Ministry Innovation Awards
FE D E
@ F ith
The Church of YouTube They’re bigger than you think
Be the Church
T
own Square. Throughout history,
it’s the one place where ideas and people meet. It’s where solutions
tackle problems with innovation and boldness. That’s what you do as a
creative Christian. That’s what we do as a community of believers. Welcome to Faith FEED. Welcome to Christianity’s Town Square.
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Seeing YouTube for the evangelical tool it really is?
51
Why Kent Hams event earned him a MIM
32
Editors Feed
K
founded. We wanted to curate, create and concentrate all of eeping your mind on God
the world’s most creative
isn’t as simple as it used to be.
Christian content into one feed.
Think for a moment, just 10
Because let’s face it, in a world
years ago, there was no
where BILLIONS of none
Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or
Christian material is circulated
YouTube. All four are social
daily, only the truly creative will
media giants that changed how
stand out. And to proceed upon
we connect. Now, millions of
that mission, of highlighting
post, tweets and videos are
faith and innovation, we
shared every minute. And most
developed the, ‘Ministry
of it has little to anything to do
Innovation Awards’ [which
with our LORD and savior
we’ve come to call MIM here at
Jesus Christ, His system of
the office], rewarding the
values or proposed way of life.
creative Christianity we
That is why Faith FEED was
realized is needed in a world
faith person aching to see of so many voices screaming
some innovation, look no
for attention [p22].
further, we’ve never faulted on
Whenever innovation comes into a thing, be it family,
our mission. You’re welcome.
business or ministry, that particular thing moves forward. Think about the invention of the wheel, or computer. Creativity and innovation surges people ahead, and likewise, its creative Christians like you, our reader, that’s going to be the standout today and into the future. So whether you’re a Christian business leader, blogger or
-Linda
Building
Digital
the
Church
Why you should develop an evangelical presence online
What’s the problem your ministry solves?
Build a web presence around solving that problem?
Get active online solving it with your team
H
ow do we build a church, that really
doesn’t have to be built at all? Oh you know what I mean. How do we establish a ministry that exists solely online, while still having the sort of in depth impact that a brick and mortar ministry can establish? There was a time where, the only thing a website couldn’t do for you was provide face to face interaction. But now that has changed. People can talk face to face, chat, and interact just as they do in real life online.
At least not at the level we should be. Secularism reigns, with anti-God topics populating platforms like Redditt, Facebook and YouTube. your
To ignore web presence is to ignore your ministry’s capacity
Sure, everyone has a voice, my concern is that the church, you and I, isn’t the centerpiece it once
was. My concern is that thousands With the exception of actual touch, the connectivity the internet and software has provided, allows Gods word to reach more and more people, change more and more lives, and allow others to live the full life He intended. But there’s only one problem,-we’re not accomplishing that.
upon thousands of young people, gen x and y, won’t learn the ways of Christ, and lose something they’ll never know they’re missing. Christendom No More While America is a post Christian society, it once had a very Christian [though not perfect] foundation. That is why everything today, in a sense, revolves around church.
When a child is born, he’s christened at church
I’m finding, more and more, the answer is no. Though there are plenty of
When someone gets baptized, it’s done at church
Christian sites and systems to log onto, secularism, belief without God, has risen as an
When you give to Christian causes, it done at church.
authority! People today aren’t
When you marry, it’s done at church
thinking, “What’s Gods Word
Even when you die, they roll your body to the church This was once our cultures
say about this?” they now think, “Is this a good or smart thing to do?” whether or not it’s biblically consistent.
effort to centralize Christ in all
The New Design
they did. But when over
Here’s the thing, the
2,000,000,000 are online
church, as we know it,
,church, notthe theonline offline one, every day,
isn’t really online.
still matters. So offline now the church, not the one, question becomes,- are qquestionquestions
Where’s
people keeping becomes,are Christian people
Christianity’s
values theoffline centerone, keeping notatthe innovative
of their internet lives? every day, the
online church, not the offline one,
presence online?
We really haven’t logged on our convictions, values
and rationale. In person, we’re
generations didn’t have a
great at witnessing to others,
Facebook, Google+ and
walking the walk and for the
YouTube on which to
most part, behaving within the
represent. So Generations x
framework of expectations.
and y just didn’t do it.
However, because gen x and y
sum total of believers living
Christian groups
their values shamelessly
must treat their web properties like churches.
