Ministry Tech Magazine - November 2018

TECHNOLOGY EMPOWERING MINISTRY

>> FREE (and ALMOST FREE) PODCAST TOOLS >> recording your worship team >> smartphone dangers NOVEMBER 2018

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CONTENTS

11.18

13 how to record your worship team It used to be that only major labels and artists willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars could record their music.

4 transform visitors into members

how to do a podcast for free (or almost free)

Go beyond tools and techniques and communicate care

It’s easy. It’s quick.

And it goes everywhere.

16 the real dangers of using a smartphone When it comes to malicious attacks, not all phones are created equal.

9 thankful, yes: but where's the joy?

No matter our role in ministry, our task includes joyful thankfulness.

TECH CHECK 11.18........................................................................... 19 MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

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A Word from the editor Ray Hollenbach

Managing Editor

Ray Hollenbach

Art Directors

Troy Irvin, Henny Vallee

Contributing Editors

Matt Farrand, Russ McGuire, Caleb Neff, Nick Nicholaou, Mike Norris, Yvon Prehn, Jonathan Smith, Steven Sundermeier

Copy Editor Laura Severn

ADVERTISING VP Advertising Sales

Jared Bryant

National Media Consultants Cody Binder, Malari Foster, Joseph Landry, Seth Rankin, Barbara (McDonald) Wolfe, Ryan Yoder

Account Associates

Leslie Massey, Bethany Payne, Syndie Porter, Nicole Vargas, Lara Whelan

Administrative Director Rebecca Meyer

Publisher

Outreach Inc. 5550 Tech Center Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (800) 991-6011 Ministry Tech® is a registered trademark of Outreach, Inc. Written materials submitted to Ministry Tech® Magazine become the property of Outreach, Inc. upon receipt and may not necessarily be returned. Ministry Tech® Magazine reserves the right to make any changes to materials submitted for publication that are deemed necessary for editorial purposes. The content of this publication may not be copied in any way, shape or form without the express permission of Outreach, Inc. Views expressed in the articles and reviews printed within are not necessarily the views of the editor, publisher, or employees of Ministry Tech® magazine, or Outreach, Inc. © Copyright 2018 Outreach, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

The other day I touched an icon on my phone and the app took forever to open—like, 10 seconds!!! It was the third time it happened that day, and I was beginning to get really irritated about how slow my phone was, or how slow the app was, or how slow the Wi-Fi connection was. Whatever: I wanted things to move along quickly!

Today, in a more sane and less hurried moment, I wonder if one of the side effects of technology isn’t ingratitude. (I’ll bet you thought I was going to say “impatience,” right?)

November is the American month of Thanksgiving, when we gather and celebrate our blessings—blessings that were unimaginable throughout most of human history. But it doesn’t take long for blessings to become our baseline, and we begin to presume that these gifts are in fact our rights.

The same is true with our relationship with technological tools.

Mobile devices, software packages and connectivity have all, like never before, become our baseline expectations for carrying out the work of ministry.

But it has not always been so.

There was a time when all tech devices were connected by—wires!

Just look above the ceiling tiles in your building and you’ll see the remnants of days gone by. There was a time when pastors and staff relied on their memories and relationships to “keep track of” church members.

These days ChMS software stores an astonishing amount of information about every member and visitor who walks through the doors of our building.

So here’s a task especially well suited for November: Can we take advantage of every single technological tool at our disposal and still remain connected to the wonder and majesty of ministry? On the other end of every automated text or social media post we schedule are people, the very ones for whom Jesus died and rose again. Serving such people is always the task of ministry; technologies may leverage our efficiency, but only gratitude and love will transform our tech into tools of love.

I wonder if one of the side effects of technology isn’t ingratitude.

Ray Hollenbach is the Editor of Ministry Tech magazine. He has previously served as the editor of Outreach’s Better Preaching Update, and as the editor of the Pastor channel at Churchleaders.com. You can reach him at rhollenbach@outreach.com.

