Ministry Magazine
The January/February digital version of Ministry Magazine is now available free. You can access it here.
Digital seems to me to be the way to go – instant access, embedded video clips and features – and it’s green!. No trees died in the process.
Iphone Task Manager
Since buying an Iphone I have been impressed with the features and functions. The only shortcomings that I have noted as of now are the short battery life, the lack of a flash for the camera and the omission of synching the Outlook “to do” list.
I’ve checked a few apps looking for a Task app – and then while browsing in my Google app I rediscovered the Task feature with Google calendar. Not the most elegant of fixes but certainly practical and again – it’s free.
Ravenhill Quote
“If we do not pray to make iron gates yield, we will pray behind iron gates and maybe die before they yield.” (Sodom Had No Bible – Leonard Ravenhill”)
Free Anti-Virus
I just recently got a heads up about a newer Microsoft product – Microsoft Security Essentials – which is now a free download. Included in the package protection against viruses and malware along with free product updates. It has received great reviews for being light on resources, not slowing down the computer.
My McAffee subscription recently expired so rather than renewing I’ve been installing the Microsoft product. So far so good.
You can download Microsoft Security Essentials, or find more information here.
Product Life Cycles And Church Programs
Often around churches we live by the adage “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” We become comfortable with programs and schedules so that even when they begin to produce declining results we are loathe to change them.
Years ago in a conversation about prayer and prayer meetings a veteran missionary made the comment that it is important to change the format and time of even prayer meetings to keep it fresh and new in the minds of believers.
That thought came to mind again today while trying to commit “Product Life Cycle Stages” to memory for an exam. The Product Life Cycle or PLC is the course of a products sales and profits over its lifetime.
Here are the stages of a product life cycle and how they relate to church programs and functions:
- Product Development - finding and developing the idea. It’s not bringing in results but is in the fun brainstorming stage.
- Introduction - in the marketplace the sales are slow and expenses are high in order to create awareness. This parallels the “buy in” process when something new is started and people are not convinced that it is necessary.
- Growth – it’s now gotten over the initial speed bumps, people are excited and getting on board. This is a great time because you are seeing the results you had hoped for.
- Maturity – Growth slows because you have reached most of the potential participants. Results start to level off or even decline.
- Decline – while we don’t measure profits and can’t see all of the eternal results of what we do the visible metrics begin to show waning attendance or stagnation. The enthusiasm that was there in the beginning has diminished and often it is just the “faithful few” who continue to be involved.
Here is the challenge for a church leader. Do we continue to do what we are doing because it has worked in the past or, do we recognize the stage our program is at in the life cycle and either find a way to rejuvenate it or let it die a natural death and introduce a successor?
Almost An Apple Evangelist
I picked up an Iphone about a month ago. So far the experience has been everything I expected and more.
I’m typing this post using the Wordpress app (free) which also allows me to quickly and easily add pictures from the Iphone. The one concern I had about the phone was typing on the touch screen because I have relatively large fingers. I shouldn’t have worried about it. Plus the spellcheck works impressively well.
Synchronization with MS Outlook via Itunes has been simple and easy although Apple really needs to find a way to include task synching - really the only thing lacking.
Here are some apps I am using. Most of them are free.
YouVersion - free Bible with many translations and languages
Yelp - find restaurants, churches, and just about anything else close to you.
Google Mobile - includes search using voice recognition. Super cool!
Dictionary.com - the complete online dictionary on the Iphone. Free.
Even have some games including my personal favorite Scrabble.
Still not an Apple convert totally but the Iphone is a great piece of technology.
Facebook Caution
(From LifeHacker.com) According to a study conducted by computer security company Sophos, anywhere from 41 to 49 percent of users (by age group) they test-requested friendship with on Facebook accepted their invitation. The problem, as they see it: After they became friends with people they don’t know, they’ve got access to dates of birth, email addresses, the places they went to school, the town in which they live, and a lot more—basically it’s a great start gathering all of the things an identity thief would need to get the ball rolling. Do you blindly accept friend requests on Facebook? And if you do, do you have a limited profile set up for those people you don’t know that limits the personal information they can see?
Seth Godin Quoted
"I can build a reputation in everything I do. If I teach people to trust me, then over time, I’ll conserve their attention and build permission. That’s priceless, particularly in a world that’s getting more skeptical by the minute." Seth Godin
A great quote when applied to marketers – a great truth when applied to ministry. Reputation and trust take time to develop.
Idiot Sightings
Somebody sent me this in an email so I have no source for it. I can’t vouch for the veracity of the reports however, if they are true there is an epidemic in the nation.
IDIOT SIGHTING:
My daughter and I went through the McDonald’s take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill.
Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter.
She said, ‘you gave me too much money.’
I said, ‘Yes, I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back.’
She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request.
I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said, ‘We’re sorry but they could not do that kind of thing.’
The clerk then proceeded to give me back 75 cents in change.
Do not confuse the clerks at MacDonald’s.
IDIOT SIGHTING:
We had to have the garage door repaired.
The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a ‘large’ enough motor on the opener.
I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower.
He shook his head and said, ‘Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.’
I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4 and he said, ‘NOOO, it’s not. Four is larger than two.’
We haven’t used Sears repair since.
Happened in Ottawa, ON
IDIOT SIGHTING:
I live in a semi rural area.
We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road.
The reason: ‘Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don’t think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.’
Story from Collingwood, ON
IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE:
My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco.
She asked the person behind the counter for ‘minimal lettuce.’
He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.
From Winnipeg, Manitoba
IDIOT SIGHTING:
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, ‘Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?’
To which I replied, ‘If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?’
He smiled knowingly and nodded, ‘That’s why we ask.’
Happened in Toronto, Ontario
IDIOT SIGHTING:
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it’s safe to cross the street.
I was crossing with an intellectually challenged co-worker of mine.
She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for.
I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red.
Appalled, she responded, ‘What on earth are blind people doing driving?!’
She is a government employee in Montreal, P.Q.
IDIOT SIGHTING:
When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it.
We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door.
As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked.
‘Hey,’ I announced to the technician, its open!’
His reply, ‘I know. I already got that side.’
This was at the Ford dealership in Guelph, Ontario
STAY ALERT!
Vision and Plans
Stay locked in to your vision but keep your plans flexible
Andy Stanley
