Shoemaker, H. Stephen. Finding Jesus in His Prayers. Abingdon Press, 2004. ISBN: 978-0-687-35253-1. Meet the Author Stephen Shoemaker is the Senior Minister at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the author of several books, including Finding Jesus in His Prayers, God Stories: New Narratives from Sacred Texts, and Strength in Weakness: A Lyrical Re-presentation of II Corinthians. Book Basics For those who seek to know and follow Read More …
Reaching 20-Somethings (#0019)
It is widely accepted that different generations hear and respond differently to the same invitation to participate in the Christian faith. Most church leaders and those involved in making decisions about reaching out to those not yet a part of the faith community are well beyond their twenties. For those over 30, myself included, Scot McKnight's recent article The Gospel for iGens (Leadership, Summer 2009) is an important read. If you are not familiar with McKnight, Read More …
Review of The Social Media Bible (#0018)
Safko, Lon and Brake, David K. The Social Media Bible. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009. ISBN: 978-0-470-41155-1. Meet the Authors Lon Safko is an innovator and professional speaker with more than twenty years experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, strategic partnering, and e-commerce. He is the founder of eight sucessful companies, including Paper Models, Inc. and LonSafko.com. David K. Brake is the CEO and founder of Content Connections, a company that uses Read More …
Review of Social Media Marketing: An Hour a Day (#0017)
Evans, Dave. Social Media Marketing: An Hour a Day. Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2008. ISBN: 978-0-470-34402-6. Meet the Author Dave Evans is a social media expert whose passion is tapping the power of the social web and applying it to business. In 1994, Dave cofounded Digital Voodoo, which provides strategic marketing services for clients wanting to tap the power of the social web. In 2005, he cofounded HearThis.com, a podcasting service firm focused on social media Read More …
Review of The New Influencers (#0016)
Gillin, Paul. The New Influencers: A Marketer's Guide to the New Social Media. Quill Driver Books, 2009. ISBN: 9781884956942. Meet the Author Paul Gillin has been reporting on the impact of technology and media for the past twenty-five years. He is the author of Secrets of Social Media Marketing (2008). Currently, Gillin advises marketing executives and CEOs on how to turn the new social media to their advantage. For more information visit his blog or business. Book Read More …
Review of The New Rules of Marketing & PR (#0015)
Scott, David Meerman. The New Rules of Marketing & PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing & Online Media to Reach Buyers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009. ISBN: 978-0-470-37928-8. Meet the Author David Scott Meerman is an award-winning marketing strategist, best-selling author, conference speaker and seminar leader who is best known for writing this book: The New Rules of Marketing & PR (published first in 2007, then updated in Read More …
Review of Flickering Pixels (#0014)
Hipps, Shane. Flickering Pixels: How Technology Shapes Your Faith. Zondervan, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-310-29321-7. Meet the Author Shane Hipps is a pastor with a unique perspective on technology and media. In his first career he was a strategic planner in advertising. Shane walked away from that profession and entered seminary when he realized he was spending his life perpetuating the consumer culture that was inconsistent with his beliefs. Since 2005, he has served as Read More …
Ministry and Modern Technology (#0013)
In the July/August edition of Collide, Stephen Presley writes a thought provoking article: A Biblical Definition of Ministry in a Technological Age. Presley defines ministry as "a personal commission from God that labors toward the reconciliation of others to Christ through the gospel." He suggests it includes both personal and interpersonal elements, but that while it involves people its purpose is communicating the gospel. As technology continues to change and is utilized Read More …
Middle School Students and Mission Work (#0012)
Last week I had the privilege of participating in a Week of Hope alongside a group of eighteen middle school students and two adults from my church. We were a part of a larger team of eighty-seven participants (middle school students, high school students, and adults) from five churches across the country affiliated with three different denominations. This short-term mission opportunity is open to middle and high school students across the country and is facilitated by Group Read More …
Review of Who Stole my Church? (#0011)
MacDonald, Gordon. Who Stole my Church? What to do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century. Thomas Nelson, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-8499-2153-7. Meet the Author Gordon MacDonald is a well respected pastor, teacher, and author. In thirty-five years of pastoral ministry, MacDonald's served five congregations. He has been an adjunct professor at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary for many years and is also a sought after speaker. Read More …