Simple Google Trick - Write a Blog -- Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

If you spend any amount of time on industry-specific web forums, you'll see a mountain of posts on how to improve search engine rankings. No doubt organic search results are one of the best ways to drive traffic to your website and generate business and ministry possibilities. In fact, you can check out a few quick tips from us here.

One tried-and-true tactic that gets little mention is starting and regularly maintaining a blog on your website. A good blog will help meet client needs and will be chock full of the keywords that Google and friends just love.

Car dealers could blog about new models, warranty questions, vehicle reliability and dealership awards, and community happenings. Builders could blog about new home models & developments, financing and charity work they're proud of. Churches could blog about missions, youth activities, outreach & community service.

Again, regularly blogging (2-3 times/week) will meet the needs of visitors and help you achieve high search engine rankings. These posts don't have to be long to be effective. 250-500 words will do. Keep it snappy & interesting and folks will keep coming back.

Blogging...your new SEO best friend.

Reaching Business Leaders Long-term, Bluetooth Marketing - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

What if you could impact churches, companies and communities all at once? You can, if you change the hearts and minds of the influence leaders -- businessmen and women.

Last week I attended the graduation dinner for the first class of Lifework Leadership Tampa Bay. Lifework Leadership began in Orlando in 1992 and trains business leaders through a 9-month program that features top corporate speakers, ministry leaders and others.

One of the cool things about Lifework is that the training and the classes are for real. Two cases in point...First, the $3K price tag per student. No business leader is going to drop $3,000 on a superficial program, unless its name starts with Harvard or Yale.

Next, students do actual work including case studies and interaction with fellow classmates. Through this program bonds are formed that can last a lifetime.

In Orlando nearly 700 business leaders have graduated from the Lifework course. The Spirit only knows how many people continue to be impacted by these Christ-centered leaders being sent out into the marketplace.

Find out more about Lifework Leadership at www.lifeworkleadership.org.

In other news, Bluetooth marketing continues to heat up here in the States. In a nutshell, via Bluetooth you can send free, opt-in content to folks at events and/or your church. If yours is a large congregation, you should definitely consider installing low-cost Bluetooth transmitters to send campus maps, church info, event calendars and more to members & visitors.

One of the great features of Bluetooth broadcasting is that you can re-use your church's existing media by simply resizing it to be cell-phone friendly. Imagine sending a shorter version of the nifty video on serving you showed in this week's church service to everyone with a Bluetooth-enabled phone. That's just one of many possible uses.

If you want to start exploring Bluetooth, click here.

New Bluetooth Broadcasting and Proximity Marketing Blog - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media & Strategy Blog

You may have noticed that it's been a while since my last post. My time away is thanks to a new arrival in the Lucky Rock household. No worries. I snapped a picture of myself sleeping, to help me remember what rest feels like.

For your reading pleasure and business/ministry success, Lucky Rock Consulting just unveiled our Bluetooth broadcasting and proximity marketing blog. Check it out here.

The latest post is features a great example of Bluetooth marketing at Trafford Centre in the U.K. If you're still wondering if Bluetooth broadcasting is for you, just notice the consumer response rates mentioned in the article.

If you're interested in Bluetooth broadcasting and you'd like to know the costs involved and how-to info, just drop us a line here.

Quick Links for a Happy Wednesday - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

I love learning about a wide variety of ministries and businesses. Not only do I get bored easily, I also find others' successes and failures to be profoundly instructive regardless of what I'm currently slaving away at.

Sometimes though, insights are lurking not around the corner, but within my own organization. Check out this great post on The Consultant Within.

You likely have folks within your ministry or business that came from other fields, utilized different technologies, and found solutions that you've perhaps never considered. Next time you're stumped, seek out these talented problem solvers who've successfully sown in a variety of soils.

On a completely different front, this great article from Fox Business chats up commerce in the "recommendation age." The key thought: don't miss the chance to participate in and encourage online conversations about your organization. These discussions are happening with or without you.

No, you shouldn't become as obsessed with what's being said about you online as a teenaged girl vying for prom queen. But you shouldn't fool yourself into believing that virtual ratings and dialogue won't impact your ministry or business success.

Want proof that you're living in the recommendation age? Look closer at the next news article or blog post you read online? Those "digg it," "fave it," "seed it," and other buttons allow folks to recommend or bash the content at hand. And tens of millions of web watchers depend on such ratings to choose ministries and businesses.

Embrace the recommendation age. If you're not sure where to begin, drop me a line.

Bonus Features that Sell - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Start your day off with this insightful article from the Hollywood Reporter. I know, I know, you don't make films and you're not in the entertainment biz. Don't let that stop you from considering the article in light of your ministry or binistry (business that's your God-given ministry).

You ministry leaders should think about how you package your sermons/conferences online. If you have video capabilities, try adding a special pop-up interview as the main speaker takes the stage, which will introduce the sermon or talk at-hand. This intro can be given by an Associate Pastor or other ministry leader, and could cover the content of the talk, offer a funny related story, or even be a teaser for folks to stay tuned after the sermon.

Your goal is not to "package" Christ in such a way to make Him palatable to the "wicked and perverse generation among whom you shine as children of light." The world, devoid of the effectual drawing of the Holy Spirit, will never want what you have. In fact, Jesus Christ declared that the world hates the light and will not come near it, lest their deeds be exposed. (John 3:20)

However, you can add cool and informative "special features" that the Spirit might work through to help you become "all things to all men, that by all means (you) might win some."

You business owners and corporate leaders should think about ways to make your content pop, especially through your website--one of the lead-generating/sales producing engines which you can modify slightly, without great expense and fanfare.

A great example of using "bonus website content" is Aprimo marketing software's wide variety of client case studies which reinforce their sales message. This content amounts to more than giving your pitch in a different way or the usual "I used them, you should too" testimonials. These case studies offer a real "nook and cranny" view of how Aprimo might help large businesses and non-profits increase their marketing impact.

Other web-based possibilities include audio or video interviews with clients, which put flesh to case studies and testimonials. In fact, if you want to reach out beyond your website (the answer is "yes"), then you should make multimedia interviews available in widgets for your re-sellers to add to their own websites and blogs. And be sure to reference these new resources in your print, email, and radio/TV advertising.

Adding special features which help you cut through the clutter is not as hard as you think. Take a cue from the above article about DVD/Video on Demand bonus content that actually sells. You just might stick out, to the glory of God.

Marketing Strategies for Any Budget - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

In case you missed it, check out this survey from Media Week's 2007 Media Plan Award Winners. If you're short on time, skip to the coverage of SanDisk's brilliant anti-Ipod campaign which won for "Best Plan Under $1 Million," or check out McDonald's uber smart Seattle campaign which won for "Best Use of Nontraditional Media."

Great ministry and business buzz spreading doesn't have to cost a lot of money. In fact, you shouldn't think about what you'd do if money were no object. Rather, take a cue from SanDisk and prayerfully consider how to break through the clutter, to the glory of God.

I also strongly encourage you, to beat an old drum, to use viral widgets to spread your media and message far and wide. With the new, free SproutBuilder, you can build slideshows, music players and more without hiring a Flash programmer. Check out my recent post on Sprout and widgets here.

And you need to research and prayerfully consider Bluetooth broadcasting. It's hot for good reason in Europe and doesn't have to be a pain to consumers.

In fact, why don't you pastors and ministry leaders create simple graphics/promo stuff, load low-cost Bluetooth broadcasting software onto the smart phones of your students, and send them out to concerts & coffee shops? Call it guerilla ministry!

Why don't you store owners set up a low-cost Bluetooth receiver and send coupons to passers-by and customers? Check out Powerade's use of Bluetooth marketing here, complete with scanners that read barcodes right off of mobiles. Again, Bluetooth marketing doesn't have to be annoying and invasive; solid consumer response to past such campaigns shows that a significant percentage of customers actually appreciate this targeted marketing.

Feedback?

Ministry and Business Marketing News - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

A couple of quick items for your Happy Monday...

Media Execs See Multiplatform in Their Future
Ignore the headline of the linked article and skip down to the part about future sources of revenue growth. If you want to maximize your effectiveness, you have to think about messaging across your website, TV, radio, blogs, and more. That may seem like a lot of planning, but it's easier than you think.

Your church can show a video in Sunday services, which is then made available on your website (if you own the copyright). Your website can publish great articles and further offer them in shareable widgets to be placed on blogs, Facebook profiles, and more.

