Modern Ekklesia

How I Schedule My Blog Posts

September 28, 2010 in blogging,technology with 3 Comments

In the past I’ve never had a super purposeful system for scheduling out blog posts. I generally wanted to post about twice a week. Usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays. But I was never really purposeful about what I was going to write about. If I was on my computer and got an idea for a blog post, I’d write it down in a list I created in Google Tasks. If I was away from my computer I’d simply write it down in my notebook. The problem with this method is that it was easy for me to not look at the list for days. Even when I did look at the list it was easy to just look at it, but not take any action.

Well, Chris Brogan recently wrote a post on a plugin for WordPress called “editorial calendar” which he liked and I decided to check out. It’s a super simple plugin. It basically shows you a calendar view for any posts you have coming up. It’s really easy to switch dates for any post by dragging it to another date.

What’s Your Favorite Place To Get Work Done?

September 28, 2010 in blogging,leadership with 7 Comments

When you absolutely positively have to get a lot of important work done, where do you go? Is there a certain place in your house? A home office? Your main office at work somewhere? Or is there another place you go to?

For me, it’s become pretty simple. I have two little kids, and if I’m at home, I won’t be able to achieve a deep level of concentration. It’s just too easy to take a break, or have to get up to deal with a screaming child. Because of that, my go to place has become Borders bookstore.

It’s relatively quiet, and I’m able to focus. In fact, because i’m not at home, it motivates me to focus and get a lot of work done before I head back home for the day.

Free Leadership Webinar With Guy Kawasaki on Open Leadership

September 27, 2010 in leadership with 0 Comments

On Tuesday, September 28, Guy Kawasaki and Charlene Li will be presenting a free webinar on principles of open leadership.

They’ll be answering some of the following questions:

1. What exactly does it mean to be “enchanting” and how does being open help?
2. What are the behaviors of today’s most successful Open Leaders?
3. And what are the new rules for leaders? Followers? Organizations?

It will be at 10am pacific standard time, or 1pm, EST. To learn more and register for this free webinar click here.

Staying Professional In Virtual Meetings

September 26, 2010 in technology with 0 Comments

Have you ever had to do a virtual meeting by phone or video conference? Did you know that there’s certain protocol that determines how you should act in those environments?

The New York Times recently posted a great article on how to remain professional in these kinds of meetings.

It included some of these points:

1. Focus on what’s at hand. It’s easy to begin multi-tasking and checking email while someone else is presenting. If you’re not paying attention, and later have to ask a question that was clearly covered, you’ll end up looking quite unprofessional.

2. Use the mute button if there’s background noise

3. Announce that you want to say something and then wait. It’s easy to interrupt each other since there’s often a slight delay over the internet, or because you can’t see people over the phone. So announce “I have a question” and then wait.

4. Don’t hide in the background. It’s easy to disengage when you’re not presenting and just “hide” in the background. Instead be ready to contribute and engage through the conversation.

To read more from the article click here.

[image by mofetos]

If The Church Was Like Starbucks

September 24, 2010 in assimilation with 0 Comments

I was recently in Starbucks (it was decaf people) and couldn’t help be struck by the following landing page when you log onto the wifi there. Check it out:

I noticed a couple of things:

1. They were expecting me

2. They were inviting me to stay and be comfortable

3. They were inviting me to return

I suppose if churches were as intentional in doing even little things as Starbucks is on their landing page, perhaps many would have a different perception of churches.

Maybe. Maybe not. Thoughts?

Need Ideas For Sermons? Here’s Over 50 Of Them

September 23, 2010 in preaching with 2 Comments

Do you ever run out of ideas on what to speak about? Do you wish you could have some main ideas to get you started?

Well on 9-22-10 Pastor Steven Furtick finished a 24 hour preaching marathon. He did this to coincide with the release of his new book Sun Stand Still. What he also shared with everyone on his blog were all of the main ideas of the sermons he presented within that 24 hour period, which is quite valuable and interesting stuff.

So if you ever need some ideas to help start a sermon or a devotional, here you go. These are the main ideas, and everyone of them can be used to develop a sermon. You can view them in their original place here, or you can view them below.

Interested in Guest Blogging On Modern Ekklesia?

September 22, 2010 in blogging with 0 Comments

I’ve been thinking about this for awhile, but I hadn’t pulled the trigger. I think the time is now, though.

I’d like to officially open the doors to anyone that would like to be a contributor here at Modern Ekklesia. Why am I opening the doors like this? Because I know that there’s quite a few people out there that wouldn’t normally start their own blog for a variety of reasons, but who have really good stuff to share and are looking for a venue to share. So here’s your opportunity.