The digital church is the
online, and while that might sound fanatical, I’m convinced it’s quite the opposite. We’re not to lash out bible verses during every tweet, post and
is now the dominant online force, a generation whose unfamiliar with the older tenets of Christendom, the transition didn’t take. Nobody told them how to live for Christ on the
weblog. The biggest need is for the following constructs to represent Gods body throughout the web: Digital Christians, - Simply put, we
need regular believers, who have
digital landscape, well,
regular interactions about regular
because nobody knew. Older
things. Their goal isn’t to
generations didn’t have a
evangelize, but, like everyone
Facebook, Google+ and
else, they just want to connect and
YouTube on which to
meet new people. This is hard for
else, they just want to connect
our representatives don’t know
and meet new people. This is
how to explain things rationally.
hard for most evangelicals to
Basic questions like, “Where is
grasp because they believe in
God?” and “How did we get
being either hot or cold. Always
here if not by evolution?”
about the bible or always
shouldn’t be answered
secular. However, you won’t
unapologetically. We need
get real opportunities to pierce
seasoned believers who know
the hearts of others, unless you
how to explain their faith with
agree on common ground,
practicality to do that.
discuss mutual concerns and overall, are comfortable with
Innovative Christians, - These are
both spiritual and natural
our leaders. They are the Christians
subject matter.
who understand programming, design or just know how to think
Apologetic Christians, - Too
many Christians don’t know how to debate and defend their beliefs from a position of rationale and logic, also known as apologetics. This explains much of the atheist complaints about Christian values, since there representatives don’t know how to explain things rationally.
outside the box enough to be truly creative. They’re finding new ways to apply the same ol bible, fresh insights into the same ol passages. They’re what we like to call, Christian Creatives. And the demand is becoming higher and higher for them in this lost and dying world.
The Facebook Evangelist With over 1,350,00,000 users, Facebook is filled with many voices, however, only few are standing out as the solution to the world’s biggest pain.
I
ts 11 P.M. in Detroit
Michigan. Justin Coppegdge is preparing to preach, but not at any church, on Facebook.
I don’t see any rational reason for accepting Jesus or even believing in God. Can you tell me?
J
ustin’s Facebook group,
‘Intellectual Christian’ is home to thousands of believers and atheists who want to hear a
Atheist: If God is real, why doesn’t he just wink his eye and end all of the suffering? Justin: Because God has given us freewill and power to do it ourselves
reason for God, not sermons. “That’s our specialty, to join,
Secular companies and
you have to be seasoned in
atheist organizations already
apologetics, an atheist willing
know about this, the power of
to debate apologetics or a
social media [SM]. It’s not so
Christian who will be respectful
much the power of SM as
of our dialogue and debates”
much as it is the power of
Every Friday they do just that.
interaction, namely, interactive
A hashtag hangout where the
learning. People don’t just want
battle is on.
to read a book anymore. They want to interact with experts on the matter” Justin pleas.
Thursday-Polls for who amongst all of the rebuttals are worthy for a one on one Facebook debate.
Justin’s group, ‘Intellectual Christian’ divides the agenda up like this: Monday,- Rationale Day, during which only his group moderators will put forth rationale explanations for God, the bible and its teachings.
Fri-Allow the two winners to debate the topic while others listen in but are unable to comment.
“This is Jesus” Justin tells our editors. “This is how he taught. It
Tue-Wednesday,allows remarks, responses and rebuttals.
He
wasn’t’ a one way thing. Everybody, even the unbelievers had a voice with him and still do. With Jesus
Unanswered questions turn into doubt. The internet, especially Facebook, is filled with it.
Like Jesus, how many pastors are doing Q&A’s today?
Those are the areas where doubt lives. How can Gods way be true when He’s left us no way to do it? My Facebook group, gets in there, answers
everyone was learning in real time.
questions and builds real
They were witnessing mental eyes
relationships you know. We
being opened. Just like at all of the
make real time, talent and
Q&A’s in scripture. How much of that
treasure investments into
are pastors doing today”
people who are hurting and for the most part, rejected by the
Internet’s the New Grey
modern church. “ Coppegdge believes the
Justin agrees that the real
biggest hurts are no longer at
messes in life and ministry aren’t in
church. “That’s what the book
the black and white zone, it’s in the
[Nobody Wants to Go to
grey areas. “Nobody’s going to tell
Church Anymore] is saying. But
their pastor that they have to
here’s the good news, the
fornicate and sell drugs or else their
building, was never the church
girlfriend will kick them out, with
to begin with. “
nowhere to stay.
