Month: February 2007

Keep your computer running

Nothing sucks worse than being in the middle of a project and watching your computer come to a complete stop.
While it wasn’t a complete shutdown, the computer we use for running MediaShout at church completely shutdown the software package during yesterday’s service. Quite annoying but made me glad it wasn’t my week to run the presentation software. We simply restarted the software and were back on track but an annoyance – especially during worship.
Lifehack.com has 26 tips on how you can keep your computer running and functioning before the crashes occur.

Via Lifehacker.com

Word on the street

Word on the street is that Google is getting ready to release an online presentation software package. Code named Presently (a likely play on Writely, whom Google bought out before releasing Google Docs.
No word yet on it’s expected release.
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Churches rise from the ashes

One year has passed since nine churches in central and western Alabama were set on fire by three college-age students. Members continue to meet for worship as they begin rebuilding their churches — with a little help from volunteers. Listen to the full report from NPR.

Four things young adults want in church

LifeWay Research conducted a survey among people age 18 to 34 that discovered a major factor causing young adults to leave the church is the church’s inability to minister to them in their transition stage.
Among Young Adults:

  • 73% of churchgoers & 47% of non-churchgoers indicated that community with other young people is extremely important in their lives.
  • 71% of churchgoers said they want to participate in small-group meetings to discuss life application of Scripture.
  • 68% of churchgoers & 45% of non-churchgoers said that in small group settings they can find “advice from individuals with similar experiences.”
  • 66% of churchgoers & 47% of non-churchgoers agree that meeting the needs of others is also an essential element to this generation.

    Jim Johnston of LifeWay Christian Resources identifies four needs among young adults:
    1. Relationship
    2. Biblical Community
    3. Social Action
    4. Genuine Church

    Do you agree with the results? Do you think your church is meeting these needs?

    Here are two responses from those surveyed:
    “Young adults are in the middle – not married, not old enough, not in high school; [we’re] in this ‘ugh’ stage,” said one survey respondent in the latest LifeWay Research report.

    “After graduation, they (the church) give you a pat on the back and say, ‘when you start a family, we’ll be here for you,'” said another respondent.

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    “The church’s responsibility is to reach every generation with the love of Jesus Christ,” stated Jim Johnston, director of young adult ministry at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, in the report. “It just so happens that this generation’s biggest need is relationship. The church ought to be the author and purveyor of the best, deepest, most loving friendships around.”

    “The lost and the saved in this age group are looking for just what the church can provide in Biblical community,” said Johnston. “They want absolute truth but they embrace the struggle of finding it themselves. They don’t want it to be spoon-fed to them.”

    “Young adults gravitate to churches that are making an impact,” Johnston noted. “This age group is embracing service, social action and missions. They will embrace the church with a cause as well.”

    “They (young adults) want to embrace church, but only the genuine, earth-shaking, Christ-powered New Testament church. For some churches, that’s going to mean changing methodology – but not the message of the Bible.”