Ian’s Messy Desk : Ergonomics

Ian has a few pointers about not abusing ourselves at our computer related work: “As we use computers for longer hours every day, we may notice increasing aches and pains in some parts of our bodies. These musculoskeletal problems can happen in anyone who uses a computer for long hours. The problems can range from minor muscle aches that last Continue Reading

The Look and Feel of Church Websites

More goodies from “Creating a Congregational Web Site”: Does the “look” and “feel” of the web site really portray the image the congregation wants to project? This image is so important.  A welcoming , story-rich, story-encouraging website that expresses an authentic human voice witnessing to the activity of God in their midst is such a powerful tool.  My own life Continue Reading

To communicate online hospitality as a community of faith

This is so “key” to an overall philosophy /theology of online theological community: hospitality.  To welcom and encouarge the stranger,  and to make them “not stranger” but a fellow seeker.  a natural network of relationships builds up as members of different congregations collaborate via the Internet to support hospitality to newcomers (from “Creating a Congregational Web Site”)

Holding Constantine’s Sword in Our Hands

A sobering thought (at least it should be) on warpping the Bible and the Church in a flag and blind patriotism, from Ethics Daily by  Bob Fox 02-11-03 Our resident theologian, Ben Wirzba, age 4, elbowed his dad during a recent service. His active mind had fixed on the large cross hanging over our baptistery. “You know what you get Continue Reading

Searching for Compatibility

I’ve got to try and find this guy (Thomas Walker,  who wrote this article “Creating A Congregational Web Site”).  Did he ever get a Church to join him in this vision?  He states it so clearly and so well.  Internet technology can play an important role as evangelism teams search the Web for compatible congregations in regions where new friends Continue Reading

Online freedom from Face-to-face barriers

More great stuff from the article “Creating a Congregational Web Site” It is important to remember that online community is different from the physical community of a congregation. Face-to-face community is often held together by charismatic, articulate leadership that has roots in the physical presence of individuals. Online community actually favors those who write well, are thoughtful, and are kind. Continue Reading

Congregational Website Insights

However, the web site must bear witness to faith and directly share community. Faith stories shared by real people through text, audio, and/or video show the congregation’s commitment to its belief. These stories with pictures of people sharing community together help the visitor to hear the witness, while the gentleness of the Web’s passivity enables them to explore the beginning Continue Reading

Creating A Congregational Web Site

In many important ways a well-managed congregational web site will gently integrate congregational communication into the everyday lives of members. This article (from where the above quote comes) from Fuller Seminary and Thomas Walker has the kind of flavor with which I can resonate.  It emphasizes the importance of a Church’s Website as a way of “telling a story” and seeking Continue Reading

Shades of MSDN in the Macromedia Community

Macromedia just anounced a program that reminds me of MSDN subscriptions.  It seems like a good move.  There’s certainly a lot to get excited about with the growth and use of Macromedia tools, Flash apps, the Weblog community they’re building around their products,  and the diverse support their Web suite offers to Web platforms like ASP, ASP.Net, PHP, Cold Fusion, Continue Reading

Bush Speech Readies the Faith Groups for War

Oh, how inspiring!  Charles Stanley’s comment on Bush’s speech in Nashville today “We’re strong,  and we’re going to do what’s right,  no matter what”.  What a comforting statement from a religious leader (to be read with much implied sarcasm).   All the more forboding is the hint Bush made that they will attack everywhere (he “reminds” the audience that Saddam is Continue Reading

JoKeR’s Blog meets Theoblogical

Kenneth (of JoKeR’s Blog) and I met ftf on Friday for Lunch (as JKR blogs below) “The visit with Dale went well, I thought. We were able to meet without difficulty and spent a pleasant lunch discussing church, computing, careers, and family. I’m still keeping him in my prayers as his job search continues.“ I am expecting to get a Continue Reading

New Blog Category Devoted to Baptist Issues

I added a “Baptist” section here a couple of weeks ago.  Here I rant about some of the things that are going on in the Southern Baptist Convention that turn my stomach.  I also try to highlight some of the god things hapening,  like the groups that fight back to maintain both their Southern Baptist identity and their theological integrity.  Continue Reading