AI for churches and ministry

AI is the latest buzz term in society....

• but what is it?  
• will it have a positive or negative affect on churches and their ministries?  
• Could it lead to change?  
• How can we use it well?

These and other questions pastors, church leaders and congregational members are asking and wondering.   

The following is a list of some resources to help you explore AI and how to use it for ministry 

Article:  What is artificial intelligence? by TechTarget

Article:  Pastors: Lead Not Your Church into Fear of AI

Article:  Christians shouldn't fear AI

Article:  As a Christian, I Went Down the AI Rabbit Hole. Here Are 12 Things I Discovered

Article:  Is AI a threat to Christianity?  (The Atlantic)

Article:  AI And Christianity: Navigating The Intersection Of Technology And Faith In Ministry Work.

Article:  A Christian response to artificial intelligence

Podcast:  Artificial Intelligence in the church 

Podcast:  AI for churches Podcast

Videocast:  A conversation on how churches can get started with AI

Video:  Theology of Artificial Intelligence

Video:  AI, Man and God

Video:  A report on a AI Church Service

Book: Faithfully Connected - Integrating Biblical Principles in a Digital Worl

We know what it means to be a good citizen. We follow the law, obey local regulations, and listen to governmental authorities. From a young age, children learn how to be good citizens of their city, state, and country.

But there is a new kind of citizenship—digital citizenship: the appropriate and responsible use of technology. Now, educators and parents have the responsibility of teaching children how to be God’s faithful people in a digital world.

Faithfully Connected integrates biblical principles with the concepts of digital citizenship for the formation of young people in a variety of educational settings. Drs. Boche and Hollatz speak authoritatively as Christian educators with a pulse on the generation growing up with digital media as its first language.

Whether in the classroom, church, or home, Faithfully Connected equips you to teach students what it means to be both a digital citizen and a faith citizen. Lesson plans and discussion guides for Christian schools and catechism classes are included.

Reviews 

“[A] precious gift to pastors, parents, and especially Christian educators around the world. ”  —Dr. Bernard Bull, Vice Provost for Curriculum and Academic, Innovation at Concordia University Wisconsin and Author of Digitized: Spiritual Implications of Technology

“A road map to be safe, savvy, faith-filled digital citizens on the information highway.”  —James G. Rush II, English (EFL) Instructor, Luther University—Yongin, South Korea

“Show[s] classroom teachers, pastors, layleaders, and parents how to prepare children with the skills and traits of godly citizens for a future we can’t predict.”  —Tim Schumacher, Assistant Professor of Educational, Technology, Concordia University Irvine

“A must-read for Lutheran educators as we embrace digital technology with Christian character and integrity!”  —Sharon Frydendall, Middle School Teacher, St. John’s Lutheran School, Orange, CA

“An excellent resource for any teacher or pastor who wants to empower their students to be faithful ambassadors of Christ in their increasingly digital world.”  —Jonathan P. Orr, LAT, ATC, MEd, Director of Innovation, and Continuous Improvement, Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School

11 Commandments for Facebook (and Social Media users)

Facebook and other Social Media users can be a great blessing to others by following the 11 Commandments for Facebook and Social Media users....

Based on Luther's Small Catechism explanation to the 10 Commandments

Download the 11 Commandments for Facebook and Social Media users here

Book: The Virtual Body of Christ

The Virtual Body of Christ.....


We live in a wired world where 24/7 digital connectivity is increasingly the norm. Christian megachurch communities often embrace this reality wholeheartedly while more traditional churches often seem hesitant and overwhelmed by the need for an interactive website, a Facebook page and a twitter feed. This book accepts digital connectivity as our reality, but presents a vision of how faith communities can utilize technology to better be the body of Christ to those who are hurting while also helping followers of Christ think critically about the limits of our digital attachments.    

This book begins with a conversion story of a non-cell phone owning, non-Facebook using religion professor judgmental of the ability of digital tools to enhance relationships. A stage IV cancer diagnosis later, in the midst of being held up by virtual communities of support, a conversion occurs: this religion professor benefits in embodied ways from virtual sources and wants to convert others to the reality that the body of Christ can and does exist virtually and makes embodied difference in the lives of those who are hurting.


The book neither uncritically embraces nor rejects the constant digital connectivity present in our lives. Rather it calls on the church to 
a) recognize ways in which digital social networks already enact the virtual body of Christ; 
b) tap into and expand how Christ is being experienced virtually;
c) embrace thoughtfully the material effects of our new augmented reality, 
and d) influence utilization of technology that minimizes distraction and maximizes attentiveness toward God and the world God loves.

