THE MAGNETIC CHURCH: RESOLIST.HTM

RESOURCES LISTINGS: Last updated: August 9, 2011
(click here to ‘mainmenu’)
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SECTION 1: OTHER CONGREGATIONAL ANALYSIS, PRODUCT INFORMATION, TRAINING AND PURCHASING RESOURCES (EVERYTHING FROM 'ADVERTISING' TO 'WEBSITE DESIGN'; see especially the ‘of interest to everyone’ denominational ‘interest’ section at the end).

SECTION 2: SOFTWARE.

SECTION 3: BENCHMARK WEBSITES, SOME WITH ADOBE ACROBAT NEWSLETTERS.

SECTION 4: SAMPLE BLOGS & YOUTUBE VIDEOS.

SECTION 1: OTHER CONGREGATIONAL ANALYSIS, PRODUCT INFORMATION, TRAINING AND PURCHASING RESOURCES (EVERYTHING FROM 'ADVERTISING' TO 'WEBSITE DESIGN'; see ‘of interest to everyone’ denominational ‘interest’ sections at the end).

especially the ECUSA and PCUSA ‘interest’ sections at the end) .

Please Note: I constantly receive information about resources; if I find their offerings useful after visiting their web sites, I add them to this page. However, I caution you that except where I have inserted a comment based on my own personal experience, I can’t vouch for nor endorse any of these suppliers.

Advertising (Print): Church Ad Project: www.churchad.com; 800-331-9391: print media ads, cards, T-shirts.

Baby Changing Stations: www.babychangingstations.com

Banners, Custom: www.sermonview.com

Banners, Flags and Pennants: Broward Flag Company: www.browardflag.com

Banners; Posters: Outreach Marketing: www.outreach.com

Buildings, Steel: www.alliedbuildings.com; 877-997-8335). I know zero about construction, but this is a premier (Business Week April 24/06 article) company if you need a speedy building solution.

Bulletins, Episcopal Generic:
a. Bifold, set to print on 8.5" x 11": I am indebted to Lisa Ashe at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Providence RI for giving me the original template in Word. However, because I find it so difficult to format Word documents, I do not normally use Word. Therefore I left Lisa’s original internal formatting as it was; most significantly, the page numbering is missing! I have provided 3 versions: Word, WordPerfect and Adobe.
b. Tri-fold, set to print on 8.5" x 14": I am indebted to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bonita Springs, FL for giving me the original template in Word.

MI: Memorial Presbyterian: 989-835-6759

TN: Second Presbyterian: 865-523-2189

VA: Christ Church Episcopal: 703-549-1450

Celtic/Nordic Worship: http://www.pilgrimstpaul.org

Cleaning Supplies - ‘Green’ Alternatives: http://epa.gov/gmpo/edresources/chem_h.html and http://www.thegreenguide.com/home-garden

Communications: from The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio: ‘mainmenu’:
www.diosohio.org/Who%20we%20are/communications.html
Scroll down to ‘Marketing’; click ‘learn more’ or enter: www.episcopaldso.org/What%20we%20do/marketingoutreach.html for: campaigns available as direct mail pieces, posters and newspaper ads, billboards, buses and movie theaters. They also have a partnership with Fed-Ex/Kinko's to allow congregations to customize these materials in a cost-effective and quality way. Also: radio and TV ads.
Scroll a bit further to: ‘Working with the media’ or enter: www.episcopaldso.org/Who%20we%20are/working-with-the-media.html
Scroll a bit further to: ‘Develop a communications plan’ or enter: http://www.episcopaldso.org/Who%20we%20are/communications-plan.html

Congregational Analysis: Holy Cow! Consulting helps congregations assess and understand their unique strengths and their challenges to becoming vital, growing churches; visit http://www.holycowconsulting.com/Churches/CAT.htm or call: J. Russell Crabtree, President, 614-208-4090.

Congregational Development/Redevelopment: one of the premier organizations equipped to provide publications and on-site experts in multiple areas for clergy, staff and lay leadership education; visit www.alban.org. 800-486-1318. You may also call or click here to order copies of my book WELCOME, their catalog # 136. And especially for small churches: “The Turnaround Church” by Mary Louise Gifford, The Alban Institute, 2009; and, "Born of Water, Born of Spirit" by Holbrook and Thompsett, pub. 2010.

