Highlights from around the web – 1/11/10

As I shared in my last post, I am actively seeking out others who are writing and researching in the area of Internet ministry. I am using Google Reader as my main tool to manage this, which gives me the opportunity to share the best of what I am reading through its “shared items” feature.  For those interested, you can view all of those shared items here.  Here is what I have shared in the past couple of weeks:

• Facebook's Open Graph
  Posted: January 11, 2010
  From: Digital @ Leadership Network
  Pretty cool technology - those of you using Facebook should become aware of this...
• God Does Not Post to YouTube? Dr. Read Schuchardt on the Morality of Media
  Posted: January 11, 2010
  From: Don't Eat The Fruit
  It is always wise for us to think before we adopt any new technology. Here is a viewpoint that can teach us about how to think about using technology - even if we do not necessarily agree with his choices.
• Have You Ever Wished You Had an “I Give Online” Token?
  Posted: January 10, 2010
  From: Don't Eat The Fruit
  This article provides great insight into the impact of technology on our ministries. Similar to Shane Hipps examination of "the medium is the message", we need to understand the greater message of each technology we implement.
• The #1 Resolution for Your Website in 2010 Should Be…
  Posted: January 8, 2010
  From: Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com
  Great post from Paul Steinbruck about creating measurable goals for your online ministry. And then measuring them.
• 15 years that changed the world
  Posted: January 8, 2010
  From: Digital Evangelism Issues
  Internet Evangelism Day is coming on April 25th. Here is an article giving you the latest info on how you can be a part of it.
• ChristianityToday Weights in on Online Churches
  Posted: January 8, 2010
  From: Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com
  More around the online church debate, this time from Christianity Today.
• 8 Things to Avoid When Building a Community
  Posted: January 8, 2010
  From: Mashable!
  Great piece about how to use social media to build community online.
• The Price of Pearl Jam’s New Single: One Tweet
  Posted: January 8, 2010
  From: Mashable!
  Here is an example of how to use Twitter to interact directly with those who want your product.
• How Social Media Has Changed Us
  Posted: January 8, 2010
  From: Mashable!
  This article discusses the impact of social media on our culture and on us as individuals. This has implications for how we should think about communication with those to whom we are trying to minister.
• How Social Media and the Web Helped Avatar Make $1 Billion
  Posted: January 8, 2010
  From: Mashable!
  Some lessons here for those of us working to understand how to integrate social media into our marketing efforts. Now if only we had a budget the size of this...
• Worth Revisiting: Excellence/Effectiveness
  Posted: January 4, 2010
  From: LifeChurch.tv : swerve
  Interesting article from swerve, the Lifechurch blog.
• HOW TO: Do Almost Anything Online in 2010
  Posted: January 4, 2010
  From: Mashable!
  This is a very useful list of how to do all kinds of online activities. Never understood how Twitter could help you? Want to track goals online? Check it out.
• Drew Carey Ups the Ante in the $1 Million LIVESTRONG Campaign
  Posted: January 2, 2010
  From: Mashable!
  Here is an example of using social media (Twitter in this case) for a good cause. How could churches do something like this?
• In 2009, Social Media Overtook Web 2.0
  Posted: January 2, 2010
  From: Mashable!
  This is all about terminology: "web 2.0" vs "social media". I prefer the term "social media" because it actually describes what we are talking about.
• 10 Things I Learned from the Online Church Blog Series
  Posted: December 25, 2009
  From: Christian Web Trends Blog by OurChurch.Com
  This is a great summary of the current state of online churches...I agree with all of these conclusions!
• Ministry Excellence - DJ Turner interview, Director of Communications, Denver Seminary
  Posted: December 21, 2009
  From: State of Ministry Online
• The Case for Excellence - Excellence is our Christian Calling
  Posted: December 16, 2009
  From: State of Ministry Online
• Why Excellence? Building a Case for Excellence in Online Ministry
  Posted: December 14, 2009
  From: State of Ministry Online
• Research - Internet Ministry Best
  Posted: October 10, 2009
  From: State of Ministry Online
• Plugin by C. Murray Consulting

I will posting these highlights around once a week. If you are interested in keeping up with the latest in Internet ministry news and opinion, subscribe to this blog or directly to my shared items feed.  Clicking these links takes you to a screen where you can subscribe in a reader or even get an email whenever a new items is added. And I’d love comments on what you think about what I am sharing or if you have any recommended stories yourself!