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COMMUNICATIONS

how to do a

podcast for free (or almost free)

The Easiest, No-Cost, 5-Minute Way to Create a Podcast

by Yvon Prehn

P

odcasts are one of the fastest growing areas of communication today, primarily because our mobile phones enable us to listen to them while driving, working out, cooking or doing chores around the house. As a 2018 study reported: Podcasting continues to steadily grow, as 44% of Americans 12+ now say they have listened to a podcast, up from 40% from last year. Podcasting’s in-car gains continue as well: a year ago, 18% of podcast listeners described the car as the place they most often listened to podcasts; this year, that number is 22%.

Podcasts (a general term for messages shared in audio format) are great ministry tools, particularly when you think beyond sharing the weekly sermon from your

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

44% of americans 12+ have listened to a podcast.

22% listened to podcasts in the car this year. church. Sharing sermons via your website and other social media channels is foundational and built in to many church website software programs, but there are many other uses for podcasts, particularly if we think of them as simply a verbal message of any length we want to share. Youth leaders could have a series of short studies with applications and announcements. Ministry leaders could share devotional thoughts, challenges, and motivational messages. The children’s pastor could do a series of encouragements for parents of toddlers or teenagers. The options are endless.

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COMMUNICATIONS

Aren’t podcasts difficult to create?

They can be, just like any other communication can be. For printed communications you can use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator combined with InDesign for the expensive, difficult way to create communications, or you can whip something out quickly and easily that will look just as good with MS Publisher, or easier yet open a free template, modify and be done with it. No one knows or cares how your communication piece was created.

A piece that we may have spent hours to create and lots of money to produce will be glanced at, perhaps ignored, or perhaps posted on the refrigerator—and someone will attend an event that will change their eternity.

The impact of the communication piece isn’t the tool you use; it’s the message that’s primary. (That’s why years ago when I switched from my design business creating communications for international Christian organizations and started teaching church communications, I switched from my highend Mac, Photoshop and PageMaker to a budget PC and MS Publisher, because that’s what most churches have and is easiest to use. The result is pretty much the same.)

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The MS Publisher approach to creating podcasts It’s never the method, but always the message that is important. There is always an easier way to do things. When a new technology first becomes available, often it comes via experts who have the budget and time to create a highly polished product.

But let’s get real: You don’t need the highest quality (however that is defined) in your podcasts because it’s not as if people listen to your podcasts in an acoustically perfect room with $500 headphones.

Chances are the phone is on the counter while they are making dinner, or attached to MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

Websites Designed For Churches

Church Social Media Made Easy

Learn more at Outreach.com/digital |5

COMMUNICATIONS an armband while running, or in the car while driving.

If you have a message to get out, you can just do it today with little to no cost and literally in less than an hour and have a finished podcast that will pop up on an app on your phone, just like the big-deal professionals do. I discovered this because though I’ve been playing around with podcasts for a long time, I recently discovered a system that makes things easier than ever.

You can do a Google search and find dozens of complex ways to do this.

There are many, many resources on the web for doing a podcast, and many of the creators would die of laughter or derision over what I’m sharing. But trust me, this works.

The easiest, no cost, 5-minute way to create a podcast What has revolutionized podcasting is an app from Anchor.fm. Download it and you can pick up your phone,

To fully fulfill the Great Commission

RESOURCES FOR CHURCH COMMUNICATORS Training Templates Strategy Resources Podcast

www.effectivechurchcom.com MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

it's never the method, but always the message that is important. there is always an easier way to do things. record on your phone, and you have a podcast. It really is that simple.

However, what I do takes a little more time and effort than that simple system, but still at a very small cost.

I realize this is a very brief summary, but I was so excited that it works I wanted to share it. I’ll have more on my website (and clear links to podcasts) about it, but many of you will be able to make it work with what I’m sharing now—it is just too easy and too much fun.

What I use: There’s a free app—download that on your phone or go to the website and download it on your computer— on the site: http://anchor.fm You can speak directly to the app on your phone or with a headset directly into the app on your desktop computer.