Congregational Development: a staggering array of topics, listings, links at: http://www.dioceseny.org/index.cfm?Action=Programs.CongregationalDevelopment

Congregational Health: 2 sites focused on church 'wellness' and 'best practices; visit http://churchwellness.com and http://morningwalkmedia.com

Congregational Research: Faith Communities Today: Massive congregational research and analysis: http://fact.hartsem.edu/
Also: Indianapolis Center: www.congregationalresources.org: massive congregational research and analysis.
Percept Inc.: www.Percept.info; demographics and population analyses.

Congregational Transformation: Power Surge by Michael W. Foss; Published 2000 by Fortress Press: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Surge-Discipleship-Changing-Church/dp/0800632648

Contacting Neighbors: lots of simple publicity and contact ideas: http://newfamilybureau.com

Creative Communications for the Parish: wide array of multi-media training resources: https://protestant.creativecommunications.com/index2.php

Crosses: Made from fiberglass, indoor/outdoor, with backlighting: www.fsiweb.com/crosses/crosses.asp

Demographics: one of the premier organizations equipped to provide population analyses; visit www.Percept.info

Education: Cokesbury: www.cokesbury.com; or 800-672-1789: ask for Resources catalog.

Explore Faith: Episcopal-based seeker site; very useful for referring seekers and for clarifying how one might respond to sceptics and seekers. I have met personally with some of these very committed and sincere folks: www.explorefaith.org

Evangelism Internet-based: Amazing Grace Internet Ministry: www.amazinggrace.com

Evangelism: Servant Evangelism: A wide array of ideas, tools and actions to put faith into the world in small, deliberate acts of generosity and kindness: www.servantevangelism.com/about/

Evangelism Tools: For a staggering array of evangelism and outreach resources, many of which are suitable for non-Episcopal churches, provided by The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia: http://churchtoolbox.org/

Evangelism Training: Alpha North America: www.alphaNA.org; 888-949-2574: evangelism training.

Evangelism Training with Young Adult Interns - The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts: www.diomassintern.org and http://lifetogetherepiscopal.blogspot.com

Furniture: For an amazing array of furniture and furnishings: Adirondack Direct: www.adirondack.com

GenX /Gen Y Resources: Rev. Beth Maynard: "google" search on her name for articles.
More: www.emergingchurch.org: explore postmodern (GenX) generations and Youth Ministry & Spirituality Project: http://ymsp.org/welcome.html and www.youthandreligion.org: vast, detailed and extensive Lilly Foundation -funded research/papers/publications. See also: Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, by Christian Smith with Melinda Lundquist-Denton. 2005/2009. The National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) published its first major findings in Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, by Oxford University Press. Softcover available at Amazon.com.

Handicrafts: To support native artists/craftspeople around the world, visit: www.tenthousandvillages.com

Health and Wellness Programs: (Provided by Shirley Kennedy, Penn Yan NY Presbytery)
AMBA Wellness Programs: a church provides the place, the organization provides inexpensive blood tests: Google for your area. Also: Lifeline Screening: New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire; 800-778-6098.

Hospitality Alban Article:"Hospitality to the Stranger" by Thomas G. Long June, 2007 http://www.alban.org/conversation.aspx?id=4576

Hospitality Questionnaire: http://edwm.org/Hospitality.pdf

Icons & Banners: www.ecva.org; especially check their links/resources.

Labyrinths: interested in learning more about labyrinths, to purchase designs and/or materials, review other websites and local canvass, painted and concrete installations, visit: www.labyrinth-enterprises.com. Also: Grace Cathedral, SF, CA: www.GraceCathedral.org: labyrinth info; available DVD, VHS.

Landscaping: http://www.ahs.org/master_gardeners/ : great landscape resource, especially on native plants.

Landscaping: Sacred Gardens web: http://www.tkffdn.org; book www.openspacessacredplaces.org/: public green spaces - places of peace and refreshment.

