Tag Archive - Ministry

720p + iMovie For iPhone = Win For Ministry

June 12, 2010 in Technology with 1 Comment

The new iPhone was announced earlier this week by Apple, and I for one am very excited by the possibilities that this new device will have for Ministry.

2 of the features that were announced by Apple were a 720p (HD) video camera, and a new iMovie app.

High Def video looks great. Example, view this YouTube video that I made in full screen and make sure that you have it set to 720p.

Looks sharp eh? That’s because there are heaps more pixels in that video, meaning greater detail and more prettiness.

When the new iPhone is out and about in a few months, you will be able to use your phone to make videos of this quality!

Another exciting announcement was the release of iMovie for iPhone, which means that you can edit these movies right on your iPhone, and publish them to YouTube. You’ll be able to get the videos that you make out very very quickly!

I’m imagining people in ministry being able to make a really quick, really high quality videos, whenever they want. These could include leaders sending out videos to group members instead of a long email, or it could mean a very quick advertising video being made, or it could mean a video showing how fun an event was will be that much easier to make. Possibilities!

I’m excited to use these new features, and you’ll be sure to find some iPhone 4 made videos right here at calumhenderson.com in the coming months.

Memorise Your Sunday School Lesson

July 31, 2009 in Kids/Youth with 0 Comments

Christmas CraftSunday School needs a higher priority in our thinking.

Recently I have been reading a book called “The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School” by Aaron Reynolds. One of the key ideas that he states is that Sunday School lessons should be memorised.

Now this isn’t just the story/talk that could be memorised, but the whole thing! From what games you play, to any dramas or craft that you may want to use.

This is a big task.

The reason for memorising the lesson is so that what you teach will be as excellent as possible. If you are ready to say your next word instead of looking at a sheet, then you will probably be able to react to the situations that are before you.

I really like this big challenge.

I think that any step towards excellence in Sunday School is a good step to take, and I believe that Sunday School needs to have a high priority in our churches.

I believe that this extra effort of memorising lessons is a worthwhile investment.

To see more about the importance of Children’s Ministry then read “The importance of children in mission” or “Making Youth Evangelism Obsolete”.

Continue Reading…

Zone of Awesomeness

June 22, 2009 in Life with 4 Comments

I found this diagram in my internet driftings. I like it.

I think it could be also applicable to put “What we can do to serve God” instead of “What we can be paid to do”, and instead of “Learn to monetize”, “Learn to serve God”. Although in saying that, we can serve God through whatever we do.

Zone of awesomeness

I got this from Constructive Grumpiness.

Continue Reading…

Zone of Awesomeness

June 22, 2009 in Life with 0 Comments

I found this diagram in my internet driftings. I like it.

I think it could be also applicable to put “What we can do to serve God” instead of “What we can be paid to do”, and instead of “Learn to monetize”, “Learn to serve God”. Although in saying that, we can serve God through whatever we do.

Zone of awesomeness

I got this from Constructive Grumpiness.

Continue Reading…

SMART goals in ministry

May 21, 2009 in Education with 4 Comments

We set goals all the time in Christian ministries. How many people do we want to come our social? How many new people do we want at church?

I had a lecture (Educational Psychology) today on assessment and we discussed SMART goals. That is:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Realistic
  • Timed outSoccer Goals

I think that these are good ideas to hold to when creating goals for our ministries, allowing us to progress towards a target with attainable goals to reach. We can also gain relevant feedback on the results and then evaluate what the results mean. By using SMART goals we can grow Gods kingdom effectively.

P.S. If you haven’t checked out Andrew Katay’s “If I ran the Diocease I’d…” posts, then you should. He has a great post about the initial goal of the Sydney Anglican Diocease . See it here (I like his goal better).

Reflection in Ministry

May 15, 2009 in Education, Life with 3 Comments

ReflectionRecently I wrote an essay on metacognition and expertise. One of the major points that came out of research for this essay is how important reflective practices are in learning, and how much more effective we can learn if we build on what we already know.

This got me thinking about various ministries that I am involved in, and how much I need to reflect on what happens each week in order to serve God better. I think it is something that does happen a lot in many churches (and other groups), but I still think that it is something that needs to happen more, asking questions like…

  • How can we change what we did to make it better?
  • Was there anything that worked really well?
  • Was there anything that didn’t work?

So in my ministries, reflection is going to play a continuing role in me growing as a leader. So that I can understand groups, and how to serve God through teaching them (or interacting with them). I pray that others will continue to reflect on their ministries.