For recording for many years I’ve used an inexpensive headset, the Logitech USB Headset H390 with Noise Cancelling Mic. It’s only 20 bucks and honestly, it works great. I’ve tried some of the fancy set-ups in the past, but this works, it’s cheap and easy. For quick, fast messages, perhaps a youth worker to kids or teens, a direct recording might work, but I make mistakes, I cough or want a drink of

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COMMUNICATIONS water, so I like to be able to edit my audio.

To do that, you record your audio first. If you have a Mac, Garage Band will work; on a PC you download the free Audacity software.

There are lots of videos on YouTube for how to download and edit with it, but it’s very easy and with it you produce an MP3 file. I’ll be doing instructional videos on it—but grab what you can for now.

Next you open up the Anchor.fm site, create an account and then upload your audio file. The software will even help you create an image for your file and gives you the opportunity to monetize your podcast by setting up a system where people can donate to it.

It only takes a few minutes to do that.

You save it and then, if you have the anchor app on your phone (available and free on all systems), just hit the app, and go to listen. Type in your name or name of your show and wow! Your podcast appears. My experiment on this is “A Better Way for Church Communicators” by Yvon Prehn.

Check it out and tell me what you think.

What’s even more exciting is within a few days they distribute to many other platforms.

You can also download a link and put the podcast on your website.

Technology is always surprising us with incredible new tools for sharing our faith.

Sometimes the tools are costly and difficult when they first come out, but often they go down in price, often to free, and become much easier to use. That’s what happened with Podcasting and I’m excited to see how many use it for the sake of the Kingdom (and lots of fun also!).

For more on podcasting, go to http://www. effectivechurchcom.com/category/podcasts. MT

Don’t get pushed into paying too much for a church app.

www.ministryone.com/#MT Yvon Prehn’s ministry to church communicators has two parts: effectivechurchcom.com, a site of FREE templates, strategy and resources, and churchcomtraining.com, a Church Communicators Online Training School.

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

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MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

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PROTECTED WITH PURPOSE

the real dangers of using a smart phone (And How to Avoid Them)

by Steven Sundermeier

A

s parents we all must make the inevitable choice as to when the appropriate age to purchase a cell phone for our kids may be. For me, that was the decision I wrestled with much of the summer. My oldest, now a middle schooler, and a (mostly) dependable kid, was lobbying hard for a phone. At the same time, I—a cyber-tech guy, and a securityskeptical father—couldn’t help but thwart his cause with facts regarding the reality of dangers that cell phones pose. However, in the end, and following a series of solid and heartfelt conversations, we were able to reach a mutual understanding allowing him to be trusted with a phone.

For all of us, owning a phone has inherent physical responsibilities: not losing or forgetting it somewhere, not breaking it or getting it wet, or not exceeding data usage or

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

text restrictions. But in addition to physical maintenance, the latest phones, which now act as our personal computers, also open the flood gates to another level of safety that is not physical but informational if you will: cyber compromises, breaches, and attacks exposing your personal data and confidential information to cybercriminals.

Regarding malicious attacks, not all phones are created equal. Due to Google’s open approach to app sales and a lack of solid regulation on what can and cannot be developed due to its open source nature, Androidbased phones (e.g., Samsung Galaxy) are more highly susceptible to mobile malware and cyber attacks than Apple’s iPhone. In fact, it’s estimated that 98 percent of all mobile malware target the Android OS. But, it is also important to note, (as many Apple

98% of all mobile malware target the android os. but APPLE DEVICES

ARE NOT COMPLETELY SECURE FROM MOBILE THREATS.

loyalists remain in denial), that iOS devices are not completely secure from mobile threats.

The threats posed by mobile malware are many. Mobile malware payloads can include a phone being bombarded with unwanted and often non-kid friendly (suggestive) advertisements; gaining access to your personal email; enabling your phone camera; logging banking and credit card information; tracking and reporting your GPS location; stealing your contacts, numbers and texts; or locking you out of your device.

Honestly, with all the potential

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PROTECTED WITH PURPOSE

nastiness out there, I may need to reconsider the whole allowing a ‘tween his own phone. Some days I wish I weren’t handcuffed to mine!