Large Churches: highlights of Alban Institute issues pertinent to large churches. www.congregationalresources.org/Seminars/LargeChurchLearnings.asp

M&M’s: for candy with your logo, name, etc, pre-printed, go to: http://www.mymms.com/office4

Marketing: The Alliance for Christian Media: a full array of traditional media tools and internet-based technologies: http://allianceforchristianmedia.org/. For a quick sheet: alliance.pdf. And, for great ideas site from The Church of England: http://www.getyourchurchnoticed.com/

Mildew Remover: JoMax: the best stuff anywhere to get rid of that black smudge on your north-facing walls and shaded stone/brickwork! No power-washing; this liquid, mixed with water and bleach, just eats all mildew; then simply rinses away with a hose. Your woodwork, stone and brick walls, walkways and terraces will sparkle! I use it on my own house! Get it at your local hardware/paint store; visit the manufacturer: www.zinsser.com.

Movies: Licensing of: use this link for a ‘legal’ overview: http://data.webjunction.org/wj/documents/7619.pdf
US: click on www.swank.com and http://cvli.com/ for detailed information and how-to.
Canada: click on www.criterionpic.com for detailed information and how-to.

Multimedia: "Silver Screen, Sacred Story: Using Multimedia in Worship" No. AL261 by Michael Bausch 2002, published by The Alban Institute www.alban.org

Name Tags: die cut; easiest to Google for sources; 2 churches I know buy from: Tallcorn Label Co Inc., Street: 9364 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 46321-2810; http://tallcornlabel.com; 219-836-5442, no web listed; history of 10,000 for $300 - $400.

Natural Church Development: by Christian A. Schultz: A Guide to Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches and also implementation guide; available www.amazon.com.

Paper for newsletters & brochures:
For Welcome Brochures: I recommend Hewlett-Packard 2-sided brochure paper:
Matte: 66955A 50 sheets: Glossy: 66817A

For Newsletters: you wish to try:
Inkjet printing: Wausau Exact Bristol Medium Card Stock 250 sheets, 67lb. Ivory. #823668
Color copier: Hammermill Copy Plus, 20 pound, white #10500-7.

PDF converters: see Software below.

Planned Acts of Christian Kindness: Organizing free and fund-raising events: www.acts18.org

Postcards: and direct mailing: www.postcardpress.com

PowerPoint for Sermons: lectionary-based slides: www.sermonview.com

Prayer: Centering Prayer: a comprehensive prayer resource site; visit www.centeringprayer.com.

Printers - Reviews: at http://reviews.cnet.com/printers/ and http://www.consumersearch.com/search/reviews/inkjet+printer

Printing Design: "Looking Good in Print" 6th Edition, by Roger C. Parker, ISBN 1-933097-06-X, Published by: Paraglyph Press. This is the most highly recommended design book I have encountered; available at most online booksellers.

Printing Supplies: I have found buy.com often has the best prices on inkjet cartridges and paper; in 2008, Staples has become much more reasonable, but I buy my cartridges directly from Epson at prices = to Staples, but no tax and free shipping. At buy.com, don’t be fooled by their occasional "free-shipping" deals; sometimes they seem to raise prices when they have these offers; visit www.buy.com.

Printing Suppliers 1: For business cards and especially glossy welcome brochures, Vista Print appears to supply excellent products at amazingly low prices. Business Week July 17, 2006 rates them way ahead of most local shops and Kinko’s on price/product. If you do not have a local printer capable of / interested in short runs at competitive prices, check out www.vistaprint.com. As of April/09, Vistaprint is under investigation for deceptive billing practices in several states. I would urge caution if accessing their site!

Printing Suppliers 2: Especially for glossy welcome brochures, this website seems to offer a wide range of choices, at attractive prices on larger quantities: check www.printingforless.com

Printing Suppliers 3: Design it yourself or templates, especially for glossy business cards, stickers and labels: check www.printmything.com

Project Management: A website for collaborative project management - free for basic projects; visit www.iteamwork.com

Projection Tools for Worship, and
Projectors Built-In: Fowler Inc.: www.fowlerinc.com; 800-729-0163: worship presentations hardware / software.

Projectors - LED Ultra-Portable: Also known as "Pico"; these are tiny pocket-sized projectors; while fun to use with portable video devices, they don’t have enough power or clarity to display images much beyond 1 or 2 feet. When LED projectors ‘grow up’, they will set the standard for quality, life and price, but not yet.

Projectors - Portable:
Note 1: when looking at bulb-life specs, understand that unlike the old overhead transparency projectors which stayed rated-bright until they died, LCD bulbs lose brightness in direct proportion to their age. So, a projector rated at 2000 lumens, 4000 hours, will be only 1000 lumens after 2000 hours of use! Also: VGA may be adequate, but I’ve discovered that many of the crispy design elements in PowerPoint 2007 and 2010 look exponentially much better with an XGA display.

