Hey Coach John

The Whole World in the Palm of Your Hand

High tech blogging just got easier.

Guess what, I can now blog from my phone thanks to a new app on my I-phone, wow! To borrow the title of a contemporary book, "The World Is Flat," meaning that I can now reach anybody in the world who has Internet access. So can you!

Several years ago we were admonisghed that the cell phone would rule the world.  And that before long you couldn't operate efficiently without one. (Thomas Friedman) Its a little scary but that day is almost upon us.

Today I can conduct Facebook conversations, tweet, track my friends whereabouts, type in any address in the U.S. and get a picture of the house at that address, blog, access files, upload, download, and last but not least, get a current listing of this weekend's garage sales in any major city in America, (yes that's really true for all you garage sale junkies!) all done from the convenience of my cell phone.

It really is possible to reach the world from the palm of your hand. So, what will you do with the tool you have in your hands? Will you go into all the world (Matt 28) or will you simply stay home? BTW, this blog was posted from my from my I-phone.

Coach John

Are You Web Savvy?

The disposition of today's web surfer is changing

Several years ago I had the great privilege of having dinner with Dr. Elmer Towns, the dean of Liberty Bible College.  As you know, Dr. Towns is a prolific writer so I wanted to glean some help concerning a few writing skills. 

During the course of our conversation, he asked me a simple question, one that really challenged me.  He simply asked, “Do you read my blog?”  Of course, the answer was no, however, I was shocked to realize a 70+ year old man was so savvy when it came to technology. I knew immediately that I must become more web savvy so I started by creating this blog. 

The world as we know it is changing.  We are experiencing what some have called a major “pivotal point” - one that rivals the Guttenberg printing press or even the Renaissance.  The change is centered around a simple term we call “cyberspace” - better known as the World Wide Web.

Unfortunately, many Christian leaders/pastors are clueless when it comes to using this tool to reach the world.  For this reason, I wanted to write and share a few interesting facts about cyberspace and challenge you to become web savvy.

Here are a few reasons why we should take another look at the use of the WWW in today’s ministry. 

1 The WWW gives us voice as an individual among the masses.

In a world with more than 6.5 billion people, the WWW is giving us creative avenues to be more individualistic.  You ask; “how could that be?”  Think about it; it’s giving us ways to express ourselves without having to go through expensive publishers and recording studios, selective news organizations, magazines, etc. 

Just digitalize whatever it is and publish it.  Music, photos, news releases, teachings, books, podcasts, (audio and video) almost anything!  Who needs ABC, CNN, RCA, Kodak, etc.!

2. The WWW allows us to move from being an audience to becoming a participant.

The disposition of the average web user is changing from that of being a mere observer to being a participant.  As a matter of fact, this tells you how web savvy you really are.  Do you simply get on the web to look or behold? (Audience)  Or do you get on the web to share your input? (Participant) 

What is participating?  How about blogging, posting responses to books, podcasting your sermons, music, etc.  Why not use the net to touch the world!

According to Thomas Friedman in his book The World Is Flat,” the new buzz word for the web is the word “UPLOAD.”  In the past, “downloading” was the thing.   However, the ability to upload has changed our use of the net.  We can now pass along almost anything!  Just digitalize it and upload it in the form of a file.  Amazing!

Conclusion

How about it pastors businessmen and leaders, are you utilizing the web to its utmost?  Have you posted any of your material online for people to read, view or listen to?  Why not?   Why not pass on your vision and mission to your leaders by a regularly updated blog or some other form of social meda?  I’m convinced we’re not utilizing this tool to the max.

By the way, I did get a few pointers from Dr. Towns about writing!  Hopefully they will help!  However, the original question remains…

Are you web savvy!

 Coach John

Works Cited:  , Thomas l. Friedman, The World Is Flat  (this is an informative book)

Are You Web Savvy?

Several months ago I had the great privilege of having dinner with Dr. Elmer Towns, the dean of Liberty Bible College. As you know, Dr. Towns is a prolific writer -I wanted to glean some help concerning a few writing skills.

During the course of our conversation, he asked me a simple question, one that really challenged me. He simply asked, “Do you read my blog?” Of course, the answer was no. However, I was shocked to realize a 70+ year old man was so savvy when it came to the web. I knew immediately that I must become more web savvy. I started by creating this blog.