That's My King!
Click on the video below to enjoy this classic short film on Jesus. If you don't know Jesus, drop me a line through the "Contact Lucky Rock" button to the left of this blog. I'll be glad to tell you all about Him.

Christian Prison Guard Drives Gay Son to Mass Murder - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

No, that's not a headline from today's New York Times. But it was a major plot point from last night's episode of one my favorite TV shows: Criminal Minds.

You've no doubt heard of this epidemic of bigoted Christian parents pushing their homosexual children to become serial killers. What's that? You haven't so much as read a single story or seen a lone sociological study about this pandemic of hate-filled parenting? Then why would the writers for a hit show put forth such an outlandish story line?

Group think.

Group think is the boneheaded thoughts and actions that result from a group of people working as one, with no outside influence. Left unchecked, group think allows us to commit intellectual suicide and it can cause massive problems for your ministry or business.

Unfortunately for the Criminal Minds writing staff, what is accepted reality in the entertainment community, is known to be a laughable farce by most folks living beyond the gates of Studio City.

Don't suffer the same fate.

Ask reliable people you don't know about their perceptions of your ministry or business. And use your website to generate real feedback. Yes, you'll have to sift through a mountain of garbage comments. But the resulting insights will help you overcome the group think typical of nearly every ministry and business.

Another proven method of fighting off group think is maintaining relationships with the low men and women on the totem pole within your organization.

Are you a ministry leader or business executive? Why aren't you meeting regularly with those on the front lines of your work? Scary as it may be for your fragile ego, your underlings may have thought of better ways of doing things and may have spotted significant organizational failures. But you'd never know it, because you're too busy asking your fellow execs how to get things done. After all, the cream rises to the top. Right?

Of course, at its core, the unbiblical and fundamentally ridiculous Criminal Minds story line mentioned above, springs from mankind's utterly sinful nature, inherent hatred for the things of God, and desire to prop up all that is wicked, in order to distract from and justify one's own sin. (see Romans 1) But the inane shared worldview of hit TV show writers also teaches us about group think and serves as a warning to all bent on true success in ministry and binistry (business that's your God-given ministry).

Don't let group think kill your effectiveness, innovation, and purpose. Pray about and actively seek opportunities to think originally, for God's glory. And maybe Google search potential plot points before you script hit TV shows.

CSI's Anthony Zuiker and Your Ministry or Business - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

CSI is perhaps the most successful franchise in the history of television, watched by tens of millions around the world. No, most of their shows do not promote a biblical worldview and yes, you should exercise discernment in your television viewing habits. But you can learn a lot from CSI's media planning for your ministry or binistry (business that's your God-given ministry).

Check out the clip below of CSI Executive Producer Anthony Zuiker talking about creating and airing content across multiple platforms including television, web, mobile and more. Especially notice his comments about viewers' immediate response to show content, as evidenced by their web surfing habits. (Warning: the video contains no profanity but does reference inappropriate content.)

Take a cue from Zuiker and think about your ministry or business content, and how to spark audience response across various media. If you air a weekly radio show, push your listeners to log onto your website for a forum discussion immediately following the radio broadcast. Then take it a step further.

Build widgets from your show content, which fans can add to their blogs and online profiles. As an example, check out the PluggedIn movie review widget to the left of this column, which I built in about five minutes this afternoon using SproutBuilder.

Better yet, create shorter webisodes from your audio or video content, which can be consumed and spread virally online. Or unfold a story over a series of ads, which individually convey your sales message, but also fit within a larger narrative, with cues to participate/solve the mystery/share similar stories online.

Don't just utilize a single medium to minister or promote your business. Shape and deliver your message through broadcast, web, and mobile venues. And don't simply hope that folks will talk about your ministry or business online; take a page out of CSI's book. Facilitate and fan the flames of the conversation through better media planning, to the glory of God.

Eye-Tracking and First Impressions - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Funky cool Matrix time. Enjoy this article on the use of eye-tracking research to help publishers design websites and magazine covers. In a nutshell, they want to know what we look at first and how long our eyeballs stay put on particular ads and articles. Of course, the implications for media design (web, print and otherwise) could be huge.

Even if you're not planning on hiring eye-trackers and installing retinal scans at every entrance, you should apply the concept of eyeball tracking to your ministry or binistry (business that's your God-given ministry). Don't just think in terms of first impressions. Think about the message sent by the images on your website, your logo, your print materials and even your office space.

As I mentioned in my recent article on website quick tips, your online home should be eyeball-friendly with beautiful pictures that tell your story and easily navigable site design. Don't clutter your website with everything you're doing. Let your visitors know what's important through bigger pics, central placement of key stories, and attractive headline fonts that point the way.

As biblical ministries, you should also prominently feature at least a link to your doctrinal statement and values, as well as core programs. Unless you don't know what you believe, what you're about, and why people should care.

For businesses, first impressions on your website are equally mission-critical. Where are retinas tracking on your home page? If you build homes, are pristine pics of available models displayed front-and-center? If you sell insurance, do you prominently feature photos and testimonials from the folks you've helped rebuild after the storm?

The same rule of first impressions applies to your physical building and staff/volunteers. No, you don't have to spend all the money in the world to build the most opulent church or headquarters. Interested folks usually aren't hunting for perfection, but a welcoming environment to seek out what they need.

And no, for you ministries, you shouldn't go overboard with eye-tracking into "seeker sensitive" or Brian MacLaren "remove anything that offends/let's just have a conversation" crap. If God's knocks on the door of our hearts, we naturally run out the back. (see Romans 3 and Ephesians 2) Hence, your seeker sensitivities will prove worthless, in and of themselves. But in the context of God's move on our behalf, attention to impressions is valid, helpful and biblical. (see 1 Cor. 9:22)

One last thing...The authors of a brilliant new book called Made to Stick, discuss the curse of knowledge. That is, we often struggle to recall life before we knew what we now take for granted. Non-believers and non-clients don't know you and don't know what you're about. It's up to you, led by the Holy Spirit, to point their eyeballs to what matters. And yes, the Holy Spirit leads Christ-following people to the right ideas in both ministry and binistry.

Think about those retinas and act accordingly. I'll be watching Minority Report.

The Price of Arrogance...Learn from Wachovia

Unless you live under a rock, you've no doubt heard of the mortgage crisis now battering the U.S. economy. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been lost with billions more to come. But what's this have to do with your ministry or binistry? Patience, friend, patience.

Check out this article about Wachovia Bank's mounting losses. Especially notice the arrogance of their CEO not long ago, supremely confident as he was that Wachovia not only wouldn't be hammered by credit losses, but actually would profit from any changes in credit markets.

About pride, Scripture couldn't be clearer. Arrogance is the mortal enemy of your walk with Christ and true success. In fact, "pride comes before a fall," and "whoever trusts in himself is a fool."

I'm sure that in 2007 things we're cruising along nicely at Wachovia. Pride and good, old-fashioned stupidity blinded them to their risk exposure and rolled out the red carpet for the world of hurt they won't soon escape.

Ministry and business to the glory of God works the same way. The slow creep of prideful blindness to spiritual weakness and organizational ineffectiveness, suddenly manifests in a dam break of apathy and irrelevance.

Where are you at? Are you trusting in yourself or are you clinging to Christ? Remember, "past success is no indicator of future performance." You must take up your cross daily. You must yield yourself, your circumstances, and your organization to our God, Who is an all consuming fire. He must purify you and purge pride.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul confronted his readers' welcoming prideful adversaries to the Gospel. Paul's response: "But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I
shall find out, not the words of those who arrogant but their power." (I Cor. 4:19). Indeed, the Spirit works the same way in our lives. He is not concerned with our words, but with the power of our deeds, a power which "is from God and not from us." (2 Cor. 4:7)

As the Spirit commanded through Paul, "Guard against self-deception, each of you. If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise...So then no more boasting about mere mortals! For everything belongs to you...and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God." (1 Cor. 3:18-23)

Heed Biblical teaching and learn from Wachovia's mistakes. "Humble yourself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may lift you up in due time." (1 Peter 5:6) Your personal, familial, ministry, and binistry success hang in the balance.

Apple, Steve Jobs and Your Ministry or Binistry - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

From the "in case you missed it" category, check out this great Fortune magazine article on Steve Jobs, Apple, and innovation. Notice that Apple concentrates resources on a few smart but risky projects, rather than dilute precious energy and cash across a horde of "safe" products.

