Preachers: Ten Technology Tips
-
Do not let Social Media rule your life – Schedule a time in your day to check Facebook, Linked, Twitter, etc. Manage your time wisely by schedule time, not staring at a screen.
-
Turn off email notifications – Those annoying “dings” when you get email can sidetrack you from the task at hand. Also, turn off the pop-up notifications as well. Stay focused.
-
Load Sermons on Technology – Load your sermon notes, PowerPoints, etc. on your tablets and phones to take with you with you make a visit. I have found time while waiting at the hospital to glance at my notes and add points if the needs arises. Keeping the lesson fresh on your mind is a bonus of technology.
-
Turn off your cell phone – Throughout the day, turn off your phone and focus on the task at hand. I would also say to turn off your cell phone while you are having dinner with your family or family time in general.
-
Schedule reading time – It seems that most people read blogs throughout the day, but take control of your time by scheduling time during the day to read. Lump your blog reading together instead of every time a notification sound occurs.
-
Load Audiobooks, sermons, etc. on your phone or tablet – Loading audio sermons on phone or tables is a great way to learn as you drive. I am a big proponent of turning off the radio and being educated while driving.
-
eBooks – Some people are opposed to eBooks and others like the feel and touch of a “real” hardcover book in their hands; but the eBook market is booming. The ability to load a library of books on a phone, tablet or computer is amazing. It is easy to load the books and have them with you wherever you travel.
-
Schedule Social Media updates – Programs like TweetDeck allow you to schedule your status updates and posts to social media like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other outlets. This feature allows you to spread your thoughts over a day, week, month and even a year without being there.
-
Schedule blog posts – If you are a WordPress user, you can schedule your blog posts to go out at any time you wish. This is one of my favorite parts of technology. I have been out visiting members and those on the visitor list when I get a phone call and someone says, “Well, I see you are working from home today.” I laugh and tell them I am out visiting and they respond in confusion, “Yeah, but I was on Facebook and saw your website article just posted.” At that point I laugh and say, “OK.” Scheduling articles works wonders.
-
Text your wife – Every preacher knows their family is involved in the ministry with them. Show your wife your love and appreciation with short messages throughout the day. NOTE: be sure you speak to her as well.
Just some thoughts,
Proclaiming through Social Media
It looks like social media is here to stay. Several years ago, social media was a group of men sitting around a local coffee shop discussing the headlines on the newspaper before going to work, but now social media is outpacing traditional media resources by a landslide. As this growth increases, tenders are seeking to jump on the next big thing, but many as still getting accustomed to the social media change.
While the social media influence is growing, how do congregations, ministers and members take advantage of this growing opportunity? It is a question to ask and to seek an answer as Christians live their lives in the world.
The lists below are not something of great theological or technical philosophy, but they take a few moments of work. The proclamation the gospel is simple, share the message anyway and everywhere you can.
Below are a few ways you can try:
Facebook has taken over the social media world and countless people are checking Facebook more than email. Below are a few ways to proclaim the message using Facebook
-
Actually fill out your religious views. Many people I know have not filled out the religious view category on their information page. Let people know your religious views and let your light shine.
-
Update your status once a day with a scripture. Just updating your religious views will not tell others about Christ; use your status updates.
-
Encourage others on their status updates. If they write about hardships, let them know you are praying for them.
-
Share status updates from your congregation or another ministry affiliate Facebook group. On status updates there is a share link to post that status to your Facebook page. Let others know there are Facebook groups you are following and they might want to follow them too.
-
As a congregation, develop a Facebook page to share the events and happenings of your congregation with others. Invite your friends to join and share your congregations status with your friends.
Twitter has become a select group of people who enjoy writing in a maximum of 140 characters, but it can have a great impact for the gospel. Below are a few ways to use Twitter to share the message.
-
Retweet good status updates. Twitter allows users to retweet (RT) status updates in one simple click. Share those tweets with people around you. a simple click can yield powerful results.
-
Tweet at least two scriptures a day. Most people do not sit and watch Twitter like they do Facebook, so give them more of the message to see.
-
Share articles from websites, your congregational information, and other information that will assist others in growing spiritually. Twitter is a great outlet to share information.
-
Begin a Twitter account for your congregation and use it. People will connect to your congregations twitter account because it is simple and they want your to use it.
-
Direct Message various people during the day and let them know you are praying for them. A simple message can lift a soul.