About the Author
Dr. Deanna A. Thompson is professor of Religion at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She teaches classes in African American Studies, Women's Studies, and Social Justice. During her almost twenty years at Hamline, in addition to being awarded Faculty of the year by faculty and students, she has also received awards for her advising. She is a respected scholar in the study of Martin Luther and feminist theology. Thompson is also an active member of the American Academy of Religion, where she served for eight years on the Board of Directors, six years as Director of the Upper Midwest Region, and six years as co-chair of the Martin Luther and Global Lutheran Traditions Program Unit.

Using instagram for ministry

Instagram is one of the significant social media platforms, a platform that allows users to share photos and videos.    The following articles explore how we can best use Instagram for ministry and mission
The best way to use Instagram for your church - Concordia Technology
How to create an Instagram ministry
How to get your congregation Instagram ready
Praise Pix - An instagram ministry case study
How to set up instagram fro your church - UM Communications
37 ways to use Instagram for church
20 great ways to use instagram for your church 
How to use Instagram stories for connecting with your youth ministry
5 strategic ministry uses for Instagram
Be a hero with Instagram
15 things your church can learn from top Instagram accounts

If you have other suggestions, examples or ideas feel free to leave them in the comment section

Pictures - for free

A picture tells a thousand words, so the saying goes.   
Using pictures for ministry can be very helpful in communicating or emphasising a point or the message.

Fortunately there are a number of sites offering quality pictures that are not only copyright/royalty free but also at no cost.

These include:
Free Bible Images
Freely Photos - primarily for churches
Good Free Photos
Good Stock Photos
Pixabay
Pexels
Stockified
Unsplash

If you are aware of any other sites offering free pictures feel free to post them in the comments section below.

Free ebook: Purchasing audio and visual equipment - a guide for churches

Some form of modern sound and lighting system can be found in almost every church today, but purchasing this equipment can be intimidating. Concordia Technology has produced an ebook to get you pointed in the right direction and to help you learn how to navigate the planning, sales, and purchasing and installation processes.
For more information about this free ebook visit here

Book: The digital cathedral

Rapid cultural and technological changes through the last two decades have changed the context for ministry. The development of digital social media and advances in affordable, mobile technologies have dramatically changed the way most people interact with others, communicate, organize, and participate in communities.

The Digital Cathedral is a warm embrace of the rich traditions of Christianity, especially the recovery of the pre-modern sense of cathedral, which encompassed the depth and breadth of daily life within the physical and imaginative landscape of the church. It is for anyone who seeks to effectively minister in a digitally-integrated world, and who wishes to embody the networked, relational, and incarnational characteristics of that ministry.

Book: Digitized - Spiritual implications of technology

There is no one untouched by technology in our modern culture.   Pastors, teachers, and families are looking for ways to understand how technology influences our relationships, our families, our churches, and our faith lives.  Digitized articulates how everyone is affected and what Christians can do in response.

Author Dr. Bernard Bull provides a systematic analysis of 12 characteristics of life in a technological world, 12 challenges that everyone faces, followed by 12 practical next steps for faith and life in this connected and technological world.

The book has two main sections:

1. How is technology affecting us?
2. How do we respond?

Church Management and Membership Data Bases

A good church data base will help pastors and their congregation provide good pastoral care, follow up, planning and potentially outreach.
A search of the web reveals there is a wide range of organisations developing data bases that are suitable for Church Membership management.   
Following are some data bases that are being used by Lutheran Churches around the world:

Pastoral Care
https://pastoralcare.com.au/
Pastoral Care 13 is an Australian developed data base for churches and can be used as either web based or an offline.    
Explore its features at https://pastoralcare.com.au/features/
Free trial download available
Cost:  $399 for Pastoral Care 13.   Cloud options are also available

Jethro Pastoral Ministry Manager and Easy Jethro
https://github.com/tbar0970/jethro-pmm#readme
Jethro is an Australian developed data base for churches.   Jethro Pastoral Ministry Manager is a web-based tool which helps churches keep track of people, families, groups, attendance, pastoral tasks, church services, rosters and documents. 
Jethro doesn't force you to work in a particular way but gives you flexible, lightweight tools to support your own style of ministry.
The Jethro software is an open source (GPL) and runs on a standard LAMP web server. Jethro's real advantages come to the fore when it's running on a proper web server, but it can also be run on a single PC using XAMPP.
Cost:  Free with the option for Easy Jethro at a cost 

