Tech for the Local Church
Does Google Hate Christians? Do Christians Hate Google?!
Nov 9th
Answer: NO. And some.
But if you were to believe some vocal Christians complaining about Google changing their policies, you would think that they do hate us. Google used to give away the Education version of Google Apps to all non-profit organizations, including churches. Now they do not. You can still use google apps for free, but they limit the service to 10 email addresses / accounts.
To be honest, I was sad to hear the news, too. But we cannot assume that this is because they have a low opinion about faith-based non-profit organizations. The laws that protect churches registered as non-profits are also under attack – specifically the tax laws. We should not be surprised by government or business that wants to remove financial advantages that churches have enjoyed for years. And to go further, I don’t think we should make assumptions about the motives behind these changes.
What I do know is that Google provides a great value for churches who want to use their services. If 10 email addresses isn’t enough, I suggest you pay for the service – its $50/year per seat. If you have an IT guy on the payroll who is managing Exchange server, you would save money to retire the server and use Google Apps for email/docs/calendar/contacts and dropbox.com to share files.
That is my advice and I am sticking to it.
Real-World Discussion of Google Apps vs. ChMS
Feb 14th
We recently received this question in our comments on a previously posted article: Is Google Apps Church Management Software? They were great questions, and we hope others can chime in on this discussion: More >
How To Upgrade Google Apps to the FREE Non-Profit Edition
Oct 14th
NO ADS, TOTAL PRIVACY, SHARED CONTACTS & MORE
Three good reasons why you should choose the non-profit edition over the standard FREE (with Ads) Google Apps version you may be using now. Instructions after the break… More >
Dr. Google-Love (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying, and Love the Apps)
Oct 12th
The headline reads:
(dateline: the Cloud) — Incremental Improvements Add Up to Revolutionary Innovation
As if we needed another reason to recommend that everyone give a listen at the first possible opportunity to our podcast interview with Brad Stark (we shamelessly and repeatedly plug this episode [#4] ’cause Brad’s expertise and information are just that good), here we are again with another.
Make that 4 others. Yes, 4 reasons, and all of them are 9s.
‘Google Apps’ Loves You, Church, and Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Data
Oct 8th
Improve organizational operations
Raise awareness for your cause
I heard some good news the other day that I wish someone had told me long ago. It’s something that every church staff, para-church team and any other not-for-profit organization can receive as a great blessing, and it might even be a game-changer which helps us get God’s Good Word of Hope out more easily and with great effect.
Brad Stark of Appirio.com puts it like this: “Every dime saved on communications and data-management software costs by using Google Apps can go to the Kingdom instead … and that’s a LOT of dimes!” So true, and Google Apps for non-profits is already helping ministry groups all over the world.
But is it helping your ministry? If not, maybe you have the same problem I had. I knew Google Apps, but I needed the Google way explained to me “more adequately.” I had no idea that their slug-line was something they wanted me to take personally:
You are changing the world. We want to help you.
Podcast 004 – Google Apps for Your Church? YES! An Authority Speaks.
Oct 6th
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Subscribe Here: http://portablesermons.com/ministryvault
Or Here: http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/ministry-vault/id382190586
Brad Stark has helped some of the largest BIG enterprise companies switch to Google Apps. He explains the benefits of Google Apps, the difference between the paid and free versions of Google Apps, and answers questions about the main concerns in the minds of many churches considering a move to Google apps. A few show links after the break … More >
Safe and Saferer: Google Apps are Good(er than ever)!
Oct 4th
When ‘good’ data management and security protocols aren’t good enough for some people, they must be made ‘gooder.’ And ‘gooder’ can only be made ‘gooder-est’ when ‘safe’ is made ‘saferer’.
And ‘saferer’ is exactly how to describe what Google Apps is doing with data security in the very ‘cloudy’ extended forecast for us all here in Internetville.
Not all clouds are the same, and this helpful article, Is user data safe in the cloud?, points out several significant security concerns with some forms of cloud-computing. The upshot is that the cloud itself is not inherently secure (no big surprise there), because not all cloud-based business is done with secure protocols. This only news in the sense that some of the causes and effects — the implications for unsuspecting, perhaps too-trusting users– are explained in non-tech-geek clarity.
All of this very practical information invites a closer look to see what IS secure and reliable in the cloud. Once again, we can say hello to our little friends (you guessed it): Google Apps.
CENSORED: Is Google Instant Search Safe For Work?
Sep 30th
Google Instant is a new search enhancement that shows results as users type. This is not the suggested search terms that try to predict the actual words being typed, this feature will actually show results of the predicted search terms. It is truly amazing technology - like a feature from the future!
The problem with this feature is that when you typed the first few letters of a perfectly legitimate word, it will start guessing. This is mostly harmless, but, on some unfortunate occasions, Google can (and does) serve up some results which are generally considered very offensive or otherwise inappropriate. More >
5 Reasons Your Church Should Use WordPress + 30 Million From Microsoft
Sep 29th
Microsoft just announced that it is abandoning its website / blogging platform and moving 30 million users to WordPress. This effectively doubles WordPress’s user base to 60 MILLION USERS!! With that kind of endorsement and success, I now pronounce all other website options for churches DEAD ON ARRIVAL. With the juggernaut, that is Microsoft, throwing in the towel and giving the nod to WordPress, the battle for your website content is now over. Read on for 5 reasons WordPress is better (and cheaper) than what you are now using. More >
“Who Will We Send (Online), and Who Will Go (Do Tech) for Us?”
