Twitterverse- It’s a Small World

Tags

Churchpunk, Gritandglory, Twitter

I have read countless articles that state in some manner:  “Social Media friendships and contacts are not real relationships, contacts or friendships.”

BUNK.  I call BUNK.

Yesterday I had the absolute honor of meeting the one and the only, @gritandglory.  What a great person!

It is not the first time I have met someone I have talked to via Social Media and seriously doubt it will be the last.  Just a year and a half ago I was saying the same thing about @churchpunk, who I now look at as my friend in Cincinnati.

What I find really cool is when the Twitter/Social Media Worlds collide.  6 degrees of separation to Kevin Bacon?  No big whoop.  Try 2 degrees of separation to just about anyone via Social Media.

The Twitterverse really is pretty small.  Both @gritandglory and @churchpunk came into my weird little life via Twitter and connections with other people I follow and friends.  Through random circumstances there was a reason to meet and thus the two worlds collide.

It is really odd to me but at the same time, wicked cool.

How amazing is it that someone you might have never in your lifetime had a chance of meeting can pop into your life because of a tweet?

So, my questions for the day.

Who have you met via Twitter, Blog or other Social Media that you now call friend?  Who would you love to meet one day?

Go.

 

Church Tweople

Tags

Facebook, Twitter

This weekend I had a little fun and attended a neighboring church.

I did not do so because I am looking to leave my church, but because we had a close friend singing there and we wanted to see her sing.

One thing I like about visiting other churches is that you get a chance to see what they do differently than your church.

I knew going in a lot of the things that they do because I have known the Pastor for a long time, but I rarely get to spend time in his building.

The first thing that caught my eye was the exceptional use of Social Media.

Prominently displayed on the back of the program were logos for Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Vimeo with their links.

As I looked around the room I noticed a strong group of younger adults (20-30 somethings) in the audience.  The prime demographic for Social Media.

I also paid close attention to the tweets they were posting going into service, after service and throughout the later part of the day.

One word describes how well they use these items…..Fantastic.  It coupled with the service…phenomenal.

From twitter I knew every aspect of what this church was doing all day and heading into the week.

I knew there were small group events, get togethers, additional services and struggles the church was facing with some weather.

I could see the volunteer efforts coming forward and exciting things on tap for their church community.

All because they had someone (actually multiple someones) manning the helm and dropping 140 character updates throughout the day.

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent.

In vast difference, I could not tell you of a single event we have at our church this week.  Not criticizing, just do not know.  I am tied in heavily to Social Media which my church does not utilize to the fullest yet.  Social Media is how I find out what is happening.

I use it for restaurant ideas, travel ideas, items to buy and so on.

All of which leads me to this.

My new challenge to Pastors everywhere.  Do this!

Do this to reach out to your younger congregations who live with Social Media every day.

Do this to connect constantly to your congregations and let them know what is happening.

Do this to let the community know what is happening in your building.

Don’t avoid this because you may not be comfortable with it.  You preach to congregations of people, many of whom use Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo and Flickr more than they sit in your building…..go to them.

Go to them with the mediums they are comfortable with.

Celebrate your church.  Inform them of small groups.  Announce upcoming events.  Drop an inspirational reminder out every couple of hours or so.  Stay connected throughout the week.

We often say that it is important to stay connected with our church community throughout the week and not just on Sundays.  Well, here is a chance for the church to stay connected with us…and it is free to boot.

Thoughts?

Tweet or Die

Tags

Twitter

Do you tweet?

Better yet, are you a business, church or entrepeneur who uses Twitter?

The once primarily social based, 140 character posting site, has now moved into a major marketing machine.

Over the past few weeks I have seen the mastery of using a “tweet” to notify people of upcoming volunteer events in and around Nashville.  After the floods, cell phones were not working well but in many cases, twitter still functioned.

Churches would tweet when and where to meet, or houses that needed help, and presto, folks would appear.  There were stories of a tweet posted for help and hundreds showing up.

I regularly see charities and businesses I follow dropping tweets out for new products or drives they are doing.  Just a few weeks ago, I received a tweet from Starbucks about an afternoon special that I decided to partake in.  (I know, I would have probably gone anyway-but it did get me there quicker)

I have also experienced where I have dropped a complaint on a company, the tweet was picked up and someone responded from that company to help.  Adversely, I have seen stories where companies have also sued over negative tweets and posts about them.

So, this all begs to ask this.  Have we become a marketing driven society that will need to tweet to keep from dying?

It has become an integral part of church communication, business product release and charitable foundation communication.

If you don’t tweet can you survive in the long run?

The answer is probably yes, but will your organization thrive as much as it would have.

