's contest. "This Is My Now" was chosen as the
winning song for the American Idol songwriter competition and was performed by both Sparks
and fellow finalist Blake Lewis in the finale. It, too, was composed by two Christian
composers: veteran Christian artist and songwriter Scott Krippayne and his pastor Jeff
Peabody."
http://www.web-evangelism.com/offsitelink?b07june-christianpost
Talking of Christian music, there's a whole Hillsong album online to promote a new
release. Nice. Some sounds a lot like Coldplay. But then, doesn't everything?
http://www.unitedalloftheabove.com/_ecard/ecard.php
SGT PEPPER: Can it really be 40 years ago? Culture-watcher Dave Buckna has produced a
Sgt. Pepper's Bible Study:
http//www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07060038.htm
A BETTER STORY-TELLER: Donald Miller helps culturally conflicted evangelicals make
peace with their faith. "Your book was the only thing that got my daughter through
college."
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/june/10.28.html
MOVIES: Are Christian film fans hypocritical?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/070605-readerscommentary.html
VIDEO OUTREACH
Online video clips are the new communication medium, especially in youth culture. So
what do you make of this very professional hip hop spoof 'Baby got Bible'? Dude, check it
out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avd2-QM6vtI
'Children see, children do.' A pointed depiction of a universal truth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVmZXaZZfsI
More on video clip outreach:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/video-outreach.php
You can easily save any video from YouTube and other video sites, using a Firefox
extension.The icon appears in the browser status bar when you have downloaded this
extension - so make sure status bar is enabled first.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2390
WARNING: COMPUTERS CAN SERIOUS DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH
Being hunched over a laptop can cause spinal problems. The best way to use a laptop at
home is with a separate keyboard and mouse, and the laptop positioned so that the screen
is more or less level with your eyes:
http://www.web-evangelism.com/offsitelink?b07june-laptop
Indeed, desktop monitors should also be at eye level. Yours probably isn't? Get some old telephone directories or similar, and build it up to height now, and give your neck muscles and posture a break.
You can also easily suffer RSI by not using a keyboard correctly. If you have aches and tingles in your hands and arms, take urgent action now. Google 'avoid RSI' for many advice tips on avoiding this very serious health problem.
One major issue - many computer users have never learned to 'touch type'. They 'peck'
and jab at the keyboard with their index fingers, causing multiple shock-waves up the arm.
If you make no other resolution for this year, do this one: learn to touch type. With all
your fingers doing the work, and all of them gently touching the keyboard at all times,
you will type far more quickly with much less strain. There are many ways to teach
yourself typing:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/training.php#typing
COMMUNICATING WELL
SERVANT EVANGELISM: Is servant evangelism 'real evangelism'?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/servantevangelism.html
LESSONS FROM A TAVERN by Charles Swindoll:
http://ctlibrary.com/14821
THINKING CREATIVELY: Are you stuck? This website offers some useful thoughts on
thinking outside the box:
http://www.whatagreatidea.com/stuck.htm
In the fast-moving world of digital communication, innovation is vital. This book looks
like it could help:
http://www.digital-web.com/articles/myths_of_innovation/
STORY-TELLING: whether true stories or fiction, concepts are always best communicated
with personal stories. This is why many journalistic stories are generously illustrated
with true stories and quotes from real people. And why Jesus told stories all the time.
Read the '10 immutable laws of story telling':
http://pacrimmedia.wordpress.com/2007/06/08/the-10-immutable-laws-of-storytelling/
TIPS
- non-techies look away now
CAPTIONS IN FLASH. Hearing-impaired people miss out on the audio element of the
increasing numbers of online flash video clips. Now there's a way to help them in the
latest version of Adobe's CS3 Studio - by adding captions, ie similar to subtitles. This
will also help second-language English speakers, who may be OK at reading, but struggle
with spoken language. What a great way to enhance the usefulness of video:
http://www.digital-web.com/articles/captions_flash_video/
USABILITY: having a good designer does not necessarily mean a site has good usability,
says Jakob Nielsen:
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/genius-designers.html
FLASH v JAVASCRIPT: why javascript can be better:
http://www.webreference.com/programming/javascript/java_flash/
EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS: Your appliance manufacturer's website doesn't cut it for you?
http://www.fixya.com/
DUPLICATION: When is duplicate content okay? When is it penalized?
http://www.wilsonweb.com/seo/dunn-duplicate-content.htm
http://www.websitenotes.com/2007a/0604.html
DHTML MENUS: These days, there are strong arguments for a pure CSS drop-down/flyout
menu, because it is works (and faster) in any modern browser without javascript. However,
if want DHTML instead, and use Dreamweaver, this article may help you:
http://www.phptr.com/articles/article.asp?p=29835&seqNum=5&rl=1
FIND PEOPLE IN SOCIAL NETWORK SITES - metasearch tool yoName:
http://www.yoname.com/
LEASE OR DONATE DOMAINS: James Cooper writes, "MinistryPool is a Christian domain bank
(or library), which allows people to lease a domain for a period of time to help
advertise/market their ministry/outreach event (like a sermon series, camp or alpha
course). When the event is over, rather than having the domain sit un-used for the rest of
the time and then just expire, it can go back into the pool so others can use it. This
should also help to stop expired Christian domains being picked up by 'web nasties'!
People can also 'donate a domain' that they no longer need/use.
http://ministrypool.com/
VACANCY
LifeChurch.tv are seeking what they call a 'Digerati Team Ninja' - a web designer and
communicator:
http://www.lifechurch.tv/p/738/Default.aspx#ninja
More vacancies and sparetime opportunities:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/vacancies.php
TAILEND ô¿ô
'Shorpy' is 'The 100 Year Photo Blog' getting its name from a boy who lived around the
era of when these photos were taken:
http://www.shorpy.com/
'How a Bill Becomes Law' by humorist W Bill Cameron (or how teens don't clean the
garage):
http://www.cfnetwork.co.uk/resources/wk100howabillbecomes.asp
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