Note 2: for an exhaustive listing of, and reviews for projectors, go to www.projectorcentral.com/projector-reviews.cfm

Note 3: You may find better prices at local chain stores, and much better ‘walk-it-in’ replacement ‘warranties’ than buying directly from manufacturers. Otherwise, the store will simply ship you unit back to the manufacturer, or to their ‘local’ authorized depot. So do check for warranty terms; e.g., Epson does sell ‘on-the-road’ replacement coverage.

A. Epson: Best bet. In Sept. 2010, I purchased an Epson EX51 XGA 2500 lumens, up to 5000 hours lamp life; $599 and it produces crisp text, very clear photoimages, and had the best, brightest, richest, most accurate color I have experienced in years! It also has USB and HDMI inputs, and is LCD, which I find much brighter and better color than DLP.
www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&sku=V11H311120
For even more power, see below (W = wide-screen, designed for DVD movies, but most XGA can display wide-screen adequately, though not as many pixels).
Powerlite 825, 3000 lumens: XGA $999 dull.
www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=V11H356020&BV_UseBVCookie=yes
Powerlite 1730W, 3000 lumens: WXGA $1499
or go to www.epson.com. Warranty: 2 years on projector, but only 90 days on lamp - most expensive part at $199!. Epson warrantees: 1 year $129; 2yr $199 but it is not clear if that also covers the bulb. So you may wish to purchase through a local chain retailer or an online site such as projectorpeople.com and buy their extended warranty. You’ll find some of the same or similar model numbers with different model numbers at retailers, so check specs.

B. Others:
1. Dell: I suggest you stay away from Dell; they just repackage other’s and often don’t have RGB inputs, and I have found most displays quite weak and dull.
2. NEC: I had really good service and a really good display from my NEC SVGA, although it was a bit noisy, but it died in January, 2007, just 4 months after the 3 year warranty expired, and the replacement bulb was over $400! Their website sucks.
3. Sanyo: In March/06, I used a sponsor’s brand-new Sanyo PLCXU47 2000 lumen XGA and it was excellent, and ‘only’ $1400, a very good price at the time for an XGA machine. I know people who have spent thousands more and I don’t think they got more unless they needed to project in front of 400 to 500 people.
4. Viewsonic: February, 2007: I purchased a Viewsonic PJ458 2000 lumen XGA for $750 from buy.com; no shipping charges, no taxes, and 3 year warranty. Initial reactions: limited in/outputs, but fine for my needs; needed much higher setting brightness in large, well-lit room, but ok; pleased that I can set 5 different image types even when input is RGB (most projectors allow no overset if RGB), good because I must use the ‘photo’ gamma setting when using PowerPoint to change the photos from dull to relatively ok; tiny footprint; front fan exhaust (doesn’t blow heat on me or laptop); almost silent fan in eco-mode. For DVD's: almost harshly bright in dark room; easily adjusted for movies, terrible for glare-filled concerts.

Projector Replacement Lamps: http://bulbdirect.com

Projector Vendors: I suggest you use Google to search, as there are many suppliers. Because all warranties and service are provided by the manufacturers, dealer choice is really price and shipping cost dependant. From time to time, I have searched CNET, ZDNet, Tigerdirect.com and the main retail chains, and by far the best deals were at buy.com. These next two market heavily to churches for installed units: www.myprojectorstore.com and www.theprojectorplace.com. But I found their websites really difficult to use and would not use them for portable projectors.

Questionnaires: ELCA: superb interactive practical questionnaires: www.elca.org/evangelism/assessments/index.html

Religious Product News: a really excellent source for links to all types of church ‘hardware’ - buses, audio-visual, carillons, chairs, signs, lighting, buildings, equipment, websites; plus, an array of monthly articles on many topics. Visit www.religiousproductnews.com

Retreats: Creighton University: http://creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo.html

Sacred Harp: a resurrection of traditional American sacred song: www.fasola.org

Screens for Projectors: www.draperinc.com; 800-238-7999 for an astonishing array of screen types: portable / wall-mount / ceiling-mount; use their tutorial to learn about finish types (important to match to projector type and room-width viewing angle). Also www.daylite.com for your old ‘stand-by’ tripod mounts; see Dalite Versatol: 100" diag = 60"x80"; white matte: 1 vendor to consider: www.mountsandmore.com/Da-Lite-Versatol-505DL1321.html. And, a third alternative: www.stewartfilmscreen.com; my guess is that their products are very sophisticated and $$ way beyond a typical church budget.