For Jesus' disciples and the Apostle Paul, the core was preaching the word--including evangelism and discipleship, prayer and loving service (see Acts 6, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, James 2:14-18). Check out the Steve Jobs article and ask yourself what is the core of your ministry or binistry (business that's your God-given ministry). Determine if you're focused or diluted and get it right, for the glory of God and "the work of service."

Blue Tooth Proximity Marketing Case Studies...Learn from Coke's Powerade

In our unending quest to help your ministries and binistries be principled and practical, check out this great Blue Tooth marketing case study featuring Powerade's smart outreach at a South Africa cycling event. Whether you're a church offering evangelistic info or service times, or a business offering real estate listing or fast food coupons, BlueTooth proximity marketing is relatively easy to deploy and is showing great promise.

Enjoy the Powerade case study and read more about getting started with Blue Tooth here. If you'd like consulting help with your BlueTooth efforts, contact us here.

God's Work In Spite of You - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Last weekend I trekked back to the Rocky Mountains of the Western U.S. for green chile in Albuquerque and paintball in the Colorado highlands. In the midst of this testosterone-filled trip, I chatted with a longtime friend and business owner about the ups and downs of operating a company in a manner worthy of Christ and the long and winding road of the entrepreneur. Among his many fascinating answers, my friend confessed that God often blessed his business in spite of him.

Fast forward to my plane ride home...

Awash in the semi-depression that has typified my current journey from ministry & business consultant to working full-time for a single organization, I assumed an aisle seat on my favorite discount airline. Another passenger soon parked in the window seat on my row and we headed up, up and away.

With about an hour left on our near-cross country flight, I awoke from a much-needed nap and spotted the reading material of my window seat friend. A bible? Come on, Lord! First, I want simply to do what pleases you and I can't find a job doing that. And now you don't even seat me next to somebody who's lost, who will spend eternity separated from you unless they repent and turn to Christ. What do I have to say to yet another fellow Christian? Arghhhh!

Or so I thought...

Twenty minutes into our effortless conversation, Mr. Window Seat mentioned that he had previously journeyed to China on a mission trip. I then asked the $64,000 question (the title of a 1960s American game show for you non-Yanks). With whom did Mr. Window Seat go on that mission trip? His answer: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Insert tension-cutting knife here...

Just as my business owner friend confessed that God often blessed his company in spite of him, so the Spirit was now presenting me with an opportunity to share the truth of Christ with someone lost from Him, in spite of my childish bellyaching not three hours before. Soon Mr. Window Seat and I were engaged in a full-throttle debate over who exactly Jesus Christ was and is, whether Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and potential authors of new revelation.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit stayed true to His promises, brought pertinent Scriptures to mind and gave me the boldness to proclaim His eternal truth. FYI, you can see a few Scriptural answers to erroneous Mormon beliefs at the end of this post.

My friend's business pursuits and my airborne gospel encounter should encourage you who are believers in Jesus Christ. Indeed, God will often accomplish His good pleasure in spite of you.

Of course, God's loving work in the face of our shortcomings should not push us to "sin all the more that grace may abound." Rather, we should take every opportunity to thank God for His provision--first of His Son for our sins and then for the work we enjoy and our daily bread. And we should seek our Sovereign God for opportunities to work with Him as co-laborers (like Paul and Apollos in 1 Corinthians 3), rather than as the bratty children of our loving heavenly Father.

If today has not been a good one for you and/or you know full well the feeling of God blessing your work in spite of you, take a few moments to thank Him for His grace through Christ and on your ministry or binistry. Then pursue Him in His word, in prayer and in fellowship with other co-laborers in Christ, to the end that you will become tool in His hand, not an obstacle to His will.

And try not to open your mouth and insert both feet...


Contrary to Mormonism:

• Jesus Christ is not separate from God in His essence (see John 10:30, 17:21);
  
• Jesus Christ is God (see John 8:58, Colossians 2:9, Titus 2:13);
  
• Joseph Smith's teachings completely contradict Scripture and he was a false prophet of the worst kind (see Galatians 1:9 on the eternal destination of such as Joseph Smith);
  
• God has never changed (James 1:17); and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (see Hebrews 13:8);
  
• Eternal life does not entail us becoming gods over our own planets (see John 17:3);
  
• Only Jesus Christ Himself, His direct disciples, and their direct disciples could pen Spirit-inspired, new revelation (see Ephesians 2:20); and the Holy Spirit is God (see 2 Corinthians 3:16-18).
• The Council of Nicea in 325 AD simply confirmed the doctrine of the Trinity, rather than established it. Click here to learn more about it.
  

Car Repairs and Suffering in Ministry and Binistry - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Have I mentioned how much I hate working on cars? Let me remind you.

I own a beautiful, 4-door, hunk of Detroit steel that takes good care of me most of the time. But regular maintenance is necessary, hence I set out to change the spark plugs and wires this past week.

What for most of you would've taken about as much time to spell your own name, required several days for yours truly. I replaced the first few plugs without much fanfare. Then came "the three."

My good friends in Detroit decided the best place for the distributor was directly above the spark plugs, which themselves were already wedged on the backside of the engine. Add to that my replacing the spark plug wires in the wrong order, and I quickly owned a car that ran better before I tuned it up! After finally consulting a repair guide, I fixed my dumb mistakes and my horseless carriage now runs great. Along the way, I received many small cuts on my hands, wrenched my back, and was in a generally foul mood until order was restored.

Why bring up my misadventure in auto repair? First, because it's funny. And, more importantly, because my vehicular dissonance (which I believe is a real medical condition), sparked in me a search of Scriptures about finding God's will and suffering for Christ.

No, I don't think not being able to fix my car is suffering for Christ. But it does illustrate how sometimes we set out to accomplish a perfectly simple task--tuning up a car or honestly seeking God's will for our ministry or binistry--and we find ourselves in a prolonged world of hurt. But just as the right auto manual helped me sort things out, so God's word will help you make sense of your ministry or binistry.

Though we'd often rather skip the suffering passages in favor of Jeremiah 29:11-13 and others, God's word is blunt about suffering: if you're a true Christ-follower, you will suffer for Him. And this suffering sometimes occurs when and, in fact, because you're genuinely seeking Him.

Hear the encouragement of the Spirit through Peter: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." (1 Peter 4:11-13)

Surprise! Christ suffered for God's sake. Surprise! We will suffer in the same way and we are commanded to "keep on rejoicing in it." But this is not blind, dumb optimism. This is not simply keeping a sunny disposition. This is rejoicing in hope.

We are to keep on rejoicing to the degree that we share the sufferings of Christ, so that when Christ returns we may rejoice with exultation. On this Pastor John Piper declares, "Our joy now through suffering is the means of attaining our joy then, a thousand-fold in glory."

As an independent ministry and binistry consultant in the midst of a prolonged search for the right ministry to join full-time, I identify with all of you wondering just what the heck God wants to do in you and through you. I understand hemorrhaging savings like it's going out style. And I especially empathize with genuinely seeking God's will in the midst of suffering for Christ by putting everything on the line for the sake of figuring out what He wants you to accomplish.

But there is hope for us. In fact, the Spirit-led author of Hebrews says, "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings." (Heb. 2:10) See what God worked through Christ's pain: "because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone." (Heb. 2:9) If God wrought Christ's substitutionary atonement for us through Jesus' sufferings, how much more will he produce as we suffer in Christ?

Take heart in hardship, not because you're "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps," but because you know the outcome of suffering in Christ: joyous exulting at our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's return! This the hope of all who know and follow Jesus Christ. If you do not know Him, I encourage you to read the book of John in the New Testament. You can download a free audio New Testament in nearly 300 languages here. Then contact me through the "Contact Lucky Rock" button to the left of this post.

Learn from my auto follies and do not suffer without hope. Read God's manual for your ministry and binistry and suffer for Christ, not as though some strange thing were happening to you, but constantly rejoicing with a view to big-time rejoicing at His soon appearing. And maybe find a good mechanic...

Innovation that Inspires - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

As the rains flood down like a dam break here in sunny Florida, I'd like to brighten your day with what is a decidedly sweet merging of technology and ministry.

Faith Comes by Hearing, the world's largest audio Bible distributor, this week launched a new product especially for soldiers serving round the globe. The Military BibleStick is a "portable, digital audio player, which comes pre-loaded with an Audio Drama New Testament. With a matte black finish, matte black ear buds and a red-light-only operation, the Military BibleStick has an intentional low-key design to reduce visibility and to be used in low-light situations. This Audio Bible, which is about the size of a pack of chewing gum, has five buttons and requires only a single, triple-A battery."