Earlier this year, I wrote of new emerging malware designed to mine crypto-currency. In these cases the secret mining of cryptocurrency (a term called cryptojacking) was mainly performed on Windows systems through a means called In-Browser

Crypto-Jacking. The technique has since cross-platformed on to the Linux side of things as well! More recently, I have seen just has many variations of malware written to perform these same exact attacks on the mobile side of things. Let’s take for example the Monera Malware written for the Android platform. For starters, the Monero-mining app’s icon looks identical to the Google Play

Store Update app. When downloaded and permission granted, the app hides itself and starts mining Monero in the background. In addition, prior to performing any activities on the device, the malware will use antiemulation to bypass detection and automated analysis techniques (i.e., Anti-Virus lab), and if so, it will not perform its malicious duties. The mining process is extremely rough on the device, which will eventually

With the introduction of cryptojacking (and the idea of using someone else’s system to generate large sums of digital cash) this technique of infection quickly became the ultimate cash cow. cause the device to fail.

The reason for the increase in mining apps is easy to understand.

Until recently ransomware was the preferred method of infection, as the financial return on investment was the greatest. However, with the introduction of cryptojacking, and the idea of using someone else’s system to generate large sums of digital cash, this technique of infection quickly became the ultimate cash cow. What’s more—and by design—ransomware infections are short-lived, while mining malware can reside on a system or device for weeks if not months and go undetected or until the device gives out.

The bottom line is that the amount of mining malware out there is surging, and I don’t expect it to subside anytime soon. These types MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

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PROTECTED WITH PURPOSE

of mobile malware exploit and make excessive use of a device’s resources.

Whether Windows or Mac, or on a mobile device, here are few signs your device may have gotten compromised by mining malware: 1. Your device is experiencing unexpected over-heating.

2. Your device battery is continually draining.

3. You notice increased of CPU and RAM Usage.

4. Your system is suffering poor performance.

5. Your device fails.

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Here are also a few steps I recommend for keeping your mobile devices safe from mining malware and other mobile cyber-attacks.

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1. Lock your device (always use your password or PIN or Biometrics).

2. A lways keep the setting ‘Unknown Sources’ disabled.

3. Avoid downloading apps from third party app stores.

4. B e extremely wary of text messages or links within emails.

5. V erify app permissions before installing (even from Google Play, App Store).

6. D o your research on apps you’re

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Advent Preparation Guide

looking to download (check app developer’s name, verify developer’s website, read through reviews, download counts, etc.).

7. Keep your device OS up-to-date.

8. Limit yourself to only those apps that are really needed.

9. Install strong mobile security software.

Failure to take today’s mobile threats seriously can have dire consequences, and that is why

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understanding these complex and malicious dangers is important for all of us to grasp and to communicate with our children (and even your parents, friends and neighbors). And the truth is, many of us may not truly understand these things, but we can become vigilant and proactive about them. We can utilize caution, common sense and restraint when using our devices and acquiring new apps. Downloading our next

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PROTECTED WITH PURPOSE app can be like sin, seemingly quick and painless, but the ramifications can ripple and even create a big negative splash in our lives. I strongly recommend that you take an analysis of the devices in your home, and in light of the information shared here— consider their behavior and assess if they are functioning normally, or if they show signs of distress.

I will take my own advice and make sure to follow-up with my son to see if our initial conversation about safety and limitations is still being applied in his daily mobile activities. I know that we have strayed from the usage parameters that were originally set (he is always on that device!), but I will not waiver on the security guidelines that were established, as the ramifications could cost all of us.

At the risk of sounding like my grandfather, I dare say that mobile devices have become a bit of a necessary evil. Yes, I am a techie and

I delight in the latest technologies.

And yes, I am a nerd, as I delight in the intricacies of threads of malware/ ransomware and in deciphering how to stop them in their tracks. But I also see the technological writing on the wall, and how our devices are often eating us up: devouring our time and energy and draining not only their batteries, but they are draining us.

Be wary, young grasshoppers. As I repeatedly tell my son: Don’t get too engaged in that device. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) MT Steven Sundermeier is the owner of Thirtyseven4, LLC, a leading provider of antivirus/ security software. With 17 years of experience in the cybersecurity field, he is one of the nation’s leading experts in virus, malware and other threats. Before founding Thirtyseven4 in 2009, Steven worked in a number of roles in the antivirus industry dating back to 1999.