-
Share good people to follow. Typically this is done on Friday using the hashtag #FF, but share good followers during the week.
YouTube is a powerful tool which congregations need to begin using. Short videos on YouTube have the ability to reach millions of people in just a few days.
- Begin creating some short videos with some inspirational messages and post them to YouTube and share them.
- Share videos of others. When you find a good video immediately share it.
LinkedIn is primarily a professional networking opportunity, but it can bring the gospel to those who did not even know they are searching.
- Use the same principles as Facebook: update statuses with scriptures, good inspirational links, etc..
How are you using social media to proclaim the gospel?
You can follow the Preacher’s Pen on social media at the links below:
-
Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/PreachersPen
-
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/PreachersPen
Here are the links to my personal social media pages if you would like to connect:
-
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/ChrisGallagher
-
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/GallagherPreach
-
LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/in/GallagherPreach
-
YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/GallagherPreach
Just some thoughts,
Super Bowl Halftime Video
After a 45 minutes upload time plus an extremely long processing time, the Super Bowl Halftime video I made has been posted. Click the picture above to go to the PreachersPen.TV site and give it a view.
Just some thoughts,
6 Reason I Do Not Read Your Blog
First, notice I did not say this is “6 Reason I Do Not Comment On Your Blog,” it is “6 Reasons I Do Not Read Your Blog.” There is a difference. There are many blogs I read each week, but rarely do I comment. Just because I do not comment is not meant to say it was not a good article, my thoughts would not have added anything significant to the article itself.
There are several blogs I read from time to time and greatly enjoy. They challenge me and cause me to think about what I believe. To them, I graciously say thank you and keep writing. To the others, here are “6 Reasons I Do Not Read Your Blog.”
-
I did not know you had a blog – There are millions of blogs out there, but I need to know why I should read yours. Give me a reason to read what you write; state your purpose and write it as well as live it. Promote it! Use Facebook, Twitter, Google+, email or another way and tell others why they need to be inspired you.
-
You write the status quo – I am not interested in the status quo, I want material that is relevant and challenging, not the typical words every one knows, but words from your heart. Stop holding back from making people upset and challenge their minds so they can begin living better. Remember, Jesus was not the status quo.
-
I am not challenged – While your writing is good, I find no challenge to go out and live better. It is a page of words, but just words. Give me some inspiration to live better and share the message with others. Challenge me, break me, upset me and most of all keep me on track.
-
Tell me about you, not what you know – I want to hear the practicality. I want to hear how you are making knowledge work in your life, your ministry and your family. Having knowledge is extremely important, but I also want to hear how you are using your knowledge. Tell me about it.
-
Back up your claims – If you make claims, give me a source. I want evidence which makes sense, not facts that are misrepresented.
-
Show compassion – You might show compassion for the homeless, the poor and the fatherless, but are you showing compassion for your enemies. Stop bashing them and begin praying for them before you write. In fact, give me the facts about them and let me see what you mean.
So, why aren’t you reading my blog?
Just a thought,
Personal note:
The word “blog” bugs me. It sounds like some weird disease. Anyway, thanks for stopping by.
Kindle Fire: A Review
The post below contains link to the Preacher’s Pen Amazon affiliate link. Using the affiliate link allows a small percentage of the sale of items to go to back into the Preacher’s Pen efforts.
The Kindle Fire blasts through the tablet market and surpassed the sales of any other tablet throughout the holiday season. (1) The Kindle Fire had received criticism over various aspects of the model (2) but those critics may have added to the rising sales numbers from Black Friday until Christmas day.
I do not own a Kindle Fire, but my daughter does. Since receiving on on Christmas day, she has read four books and added many applications which vary from games to study resources. Rarely have I gotten an opportunity to sit down and “examine” (play) with it because she is using it.
Tablets have become many things over their young life-span. They have become eBook readers, email checkers, internet browsers, etc. The Kindle Fire operates on the Android operating system which makes thousands of apps available at no cost. There are also thousands of apps available for purchase.
The Amazon Kindle Fire is an excellent tablet because the operating system is built on Android and allows for thousands of apps and the processer is speed worthy. I have a Blackberry tablet and have noticed the Kindle Fire is quicker to launch a variety of applications.
The screen on the Kindle Fire is vibrant and easy to read. The Kindle Fire is different than the other Kindles because the Kindle Fire has a color screen.