By God's grace, FCBH actually personally developed the technology to enable soldiers to listen to New Testament on the battle field. What's more, built into each Military BibleStick is a means for soldiers to request audio Bibles for their spouses and children.

Soldiers are already reporting great results such as this story from one non-commissioned officer, “People loved the dramatized version...After a few months of deployment, you run out of DVDs to watch and CDs to listen to, so they began to want to listen to the Audio Bible on the BibleSticks. We had one guy who claimed to be an atheist, and after about two months, he asked for the BibleStick next.”

The challenge of reaching troops in combat with the living word of the living God was a daunting one. But the Spirit showed Himself strong and worked through FCBH to eternally impact potentially millions of U.S. troops and their families. (Give to & join this project here.)

God's innovative work through FCBH should inspire you. If you're a Christian professional, pray about how to use your skills and techno know-how to further God's kingdom. He has sovereignly gifted you and positioned you and the Spirit wants you to thrive in your given task.

Catch what the Spirit spoke through Paul to the Corinthians: "As the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk." Though the immediate context of the passage refers to marriage and slavery (no marriage and slavery are not the same thing), Paul's Spirit-inspired words exhort believers to thrive in whatever situations they found themselves when God saved them, including their non-sinful business pursuits.

Take this call of duty seriously. Don't just think in general terms about being available. Pray that God will lead you to specific opportunities with specific ministries to further use your skills for God's glory. You might even want to call up or email your favorite ministries, to see if they're interested in utilizing you. That's exactly how I started volunteering with FCBH.

For you vocational ministry leaders, pray about your ministry needs and how God might meet them through superior technology and strategy. Stop, think and pray about how you might overcome your biggest ministry obstacles through better tech and planning, such as God did through Faith Comes by Hearing. Pray also that the Spirit will lead the right Christian professionals to team with you. Warning: you may actually have to pay them a fair wage for their help! Don't have the money? Pray that God will provide the funds for the ministry He desires to accomplish. (He does own "the cattle on a thousand hills.")

Be inspired. Be prayerful. Team with other believers to forward think for Christ. And let me know your results.

A Christianity/Culture Website Actually Worth Visiting - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Rarely do I recommend Christian websites. It's not that there aren't any good ones out there. It's that they're usually drowned out by the mediocre webs filled with animated gifs, obnoxious fonts, terrible pics blown up beyond all reason, and a good dose of horribly unbiblical theology.

Conversantlife.com is not one of those. In fact, it looks sweet and it's fun to troll around on. You can even submit your own news, pics, and podcasts, which I've done repeatedly to shamelessly promote this blog.

Check it out. Blog it. Subscribe to it. Spread the word. And be sure to vote up any and all posts & comments by your dear Lucky Rock. :)

Later today I'll introduce Friday Free Think^TM, a weekly anti-box thinking exercise to help your ministry or binistry (business that's your ministry).

Ministry and Business Widgets, Again - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Last week I blogged about the brilliant viral marketing behind the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. They've used simple "widgets" to spread the previews of the film across the web and reach millions of potential movie goers. I also told you how you can use Sprout to build such widgets to make your ministry or binistry (business that's your ministry) go viral.

Amazon.com deploys widgets in an equally wise, but different way. Kindly notice the Amazon widget on this page, through which you can buy great evangelistic and business books and thereby support this blog ministry. The genius of Amazon's widgets is that they're completely customizable. Slideshows big and small, audio, video and countless combinations thereof are available to Amazon re-sellers. Follow their example with your own viral media.

Create a free SproutBuilder account and build three different widgets. Vary them in size and content and then make them available through your website. As I've said before, the big advantage of Sprout is that changes to your main widget are automatically posted to all versions of the widget deployed across the internet.

Do you own a construction company? Create a few slideshow widgets featuring your various standard home models and building projects, with links for more info. These could then be placed on the websites of your regular lending partners.

Do you operate an audio ministry, a la the tremendous Faith Comes by Hearing? Create a widget like the one on the left side of this blog, complete with mp3 links, basic "about us" info, and more. This media could easily be added to the websites and blogs of supporting churches and other ministry friends.

The Amazon.com widget lesson is simple: allow folks to decide which widget they want to use to promote and partner with your ministry or binistry. The old days of providing a simple static link to your website are going bye, bye fast. Making a handful of widgets available, will allow you to offer true value-added content to your ministry or binistry network.

Happy widgeting...

Taking Credit For Versus Taking Pride In - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

First, greetings to the many folks from mainland China, Korea, and throughout Asia who are stopping by our blog. Thanks to you and our other visitors from around the world. I'm truly excited to see the Lord expand our audience across the globe.

Think back to your school days. Mine were filled with crushes on girls who weren't interested, spending what little money I had on baseball cards, and feigning sickness so I could stay home to watch The Price is Right and The Family Feud.

Thankfully, my mom usually saw through my charade and sent me to school. There my teachers taught me not to plagiarize or otherwise steal and take credit for someone else's work.
As I pondered this while cleaning the kitchen yesterday, the Lord hit me with this: if we teach our kids not to take credit where credit isn't due, why don't we practice the same in ministry and in business?

Think of your latest ministry or corporate success? Then consider the Spirit-inspired words of the Apostle James: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Next, ponder that God sends harvest-producing rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Even if you're not a Christian, God is graciously providing for you.

(By the way, if you're not a Christ-follower, time is not on your side to confess you're a rebel from God and turn to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. I digress...)

Perhaps no other experience teaches you to recognize the clear work of God on your behalf like being a ministry fundraiser or owning a business.

I hate to admit it, but I'm a closet fundraiser. That's right, a fundraiser. I cringe even as I pen those words. Not that I don't like helping people tell their ministry story. I just don't appreciate the tendency in fundraising work to take credit for the clear provision of Jehovah Jireh.

Once upon a time, my job was to travel the States raising funds for Christian ministry. When cash came in, I was "clearly gifted." When times were lean, my bosses questioned what I was doing with my time. I found it to be a most-vexing situation.

God used that time to teach me to trust Him more--a lesson I'm definitely still learning. He also used my fundraising days to instill in me a real conviction to give God credit for the things He's done. This doesn't mean that I can't take pride in my work and all the successes God brings in my walk with Him. (see Galatians 6:4) It simply entails not plagiarizing God's work by passing it off as my own.

Reflect on your business or your vocational ministry. Are you actively seeking to glorify God through your efforts and to give Him the glory for your success? Or are you content simply to thank Him for your talents and the money & people He brings your way, with a secret nod to your own greatness. Confidence in the Spirit's calling and gifting is biblical. (see Ephesians 3:1-12) Trusting in yourself and proffering God's work as your own is foolish and destructive. (see Proverbs 28:26)

As co-laborers with Christ in church, parachurch, and workplace ministry, we should take pride in God and in His work in our lives. But we must not plagiarize the clear work of God by celebrating ourselves as the source of the success He brings.

Gotta go. The Price is Right is coming on down...

Business as Mission - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Isn't this time of year grand? Countless hours spent filing personal and corporate taxes, knowing that the documents you request from your bank should arrive about the time we see a free Tibet.

Yesterday I blogged about business as ministry. Today I want to introduce you to the world of business as mission. But before we go there, let me encourage you pastors and ministry leaders.

If you don't already have one, I strongly encourage you to start a prayer chain devoted to the Christian business owners and other marketplace-shaping believers in your midst. If they're walking rightly with Christ, these business leaders are seeking the Spirit's provision and guidance to take care of their employees and grow their businesses, to the glory of God. They're also likely looking to use their businesses and the proceeds from them, to advance God's kingdom. What an incredible responsibility!

No, I'm not asking you tap dance around company leaders and coddle them. (See James 2 for more on that.) But you might want to stop and consider the unique opportunities the Lord is providing business people and prayerfully consider how the Spirit might lead you to intercede for and equip Christian professionals "for the work of service."

Now to business as mission...

In a nutshell, business as mission is the notion that your business is your mission, that your mission is your business. Business as mission practitioners seek to use their God-given talents to start and/or operate successful companies which meet real-world needs and provide a platform to advance Christ's kingdom. Of course, as with all evangelistic/discipleship endeavors, the fruit comes not from the plan, but from God "who makes it grow."

Quite frankly, the whole business as missions movement is a big departure from past dichotomizing between business and ministry. You're either in business or ministry, right? Business people are there to make money, support pastors and fund ministry, right? God hasn't bestowed talents upon marketplace Christians and provided them with unique opportunities to expand His kingdom, has He? He has!