Elvanto
https://www.elvanto.com/au/
Elvanto is an Australian developed cloud based Church Management system that began in 2010 with international offices.
Explore its features at https://www.elvanto.com/au/features/all/
Cost:  is based on the number of active adults in yoru congregation beginning at $13.20 per month for 50 active adults

Manna Systems
http://mannasystems.com.au
a web enabled data base system designed especially for sacramental churches. 
Cost:  based on worshipping members (not contacts) beginning at $50 for 6 months subscription (plus you also need to own or purchase File Maker pro

Ucare
https://ucarehq.com/ 
View its features at .https://ucarehq.com/features/ 
Cost:  10c per active person per month

Church Community Builder
https://www.churchcommunitybuilder.com/
Church Community Builder is designed with leaders at the forefront of our mind. They aim  to equip and empower your people with effective ministry tools to build community, engage people, and help grow disciples.   
Explore its features at:  https://www.churchcommunitybuilder.com/software
Cost:  starting at $90 per month for 100 attenders

Church Member Link
https://churchmemberlink.com/wp/
Church member link is a web-based church membership software that is designed for growth and administration.   
Check out its features:  https://churchmemberlink.com/wp/products/member-link
Cost:  $25, $30 or $35 per month depending on features

Church 360
https://www.concordiatechnology.org/church360/members
Church360º Members makes it easy for churches to not only track attendance, offering, and membership data but also understand what the data means. It's software that helps ministry leaders discover congregational trends and recognize opportunities for visitor and member engagement.   
Check its features:  https://www.concordiatechnology.org/church360/members/features/complete-list
Cost:  Start up cost plus a monthly or yearly fee depending on number of households

Realm Church Management Data Base
Developed by ACS technologies, 
Check out its features: https://www.acstechnologies.com/products/acs/features/discover-realm
Cost:  you need to contact ACS

Planning Center
https://planning.center/
A multifaceted church management software.
Cost:  Free for small usage then depends on the components and usage

Rock RMS
https://www.rockrms.com/
Rock RMS is a community developed Church Management System with a contemporary feel and many features
Cost: Free or by donation

Breeze
https://www.breezechms.com/
Breeze claims to be the world's easiest web-based church management software for small and mid-sized churches.
Cost:  $50 per month

Willie Heidrich Data base
Lutheran Church of Australia pastor, Pastor Willie Heidrich has developed a free data base for ministry in LCA congregations for more information email:   william.heidrich@lca.org.au

Articles to read when considering a Church Membership Data Base
8 questions to ask before launching a new church data base
Selecting a new church data base series
Who will you trust to pick your next church data base system?

Please feel free to leave comments about the Church Data Base system you use..

Lutheran alliance for faith, science and technology

The Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology is dedicated to expanding awareness and promoting conversation about the implications of science and technology for Christian faith and life. (Prior to becoming the Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology in 2002, the effort was known as the Working Group for Faith, Science and Technology.)

In 1987, 45 young scientists, technologists, and theologians from 5 continents and 17 countries gathered in Larnaca, Cyprus in for a consultation entitled, “The New Scientific/Technological World: What Differences Does It Make for the Church?” The meeting, sponsored by the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in cooperation from the Lutheran World Federation, was organized by the Rev. John Mangum, director for planning, LCA Division for World Mission and Ecumenism.  This meeting was the genesis of the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science, and Technology, as well as similar groups in other denominations.

Since 1991, the Alliance has been an independent Lutheran organization recognized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with liaison through the Theological Discernment Team in the Office of the Presiding Bishop.  The membership includes scientists, science teachers, rostered leaders (clergy and lay), and other interested lay people.

The site includes:
Covalence Magazine
News
Faith and Science Resources

Faith and Science Youth Curriculums

To discover more visit http://luthscitech.org 

Pictures from Christianphotoshops

Christian photoshops offers quality pictures which are suitable for powerpoints, web pages and other presentations.  
The mission of this website is to provide high quality imagery that accurately represents Christian principles found in the Bible. Theystrive to use their talents to create images in a creative, unique, and powerful way that both honors our Creator and gives Him all the glory. They hope that you are blessed by their artwork found here, and that you are encouraged in your Christian walk. 

To view their work visit:   http://www.christianphotoshops.com  

Some examples:

Online Course: Church Online Communications Comprehensive

Bulletins, newsletters, emails, websites, Facebook page - does your church communications leave you feeling overwhelmed and under accomplished?

Join Peter Frank, Senior Marketing Manager of Concordia Technology Solutions, as he leads you through this new 14-week training course titled Church Online Communications Comprehensive. 

Every week, Peter will share on an aspect of online communications with practical advice on how to implement a cohesive strategy for your church.