Food for thought.  Your thoughts?

the business of church

Tags

blog, Facebook, Twitter

Wow…a major delay in posting. I am traveling and in Washington DC and really have not had a free moment to even think..(no cracks please)…but here is the post I worked on while flying east.

Being someone that works in the business world I tend to look closely at market trends, service and innovation.

My thoughts shifted to the church. How does the church fare from a business perspective?

Don’t kid yourself…the church is a business in many ways.

It operates staff, budgets, presentations and services a “consumer”. The consumer being the parishioners who attend each and every weekend.

The better the church operates itself from a business perspective, the larger that church grows and the more “consumers” it has. The larger the consumer base within the church, the larger the “revenue” or tithe in this case.

A strong church has a business model that uses a portion of its revenues (tithes) to give back in the form of missions.

Where churches often struggle in business is in the adaptation of current trends and business cycles. Many are slow to adapt or admit they have to change to meet the consumer. Some believe this is a very bad thing in that faith in God should not be a market trend but simply just the way you are.

What about new consumers? What about those who are young and have never been exposed to a life of faith? What about those who are even a bit older and have questions and/or have not been invited to a church that one day they might call home?

This is where an adapting trend based business model comes into play. A good business plan allows you to reach these people.

Social Media for example is a huge component of many companies business plans right now. It is also the driving force in our youth and how we live daily. You can receive fare specials for airlines through Twitter. Sites offer coupons for purchases, rebates for large ticket items and so on. Tweetups are occurring to discuss the latest and greatest and design new models for an ever changing world. Facebook has connected us with all of those people we long forgot. So how does this play into the church?

Some of the most active churches in the country are following suit. Recently there have been Twitter Sundays at churches, Facebook fan pages, tweets from your favorite church just to name a few. These very things are helping churches grow. Blogs of course even take the business of church a step further by allowing prospective clients or current consumers a look into the lives of their leaders maintaining a connection during the work week.

These churches work with the flow of a changing business climate. They are adapting their model constantly to help them gain market share.

It cannot go without saying that the church should be simply a place of worship and a chance for someone to simply grow their faith. It is a bit crazy to think of it as a business but that is reality…especially in the world which we live in.

General thoughts….you think church is a business?

If so, what is your churches business model? What does it do that is cutting edge and how well is it working? Are you reaching new consumers?

does God blog or twitter?

Tags

blog, Twitter

Today is just one of those days.

Let me start by saying that yesterday was a tough day for me.

Work did not go well.

My exercise and diet has been way off and I am not feeling well.

I spent some of my day mulling over a friendship that I am having a hard time dealing with following an incident that I interpret as a betrayal of said friendship….although I deep down know that this persons heart is in the right place and I am just too stressed to sort things out logically in my own fat head.

I spent last night down at the Brewhouse (wife kicked me out because of Bunko) sipping on a cold one, watching the Wings and Pens in the Stanley Cup and thinking.

Thinking…How do I sort this out? Where do I start?

I always here about God speaking to people. Sometimes through scripture, maybe in a weird place, while working out…whatever. I just don’t seem to hear it a lot.

Maybe because I tend to be Mr. Obvious and look for a big poster hanging in the bathroom or something. Or simply because I do not listen.

Well, God figured out how to reach me in my world today.

Through Blogs, and I am suspecting Twitter as the day goes on.

Joy and Pete both had posts today that hit me right upside the head. Completely addressed some of the things I had been struggling with and having a hard time dealing with.

Mo had a post that let me know that I am not the only one having a tough time out here. Her post was about the struggles of her life which in a strange way made it easier for me to deal with mine. Not that I find comfort in any way to other’s tough days, but that it is good to know that sometimes you are not alone.

Tam fired in a little humor to help out with the stress of the day ahead.

Spoken to through blogs.

It is crazy how God finds a way to reach us even when we do not want to listen.

In my case…my world.

My question today:

How has God spoken to you in a unique way?

a change in technology

Tags

Commodore 64, Facebook, Nintendo Wii, Twitter, XBox

For me it started with the Commodore Vic 20 and Atari Game System.

Soon I was blasting out programming on the updated Commodore 64. (I think I was able to have a sentence show up over and over with a smiley face or something- beat that!) Note tape drive to left of keyboard…serious technology!

By college I had moved into an Apple IIC…power I thought would never be matched. It could actually work like a typewriter!

Just after college, my first PC. Loaded with a 40 Meg Hard drive.

In the late 90′s a cell phone (bag phone). Man was I cool.

Then the 2000′s start.

Smaller cell phones, text messaging, IM’ing, Facebook, Blogging, Twitter, XBox, Nintendo Wii, and the list goes on. And of course the www.

All this to ask one question….what do you think comes next? Better gaming, faster equipment?

If there was a piece of technology you could have right now that has not been invented what would it be?