Justin retires from a day online with a conference call of
real conversations about God
his group’s chieftains. “We
and the ailments of His people.
always chat for fifteen to thirty
We see ourselves as his
minutes a week about where
conduit.
we want the group to go, say
More and more, people
and do. It’s sort of a vision
are looking to the church, not
refresher. I’ll never forget the
the building, to clean up life’s
day I was posting and some
real messes. And that often
guy asked me, “Give me a
take places online.
rationale viewpoint of God, and I’ll believe.” That’s what we’re there for. The debates are just an opener. We’re there to have
How many of your “friends” on Facebook, truly know Jesus?
W
e searched far and wide,
from websites to museums all to find Christianity’s most innovative. And here it is, our 2015 Ministry Innovation Awards!
Ministry Innovation
Awards
15
Rachel Evans Youth Category
H
er Twitter profile says,
“blogger, speaker, doubt-filled believer.” But we all know it doesn’t do her justice. She shook the world creatively with her raving comments about failed youth outreach attempts in 2012 but has continued to produce books, blogs and beyond to assist leaders in that arena.
Rachel wants to return her generation to the true sacraments of faith.
We want to be known for what we stand for, not what we are against.
Moss is known for answering tough academic questions such as, “What was Jesus real name?” or “What is hell for?” in the public eye?
Candida R. Moss Academic Category
I
f she’s not out exposing the
destruction of Jonah’s tomb or discussing Christians in Iraq, Moss specializes in the study of martyrdom in the early church and has appeared on CNN and in the Wall Street Journal representing Christ values with freshness and clarity.
Tina Campbell R&B Category
T
hough her sister’s the one
with the new solo career, we have to show our love for Tina’s transparency during her husband’s affair. This year, she is rumored to put it all on an up and coming album in addition to a memoir of sorts explaining just how God brought her and her husband through to a happier marriage in spite of it.
Endured affair
Develops album
Writes book
Impacts others
KB Hip Hop Category
A
I'm a globetrotter, its easy/ No lie boy y'all got me messed up/ Not Buddha, Muhammad and I dang sure ain’t Yeezus/ part of the infamous
116 click, we had to recognize KB’s innovation, particularly in songs like, “Undefeated” where he raps from Gods perspective.
Ken Ham Leadership Category
P
erhaps one of the
most memorable moments in 2014 is the day Ken Ham stood up to atheist Bill Nye, in an all out debate drawing millions of viewers.
Creatively, he opened millions of eyes in introducing candid truths and fresh perspectives on creation, evolution and God.
Elevation Church Church Category
O
n a stage full of happy,
sad and straight emoticon faces in full color, pastor Steve Furtick deals with how to take control of your moods, before they take
Emotions before they take control of you.
That not enough? Then check out his church’s over 10 locations, or have a sit down with Larry Habatka, the “creative pastor” and find out the ministry’s up and coming direction. Either way, we had to highlight their work.
1 Minute Apologist YouTube Category
I
f there’s one thing we say the
We know you have a hard time
body of Christ and the world needs
explaining these things to the kids
more of is a rational understanding of
[and who are we kidding, the
God. Enter, the 1 Minute Apologist,
adults too.] Have no fear, simply
who’s answered this problem in less
put on one of the 1 Minute
than one minute! His ministry on
Apologists’ playlists on the world’s
YouTube tackles tough issues such
biggest video sharing network,
as, ‘Can Christians Lose Salvation’
and let em rip!
and ‘the Church’s Approach to Abortion’.
Discussing ‘World Religion or a Cult?’ with Richard G Howe
Explaining the proof of Jesus’s resurrection
THOM & JOANI SCHULTZ Author Category
F
earless Conversation, let’s
be honest, how often are you having that at your local church? Your answer to that question, according to Thom and Joani Schultz, will determine the fate of
Anymore’ In short, we need more of Fearless Conversations Radical Hospitality Genuine Humility
your church’s attendance. In their new book, website and ministry launch, Thom and Joani confront the things today’s churches are doing wrong in ‘Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church
Divine Anticipation What an innovative suggestion. Well worthy of recognition.
Matt and Michelle Brown Online Category
R
adio, blogging and
Eternity’ has managed to
social media, nobody told reach 40,000+ souls for Matt and Michelle that
our LORD and savior
you have to be on t.v or
without any such means.
even have a church to make an impact for Christ. Their online ministry called, ‘Think
Catalyst Events Award
C
atalyst is our type of
and invite speakers
conference in their own
from all walks of
Church to break the
Creativity’ and
words “We’re challenging ministry.” With lessons like, ‘Refuel Your leaders who love the bounds of an ordinary existence and find the courage to embrace and radiate bold change.” They have setups all around the world
speakers such as Tyler Stanton, we deemed their entire ministry [DVD’s, articles, webcast etc.] worthy of double honor.