Topics will include: 

• Church and Communication Goals
• Determining and Assigning Personas
• Content Mapping
• Search Engine Optimization
• Social Media and Social Advertising
• Campaign Planning and Templates

Sign up today for FREE and you'll receive the following:

• Detailed blog posts on the weekly topic
• Live videos on the CTS Facebook page
• Access to the private Facebook group
• Weekly downloads, including worksheets, templates, and checklists

Use this course to establish an online communications strategy for your church.

sign up here today

11 Commandments for facebookers

11 Commandments for facebook users (and other social media users) are short reflections to help us use facebook and social media well and for the glory of God.....They are based on the 10 commandments of Luther's Small Catechism!!! 

Outlook and Google Lectionary Calendars: Year B

Year B Lectionary Calendars for Outlook and other electronic calendars are available from:

Lutheran Church of Australia - Year B

Click on the RCL entry for the bible readings
An ical format for importing into Outlook is available here
You can view this calendar here

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - 

Concordia Publishing House

One Year and Year B Calendars are available here

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - 

Augsburg Fortress

Known as the Little Red Book is available here

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod  - 

Common Worship

Google Calendar is available here

Narrative Lectionary
ical format for importing into Outlook is available here
You can view this calendar here

Book: Meditating Faith

The church struggles with media. 
Whether it is a denomination negotiating the 24 hour news cycle or a church evaluating how Facebook or online games are influencing the youth group, media is raising questions and placing demands on communities of faith in ways that could not have been imagined just 20 years ago. Thus the importance of understanding media for the church has never been greater.   In Mediating Faith, church leaders of all kinds will find Pastor Clint Schnekloth an engaging and insightful guide to this new and sometimes wondrous world. In doing so he offers an evaluation and theological response to the trans-media era that highlights its potential to transform our work and world.   Far from frightening, Schnekloth highlights the opportunities and the riches of this fascinating time. 

Chapters include:
Part One: Emerging Media Contexts and Minority Reports
1. Examining Trans-media Effects
2. Listening to the Quasi-luddites’ Legitimate Laments

Part Two: The Meaty Analysis Section
3. The Effects of Catechumenal Preaching
4. The Effects of MMPRPG’s Procedural Rhetoric
5. More Prosaic Media Forms and Formation

Part Three: The Proposal
6. On Pneumatology and Material Culture
7. Beauty, Eschatology, Sociality: The Way Forward

Book: The Social Church - a theology of digital communication

This book is for Christians who are advocates of social media and who want to learn better about how to use these new technologies to further the Kingdom of God. Justin Wise speaks about social media as this generation's printing press-a revolutionary technology that can spread the gospel further and faster than we can imagine.

Did you know that you can see reviews of a church on Google Maps or Yelp? 
Have you considered what new people might find your church through a friend's social media? 
How often have you talked about "reaching people where they are" -and realized that much of the time, they are on the internet?
Are we ready to think theologically about our digital age and reach people for Christ in a new way?

Editorial Reviews
Justin Wise connects the power of social media with the potential for life-changing ministry in a completely fresh, easy-to-understand, and relevant way. His energy and wisdom bleed through the pages. He gets it. He totally gets it and now you can too. The Social Church is a must-read for all Christian leaders called to serve in this time and space.
Tami Heim, president and CEO of Christian Leadership Alliance, coauthor of @stickyJesus: How to Live Out Your Faith Online

The rumors are true: Justin Wise knows his stuff. Not only does he ask the right hard questions in The Social Church but he boldly challenges the status quo, encouraging churches to embrace digital communications with vision, strategy, and purpose.
Carrie Kintz, Digital Communication Strategist, Focus on the Family

Justin is a knowledgeable and accomplished practitioner of social media strategy and tactics as well as a practiced speaker on the subject. He consistently creates and publishes useful content that goes beyond mere thoughts and opinions to include the tools he uses for success and the tactics and techniques for others to become successful.
Chris Giovagnoni, Social Media Marketing Program Manager, Compassion International

Justin Wise is the real deal. He is passionate about local churches and assisting them in connecting with a new generation. He brings creative and innovative thinking to each training, but more than that, you'll find in him a genuine heart of service with a purpose.
Haley Veturis, Social Media Manager, Saddleback Church

Justin has handled social media for both our SCORRE and Platform conferences in the last year and we couldn't be more pleased.
He understands the power of social media and the benefits that come when it's used correctly. Most importantly, he accomplished our goal: people who weren't at the event felt like they were and were encouraged to sign up for the next one.
Michael Hyatt, New York Times bestselling author, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers

Amazon Reviews

15% off Logos Lutheran Bible Software

Logos is offering 15% off the base Lutheran packages

Lutheran Starter pack includes 195 resources retails at $294.95 or $29.58 a month  with 15% off $250.75
Lutheran Bronze pack includes 368 resources retails at $629.95 or $57.50 a month  with 15% off $535.46
Lutheran Silver pack includes 506 resources retails at $999.95 or $60.50 a month with 15% off $849.96
Lutheran Gold pack includes 752 resources retails at $1549.95 or $91.11 a month with 15% off $1317.46

To obtain the 15% discount you must use the promo code:  LUTHERANBP at checkout

Logos 5 Lutheran Bible Software

Logos Bible Software  Version 5

Logos Bible Software is a worldwide leader in electronic tools and resources for Bible study.

Their mission is to serve the church. They do this by fostering a culture of service and innovation, by creating Bible study tools that connect people to the Word, and by hiring awesome, fun people.

Since 1992, Logos Bible Software has grown from a couple of programmers in a basement into the largest developer of Bible-study software and a worldwide leader in multilingual electronic publishing. We partner with more than 150 publishers to make more than 36,000 Bible-study resources available to customers around the world.
Innovation is key to Logos’ growth. In the last few years, they’ve expanded from their flagship software product, Logos Bible Software, to a variety of tools to complement your faith and Bible study experience. 
In June of 2011, they launched Vyrso, a Christian ebook store and ereader app. 
In 2012, they released Proclaim Church Presentation Software along with the Faithlife Study Bible and Faithlife.com, a social network that allows Christians from all over the world to connect and share ideas online.
As Logos continues to grow, their goal is to not only create the best Bible study tools available, but to serve the church by making Bible study resources accessible to developing countries all over the globe.


Logos offers 7 different starter packages...visit here to discover what package suits you

There is also over 250 specific Lutheran resources available on Logos Bible Software including:
Luther's Works (55 vols.) 
The Northwestern Publishing House Electronic Library: Collection One (100 vols.)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (15 vols.) by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Concordia Electronic Theological Library: Complete Collection
Lenski's Commentary on the New Testament (LCNT) (12 vols.) by R. C. H. Lenski
Fortress Press Luther Studies Collection (11 vols.)
Theological Commonplaces by Johann Gerhard (6 vols.) by Johann Gerhard
Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament (ACNT) (15 vols.)
The People's Bible: Complete Set
Classic Studies on the Atonement (32 vols.)
Examination of the Council of Trent by Martin Chemnitz
Concordia Commentary
Christian Dogmatics by Francis Pieper
Lutheran Study Bible
Book of Concord
Vist here  to discover these and more Lutheran resources

Books: Digital Media resources for pastors, congregations and church workers

Social Media has become an effective tool for some congregations and Christian communities.

Following is a list of some books to help you explore how you might be able to use digital media for your context....and if you know of others please let me know by emailing me

Books from 2009 

The Digital Church: How to Use the New Tools of Technological and Communication Revolution for Your Church by Mark Brooks  (2013)
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION – The Guttenberg Press and The Church
SECTION ONE: THE BASIS FOR BECOMING A DIGITAL CHURCH
CHAPTER ONE – The Technological Revolution
CHAPTER TWO – The Church and Technology: A Historical Perspective
CHAPTER THREE – Why the Church MUST Embrace the Technological Revolution
SECTION TWO: THE BASICS OF BECOMING A DIGITAL CHURCH
CHAPTER FOUR – Your Website: The Foundation For A Digital Church
CHAPTER FIVE – Web 3.0 Mobile Websites and Your Church
CHAPTER SIX – What is SEO and Why It Should Matter to You
CHAPTER SEVEN – What Is An App and Why Your Church Needs One
CHAPTER EIGHT – Online Giving: The Future of The Plate
SECTION THREE: THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE DIGITAL CHURCH
CHAPTER NINE – Social Media Is Where Your Community Is!
CHAPTER TEN – Use Facebook to Tell Your Story
CHAPTER ELEVEN – Why You Should Use Twitter
CHAPTER TWELVE – Pinning Outreach to Pinterest
CHAPTER THIRTEEN – Instagram, YouTube, Flickr and The Rest
CHAPTER FOURTEEN – Putting It All Together

Facebook Jesus by Hintz and Courlis (2013)
Using Facebook to Build and Grow a Church. Facebook has changed the earth as we know it and has the power to revolutionize your church. No matter what your current technological skill level is, you are sure to learn techniques which will enable you to build and grow a church. From launching a fan page to advertising on Facebook, we will take you through each step and explain it in detail. Do you want to move from having a mediocre Facebook presence to becoming a FB ninja? Do you want to use technology to dramatically impact your community? Do you want to increase the quality of everything from your staff management to your outreach program? If so, this book is for you!