Screens at Amazon: great!! deals: 60" wide @$81.20 w/free shipping Sept./2010) list $167.14 www.amazon.com/60INX60IN-Versatol-Tri-pod-Screen-Keystone/dp/B00028DAKM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270641255&sr=8-7

70" wide @$84.93 w/"free" shipping (Sept./2010) list $174.54 www.amazon.com/70INX70IN-Versatol-Tri-pod-Screen-Keystone/dp/B00028DAKW/ref=sr_1_1/184-5674885-4186757?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270640475&sr=8-1

100" wide (8 ft) @$97.11 w/"free" shipping (Sept./2010) list $198.37 www.amazon.com/100IN-Versatol-Screen-Matte-White/dp/B000291L6Q/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275690595&sr=1-7

Sermons, PowerPoint for: lectionary-based slides: www.sermonview.com

Signs: Outdoor Display Enclosed Signboards: www.sportsign.com

Signs: Outdoor Display Enclosed Signs; digital and pedestal: http://churchplaza.com/signs/index.cfm

Signs: Pedestal for Lawns: J. M. Stewart Co.: www.stewartsigns.com

Sign: at Calvary Episcopal Church, Memphis, TN: note: fixed signage is 7' x 10', banner is 7' x 10', and distance from the bottom of the banner to the ground is 9'. signandbanner

Signs: Visitor Parking and A.D.A Parking/Ramp/Access: I suggest you Google "visitor parking signs" for many more choices; the next links are just a few I found:

Signs A.D.A: Plastic signs "9" x "6" entrance & access: www.alphabetsigns.com/ada-signs.html?NameId=4&CategoryId=4&SizeId=6&BackgrdId=5

Signs A.D.A: Plastic signs "9" x "6" entrance & access; standard parking aluminum signs 12"x18": www.bestsignage.com/products/ADA_signs/ada_access_direction.htm.

Signs A.D.A: aluminum signs 12"x18": all types of parking signs, plus for entrances: wheelchair symbol with "Entrance"; wheelchair symbol with "Entrance" and arrow; wheelchair symbol with "Wheelchair Ramp": www.safetysign.com/Parking.html; or www.signmart.com/.sc/ms/cat/Parking%20Signs--Handicap%20Parking/1

Signs A.D.A: aluminum signs for entrances: 12"x12" wheelchair symbol only; 12"x18" wheelchair symbol with "Entrance" and arrow; 12"x18" wheelchair symbol with "Wheelchair Ramp": http://www.ssgraphicsco.com/en-us/dept_209.html

Signs A.D.A: (12x12, 12x18) disabled parking, access, ramp; signposts; stand-up ground signs; 6x6 vinyl adhesive wheelchair symbol only: www.signmonster.com/shop/index.php?cPath=23_41

Signs A.D.A.: 12"x18" chair symbol only for use at end of ramps and next to exterior doors: www.parking-permits.com/xp/xp5_stockproductspecs.asp?compname=myparkingpermit&stdcode=S416

Signs for Episcopal Churches: produced by: Episcopal Parish Services: www.episcopalparishservices.org or www.episcopalbookstore.org or directly: http://signs.episcopalchurch.org/

Signs for Episcopal Churches: produced by: St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 3413 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303. For visuals: www.tfn.net/~woodingc/sign.html. Order form: www.tfn.net/~woodingc/printform.html. Questions? 850-562-1595; fax: 850-562-8638.

Single’s Ministry: 2 sites with extensive ideas and programs for singles: http://www.singlescenter.org/soloflight/index.htm and www.singlescenter.org/gslambs/index.htm.

Taize: interested in learning more about Taize in general, log on to www.taize.fr; interested in learning more about how well a Presbyterian church can provide Taize in an authentic reform tradition: www.fpcaustin.org.

Ties: custom ties, scarves and blazer crests: http://alynn.com.