Certainly Christ certainly gave the first-century apostles and prophets, and now evangelists and pastor-teachers to equip believers "until we all attain...to the measure of the fullness of Christ." God has also sovereignly and uniquely empowered Christian business people to shine as children of light in the midst of our crooked and perverse generation. As I mentioned yesterday, Priscilla and Aquila were two such folks.

Notice the eternal work of the Spirit through this biblical power couple. First, the Lord used Priscilla and Aquila to provide shelter for Paul. (Acts 18:3) Later, in part surely because they had acquired skills through which they could care for themselves just about anywhere, Priscilla and Aquila journeyed with Paul to Ephesus. (Acts 18:18-19) Finally, Priscilla and Aquila discipled Apollos in the whole truth about our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Acts 18:24-28) How the Spirit moved through lowly Christian professionals!

Praise the Lord, He still works through Spirit-led marketplace believers in much the same way. If our Father has called you to business as mission, be strongly encouraged and seek Him wholeheartedly.

Consider the example of Priscilla and Aquila, ground yourself in God's holy word as they did, and seek Him for how He might work through your business acumen to edify and evangelize! This could take the form of ministering and mentoring right where you are, or putting your skills to good ministry use overseas. Go for it, even as you remember our Savior's exhortation, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." (Luke 11:32)

For more info on business as mission, visit Business as Mission Network--the unquestioned hub of the Business as Mission movement.

Psst...Your Business is Your Ministry! - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

I have to confess that I might have misled you. I've been offering recommendations for ministry and business separately. But the reality is that whether or not you have a Pastor So-and-So nameplate on your door, if you're a true disciple of Jesus Christ, you're in full-time ministry. I know you've heard it before, but don't bail on this column yet. Let it sink in...

Think about the percentage of Christians that Jesus Christ actually gives as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. Now read Ephesians 4. Yes, pull out your Bible or visit www.biblegateway.com and read Ephesians 4 in the NASB, NIV, or ESV.

Not that God requires large numbers to accomplish anything--think Gideon's 300--but the ratio of spiritual leaders to other parts of the body of Christ is quite small, isn't it? This reality, rooted in clear biblical teaching, tells us something about the nature of the calling of spiritual leaders and all other members of the body of Christ.

Contrary to popular understanding, the job of pastors and other Christian leaders is not to be the professional Christian. In fact, according to Paul's Spirit-inspired letter to the church at Ephesus, apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers are given by Christ for "the equipping of the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." (Eph. 4:12-14)

The first-century apostles & prophets, and now evangelists and pastor-teachers, have been given by Christ to equip all other believers to accomplish many of the good works of the Spirit in this world, tasks which "God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10) If you're a true Christ-follower, the equipped saints include you, Ms. Company President, Mr. Marketing Exec, Mrs. Assistant, Mr. Store Manager, Ms. Postal Worker and Mr. Janitor.

Don't believe that God works through laypeople? Read the story of Priscilla, Aquilla, and Apollos in Acts 18:24-28. Terror of terrors, there the Spirit used lowly tentmakers to instruct Apollos, who God quickly made a great champion of the faith.

Are you a tentmaker? And I don't simply mean somebody who is both working a separate vocation and pastoring. Then you need to understand and accomplish your task, just as Priscilla and Aquilla grasped and fulfilled their God-given ministry.

Ask the Holy Spirit to utterly revolutionize the way you look at the ministry God has given you. Stop passing the buck to your pastor & Billy Graham. Instead pray like mad that God will work through His Word & prayer and biblically-sound spiritual leaders to equip you, "until we all attain to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ."

One more thing...I mentioned above that the entire body of Christ has been created in Christ Jesus to accomplish many of the good works of the Holy Spirit. Not included in these works is the actual bringing of someone to saving faith. That's the exclusive domain of the Holy Spirit, as Paul declared, "So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything. but God who causes the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:7) Leave the eternal results to God, even as you endeavor to build as a "wise master builder" according to the grace of God.

Welcome to the ministry...

BlueTooth Broadcasting Reality Check - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

You don't have to be a movie buff to remember them. They're in just about every futuristic movie: walk-by, holographic marketing pitches that are individually tailored and in your face. We're not there yet. But BlueTooth broadcasting (BTB) does offer some incredible, less obnoxious possibilities to reach folks already interested in what you're doing.

The reality check is this: just as we're not yet engulfed in holographic marketing, (I'm not sure if I ever want to get there), so BlueTooth, proximity-based marketing is not quite ready for primetime. Don't get me wrong, BTB already has some cool possibilities for business and ministry, but the audience in the States is largely limited to smart phone and PC-based BlueTooth users.

However, across the pond in Europe, BlueTooth, proximity marketing is hot. Football clubs (soccer teams to you MLS fans) and retailers alike are Bluetoothing coupons, fan club signups, exclusive contests, and more to interested patrons. Most of this is permission-based, i.e., folks get an alert that content is available and they have to opt-in to receive it. Though a recent UK Information Commissioner's Office ruling declared that BlueTooth is not covered by the same anti-spam regulations as other marketing communications.

In addition to their superior phone technology, the overarching European market dynamic that makes Bluetooth more accessible is that EU phone carriers themselves are no longer the problem. In the U.S., carriers still short-change their customers by trying to control the flow of information via fun tricks like programming your lower-end BlueTooth phone to block communications from more sophisticated BlueTooth-enabled devices such as other mobiles and PCs.

In spite of the currently limited market, BlueTooth marketing is getting off the ground in the U.S. and launching in the Middle East. Once U.S. phones catch up, BlueTooth broadcasting will become the next rage in mobile marketing. (Click here for a BTB intro).

Actually, the small audience gives ministries and businesses a tidy focus group with which to try out BTB before it goes wide--a blessing in disguise, if you will.

If you're interested in BlueTooth, two options present themselves: hire an outside company or find a turnkey solution. I recommend doing it yourself.

In fact, I recently spent about $400 for a long-range (600-900 feet) BlueTooth transmitter, extra-large antenna, high-output cable, and software. The software is intuitive and the transmitter (or dongle) is plug-and-play--perfect for non-techies like me. Again, though, I discovered the hard way that TMobile, Verizon, and friends have conspired to quash my market reach. Boo, hoo.

If you don't want to figure it out for yourself, many companies offer to BlueTooth broadcasting services. Though I can't personally recommend any, a quick Google search will yield a few possibilities. Warning: the bang for your buck is limited.

So what can you BlueTooth to smart phone users and PC users? Ministries and churches can BTB simple gospel intros, service times, locations, class info, volunteer signups, and more. Businesses can send coupons, slideshows of real estate listings, links to websites, etc. As you BTB, make sure to prominently advertise the availability of BlueTooth content through signs in your front window and announcement screens.

One last thing...The goal of BlueTooth broadcasting for you non-sheisters, should be to reach folks who are already or are potentially interested in you and your offerings. Keep it permission-based and useful. Do not just send out slow-loading, annoying schlock. Unhappy recipients will make their presence known--to you and their circle of influence.

Try out BlueTooth. Even with only smart phone and PC recipients, the d.i.t.y. approach is well worth the cash outlay and will allow you to hone your message before the wave hits. But please, no holographs...

Starbucks is Stupid: The Boiled Peanuts Sales Model - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media, and Strategy Blog

Seth Godin, a marketing guru with an actual working brain, recently shared a funny story about a hobby shop near his home. It could've been the coolest little model train retailer in the land. But the owners are quickly settling into general store mediocrity. According to their billboard, model train fans are also interested in coffee and lottery tickets.

My local version of the sell-everything, lost in the shuffle store, actually lists boiled peanuts as one of their staples. Did I miss the Jimmy Carter comeback tour? Has half of Georgia migrated south to the Tampa metro area? Nope. But just in case you get a hankering, rest assured that boiled peanuts are always available there. Pig's feet and hummus distributors are reported to be in talks with the store as we speak...

Over the last few years, Starbucks has fallen victim to this boiled peanuts sales model. Instead of focusing on their core offering--coffee--and building loyalty & customer affinity around the fruit of the bean, Starbucks has diluted their brand to the extreme.

SBUX now sells breakfast sandwiches which overpower that classic fresh ground coffee smell and clutters their stores with a literal boatload of overpriced CDs, DVDs, teddy bears, candy, bottled smoothies, and even picnic sets. Did I mention they also sell all the requisite coffee/hot drink crap--including coffee mugs, coffee pots, press pots big and small, travel mugs, tea sets, and tea bags?!?