Faith Launcher Company Award
A
nd who do Christian
All raising hundreds of
themed businesses go to
thousands of dollars from
when seeking funding for a
hundreds of Christian
startup, not Kickstarter or
creatives each day.
Rocket Hub, its ‘Faith
Faith Launcher has
Launcher’ where Christian
categories for food,
crowdfund investors dwell!
literature, movies and
What gets funded? Movies, ministry amongst other like, ’50 Questions Single things. Parents are Asking’ to music such as, ‘Songs from the Heart’ by Katie.
And if that’s not enough, you can visit their blog with hundreds of topics surrounding faith, business and creativity to sharpen your edge.
What he’s trying to do more than anything else, is bring Christian disruption to politics.
“I
n the tech context we
the 2015 conservative
know about disruptive
political action convention
apps, they come in and
[CPAC]. His theory? That
change how a good or
he and his grass roots
service is mass distributed
army will return America
and encounters the
back to its roots of
incumbent procedures
Christian values. “The
fighting back viciously. So
Word says we’ll know them
when Uber or lyft comes
by their fruits’ if someone
into a city, the former
tells you they’re against
companies do everything
abortion, great, when have
they can to kill it” says
they stood up and fought
senator Cruz at
against it? Someone tells you they’re against over regulation, great, when have they stood up and fought against it? He proclaims at the meeting. But is this the kind of change that believers are
Washington no longer stands for. “America is in great jeopardy, and we are met here today on a great battlefield” he says launching his, the finalizing speech, at the CPAC convention.
looking for? We all know republicans that have stood up
At Liberty University, he
against democrats, but,
imagines with 1,000s of young
according to Cruz, he’s
students a world where their
prepared to stand up against
values as Christians are front
republicans, on behalf of
and center and not attacked as
Christian values. “The biggest
he believes the Obama
divide in America isn’t between
administration has done. Cruz
republicans and democrats, it’s
goes as far as to point out how
between Washington and the
Washington attacks Christian
American people.” Ted
groups like Hobby Lobby on a
explains. To him, Americans are
regular basis.
yearning for the values upon
However, one of our
which this country was built,
biggest concerns is that
values that honor God, liberty
whoever takes office in 2016, is
and the pursuit of happiness.
likely to be
Values that he believes
appointing the new federal
So yes Senator Ted
judges, as the ones the
Cruz is running for
U.S. currently has are ripe
president and is the first to
for retirement and has
announce his 2016
served long terms. You
campaign, but, whether or
may know from scripture
not he can hold the high
that God deals with the
torch of implementing real
power of good judges over
Christian values is yet to
a nation, “And I will restore
be seen.
your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning; afterward you shall be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.� [1:26]
The Church Of
It has 1,000,000,000
attendants, watching 4,000,000,000 videos a month
When will Christians see it for what it really is?
Online AwardWhy leaders wanting to advance Gods kingdom, without YouTube will be tying Gods hand.
A
ready, give, volunteer and take whatever the pastor feels God is telling him to tell you. But the Church of YouTube comes to you. It revolves around your schedule, in lieu of asking you to revolve around it. It can be played at your church or in your car. It can integrate with your website or
re you coming? It has
more members than Joel Osteen, Billy Graham and T.D. Jakes COMBINED! Its open, not only on Sunday, but Monday through Fridays, at all hours of the day, and into the wee hours of the night. You’ve rode passed it a few times
present like a movie on your TV monitor. Its logic, leaders who want to advance Gods kingdom without using YouTube, will be tying Gods hands. It turns out that the number of
I’m sure, but never quite gave it
videos uploaded has doubled over
much thought. I’m talking the
the past year and now stands at 48
Church of YouTube, where
hours of video posted every single
MILLIONS of Christians are
minute. Additionally, YouTube
members, but very few realize it as
noted that the weekend of May
such.
21st 2014 saw YouTube's daily Church is very demanding.
You have to get up early, drive, stay up late getting
views hit their highest number ever, over 3 billion views per day. Are Christian values the predominant force being displayed there? The answer is a resounding, “No”. But we are there, at least.
there? The answer is a
Groeschel or Kenny Luck. It’s like
resounding, “No”. But we are
I’m around others who believe
there, at least. So the paradigm has shifted, from leaders, to movements themselves. “It’s not that those groups don’t already exist, they’re just looking for someone to come
what I believe. I can chat, post and even vote on whether or not I like the material. It’s hard to get that at church.” The leaders we need in the
in and lead them.” According to
body of Christ moving forward are
Seth Godin, in his comments
going to start here, not use it to
about, ‘Tribes’ or people centered around specific values. Look at it this way, people are looking for answers, and, believers like you and I have to position Christ as the answer he
accentuate what they’re doing. They’re going to be starting with a strong web presence, which, more than likely includes a quality YouTube page. But more
really is. That’s what they want.
especially, it won’t be built around
That’s what we’re to use every
themselves or their denomination,
platform, especially YouTube to
it will be built around their cause.
accomplish. Just ask London Weigh, 3 year subscriber to
Google+ Search
several Christian YouTube
and Groups
channels, “I’m in the congregation with them when watching. Listening to Rick Warren, Craig Gorcshchel or Kenny Luck. Its like I’m around others who believe
Since YouTube is owned by Google it’s easy to integrate into Continued on page 57
Billions are assembling as Christians on YouTube, are you present?