The world as we know it is changing. We are experiencing what some have called a major “pivotal point” - one that rivals the Guttenberg printing press or even the Renaissance. The change is centered around a simple term we call “cyberspace” - better known as the World Wide Web.

Unfortunately, many Christian leaders/pastors are clueless when it comes to using this tool to reach the world. For this reason, I wanted to write and share a few interesting facts about cyberspace and challenge you to become web savvy.

Here are a few reasons why we should take another look at the use of the WWW in today’s ministry.

1) The WWW gives us voice as an individual among the masses.

In a world teeming with more than 6.5 billion people, the WWW is giving us creative avenues to be more individualistic. You ask; “how could that be?” Think about it; it’s giving us ways to express ourselves without having to go through publishers and recording studios, selective news organizations, magazines, etc. Just digitalize whatever it is and publish it. Music, photos, news releases, teachings, books, podcasts, (audio and video) almost anything! Who needs ABC, CNN, RCA, Kodak, etc.!

2) The WWW allows us to move from the audience, to the participant mode.

The disposition of the average web user is changing from that of being a mere observer to being a participant. As a matter of fact, this how you can tell how web savvy you really are. Do you simply get on the web to look and behold? (Audience) Or do you get on the web to share your input? (Participant) What is participating? How about blogging, posting responses to books, podcasting your sermons, music, etc. Why not use the net to touch the world with the way you see it!

According to Thomas Friedman in his book, “The World Is Flat,” the new buzz word for the web is the word “UPLOAD.” In the past, “downloading” was the thing - and download we did. However, the ability to upload has changed our use of the net. We can now pass along almost anything! Just digitalizing it and upload it in the form of a file. Amazing!

Conclusion

How about it pastors businessmen and leaders, are you utilizing the web to its utmost? Have you posted any of your sermons online for people to listen to? Why not? How about podcasting your worship service or choir? It's free! Why not pass on your vision and mission to your leaders by a regularly updated blog? FYI, blogging is free too! I’m convinced we’re not utilizing this tool to the max.

By the way, I did get a few pointers from Dr. Towns about writing! Yep! Hopefully they will help me! However, the question remains…

Are You Web Savvy!

Coach John

Works sited: The World Is Flat, Thomas l. Friedman (this is a great book!)

I’ve Always Wanted To Do

 I’ve always wanted to do this! Do what you ask? Connect to the internet using a wireless connection – while drinking coffee at Starbucks! Ah…the joys of modern technology! Needless to say, I’ve got a new toy – a new laptop with a wireless connection! I just had to try it out.

Ever wonder if Paul would have dropped by Starbucks and connected to the net? I think he would have. I Cor. 7:31 NLT says, "Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them... "

Speaking of the Internet, are you utilizing today’s technology to get the gospel out? Didn’t Jesus say something about going into all the world? What greater way than via the World Wide Web.

I know many of you are still not convinced - excuses abound. I’ve heard many of them. Things like; I’m just not techie enough or I’m too old fashion. How about this one? It’s just too expensive - I just can’t figure it out! You’ve heard them too haven’t you?

Well, God has provided the technology – we need to use it. Here’s a way I think is grand! Learn to Blog!!

Blogging

Blog is a relatively new term to most of us. As a matter of fact, the word is not even in most dictionaries. (I had to add it to my spell check to get rid of all the red lines!) A blog is a slang word used to describe a “web log.” According to Stephan Spencer, 23,000 new blog sites go up every day - 400,000 new posts (articles) are created everyday! Amazing. Why doesn't the church use it more often? Good question isn't it.

The advantage of a blog is to not only give information, but also to receive it. The nature of a blog is to help people connect. For instance, it's an excellent way for families that are separated by geographical location to stay in touch. Each family member could commit to blog (write a short log) once per week, hence sharing their world with the rest of the family. Photos can also be added.

Most blog sites are relatively easy to set up and the best part is - they are free. What a way to connect your world with the rest of the world. However, there are a few precautions. For instance, always make sure comments are subject to your moderation. This keeps any lewd or unwanted comments from getting on your site.

Of course, you can be creative concerning who will be your target audience. If you need any suggestions, feel free to contact me at heycoachjohn@cox.net or simply click the “email me” location on this site.

Well, Starbucks is a great place to log on and write! BTW, the coffee was good too – tall, Caramel Macchiato, decaf, low fat, sugar free, extra hot! That's my cup!

I’ve Always Wanted To Do This!

Coach John


Works Sited: www.stephanspencer.com/archives/