Exit CEO Jim Donald. Enter Starbucks founder Howard Schultz.

Like every good former Starbucks drone, I know that back in the 1980s Schultz saw the coffee house revolution coming and bought out his Starbucks partners, who wanted to keep their stores a simple coffee and tea wholesaler. The rest is capitalist history...

Upon his return in January, Schultz confessed that Starbucks had strayed from its coffee core and promised a quick return thereto (and to the profitability that comes with it). That's easier said than done, but Schultz recently showed his java resolve by closing all North American Starbucks stores for three hours, for the sole purpose of indoctrinating, er, educating baristas about the wonders of the bean. I'll keep you posted on their progress...

In the meantime, think about your ministry or business and how to avoid the boiled peanuts model.

For ministries, your job is to bring glory to God and tell everyone about the good news of Jesus Christ. That is, that Jesus was God and that He lived, died, and rose again, just as He promised. And you're to encourage folks to walk with Him who is not just a mere good teacher or the ticket to your best life now. Jesus Christ is truly, to steal from the late great Francis Schaeffer, the God who is there. If you're not proclaiming as much, Scripture says you are missing the mark.

Likewise you business owners/execs should learn from Starbucks' mistakes and streamline your product mix. And cut ventures that detract or distract from your core competencies.

One last story...A friend of mine is an extremely successful architect in a major U.S. city. His main office is located in an uber-cool, turn-of-the-century brick building that once served as a train depot. In fact, box car tracks still run past the loading dock. Very cool, indeed.

One day I asked my friend if he owned the building. Though he certainly had the money to buy it, he said no. When I asked why he didn't own the building, my friend put it bluntly: he isn't in the real estate business.

So I ask you: what business are you in? Are you in the coffee business? Then why are you diluting your brand by making movies about spelling bee champions? Are you in the model train business? Then why are you advertising lotto tickets?

Think about why you're in business and hone your offerings accordingly. Scripture says a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. It's just as true for business as it is for ministry and walking with Christ.

Starbucks is Stupid...Dunkins Donuts is Ingenious - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Yesterday my beautiful hunk of Detroit steel needed new tires and an alignment fix, thus I was forced to hole up in Dunkin Donuts for a couple of hours. As I sipped my blueberry coffee (yes, I pollute my coffee on occasion) and gazed upon the bright but not too bright Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins ice cream shop color scheme, it hit me again: Starbucks is stupid and Dunkin Donuts is ingenious.

Don't get me wrong. I love Starbucks! I became addicted to the "bucks" after a stint there in college. From then on, I've taken great pleasure in converting friends to the glories of the true fruit of the bean. But, as you may have heard, Starbucks is hemorrhaging money like a wounded animal. In fact, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz recently returned as CEO in hopes of righting their cash cow.

In a nutshell, Dunkin Donuts--which sells 40,000 cups of coffee/week--is succeeding because they keep trying and remain humble. New product rollouts, discounts, fun promotions, and brilliant marketing that pokes fun at Starbucks, all conspire to build group identity and loyalty among their customers. Not so with Starbucks.

Even when I worked at Starbucks way back when, they were arrogant. They discontinued frequent shopper cards because "Starbucks is a premium brand." Affinity groups were unnecessary. Four dollars was a bargain for a latte. And forcing customers to pay T-Mobile for in-store internet access was part of the privilege of being a Starbucks customer. Then their stock tanked, free-falling from a high of nearly $40/share in May, 2006 to yesterday's close at $17.99.

I hope you know what this cautionary tale has to do with your ministry or Christian business.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is extraordinarily clear: "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14) The Psalmist chimes in likewise: "You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." (Psalm 18:27) As with the Apostle Peter: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." (I Peter 5:6)

Think about yourself and your ministry or Christian company. Are you trusting God or are you arrogantly enjoying the successes He's brought your way and congratulating yourself for the same?

Proverbs 28:26a tells us, "Whoever trusts in himself is a fool." Where is your trust? Is it in Christ Jesus our only Hope? Or are you reveling in your own greatness?

If you're arrogant, repent. If you're legitimately seeking Christ and for His Spirit to work through you to exalt the Father and expand His kingdom, then pray that He keeps you on the straight and narrow.

Tomorrow I'll discuss the watering down of the Starbucks brand and core offerings and their implications for your ministries and Christ-centered businesses.

Easter Encouragement...From Islam to Christ - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Later this morning I'll offer up a new post. In the meantime, check out this article by Chuck Colson on all that the Holy Spirit's doing to make new disciples of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, throughout the so-called Muslim world. One caveat: Colson does mention significant moves from Islam to Catholicism in the vein of converting to true Christianity, which is troublesome from a biblical perspective. But the other stuff in the article is great...

Blessings...

The New Indiana Jones Movie and Your Ministry - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Go with me here...

As many of you may know, a new Indiana Jones movie is coming out this summer. It apparently features 60-something American actor Harrison Ford pushing around a walker and popping arthritis medication, as he battles the bad guys in an action-packed adventure for the whole family. Kidding...

Actually, I have no idea what the plot is for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. But that's not the point. I mention the movie to point out how they're promoting the film with great success and how you can use the same tactic to advertise your ministry or Christian business.

Say it with me: widget. A widget is a simple little tool that can be easily placed on blogs, websites, and elsewhere, that promotes something and is able to be shared with others. Notice the widget on the left of this post, offering you a chance to chip in a few dollars/pounds/rubles to support the Lucky Rock (your author's non-profit ministry).

The Indiana Jones marketing folks, geniuses that they are, created a trailer and then hired a company to make a widget out of it. The result--literally millions of people have watched the trailer! In fact, on the heels of the mind-boggling success of the first preview, they're now putting out a second trailer via widget. Read the Hollywood Reporter story about it here.

"I think the reason that studios are excited about widgets is that word-of-mouth and buzz is what Hollywood is after all the time," said Peggy Fry, senior vp sales and client services at Clearspring. "If you think about it, what a widget is, it's a digital version of word-of-mouth."

Now consider your ministry or Christian business. Do you have sermon audio, testimonials, video, music, or other content? What about links to key info on your website such as model homes, tax advice, investment insights, etc? You may not have all the advance buzz of the latest Hollywood blockbuster. But you likely have a group of partner ministries, supporters, or contractors that would be willing to help spread the word.

You can build a widget out of just about anything. And the cool thing about widgets is that pretty much anyone can copy and place them on other websites and blogs...the very definition of viral marketing!

I hear a bunch of you saying, "Hold the phone! How in the world do I build a widget?" That's where SproutBuilder comes in. I blogged about it extensively here.

Sprout is a free, web-based service (meaning the interface is online like Hotmail and others), that allows you to build, store, and publish slideshows, audio jukeboxes, link lists, and a bunch of other media. Log onto SproutBuilder.com, sign up for a free account today, and start building. If enough of you ask for it, I'll soon post a SproutBuilder tutorial.

Think about what your ministry or Christian business offers. Then think about how you can make it go viral.

Say it with me...widget.

Another Thing About Story Blogging - Ministry & Business Marketing and Strategy Blog

Yesterday I offered some quick tips on how to tell your ministry or Christian business story through blogs -- story blogging. To take it a step further, you can, in fact, dedicate an entire blog to just success stories or testimonials about your organization.

Case in point, check out the Crown Financial Ministries True Financial Freedom Stories blog. I volunteer with Crown here in Tampa, Florida and I built the site to showcase all that the Lord continues to do through Crown to help folks manage money and their whole lives, God's way. The blog features testimonials, audio from Crown's daily Money Matters show, and links to key Crown websites including giving opportunities.

How could you build a similar blog for your ministry or Christian business? Or how could you incorporate some of these elements in your existing website?

Don't just relay bland facts and figures (service times, location, etc.). Communicate the Holy Spirit's work through you as evidenced by changed lives. For you Christian business owners, convey your biblically-inspired honesty, hard work, and excellence as experienced by your many satisfied customers.

Happy Story Blogging...

Telling Your Story...through Blogging - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

By now most of you have heard about the wonders of blogging. Since you're reading this, you've obviously seen a blog and have some idea of what it's about. You may even read many blogs per day or week.

For those of you operating Christian ministries and Christian businesses, blogs can be a great way to tell your story and to steer what's said about you online. Notice I said "steer," not "control." Control of what's said about you online and your media, long ago went the way of Bill Clinton's virtue. So how exactly do you use blogs to tell your story and steer what's said about you, to the glory of God?