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

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how to record your worship team Everything You Need to Know From Demo to Master

by Mike O'Brien

I

• Tell the story of our amazing outreach program through a four-song EP entitled “Send Us Out.” Proceeds will go to our missionaries. $3500 budget. Due date March 2016.

STEP ONE: Get Vision

STEP TWO: Songwriting

n the last 20 years I’ve helped many local churches produce their own worship albums—you can do it, too!

Here is what I recommend in order to get started:

What would you like to accomplish with the recording project? Can you picture a CD release party where you celebrate the songs together? Do you want a small three- to four-song EP or a more complex 10+ song product? What is your budget? Who do you want to develop through this process? Do you want to hire some “pros” to inspire the rest of the team? What is the time frame?

Some sample Vision/Goals: • Record a four-song EP in the summer of 2016 for January 2017 release using a mix of professional musicians and local church musicians. The professionals will inspire our locals as an additional bonus. Budget is $4500.

• Create a 10-song CD project with songs from the “Fiery Love” sermon series. Track five original and five cover songs using all local church talent. $8300 budget. Use all local worship team, but hire a producer/engineer. Release May 2016.

• Record a Christmas EP in July 2016 for December 2016 release. Four to five songs. Theme is “The Gift of Jesus.”

Budget is $2500. Digital release only.

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

If you already have several songwriters in the church, a deadline for recording will be a great excuse for new material. There is nothing like a goal to rally the creative spirit! In today’s creative culture, “collaboration is king” and it makes sense that we should work together to craft worship songs for our unique churches. Many large worship movements like Passion, Bethel and Jesus Culture write songs for their church this way. Book a getaway for

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As image bearers of God we are commanded to make new things. Psalm 40:3 exclaims, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” Songs birthed and shared within your local context can be incredibly exciting.

one to three nights and commit to several writing sessions in groups of two to three throughout a few days.

Alert the pastor and elders to pray for the writers as they go.

• Start, continue and end everything with prayer. Ask God for favor, ideas and wisdom.

• Encourage everyone to arrive with verse/chorus ideas ready to contribute.

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• Capture all your ideas on a smart phone, share them immediately with one another so everyone can listen and make tweaks.

• Write and rewrite until you have solid songs. Some of the most incredible songs have been rewritten DOZENS of times over several years!

• Involve both seasoned writers and some others that will benefit from the experience of just watching.

• Consider bringing in an outside writer that will inspire.

STEP THREE: Pre-Production Commit the best songs from the songwriting sessions to a “demo.”

Basically, get one or two instruments (usually a guitar and/or piano) and sing the song with a metronome to establish the tempo. Lay out a good arrangement on paper and add any licks or musical ideas on the demo you think might work for the final product. Send these demos to everyone that will be recording so they can play along and prepare their part. It’s helpful to leave out vocal harmonies or too much production so musicians can create their own additions. Practice the songs with the full band as much as possible before you go into the studio.

Listen to industry standard songs you like and find inspiration for drum ideas and vocal lines. Change the key.

Find the right singer. Tweak lyrics and chords. Listen to a DEMO of “I Love Your Mercy” by Miami Vineyard. Now listen to the FINAL PRODUCT. As you can see, the demo leaves lots of room for musicians to make it their own, and many things can change.

STEP FOUR: Recording Find a great studio and record the drums, bass and “scratch” tracks.

Focus on drums and bass, but you

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iTunes, Amazon and Spotify etc.…

From there you can choose to order physical product from a company like Discmakers (for CDs) or Dropcards (for credit card like download cards).

WHAT SHOULD THIS COST?

can have other musicians play along to inspire the basic tracks. Once everything is set up (which can take several hours FYI) take time to record each song several times. Listen back. Record again until you reach consensus that it’s the best take.

Countless variables can affect the budget, but I find that I spend anywhere from $500-$1500 a song for a good recording. That includes start to finish—all the way to a shrink-wrapped copy of the CD. This is simply a rough

estimate and will vary depending on which studio/producer you hire. MT Mike O'Brien holds a B.A. in Music from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.