Overall the Kindle Fire is a customized Android operating system made especially for Amazon. I believe the Kindle Fire will continue to increase in sales and Amazon will make a variety of updates available over the next few months to keep the Kindle Fire at the top of tablet sales.
My Top Four Kindle Programs so far:
(1) Amazon Prime – Each Amazon Prime member has access to a library of free books you can download and read for a period of time. These are not the public domain eBooks, but some best-selling books and others which make for an excellent read. The Amazon Prime program costs $79 a year, but looks to be a powerful tool.
Plus, as an Amazon Prime member, you can stream Amazon Instant video to your Kindle!
(2) ESV Bible – The first book my daughter downloaded. A great resource to any tablet is a good Bible. My daughter carries her Kindle with her everywhere and she is able to read her Bible anywhere. She uses it during Bible classes and the sermon to follow along.
(3) Angry Birds – You knew it was going to be on this list, so I might as well put it at number three. Our family has made Angry Birds into a family game.
(4) Cinderella and other books – Did I mention my daughter, the Kindle Fire owner, is 8 and has already worked her way halfway through Cinderella? Not the new, fluffy Cinderella but the old-school Cinderella. There are hundreds of the public domain books available for free. Reading should be an aspect of everyone’s life, and the classics can be read for free!
What would you add to the list?
Another neat feature of the Kindle Fire is the ability to download the free app of the day on the Amazon App Store.
If I did not have a Blackberry Playbook, I would either “borrow” (aka – steal) may daughter’s Kindle Fire or I would purchase one myself. It is a great tablet and a definite competitor with the iPad.
Just my thoughts,
(1) http://www.pcworld.com/article/247097/kindle_fire_helps_amazon_set_holiday_sales_record.html
What is in Your Toolbox?
Not long ago I spent a few hours deep cleaning the garage; a task I have put off for approximately three years – three years!
The task was not difficult; it just took concentrated time and a few hours to work through. The task was simple and extremely needed. You see, I have three children; two daughters and a son, who enjoy rummaging through my toolbox to see what they can find. As a result of their rummaging, I had tools scattered through out my garage and even my house. So, I decided to take on the task of some major cleaning. I sat in the floor of my garage for an hour rummaging through each tool, screw, nail and unknown item placing them in organized sections on the floor.
After all the organizing was done I began to place each one back in my toolbox and tool bag in a useable order. To say the least, every tool I have is organized and can be easily found! Tonight one of our neighbors needed some help with a car problem and ask to borrow my automotive tools. Guess what was easy to find? – my tools! I was actually excited about finding a spark plug gapper because I knew exactly where it was located.
Is your “personal development toolbox” organized and easy to find? I know each individual has a filing system accustomed to his work and his personal needs, but what about your library? Is it easy to find the book you need? I am not a guru on time management, but I am thankful I have a father who stressed time management from my childhood. He stressed it because he knew in whatever occupation I chose I would need it. Here are a few tips and tools I would suggest:
-
Handle every piece of mail and email once! Many second, minutes, hours and minutes are wasted due to mail or email many times. Once you receive a piece of mail spend a few moments deciding what to do with it and do it. If it needs a reply, send one; if it needs to be paid, pay it. Schedule time during your day to handle mail.
-
Schedule two times a day to handle email! Instead of handling each email as it comes into your inbox, take an hour to two a day. Spend a scheduled amount of time handling email, instead of a hit or miss system and watch your productivity increase.
-
Do not move stacks of stuff! Each of us has stacks of stuff. My stuff is material I need to read. Whenever you start organize your toolbox or workspace, do not move the stack of stuff form place to place. Spend an hour or two dealing with your stack of stuff. Plan time, in the next week, to deal with your stack instead of moving it from the right side of your desk to the left side.
-
Spend time planning! Take 15 minutes at the end of each day and plan tomorrow. Spend 30 minutes on Friday (or your last day of the week) scheduling next week. Spend 45 – 60 minutes at the end of the month, planning for next month. Plan, plan plan, or plan to fail.
-
Use your computer for a limited amount of time a day. Schedule a block or two of time for computer work. Use your other times for writing, reading, praying, etc. As a technological people, we waste much time surfing the internet, instant messaging, reading email, and the list could go on. Spend a block of time online, instead of the whole day and see how it goes.
Spend time organizing you ministry toolbox and watch how efficient you can be. I will share a couple more tips next week.
Just some thoughts,
Podcast Feeds
Some of What I am Reading
I use Elegant Themes