1,000,000 mobile video views daily 100 hours uploaded per minute 6,000,000,000 hours watched per month
Continued from page 54 Google+ groups and communities.
Having developed it online,
This is huge for believers looking to
she’s now working on the site
grow. “I get a chance to minister,
that houses it all, though she
even though I’m not a pastor.” says
admits to getting plenty of
Quest Johnson. “I’m not trying to be
requests from her home church
one either but I get a high knowing
to do a seminar, luncheon or
that I’ve changed someone’s life
conference. “I think it’s going this
from the comfort of my own home.”
way. The new ministry starts will
he explains. Not only that, in our
be built online. They’ll be
talks Quest immediately notes that
brought to church”. We’re sure
his material is well linked to Google
Google’s system, which includes
search, causing more traffic to his
YouTube, is a mega part of that.
pages and more friends to his list. “You have to keep it good though. If
Ideas to Getting
it’s weak nobody will show up”.
Started
The pain of not having a need met at church, should be taken out
In the true spirit of Faith
creatively online. No, not by lashing
FEED, especially during this, our
out against your church, but,
“innovation” month, we want to
stepping up and becoming the
put out a few steps and ideas to
church. Linda Camry launched,
launching a successful YouTube
‘Sexy, Single & Saved’, a Google+
channel that draws people into
community that now hosts over
the kingdom by the ton:
10,000 members. “We wanted to deal with a topic I feel preachers are afraid to address, and that’s, ‘sex’.
It Doesn’t Have to be Spiritual People follow people, not programs, channels or ideas. Ultimately, ultimately, they’re
In practical everyday life, is Satan’s most feared weapon. Use it!
What hurts you about Christianity?
following people. What type of person are you projecting on your
This is a good rule of thumb.
YouTube channel? Some of the
Ask yourself, “What annoys me
greatest accounts are by awesome
about Christianity?” and simply
people, that’s all. It’s not about any
share that. You’ll be surprised at
topic in particular. It’s just great
the responses, views and
content, from a person, with
comments you get. However,
different playlist of videos on topics
here’s the twist that separates you
they enjoy. Gone are the days
from faith critics, you’re going to
where every Christian’s trying to
showcase a biblical solution.
start a classic ministry online. It’s now people that we’re looking for. People who love God, but, still live practical everyday lives that we can identify with. Sharing your day to day journey, as normal as it seems, with the world through YouTube, will likely get more subscribers than attempting to be the next Billy Graham. Christ in you, coming out
The pain of not having a need met at church, should be taken out creatively on YouTube.
Get Professional
with them by God, and ask you to share it with your 10,000 followers as well [after you
If people don’t enjoy looking at it,
comment on the bottom of
they won’t ever get what God’s
course].
giving through you. Use simple templates that you can easily upload to the video that frame your visuals, focus your viewers and overall add layout to your presentation.
Do you see the shift? It’s a shift that too many Christians aren’t making; a shift that’s leaving our values behind. Our taking something as simple as YouTube for granted in evangelical activity is causing us to miss out on influencing
It’s Simple. It’s Free.
BILLIONS for a God that can so
It’s Time.
easily address their needs. God the Father’s looking for
The new ministers won’t
innovative Christians. Believers
preach sermons, but lead
who won’t wait to frequent the
discussions. They won’t demand
church with 10,000 others on
that everyone meet in the
Sunday, but will address issues
downtown coliseum this Saturday
on their YouTube page before
for a special word from God. No!
Sunday gets here. The enemy
They’ll simply email their
won’t wait until Wednesday night
1,000,000,000 video subscribers
bible study to launch his attack,
an awesome revelation shared with
neither should we. Believers like you and I need a creative presence on the worlds largest video sharing network, one that
you and I need a creative presence on the world’s largest video sharing network, one that represents Christ, delivers others and has a creative impact.
Faith + Innovation
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Sometimes old ideas are the best new ideas.
The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried. -G.K. Chesterton