The iChurch Method: Changing The World When You Login by Jason Caston (2013)
The iChurch Method is a five part approach to taking your ministry online and reaching the world. In this edition, volume 2, Changing the World When You Login, we have expanded and progressed on the five parts introduced in volume 1, How to Advance Your Ministry Online. 
Part 1: Websites - Next level websites that adapt to any device.
Part 2: Multimedia - The Internet Church Campus.
Part 3: Ecommerce - Advanced Online Stores/Online Donations.
Part 4: Social Media - Building Social Communities.
Part 5: Mobile - Mobile Apps and Mobile Websites
With these five parts can help any ministry take advantage of technology and not be left behind.

Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology by Derek C. Schuurman  (2013)
Digital technology has become a ubiquitous feature of modern life. Our increasingly fast-paced world seems more and more remote from the world narrated in Scripture. But despite its pervasiveness, there remains a dearth of theological reflection about computer technology and what it means to live as a faithful Christian in a digitally-saturated society. In this thoughtful and timely book, Derek Schuurman provides a brief theology of technology, rooted in the Reformed tradition and oriented around the grand themes of creation, fall, redemption and new creation. He combines a concise, accessible style with penetrating cultural and theological analysis. Building on the work of Jacques Ellul, Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman, and drawing from a wide range of Reformed thinkers, Schuurman situates computer technology within the big picture of the biblical story. Technology is not neutral, but neither is there an exclusively "Christian" form of technological production and use. Instead, Schuurman guides us to see the digital world as part of God’s good creation, fallen yet redeemable according to the law of God. Responsibly used, technology can become an integral part of God’s shalom for the earth.

The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News in New Ways by Meredith Gould (2013)
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and a growing number of other social media tools can help you build church, deepen faith, and extend your reach in previously unimaginable ways. In this easy-to-understand, step-by-step guide to digital ministry, church communications professional Meredith Gould goes beyond "how to" and explains "why to" engage your parish in the world of social media.
Social media tools make it possible to share conversations and content with the long-time faithful, disaffected millennials, the homebound, and spiritual seekers within and beyond church-the-building. Inspired by the Gospel and centered on Christ, The Social Media Gospel gently guides you and your church leaders and volunteers through the rapidly changing world of social media, helping you preach the Good News in new ways.

Click2save: The Digital Ministry Bible by Drescher and Anderson (2012)
Social media provide an opportunity for congregations to open the doors and windows to their congregational life before people ever step inside. It s no longer all about getting your message out as if people are passively waiting for the latest news from the parish, diocese, or national church. Rather, it s about creating spaces where meaningful relationships can develop. Click 2 Save: The Digital Ministry Bible is a practical resource guide for religious leaders who want to enrich and extend their ministries using digital media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and church or personal blogs. An ideal companion to Tweet If You Jesus: Practicing Church in the Digital Reformation (Morehouse, 2011), Click 2 Save draws on extensive research and practical experience in church and other ministry settings to provide functional, how-to guidance on effectively using social networking sites in the day-to-day context of ministry."

The Definitive-ish Guide for Using Social Media in the Church by Bruce Reyes-Chow (2012)
For anyone who has wondered if and how social media can benefit the church, Presbyterian pastor and social media early-adopter Bruce Reyes-Chow steps in with answers. He deftly weaves practical how-to's with a convincing rationale for why social media matters for the church. Social media novices will find an accessible introduction and ideas for getting started, while more experienced users will discover new ways to use social media in congregations. Readers will learn from Bruce's experiences managing information overload and navigating social media issues during a pastoral transition. This is a book to pick up for both practical purposes and Bruce's insightful and inspiring commentary on the ways social media is changing our culture and the church. Learn how social media allows Christians to be in the world in new, powerful, and God-honoring ways.

Digital Religion, Social Media and Culture by Pauline Hope Cheong, Peter Fischer-Nielsen, Stefan Gelfgren, Charles Ess  (2012)
This anthology—the first of its kind in eight years—collects some of the best and most current research and reflection on the complex interactions between religion and computer-mediated communication (CMC). The contributions cohere around the central question: how will core religious understandings of identity, community and authority shape and be (re)shaped by the communicative possibilities of Web 2.0? The authors gathered here address these questions in three distinct ways: through contemporary empirical research on how diverse traditions across the globe seek to take up the technologies and affordances of contemporary CMC; through investigations that place these contemporary developments in larger historical and theological contexts; and through careful reflection on the theoretical dimensions of research on religion and CMC. In their introductory and concluding essays, the editors uncover and articulate the larger intersections and patterns suggested by individual chapters, including trajectories for future research.