Here are some simple tips...

1) What are you passionate about? What gets you up in the morning/keeps you up at night? What has God led you to do about it? Blog about these things. Your vision and values drive your work and talking about them is a great way to communicate your niche in Christ's kingdom.

2) How do you accomplish your work? Do you teach English as a second language, provide food and shelter, or preach the gospel through media? Blog about it. Your philosophy of ministry -- both in your approach to the lost and those who know Christ, and the nuts and bolts of advancing Christ's kingdom (such as broadcasts and/or building projects) are part and parcel to your unique place in the Body of Christ. Tell others about it.

3) Facts and figures. Without going into gory detail, give folks an idea of the size of your ministry, your financial needs, your impact, etc. You'll usually want to weave facts and figures into an overall narrative which includes the things mentioned above and...

4) Action steps. What do you want people to do about it? You can mention your wish list in your blog posts and communicate the same through links to other important pages. You could also show an attractive ministry graphic or link to a page of testimonies from folks whom the Lord has blessed through your work, with an accompanying donation or prayer chain link.

Not coincidentally, these blogging essentials comprise what should be included in almost all of your ministry communications. Vision & values, philosophy, facts & figures, and action steps should be a part of nearly every letter, email, and promo video you send (with exceptions made for personal thank you notes and the like).

One last thing...I mentioned the value of blogging for steering what's said about you online. Telling your story through the above steps, by the work of the Holy Spirit, will help friends and potential partners see the value of the Lord's work through you and compel them to jump on board. On the flip side, telling your story through blogging will also dampen the impact of false or misleading information disseminated online by folks who don't have your best interests, much less the Lord's will, in mind. Assuming that your ministry is actually biblical, click here for more on defensive blogging.

Christian business owners should approach blogging in much the same way. Use online storytelling to interest folks in your business, set yourselves apart, and bring in new customers -- to the glory of God.

If you already write a blog, but you realize that it's in serious trouble -- either in appearance and content, check out this post on revamping your ministry website. Happy blogging...

Self-Service Trends and Your Ministry or Christian Business - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Ask yourself a simple question: how easy is it for folks to find basic organizational info--be it on your website, in print materials, or otherwise--without talking to somebody? If you're like most ministries and organizations, your information is locked up like the gold stored in Fort Knox.

Contrast most ministries' and businesses' info stinginess with a very interesting survey I stumbled upon today. Though the poll was commissioned by NCR--a company that sells self-service business tools, the results mirror other self-service adoption trends. The survey reports the following:

"More than three out of four (77 percent) of the 633 U.S. and Canadian consumers polled said they are more likely to do business with organizations that offer self-service, and 92 percent value combining mobile devices – like mobile phones or PDAs – with the Internet and self-service kiosks or ATMs to improve their overall service experience."

Of course, ministries usually want folks to talk to them, hence their reluctance to supply information without personal interaction. But contact should be voluntary and willing, not mandatory and annoying.

Though consumer trends should not influence our theology or even a good portion of our evangelism and discipleship, we should "make the most of every opportunity" by recognizing patterns of interaction and shift our ministry & Christian business strategy accordingly. In fact, making our ministries more self-service friendly is in keeping with the Spirit's word through the Paul to become "all things to all men."

Now think about your ministry website. Are service times or upcoming events listed prominently? If you have a podcast, is it linked near the top of your homepage? Is there an intro letter from your pastor/ministry leader and basic doctrinal statement? If not, add these soon.

On the Christian business side, put on your customer hat for a moment. Your website should be like a first date: getting to know each other and you putting your best foot forward. You shouldn't demand that potential clients go on a few more dates, i.e., talk to a pushy salesperson, before they hear what makes you unique, what others think about you, and the cost of basic services.

The survey cited above also revealed that most folks do like personal assistance when making more complex decisions, such as buying insurance or choosing a mortgage. This bodes well for ministries and Christian businesses that are friendly through their website and multimedia. Folks interested in deeper communication will usually seek it out. Be sure that you're genial from the start and Christ-like when the Spirit draws folks to speak with you.

One last thing...If your ministry is seeker-driven rather than seeker-friendly, you're not being biblical. In fact, "Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God," (I Cor. 1:22-24).

If you're preaching the truth that is in Jesus, you will offend most of your hearers. Indeed, sinners do not come to Christ out of their own goodness, their "getting it," or our salesmanship, but through the Spirit's drawing. Stop worrying about not being offensive and start limiting the offense to the Spirit-breathed Gospel itself.

We are to "become all things to all men" and to proclaim Christ boldly and as we ought to speak. This "ought to" includes making it easy for folks to get to know us and, Lord-willing, get to know our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Think about it. . .

More on Biblical Networking and Partnerships - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

As a follow-up to my recent posts on biblical ministry networking, I strongly encourage you to read Together for What? -- Pastor Mark Dever's great article on biblically-sound ministry partnerships. I pray that you Christian business owners will consider Dever's words with an additional eye to the sort of corporate cooperation to engage in or avoid.

Check out this excerpt...

"Compromise is bad. Cooperation is good. But how do you tell the difference? What are the primary doctrinal positions for which we need to contend, and what are the secondary doctrinal positions about which we can disagree with charity and love?

I’d like to consider how we can encourage each other to hold the truth with humility by setting out six questions:

1. Do we follow commands to purify or to unite?
2. What are some common fights Christians have?
3. What’s the specific purpose for cooperating?
4. What must Christians agree upon? (Essentials)
5. What may Christians disagree about? (Non-essentials)
6. How can Christians disagree well?"

Later today or tomorrow I'll post on telling your ministry or Christian business story through blogging, including re-purposing content buried in the nether world of your website. This week I'll also offer a primer on using Google Adwords to expand your reach. . .

Proximity Marketing Ministry Case Study Update and Internet Evangelism Day - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Howdy all?!? I'm in the thick of my own personal case study on bluetooth broadcasting and I should have something concrete to report in the next few days. In the the meantime, I bring you news of a coordinated worldwide church focus on internet evangelism...

Churches to Hold Web Focus Day April 27
"How can we use this new-fangled Internet thing to share the gospel?" Christians are asking. A worldwide "web evangelism focus day" is helping to provide answers. Sunday, April 27, has been designated as Internet Evangelism Day. Churches can download free materials from the Internet Evangelism Day website. These materials make it easy for churches to create a short presentation about online outreach on or near that Sunday. A PowerPoint, video clip testimonies, drama scripts, music and handouts can be used to create their own customized program lasting from one minute to 50.

Church leaders who have already used these materials are excited. "This is a huge help for small churches such as ours," writes a church leader from California.

The Internet Evangelism Day team emphasizes that web evangelism is for anyone, not just the technically gifted. "There are many ways to share your faith online, without any technical background at all," says IE Day Coordinator Tony Whittaker.

Christian leaders are also enthusiastic: "I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day," says Dr. John Stott.

Churches can start planning their focus day now. More information is available at:
www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

Free Church Website Tool Released
The people behind Internet Evangelism Day also provide year-round resources about online outreach. The ministry explains many ways that Christians can share the good news, including through church websites. Churches often find it difficult to create a site that will engage with outsiders in their area, and find themselves asking, ""How can our church website help us reach out into our community?"

A new online tool released by IE Day provides churches with a free 15-page evaluation report. Users assess their own website by answering 55 simple questions. Their customized report is immediately displayed online, ready to print or save. The report's recommendations are tailored with specific practical suggestions, based on the questions that were ticked. View the evaluation tool here:
www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/design

A church site which has been prioritized for non-Christian visitors can be remarkably effective in reaching the community. "Week in, week out, more visitors turn up at our church on a Sunday because of the website, than anything else," writes one growing church in London.

The tool also provides the parable 'A Tale of Two Golf Clubs' (which is available to republish) to illustrate the principles of effective church websites: www.InternetEvangelismday.com/golf

Church leaders have welcomed this new resource. "This competent evaluation tool provides a valuable service to churches that will help them strengthen their effectiveness in outreach through the Internet," says Dr. Sterling Huston, director of North American Ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Gary McClure of LifeWay Ministries agrees, saying, "This checklist is an invaluable tool to identify critical areas for improvement. Every church should study this regularly and act on it!"

