Portable Sermons is the web application we wrote for churches who want to podcast their sermons. It is quite simply the easiest way for a church to podcast. Log in, upload, title your sermon… and you are done.  We even give you the tools to post a podcast page on your website.

The FREE version ($0/mo.) is now even better and has all the features of the PRO version ($29/mo). The only difference between the two is that the FREE version serves up only one file - the most recent sermon - in iTunes and on your website. The PRO version offers your entire archive of sermons for listening live, downloading or sending to a friend.

New features include automatic Scripture links, download and “send to a friend” links on every sermon, a more compact list view, customizable list view, pop-out listening box for listening to any sermon right on your website, an improved administration screen, and automatic password retrieval.

If you are already use PortableSermons.com, check out the new features, or pass it on if you know someone who might benefit from the service.  We are still giving away iPod Nanos to the first 10 pre-paid yearly subscribers!

“You’re E-vited”

We have done quite a few church websites using the fabulous Wordpress CMS / Blogging software. We have scoured the web to provide the perfect plugins and extensions to meet most church website needs. In our search, we never found a really good E-vite (Electronic Invite) tool… so we wrote one. Oh, and we are giving it away. Right now it is very clean and simple, but we do have a few changes in the works. If you end up using it on your site, let us know. We would love to hear your feedback.

Download the Plugin : youre-evited.zip (0.1)

Its funny to me that in this internet-enabled world, churches still sell CDs in their lobbies… some even sell tapes. In the most visibly self-promoting churches, a few even sell DVDs of the services. Sheesh. Don’t get me wrong, I see the value in giving the CDs to shut-ins, or sending them to loved ones who can’t attend a church service - whether overseas, in extenuating circumstances, or they don’t go to church at all. But that very focused example aside, I can’t help but wonder - is there a better way to spread the Good News? Read the rest of this entry »

WORKFLOW is a term that refers to the order in which you execute the various steps involved in doing your work. In this article, we are discussing editing audio files, and there are, or course, many, many ways to get the job done. We do not want to suggest that this is the only way you can accomplish the task at hand — just ONE WAY that seems to work for us. Read the rest of this entry »

A friend asked for a list of software I recommend to churches, so I thought I would tell the world. These are not new ideas, just good ones. The list is also not exhaustive, but these are the killer open source apps that quickly come to mind. Use these and save thousands on the purchase price, not to mention all the upgrade costs and learning curves associated with all the software updates. Enjoy. Read the rest of this entry »

Video podcasting is hard.

That said, I am going to immediately sidestep what should be a very long conversation about CODECS, editing, encoding, software choices, cameras, etc., etc… and cut right to the chase. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t do windows. Actually, I do have to keep XP around to test my website designs and support my clients. I lived in the Windows world for years, and was even head of I.T. at a large church with around a hundred windows boxes. I am qualified to say this: I hate Windows. The reason is simple - infected Windows boxes waste Pastor’s time! And volunteer time, and ministry time. Period. Read the rest of this entry »

Does your church have a website, but it is out of date, or hard to update? Maybe its just flat ugly or needs a make-over — take advantage of our free website service. Right now, we have a 5Mb limit - PERFECT for a DEMO. Some churches may not even need more storage.  Give it a try and see how easy it can be to edit your own website. If you outgrow the 5MB storage - which you will if you are editing the site regularly, add photos, files, or video - our monthly fee just $29 for the best tools and all the storage you will ever need. Until then, enjoy.