New Design

I just want you to know that I’m thinking about changing the blog design. Kind of working it through. Trying to get the header just the way I like it. Photoshopping around a little. So don’t be surprised if you come here one day and nothing except the content looks the same, because it’s going to happen. I’m just not sure when. I’m going for a more professional look.

Until next time.

Twitter Updates

Hey everybody,

Have you enjoyed the Twitter updates over on the right side? Just wondering. It’s a lot easier than writing a post. But I haven’t given up on adamforney.com.

Twitter is just quicker and easier on my blackberry and iPhone.

Until next time.

LifeChurch.tv does it again! Facebook style!

LifeChurch.tv is now reaching into the world of Facebook with Facebook Church. It’s a great idea and even has a Facebook Church application. For those not familiar with Facebook, an application is an add-on you can put on your personal page. This should be very good and I’m interested to see how far it will go. Here’s where you can find more info.

Time to get Flashy!

For anyone who wants to have a superstar church website but isn’t real sure about how to even start with it, I have found a site. It’s great for teaching you the basics and what basic stuff you need. So HERE you go. Did you catch it? That was the website for Flash tutorials. Good stuff, since I’m just learning the basics myself. Anyway, hope that helps.

Until next time.

Adam Forney, Founder/CEO
ChurchForward

Happy Valentine’s Virus!

It’s that time of year again. Ahhhh…Valentine’s Day. The time of love, happy feelings, happy thoughts and of course….e-mail viruses. Yes, Yahoo! News is reporting that once again, hackers have been planning on preying on the heartstrings of the unassuming and lonely hearts out there. Here’s the story.

As a general rule, never open e-mail that looks suspicious or from a sender that you don’t recognize. Or a subject that seems a little too off. What happens when you open the e-mail is it unlocks the virus that’s in it, and basically gives your permission to the computer to download the virus or program contained in it. If you’re not familiar with the term malware, get familiar with it. Malware can be bad news for your computer. Take it from one who knows.

Bottom line, when you open up your email program and get a weird looking email from a Debbie at Dallas.com and you don’t know a Debbie from Dallas.com, DON’T OPEN IT. Simply delete and go about your business. It will cost you less in the long run.

Until next time.

SECURITY ALERT! SECURITY ALERT!

Vista’s out and the hackers are thrilled! Hackers are off to the races to be the first to find holes in Microsoft’s most secure system yet, Vista. Vista was launched after five years of development and many delays to improve security. I’m sure it won’t be too long before some gets in. It’s almost inevitable. I think the question isn’t ‘if’ someone gets in, it’s ‘when’ they get in. Good luck, Bill. Find the article here.

Speaking of security, how’s your church’s system doing? When’s the last time you updated your Norton or Spybot or whatever your use to try to stay ahead of the game? Now might be a good time to. Obviously, church hacking probably isn’t a real big business, but better to be safe than sorry in this day and age. Your computer’s security can be just as important as your building’s security. I’m usally amazed when I see ADT or whatever security sticker on the church door, but they church has nothing to protect it’s hardware (which sometimes includes bank account information, website passwords, etc.). I know it would be a pretty big inconvenience if someone stole my church’s PayPal account username and password.

Bottom line: Why risk it? Some pastor’s have told me that they are trying to be fiscally responsible and don’t think the board or congregation would approve. Take a vote, I bet you find a different amswer. If not to scare you enough right now, did you read the entire article that I linked to in the first paragraph? There’s a world convention called Defcon that is entirely for computer hackers. They have their own convention! I’m telling you today, better safe than sorry. Update your security systems, before you’re forced to later on.

Until next time.

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How about that Obese Youth Group?

West Virginia has come up with an original idea. Dance Dance Revolution. That’s not the original idea, but using a video game to help kids lose weight is. The preliminary results from a 24 week trial have looked pretty good for the kids. Stable to loss of weight is the end result they’re looking for. It looks like it might be on the way. Here’s the story from FoxNews.com.

So having a problem with obesity in your youth group? Maybe Dance Dance Revolution is your answer! Good news: video games can be useful for more than just leisure activities. Bad news: I still don’t think I’m any closer to justify playing Halo 1, 2, or 3 (when it comes out) to my wife. Oh well.

Until next time.

Importance of “The Blog”

Want to know the importance of the blog? Check out this article from the Des Moines Business Record. Bloggers can be great sources information, but also a great source of knowing your customer service to the community. Good or bad. Have you ever felt like Tom? I have. Did you notice his change after some great customer service. Oh how a song can change.

Two important points here. One, blog. It’s a great way to get some attention, but also some needed traffic to your website. Two, have GREAT customer service. Great customer service brings referrals, but can also bring a firestorm of negative advertising.

Bottom line. In today’s market, no matter what the business type, the internet and blog are vital. Find a way to use it to your advantage.

Until next time.

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Vista Palooza!

Well Microsoft is doing it again. Releasing the “Next Big Thing”. The newest operating system is coming out tonight at midnight. Vista will be released to the multitudes, with it’s updated Word, Excel, and of course PowerPoint. Before you go running off and camping overnight at the local Wal-Mart, let’s look at how Vista is going to help your local church. After all, that’s what ChurchFuse is here for, you know (Fuse Your Methods to Reach Your World), that whole thing.

Vista will come with a nice little price tag of between $100 to $400, depending on what version you’re upgrading from. One new little thing is being able to download the system from the internet. That’s a first. And I’m sure there’s more…right…more things to know about Vista…right? Not really. Not yet anyway. Beyond all that, there’s probably not a lot of reason to upgrade right now. Microsoft will probably need to get rid of the usual ‘first edition bugs’ anyway. It’ll be interesting to see what Scoble has to say about it in the coming days. Here’s FoxNews.com’s story about it. So, not a alot of reason to get excited about Vista, yet. Maybe in a few months though, after the inital release.

So sleep on my readers. Sleep in your own beds tonight, and don’t make your wives angry by pulling out the tents and sleeping bags. Buy Vista later. That’s my take on it.

Until next time.

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It’s just a Parody…right?

I ran across this video from Chris Thomas’ PourOut blog. It’s great.

CLICK HERE to link directly to the video.

I think sometimes we, as the church, look at technology in the church the same way. New technology isn’t going to give us eternal life, like in the video, but it isn’t witchcraft either. As I’ve been saying all along, we need to embrace new ways to reach our world. New technology can be a huge part of that…if we embrace it. It’s just like you probably tell your congregations. You have to participate in it, to figure out what works for your church, not be just an audience member. Try something new today.

Until next time.

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