For more information on IE Day, visit
www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

Contact: Tony Whittaker, Coordinator, Internet Evangelism Day
Tel: +44-1283-702334 (GMT office hours)
email: InternetEvangelismDay.com/feedback
IE Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, a group of online ministries, at Billy Graham Center, Wheaton, US, and is coordinated from WEC International's Derby UK office. It is completely free with NO fund-raising component.
Leaders available for interview: InternetEvangelismDay.com/publicity
Photos: InternetEvangelismDay.com/photos
Leaders supporting: InternetEvangelismDay.com/supporting
More article ideas: InternetEvangelismDay.com/free-articles

Proxiblaster BlueTooth Ministry Update - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

One of my maxims in delivering my oh-so-brilliant thoughts to the world is that I will be equal parts practitioner and theorist. Hence, I ordered the Proxiblaster BlueTooth hardware and software that I recently blogged about.

I've also started building ads using the free, online Sprout Builder. I'll be sure to keep you posted on my personal case study with Blue Tooth ministry and evangelism.

If you have any questions as you dive into BlueTooth, send 'em my way. If you're wondering what in the blue blazes I'm talking about, check out this quick primer.

Before I go, let me offer one more Blue Tooth marketing idea for Christian businesses. Realty! With BlueTooth proximity marketing, your flier box will never again be empty! Blue Tooth prospective buyers simple property info including square footage, price, and more. FYI, I found a company offering to set up this service for realtors. But it's so easy, I recommend you just buy the hardware/software and Blue Tooth without outside help.

Happy BlueToothing...

Big Picture Time - The Church and Culture - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Today I ask you to step back and consider the big picture and the context within which you minister. Check out the excerpt below from today's blog post by Dr. Albert Mohler--host of a radio show heard in about 100 U.S. markets. Though his column deals specifically with American culture, Dr. Mohler's biblical insights should also help those of you ministering in other Western countries...

"The Church has constantly been perplexed concerning its proper relation to culture. H. Richard Niebuhr traced five different patterns of cultural response in his famous work, Christ and Culture. The book over-simplified the issues and now looks awkwardly optimistic, but some of the patterns Niebuhr described are still evident. The Church has at times withdrawn from culture and sought refuge in attempted cultural isolation. At other times and in other contexts the Church has simply abdicated to the culture, thus reflecting the culture rather than proclaiming the cross. A myriad of patterns and be traced between these two extremes. The fact is that the Church has often exhibited several patterns at once, capitulating to culture on the one hand and seeking isolation on the other.

In candor, we must admit that the Church has been displaced. Once an authoritative voice in the culture, the Church is often dismissed, and even more often ignored. At one time, the influence of the Church was sufficient to restrain cultural rebellion against God's moral commandments, but no longer. The dynamic of the culture-shift marches onward. On the Protestant left, leaders have simply capitulated to the revisionist ideologies and surrendered revealed morality. On the evangelical wing, however, the greater temptation is to affirm biblical morality in principle, and wink at infractions as matters of merely individual interest.

The displacement of the Church is characteristic of the process of secularization, which has now so thoroughly altered the landscape of American culture. Though sociologists point to continuing high levels of religious activity and statements of belief--both of these in sharp contrast to other western nations--the truth is that very little of this activity translates into authentic discipleship, active church membership, and bold Christian witness."

Read the rest of Dr. Mohler's excellent post here. It's well worth your time. As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to understand your culture and preach the good news of Jesus Christ "with great patience and careful understanding."

I Almost Forgot...Sprout Also Comes with Stat Tracking! - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

One more thing about Sprout--the incredible new web-based program for easily creating cool content for your website, email newsletters and more.

Sprout also features click-tracking for every project. Thus, a media player featuring your own custom graphics, such as the one found at the top-left on the new Crown True Financial Freedom Stories blog, takes just a few minutes to build with Sprout and allows you to accurately gauge visitor interest and tweak your offerings accordingly.

What are you waiting for? Sign up for a free account today and Sprout some cool new content, to the glory of God!

Has Your Ministry Sprouted Lately? - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

I know, strange headline. But the question pertains to a new technology that you don't have to possess an advanced computer sciences degree or be the church "techie-in-residence" to use to greatly impact your ministry.

Sprout is a new web-based program from the makers of ChipIn. ChipIn produces cool widgets to enable folks to give to ministries and other non-profits online. See the eye-popping Chip-In widget to the left of this post, through which you can give to Lucky Rock Ministries and keep this blog rolling. Check out a short video of the Sprout Builder demo launch here.

Sprout is nothing short of awesome! If you're like me, you want to create cool, interactive stuff for your website, emails and more that the Spirit might use to push believers and non-believers alike toward Christ. Unfortunately, even the best software, such as Flash CS3 doesn't make it easy to create "rich content." Thus, most ministry folks are left out in the cold.

Enter Sprout.

Sprout allows you to build jukeboxes, slideshows and other cool stuff through a simple drag-and-drop interface. Sprout even allows you to upload "assets" such as pictures, music files and sermon audio/video. For an example of what you, yes you, can do in just a few minutes with Sprout, check out the audio player found at the top-left of the recently-created Crown True Financial Freedom Stories blog.

Some of you more tech-savvy readers will find Sprout doesn't let you do all the really cool Flash fly-ins, etc. But Sprout isn't for the ministry tech gurus who know ActionScript, Flex, and Flash. It's for folks who want to create cool content on the fly.

Though Sprout is still in beta-testing, this program delivers. I strongly encourage you to sign up for a free account today and have some fun. And if enough of you ask for it, I'll soon post a mini Sprout tutorial.

Sprout often. . .

Biblical Ministry Partnerships and Networking: Part Two - Ministry & Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Last time we discussed biblical ministry partnerships, we focused on the kind of teamwork to avoid--namely those who are not centered on Christ as measured not by their rhetoric but by His Word. Now let's quickly look at a couple basic principles and examples of truly biblical partnerships through which God works to advance His kingdom and bring Himself glory. While the Scriptures abound with examples, for the sake of time we'll take our inspiration from Paul's letter to the Philippians.

Paul loved the Philippians. They shared in his suffering and his ministry. They even supported him financially when nobody else did. He wanted them to continue walking strong in the faith and to follow his example thereof. Paul and the Philippians' teamwork together for God's glory and Paul's comments about it, provide us with a solid model for working with other believers to fulfill Christ's Great Commission.

Again, because of the time limits imposed by a blog post, I'll focus now on Paul's instructions about spiritual purity & unity and following his example. Next time we'll look at Paul's kind words to the Philippians about his fellow laborers Epaphroditus, Tychicus and Timothy and how we should emulate their service and lifestyle.

In 1:9-11, Paul prays that the Philippians that they would have overflowing love based in knowledge from God and rightly discern between good and evil, with the endgame of approving the things that are morally excellent, that they may live truthfully and without blame until the return of Christ, bearing inner fruit coming from right standing with God which comes through Jesus Christ, to God's glory and praise.

That's a mouthful! As you consider this passage, ask yourself if you're personally striving to meet this standard. And consider if your current and prospective ministry partners are likewise endeavoring after Jesus Christ our Lord. If not, as hard as it may be, you shouldn't continue working together until you get it right. On the flip side, you should actively seek out those who meet Paul's Spirit-inspired standard for individual and community vitality.

Later Paul exhorts the Philippians to make his joy complete by, "being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent one purpose," (Phil. 2:2). The Philippians, and believers today, are to be of the same mind, that is, the mind of Christ, (1 Cor. 2:16). We are to actively preserve the same love--love for Christ and love for each other in Christ, (Matt. 22:37-40). We are to be united in spirit--joined in a community ethos bent on the things of God. And we are to be intent on one purpose. What purpose? For that let's look to Paul's words in Philippians 3: 13b-17:

"Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are complete, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us."

The goal is Christ Jesus. Earlier Paul told his readers that his goal was to lay hold of that which for Christ laid hold of him--eternal life in Christ.

Notice also in 3:13-17 that Paul encourages the Philippians to follow his example, as opposed to the wicked teaching and living of those "whose end is destruction." His example was one of unfettered, full-throttle following after Christ and teaming with other like-minded believers.

Do your ministry partners meet this standard? Or do they simply call themselves brothers and bail on biblical purity, goal-setting, and living? You'll know by measuring yourself and your co-laborers by the Spirit's words to the Philippians through Paul. Act accordingly and you will indeed set a great example for other ministry networks and churches to follow.

In the next post in this series, we'll look at the characteristics of Epaphroditus, Tychicus, and Timothy--three of Paul's Spirit-led co-bondservants in Christ Jesus. Until then, let me know about your experiences with ministry partnerships--good, bad, and otherwise.