Digital Religion:  Understanding Religious practice in new media worlds  by H Campbell (2012)
Digital Religion offers a critical and systematic survey of the study of religion and new media. It covers religious engagement with a wide range of new media forms and highlights examples of new media engagement in all five of the major world religions. From cell phones and video games to blogs and Second Life, the book:
- provides a detailed review of major topics
- includes a series of case studies to illustrate and elucidate the thematic explorations
- considers the theoretical, ethical and theological issues raised.

Drawing together the work of experts from key disciplinary perspectives, Digital Religion is invaluable for students wanting to develop a deeper understanding of the field.

Geekpriest: Confessions of a New Media Pioneer by Fr. Roderick Vonhogen  (2012)
In this engrossing collection of stories and anecdotes, Fr. Roderick shares how he became a “new media missionary.” Focusing on the importance of personal connection (an essential ingredient of new media), he uncovers the exciting possibilities of using all forms of media to successfully accomplish the mission Jesus gave us: to evangelize the world. Each chapter contains illustrations of using new media as a way to reach out to others. Some examples:
- How the pope got his iPod
- Reaching 50,000 Harry Potter fans without waving a magic wand
- Why gaming can be good for the soul
- How to deal with online atheists
- The Mass and mass media
- How you, too, can become a new media missionary
Fr. Roderick’s stories introduce a young, secularized generation to an experience of God at work in his Church and in individual lives. Instead of presenting dry theories and principles, this book reveals those principles through experiences of one of today’s leading Catholic new media entrepreneurs.

Viral:  How Social Networking is poised to reignite revival by Leonard Sweet (2012)
The gospel is nothing without relationship. And no one gets it like the Google Generation.
God came to earth to invite us, personally, into a relationship. And while Christians at times downplay relationships, the social-media generation is completely sold on the idea. In Viral, Leonard Sweet says Christians need to learn about connecting with others from the experts—those who can’t seem to stop texting, IM-ing, tweeting, and updating their Facebook statuses. What would happen, he asks, if Christians devoted less attention to strategies and statistics and paid more attention to pursuing relationships?
The current generation is driven by a God-given desire to know others and to be known by others. Most of them, in seeking to connect in meaningful ways, have found a place of belonging that is outside the organized church. Why not bring the two together?
Those who are sold out to relationships can teach Christians how to be better friends to people who need God. At the same time, members of the social-media generation can learn how to follow their desire for belonging, straight into the arms of God. It’s time for relationship to be restored to the heart of the gospel. And when that happens, can revival be far behind?

The Church and New Media: Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet Paperback  by Brandon Vogt (2011)
Facebook has over 750 million users. Twitter hosts more than 350 billion tweets each day. Today alone, people will view more than two billion videos on YouTube. And in the past year, Americans sent 1.8 trillion text messages.
We're experiencing the most explosive communication shift since the printing press.
What does this mean for the Church? 
How can Christians harness these new tools to reach out, to teach, to cultivate community, to change the world?
Following Pope Benedict's call to set sail on the digital continent, The Church and New Media explores the benefits and dangers of New Media, while guiding Christians through this new digital landscape. The book features more than a dozen contributors including:
-- Cardinal Sean O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap. with the book's Foreword
-- Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan with the book's Afterword
-- Brandon Vogt on "the digital continent" and New Media's benefits and dangers
-- Fr. Robert Barron on engaging the secular online world
-- Jennifer Fulwiler on blogging her way from atheism to Catholicism
-- Marcel LeJeune on using New Media to connect young adults with the Church
-- Mark Shea on the benefits and perils of blogging
-- Taylor Marshall on using New Media to unwrap ancient truths
-- Fr. Dwight Longenecker on ecumenical dialogue through New Media
-- Scot Landry on New Media in the diocese
-- Matt Warner on New Media in the parish
-- Lisa Hendey on growing online community
-- Thomas Peters on faithful online activism
-- Shawn Carney on how the world's largest pro-life movement was built using New Media

Tweet if you heart Jesus:   Practicing Church in the Digital Reformation by Elizabeth Drescher (2011) 
Churches everywhere are scrambling to get linked with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. But are they ready for the Digital Reformation: the dramatic global shift in the nature of faith, social consciousness and relationship that these digital social media have ushered in? 
Tweet If You Love Jesus brings the wisdom of ancient and medieval Christianity into conversation with contemporary theories of cultural change and the realities of social media, all to help churches navigate a landscape where faith, leadership and community have taken on new meanings.

