Why do some people treat Church as a competition?  Aren't we in this together? Some churches might think they are better because they have more people.  Some might think their facilities are better than others.  Some might think, "We have a hundred members so our church is a better community than yours."  Some might think they have better stuff than others. I don't understand the whole competition thing amongst churches.  Every church is THE Church.  So when you make those comments about having more numbers, or a better children's ministry, or better facilities you are first of all looking really arrogant and prideful.  Second of all you are not treating the bride of Christ witht the love and respect she deserves. So, please remember that we are all in this together.  Just like you don't have many different brides, assuming you are married, neither does Christ.  Sorry about the rant, but it was really on my heart today. What are your thoughts?  Am I crazy?

If you are looking for a good read that will make you think then check out Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Chan is the pastor of Cornerstone Churh in Simi Valley, CA. I cannot put this book down.  It's the first book ever that has brough me to tears.  It makes you think about your life and why you do the things you do and who you do them for.  I highly recommend this book to everybody.  Whether or not you agree with some of his ideas it will make you think like never before. Here are some questions it has made me ask myself Are you in love with God? Do you love? Are you lukewarm? I am about halway finished with it, but will probably read it again. Have you read this book?  If so, what are your thoughts?

Does anybody know of any churches that are using Facebook well?  I know that a lot of churches have Facebook pages and groups, but who is using it to the full potential.  I would like to know.  Working on some things.

It's a simple question.  Just interested in where you will be worshiping Christ. Will it be at several places?  I, for example, go to Mariners Church and I also watch Lifechurch.tv online. So where will you be?

What websites does your church use to get the video message out. Do you use Vimeo, YouTube, Podcast on iTunes, USTREAM or some other service to do this? How has the response been? Are there any other sites you use to do this or even other methods you use to do this?

Do you keep your Church website updated?  I'm talking daily, not weekly or even for some churches monthly, but daily. Do you see your website as being very, somewhat or not at all important?  Why or why not? Do most first time visitors come to your church because they found your website?  How do you keep track of this? Here are some great links that have to do with Church websites.  Hopefully they help you out.  If you know of any others please share them. 4 simple steps to improving your website - Cynthia Ware Who is your Church website for? - Dean Peters

Which one does your church use? Two of them are archaich, two are somewhat new and one of them seems to be the new standard. I will let you decide which one is which. My favorite is ProPresneter. It is by far the best one in my opinion. Although, it does decide to crash every once in a while. It can only be used on an Apple Computer. But lets be realistic. If you are doing anything video at all why would you use anything other than an Apple product? It is so clean looking and once you figure it out, odds are you will like it best as well. The others are good too, but seem just a little old school compared to ProPresenter So, which one does your church use? Which one do you wish your church used?

What are 3 things about your church that you absolutely love?  Here are mine.  We go to Mariners Church in Irvine, CA.

1. Authenticity - Not only are the messages and he experience real, but so is everyone on staff that I have come in contact with.  It's actually nice to ask someone how they are doing and to get a real answer.  Not the "good" answer.
2. Community - Just the tings the church does on campus and in the community makes it feel like one big family.
3. Innovation - I believe Mariners is one of the most innovative churches in Orange County.  From what I have seen they are very good stewards of what God has given them.  They are open to new ideas, and there aren't 500 hoops you have to jump through to try something new.

If you are in Orange County, odds are you will be checking out Saddleback Church, which is a phenominal church and well worth checking out, but try to check out Mariners as well.  I am sure you will not be disappointed. So, what do you love about your church and why?

Just some quick thoughts. McCain looked good and moved up a notch in my opinion. Obama sure knows how to dance.  He is going to be in trouble trying to please everybody. I am very interested in seeing who these guys select as their veeps.  That will be a huge day for people not yet decided. Here is a quote from Obama that he said today, a day after the Saddleback Civil Forum.  Obama called the U.S. economy a disaster thanks to "John McCain's president, George W. Bush," I got news for you Barack, he is also your President.  He is my President.  Yeah, it might be Bush's fault, but come on.  If you are an American, no matter who the President is, he is your President.  Just because you didn't vote for him doesn't make him not your President.  I believe this stance is somewhat un-American.  It is what it is.  I might not like our next President, but no matter what he will be my President. Any thoughts? SNYDER

I know that there are churches using both of these methods.  For example, Lifechurch.tv uses satellite and NewSpring streams theirs over the interent.  Now I am not sure, but just guessing that streaming over the internet would be cheaper.  On the flipside I am not sure which one is more reliable.  When Lifechurch.tv started, streaming was not as good as it is today.  So, that might be part of the reason. UPDATE:  Just talked to Brad Cooper.  NewSpring will be streaming to their campuses soon.  Not yet though So, how does your church do it? Do you know of any other churches that use these methods, or is there another method I don't know of to do this live? SNYDER