He has worked as a producer, engineer and mixer at Lucko Sound Studio, and with a collective of 25+ musicians called Poured Out Like Wine. Together, they produced seven albums with over 15 published songs with Vineyard Worship USA. He lives in Atlanta GA with his wife, Susan, and son, Ezekiel. You can reach Mike at vineband@hotmail.com.

STEP FIVE: Overdubs During this process you will overlay all the guitars, pianos, keyboards, pads, horns, etc. on top of those basic tracks.

Record the vocals.

STEP SIX: Editing and Mixing Editing is the process of cleaning up the tracks, tuning and aligning vocals, drums, etc. Mixing is where you add the EQ, compression and automation to the instruments and voices to make it sound like a record! You can use the same studio you recorded in or hire an outside ear to do the mix.

STEP SEVEN: Mastering, Duplication and Distribution Mastering is the final part of perfecting the audio. Usually you send your mixed songs to another facility.

Each song is adjusted so it fits well together. The mastering engineer makes the volume compatible for iTunes, car stereos and ear bud listening. There is tons of science to this process. Expect to pay $10-15 per recorded minute.

Once you have the audio master files, you then upload the artwork and audio to a one-stop company like CDBaby who will send the songs to MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

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ADVERTORIAL

Transform visitors into members!

Four Keys to Sustainable Growth

G

rowing membership is a top priority for many faith communities. However, faith community leaders know all too well that becoming a member doesn’t always mean long-term commitment—or even active involvement in the faith community.

Perhaps the answer to cultivating a more engaged congregation lies in focusing on more than just member counts. Rushing visitors along to membership does little more than leave faith communities with reluctant newcomers or worse yet, empty seats. Regardless of membership status, there’s a big difference between being a passive worship attendee and being a dynamic, thriving member.

The process of moving your faith community visitors and members from “passive” to “active” is known as “assimilation.”

This is a major objective for faith communities and one that takes far more effort than simple visitor outreach.

Assimilation is more than just one strategy. It’s a process that takes time. Think of assimilation as a mindset toward growing your faith community family—an ongoing cycle of turning visitors into members and promoting the spiritual growth of all believers.

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

The assimilation process can be divided into four steps, each designed to go beyond merely drawing in new believers, but also showing them how they are cherished and valued.

Beyond merely drawing in new believers, show them how they are cherished and valued.

STEP ONE - Invitation Before a faith community can begin to assimilate members, it must get them through the doors. Faith communities can do this with informative, welcoming signage, in-person and social media outreach, and invitations asking members to “bring a friend.” Have greeters ready at services to receive visitors and answer questions.

Be sure to collect contact information for firsttime visitors, including phone numbers and email addresses, family members’ names, and birthdays and anniversaries. Consider offering a small gift or “welcome packet” that to help visitors learn more about your faith community when they return home. Survey your

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ADVERTORIAL most involved new members. Ask them their initial impressions of your faith community and what prompted them to join. This may provide insight into how your faith community is perceived, and it will help you learn what’s working and where you may need to refine your communication.

STEP TWO - Connection Once visitors gain a first impression of your group as a warm, caring community, you’ll want to make good on that promise by starting to build relationships.

Many pastors do this by setting aside a moment during or after a service for congregants to greet their neighbors and introduce themselves to new faces.

Returning visitors may appreciate being paired with “prayer partners”—members with whom visitors can share concerns, ask questions and reflect on weekly sermons.

The more meaningful the bonds that visitors form with established members, the more reasons they’ll have to return.

This is also the stage at which faith communities may want to implement a communications plan. Phone calls, emails or text messages keep visitors engaged from one week to the next. Some faith communities may have the resources to make phone calls or write notes individually. However, many rely on automated messaging systems to reach out.

STEP THREE - Participation After spending some time getting to know your faith community, visitors may be ready to get more involved.

This could mean becoming a member—or simply joining a class or a choral group. Resist the urge to pressure visitors into membership before they’re ready. Instead, let each visitor draw closer to your faith community at his or her own pace.