Web-Empowered Ministry: Connecting With People through Websites, Social Media, and More by Mark Stephenson  (2011)
Let Web-Empowered Ministry be your comprehensive guide along your unique journey toward building a powerful internet ministry. You will learn the practical steps, techniques, and ideas needed to develop an excellent and effective web ministry. You will also learn how to apply the many tools the internet has to offer including websites, smart phones, social networking, media, instant messaging, and more to extend and multiply your ministry impact. 
Mark’s engaging style makes technology accessible as he offers firsthand advice on every aspect of building an internet ministry: from assembling a team to designing and maintaining your website to developing a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and more. 
People are coming to know Jesus. Lives are being transformed. It comes from God’s power and our use of the internet to share, teach, and connect.

The Blogging Church by Brian Bailey and Terry Storch (2009)
The Blogging Church offers church leaders a field manual for using the social phenomenon of blogs to connect people and build communities in a whole new way. Inside you will find the why, what, and how of blogging in the local church. Filled with illustrative examples and practical advice, the authors answer key questions learned on the frontlines of ministry: Is blogging a tool or a toy? What problems will blogging solve? How does it benefit ministry? How do I build a great blog? and Who am I blogging for?
The Blogging Church is a handbook that will inspire and equip you to join the conversation.
The book includes contributions from five of the most popular bloggers in the world—Robert Scoble, Dave Winer, Kathy Sierra, Guy Kawasaki, and Merlin Mann, as well as interviews with blogging pastors such as Mark Driscoll, Craig Groeschel, Tony Morgan, Perry Noble, Greg Surratt, Mark Batterson, and many more.

The Church of Facebook by Jesse Rice  (2009)
A revolution is underway. A Wi-Fi, worldwide movement that is changing how we interact with others. It's a seismic shift that is redefining the idea of community. Every day millions of people connect through online social networks, sites that allow us to follow our friends, and shape how they view us.
But while personal profiles are revealing, they hint at even larger truths. They uncover our desire for identity, our craving to be known, and our need to belong.
Jesse Rice believes that Facebook offers a profound look at our deepest needs. Join Jesse as he explores social networking and its impact on culture and the church. Filled with fresh perspectives and provocative questions, The Church of Facebook encourages us to pursue authentic relationships with God and those around us.

Flickering Pixels:  How technology shapes your faith by Shane Hipps (2009)
Flickering pixels are the tiny dots of light that make up the screens of life---from TVs to cell phones. They are nearly invisible, but they change us. In this provocative book, author Shane Hipps takes readers beneath the surface of things to see how the technologies we use end up using us. Not all is dire, however, as Hipps shows us that hidden things have far less power to shape us when they aren't hidden anymore. We are only puppets of our technology if we remain asleep. Flickering Pixels will wake us up---and nothing will look the same again.

Sim Church - Being the church in the virtual world by Dougls Este (2009)
The meeting place for the church of tomorrow will be a computer screen. Don't laugh, and don't feel alarmed. The real-world church isn't going anywhere until Jesus returns. But the virtual church is already here, and it's poised for explosive growth. SimChurch invites you to explore the vision, the concerns, the challenges, and the remarkable possibilities of building Christ's kingdom online. What is the virtual church, and what different forms might it take? Will it be an extension of a real-world church, or a separate entity? How will it encourage families to worship together? Is it even possible or healthy to 'be' the church in the virtual world? If you're passionate about the church and evangelism, and if you feel both excitement and concern over the new virtual world the internet is creating, then these are just some of the vital issues you and other postmillennial followers of Jesus must grapple with. Rich in both biblical and current insight, combining exploration and critique, SimChurch opens a long-overdue discussion you can't afford to miss.

Thy Kingdom Connected:  what the church can learn from Facebook, Internet and other networks by D Friesen (2009)
Networks are everywhere. From our roads to our relationships, from our food supply to our power grids, networks are an integral part of how we live. Similarly, our churches, denominations, and even the kingdom of God are networks. Knowing how networks function and how to work with rather than against them has enormous implications for how we do ministry.
In Thy Kingdom Connected, Dwight J. Friesen brings the complex theories of networking to church leaders in easy-to-understand, practical ways. Rather than bemoaning the modern disintegration of things like authority and structure, Friesen inspires hope for a more connective vision of life with God. He shows those involved in ministry how they can maximize already existing connections between people in order to spread the Gospel, get people plugged in at their churches, and grow together as disciples.