I’ll start—A Mobile based version of twitter that would be voice operated.

140 character story…can you do it?

Tags

Arjun Basu, Twitter

I was turned onto a guy that writes 140 character short stories on twitter. His name is Arjun Basu. Before checking him out, note some of his stuff can be a bit vulgar, but most is just amazing.

After reading him for the last few weeks I decided I to try it. Not an easy thing to do but here is what I came up with. Let me know what you think.

He entered the room and upon seeing her takes a chance. Married, children, 40 years of bliss. He stares across a grave at the great times.

OK, kids…your turn. Drop me a comment with your 140 character short story. Its a Friday all skate.

twitter unmasked

Tags

text messaging, tweet, Twitter

I use Twitter.

I think Twitter is a great social medium to communicate.

However, I find some of the twitter terminology a bit…well…confusing. So, I have researched and I think I have learned enough to help clear up some of this for you all.

When you type it is called a “tweet”….and if you forward a tweet it is called “retweet” (no problem here)…but if you “tweet” though use of text on your phone it is “twexting”

If you tweet on a date you are a “Tweskank” (my favorite)….but if you “tweet” on a date by use of text are you a “twextweskank” (try saying that three times fast?)

Twittering while waiting is “twaiting” and if you are reading “tweets” while doing said waiting it is called “twead”.

You can have your “twaggle” or group of followers but can also become a “tweetaholic” if you tweet to much. Usually “tweetaholics” use “tweetlater” so they can keep a stream of “tweets” going even when they are away. Do you think they have Tweetaholics Anonymous started yet?

If you ever “tweet” something that you regret you become “tweepish” but usually after a “tweekend” you move past it. Unless of course you “twaunt” someone over the “tweekend” and call them a “tweetard”.

“Tweetdropping” is the art of jumping into someone elses tweet page and watching their conversations. Like an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend…ooohhh…Can you believe it? Myra told Mikey that he was a total “tweetard”. Mikey responded by saying Myra was a “twhiner”…OMG!

All of this say, I hope you become “twitterphoric” when friends add you to their following. Just be careful not to be overcome by “twitterrhea” and drive your friends away. But most of all, please please do not get a “twittertude”. “Twiticism” is good and always fun to read. Oh, and we always love “twoing twoing” (wonderful things).

Now that that is cleared up….Do you think Tweety Bird had this all figured out a long time ago? After all, he did he did taw a putty tat.

(I am totally scared to hit spell check on this post)

do you……..

Tags

Facebook, Prayer, Starbucks, Travel, Twitter

Pick a couple (or all if you like) and answer…...I want to learn more about you all.

Do you use Facebook, Twitter or both?

Do you read non fiction books?

Do you pray daily?

Do you travel?

Do you think the other members of your family are the weird ones?

Do you sing in the shower?

Do you like local coffee houses or major chains like Starbucks?

Do you think you are the best at what you do for a living?

Do you set goals and work at them?

Do you look forward in your life or behind at your past?

Do you look to learn something new everyday?

Do you reach out to make new friends?

Do you have a competitive side to you?

Do you like to grill out or cook in?

Do you like to save or spend?

Do you like great conversation or a great book?

Do you work in an office, from home or on the road?

Do you blog or just read blogs?

If You Had A Billion Dollars To Spend

Tags

billion dollars, candy, Congress, Facebook, iPhone, money, Monica Lewinsky, pinata, spending, Starbucks, Stimulus, Twitter

Input time folks.

Here is the game.

You are a member of Congress.  You are getting ready to build a 435 Billion Dollar spending bill.  Each member of congress gets 1 billion for whatever they want.

What would you spend your billion on?

I’ll start.  I would spend:

• 250 Million on building a Starbucks Museum that features the “Evolution of Starbucks” a 3D Movie where you fly to Starbucks Stores all over the world- Free coffee served at the end
• 250 Million to build a Political Bumper Sticker Museum. Everyone who enters would leave with a bumper sticker that said “I voted for Monica Lewinsky’s boyfriend’s wife” (see I am in favor of the museums and arts!)
• 250 Million for “iPhones for All”  A project that would put an iPhone with free service in every cool persons hand so they could keep up with facebook and twitter (Technology is very important)
• 250 Million for the Worlds Largest Pinata- Full Of Candy(and not the cheep crap-the good stuff)…this way kids could come from all over the country to beat on a Pinata shaped like Capital Hill and once it broke, millions of pounds of candy would fall out.  Each would be wrapped with a possible Congressional Spending Bill.  Based on how the kids liked a particular piece of candy, we would use that as a poll vote for or against the bill.

OK, Your Turn…Spend the money, you have 1 Billion Dollars to spend.  Use it wisely as I have.