If a visitor does decide to become a member, be clear about your faith community’s expectations for membership. Be MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

sure that new members understand basics, such as: What is our doctrine—what do we believe? How often am I expected to attend worship? How else can I contribute (tithing, time, service)? What can I do to grow in faith?

Establishing clear guidelines for what it means to be a member of your faith family helps ensure that those who do choose to join are truly dedicated—and become engaged, involved members.

STEP FOUR - Contribution Faith communities may eventually ask visitors who have transitioned into full members to take on more responsibility. For example, they might ask new members to chair a committee, teach a class or help organize a mission trip. A crucial part of building engagement is helping members see that their involvement matters. As they take on new leadership roles, they discover that their assigned programs and events truly can’t run without them. Serving as a greeter at services is an excellent job for new members. It gives them the opportunity to meet fellow congregants and share the joy of their new faith community home with first-timers. In this way, new members become a fruitful source of yet more engaged visitors and members—bringing the cycle of assimilation full circle.

The time required to move through the assimilation cycle will be different for every new member. Some may be ready to dive right in to life in your faith community, while others may need more encouragement or choose a slower pace. Remember: We should practice patience and understanding.

Do’s and Don’ts DO’S • DO have clear, prominent, welcoming signage.

• DO strategically place greeters throughout your building, parking area and walkways.

• DO personally greet every visitor.

• DO make sure greeters are friendly and knowledgeable about the faith community, the building and ministries offered.

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• DO follow-up with visitors within 2-3 days.

• DO have a welcome packet for visitors with information on groups/ministries, volunteer opportunities, next steps etc.

• DO collect contact information including information about interests and preferred method of communication.

• DO have well-identified ushers who know where classrooms and restrooms are located.

• DO learn people’s names and remember them.

• DO make a good impression—make sure website is up-to-date and facilities are clean.

• DO learn more about visitors’ interests and where they are in their spiritual journey.

• DO personalize event/group recommendations: Match visitor interests with what your faith community offers.

•D O help visitors make new connections: Introduce visitors to regular members.

DON’TS • DON’T be pushy—Let visitors join at their pace not yours. Remember, in most cases, visitors initiated a relationship with you and your congregation.

•D ON’T introduce first-time visitors during service. This may be intimidating to some, and many people don’t enjoy being “in the spotlight.”

•D ON’T assume that one welcoming or communication method fits every visitor.

•D ON’T automatically join visitors to your members mailing, emailing or call list.

•D ON’T use “insider language” when talking to visitors. This creates unnecessary barriers.

•D ON’T be sloppy: Make sure that sermons, presentations and lighting are well planned and organized.

(Learn how the One Call Now Notification Solution for Faith Communities can help you implement the right assimilation strategy for your unique congregation. Visit www. onecallnow.com today for pricing and to start your FREE Trial!). MT

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tech check

11.18

shake it like a polaroid picture...

We’re not sure if shaking it is still a requirement, but analog photography has made a big comeback, especially when it comes to “instant” cameras.

From weddings to showers to small group get-togethers, people are in love with the idea of point, shoot and walk away with a printed photograph.

So is this high-tech or retrotech? Whatever it is, Wired.com has 2018’s definitive guide to instant cameras and the (very price) instant film.

Take a look at your church calendar with an eye to which events could use an injection of serendipity and fun. Instant cameras may be just the solution to sprucing up tired old events. n

affiliate links–for your ministry Nearly everyone in your church buys products online. Did you know there’s a way to divert a small slice of their purchase to your ministry?

There are plenty of retailers (brick-and-mortar or cyber) who will give money to your church based on select purchases?

Some are robust (like Kroger) and some are modest (like Amazon), but by taking the time to enroll your ministry with these retailers you can find new sources of funding. Few organizations ever get rich from affiliate links, but you can help cover operational costs by pointing people toward preferred retailers. One example: If your small group ministry sponsors a book club, you have an opportunity to point your people toward an easy place to buy and also receive money back from the seller. Why not ask a volunteer to research what’s available in your state or city?

n

STUDIO IN A BOX? Music production and recording has gone digital, and that means even smaller churches can contribute their creativity in worship, capable of impacting the church at large.