Sep 28th
While we are busy deciding what technologies to use as ministry tools, it’s important to remember that we need people (both staff and volunteers) to supervise, implement, and develop the technology to productive effect in the Kingdom.
We might have the best (or most expensive) programs and systems that money can “buy,” but they won’t work unless we have people to use them and make the most of them.
A recent listing for an online magazine position prompts another round of discussion in the Google-Apps-are-Church-Management-tools discussion which Brook Drumm (fearless leader here at M’Vault and at portablesermons.com) started.
It appears that, increasingly, the question of whether “to cloud or not to cloud” is already be a moot point. If the business world adapts (much of it already has) to web-based applications– leaving on-site network systems behind– then they will be seeking employees with cloud-based information management talents and training. Schools will meet that market demand by supplying a prospect-pool of graduates– adepts– comfortable and familiar with these tools as a matter of course. This is the new basic skill-set.
Not only are the tools of data management shifting to the cloud, the workforce must necessarily follow. This workforce includes the brothers and sisters in Christ who minister alongside us by means of technology. And Google Apps is the leaps-and-bounds-ahead leader in the field.
Are You Using Online Surveys?
Aug 17th
Feedback is critical to leadership and making sound decisions. But most leaders don’t have the time to poll more than a few individuals for their take on an event or new idea. Keep reading for some great online survey tools! More >
New From Google Labs: Google Reader Play
May 8th
I have been using Google Reader for years, but until I started getting serious about blogging, I was never a devoted user. Over the last month, I have cleaned out my feeds, subscribed to only the most useful content to stay informed for this blog, and fallen in love again with Google Reader.
Enter: Google Reader Play
I typically catch up on tech news using Google Reader on my iPhone, but today I fired up my MacBook and noticed one of their famous experimental offerings:
New! Google Reader Play is a fun way to browse interesting stuff on the web. Give it a try! More >
Being Found in Google
Mar 9th
Local Business Center - http://maps.google.com/support/bin/topic.py?hl=en&topic=13416
Submit your church to Google Maps. Even include service times, pictures and more.
Webmaster Tools – http://www.google.com/webmasters/
Verify your site, add your sitemap, and get an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) report card
Analytics – http://www.google.com/analytics/
See site traffic and trends.
Google AdSense – https://www.google.com/adsense
Advertise your site.
Google: Just for Fun
Mar 9th
Who says Google is all business? Here are a few fun, off topic things Google gives you.
Image Swirl - http://image-swirl.googlelabs.com/
SketchUp – http://sketchup.google.com/
Fast Flip – http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/
Voice Search – http://www.google.com/mobile/google-mobile-app/
Latitude – http://www.google.com/latitude/intro.html
iGoogle – http://www.google.com/ig
Hardware, Software & Tips that Makes Google Better
Mar 9th
iPhone and Android – http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/whats-new-with-gmail-on-iphone-and.html
Take all of Google’s tools with you.
Google Labs in Gmail – Tweak your email to be more productive.
Mac Address Book – Sync Contacts and Print Labels
Google Chrome – http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/features.html
Backupify – http://www.backupify.com/
Backup your Gmail account (and much, much, more)
Get FREE Google Apps for NonProfits
Mar 9th
Are you using the Standard Edition of Google Apps? Upgrade to the free educational edition here:
http://www.google.com/support/a/bin/request.py?contact_type=nonprofit
- No advertisements
- 2000 unique emails a day – verses 500/day with the standard edition
Well worth the trouble, I think.
Google Basics for Churches
Mar 9th
Google is search.
Churches speak of eternal destinations.
Is this a match made in heaven? Not really. But I do think that any organization that accepts the Great Commission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ has a responsibility to do an excellent job getting THE WORD out there. Lets cover some of the basics…
Google.com
Do no evil. http://www.google.com/corporate/tenthings.html
Get a Google Account
https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount
A google account, is basically a gmail (email) account that unlocks the door to Google’s services “in the cloud” (online, not on your computer). The big strokes here, once you are in the club are:
- Gmail – http://mail.google.com/ Complete with online …
- Calendars: http://www.google.com/intl/en/googlecalendar/about.html
- Documents: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA (Breaking News: This Just In! DocVerse)
- Forms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzgaUOW6GIs
- Tasks: http://mail.google.com/mail/help/tasks/
- Contacts: http://mail.google.com/support/bin/topic.py?topic=12867
- Buzz.
- Photos – http://picasa.google.com
- Photo Editing – http://www.picnik.com/
- Reader – http://www.google.com/reader
- Maps – http://www.google.com/maps
- YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/
- Earth – http://www.google.com/maps
- Google Voice – http://google.com/voice
Staff Productivity: Google Apps
While the majority of these fall cleanly in the “personal productivity” column, there is a professional side to Google: Google Apps.
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