Pipes is a musical black box, a new category of machine for creating music and performing live. It bills itself as the “ultimate music performance machine for studio and stage . . . a new audio platform which out-horsepowers a laptop, outperforms any sample player, and is built to get even better over time.”

Creator Vince DeFranco of Synethesia Corp has launched a Kickstarter campaign (tons of detail on this page so be sure to scroll down for all the technical specs) and a YouTube video that gives the full vision. The bottom line is that even modest settings can produce big sounds—and share them with the world! n

EDITOR’S NOTE: Who can possibly keep up with all the tech options available these days? TECH CHECK highlights tech news and new gadgets that save you time, energy, money—and keep you from re-inventing the wheel. Have a hot tech tip or news item?

Email rhollenbach@outreach.com.

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

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Thankful, yes: but where's the joy?

Look beyond the thanksgiving to eternal joy

by Jonathan Smith

T

his time of year, we tend to focus on thankfulness, and for good reason. November is when we celebrate Thanksgiving. Our gratitude should then spill over into the December season of giving and rejoicing as we celebrate our Savior’s birth. Sometimes though we leave out a key component of thankfulness: joy.

It is easy to be thankful without any joy. Most would say they are thankful to live in a free nation like ours, but are quick to complain about our government and elected officials.

Joyful thankfulness is grateful, but also content with the blessings and will of the Lord—even when we don’t get our way.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due

MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

It’s no accident our calendars have us celebrating Thanksgiving before Christmas. time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Part of doing good is doing it with joyful thankfulness. Oftentimes we grow weary. Things at work are hard. Ministry is difficult. Our boss is unreasonable. Our children are challenging. Our candidate didn’t win.

Our health isn’t good. Our schedule is crazy. Hard times abound.

The Bible talks a lot about thankfulness, it also talks a lot about why we should be thankful.

What He Did I don’t think it is an accident our calendars have us celebrating Thanksgiving before Christmas. If you focus on what Jesus went through so we could have eternal life, you’ll find it hard to be joylessly unthankful. Jesus left the Father, came to earth as a man, died and rose again all for us. On our worst day, none of us are facing that.

Focusing on what He did for you will help you focus on the right thing, with thankfulness and joy.

He’s on the Throne We often lose sight that God is in charge of everything. That means the bad day you are having was designed

by God for your benefit and His glory. It is not a random occurrence but rather a divine appointment

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orchestrated by the King of kings.

Are you focused on learning what God wants you to learn and are you grateful for the opportunity, or are you wallowing in your own despair?

God has numbered the hairs on your head—granted for me it isn’t many— but if He can keep track of the many or the few then I can be thankful for the situation He ordains for me. Doing what the King wants should bring joy whether easy or hard.

will you do when your family gathers to argue politics while looking at their screens? How will you encourage those around you to not only be thankful, but to have a thankful spirit laced with joy?

It is good for us to focus on thankfulness this month. Let us also

focus on being joyfully thankful all year long. MT Jonathan Smith is the Director of Technology at Faith Ministries in Lafayette, IN. You can reach Jonathan at jsmith@faithlafayette.org and follow him on Twitter @JonathanESmith.

Keep Eternity in Mind While we may be caught up in the here and now, we should remember that the here and now is nothing compared to eternity. The job you are not thankful for or the situation that robs you of your job is temporary, and won’t last. How you respond to that situation will last. As God gives you opportunities to show thankfulness to Him, and to others, do you take it with eternity in mind or is the traffic jam you are stuck in or the computer that won’t boot zapping your joy because you are focused on the temporal and not the eternal?

My encouragement for all of us, no matter our role in ministry, is to work hard at being joyfully thankful. Start thinking now about how you will show joyful thankfulness this holiday season if the turkey is too dry or no one made your favorite dessert. What MinistryTech.com NOVEMBER 2018

By MinistryTech Contributor and National Speaker

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THE LAST WORD

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD,

FOR HE IS GOOD; FOR HIS LOVING KINDNESS

IS EVERLASTING. PSALM 118:1