Tracking System: www.churchtracer.com/

Urban Population Data: download: "Population Growth and Decline in City Neighborhoods" at http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=310594; and "Downtown Rebound" at http://fanniemaefoundation.org/programs/census_notes_3.shtml. Also: Urban Redevelopment: http://livingcities.org/.

Web Site Design: http://www.echurchonline.com: this company provides web site design and management. For Canadian churches: www.ecclesiact.com.

Web Site Design: http://www.dioceseofnewark.org/technology/webworkshop/: how to create web pages, for churches: includes sections: Why and How - An Overview; basic HTML; How-to-do-it Sites; Resources for images, etc.; Diagnostic Sites, all with many links and sub-sections.

Web Site Design: http://hirr.hartsem.edu/leadership/designing_church_sites.html; Designing Church Web Sites - a thorough, if dated, overview, more of concepts than tech.

Web Site Host/Design: American Bible Society (co-sponsor): www.housesofworship.com: web page software and programs for churches: you must search for: "church web design" otherwise you get a lot of shopping links!

 

Web Site and Other Freelance Programming: www.elance.com; www.guru.com; www.rentacoder.com; www.domystuff.com.

Welcome Brochure Folders: In English and Spanish: visit www.churchdirect.us.

Welcome Brochure Folders: In English and Spanish: visit www.spire-resources.com.

Welcome Brochure Folders, plus: all types of specialty pre-printed papers, cards, labels: www.paperdirect.com

Welcome Brochure Folders, plus: http://churchdirect.com.

Vinyl Banners: limited choice; text only, but very inexpensive; visit www.halfpricebanners.com.

Wooden Crosses: Order: packages of 100 for $33.00 (incl S&H) from: The Evangelism Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut; c/o Laird Mortimer III; P. O. Box 571, Tariffville, CT, 06081-0571. Make check payable to: The Evangelism Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut. Allow up to 12 weeks for shipping as they are sent directly from Palestine. I carry these with me all the time.

OF INTEREST TO EVERYONE:

For Everyone: Diana Butler Bass: "Vital Signs" online in Sojourners magazine, Dec. 2005: http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0512&article=051210. She is a significant author on American religion, including The Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old Church (Alban, 2004). A new book, "Going to Church: Christianity for the Rest of Us", is now available from HarperSan-Francisco. Go to www.dianabutlerbass.com for more titles.
Also: http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2007/10/willow_creek_re.html#more. (Or click here). These are ‘must reads’ for those concerned about the presumed inevitable decline of the ‘mainline’ - ‘legacy’ churches, and our 'supposed' inability to compete with ‘mega-churches’.

For Everyone: "Fusion" by Nelson Searcy 2007 Regal Books: an excellent and precisely detailed book on assimilation; see www.churchleaderinsights.com

For Everyone: Spiritual Web Site by The United Church of Canada: I’ve listed it here both for the content (which you might find interesting) and for the concept. Their banner reads: "an example of open-minded discussion and exploration of spiritual topics, moral issues and life's big questions. You'll find lots to talk about in our Discussion Lounge, and you'll get your very own Profile Page for telling others a little about yourself, starting a blog, or sending and receiving wondermails." http://wondercafe.ca/

For Everyone: "Dissatisfaction, Yearning Make Churchgoers Switch" by Cathy Lynn Grossman: see: www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-04-22-church-switch_N.htm

For Presbyterians, and of interest? to others:
PCUSA Overview 2008: snapshot2008.pdf
Transforming the Mainline Church: Chestnut, Robert A. Geneva Press, 2000, Louisville, KY.

For Episcopalians, and possibly? of interest to others:
Alpha Alternative: "An unapologetically liberal alternative to the alpha course": http://livingthequestions.com
Booklets explaining The Episcopal Church:
from St. John’s in the Village Episcopal Church:
The Problem of Good and Evil: http://www.stjvny.org/documents/godnevil.pdf
A Liturgical Lexicon: http://www.stjvny.org/documents/litlex.pdf
The Body Language of Worship: http://www.stjvny.org/parishbooklets/BodyLanguage.asp
Why in the World Do You....?: http://www.stjvny.org/parishbooklets/whyintheworlddoyou.asp and, for Forward Movement, go to www.forwardmovement.orgChurch Publishing: www.churchpublishing.org: wide array of books and worship resources.
Episcopal Parish Services: www.episcopalparishservices.org; 800-903-5544; Resource Catalog.
Episcopal Overview 2008: Episcopal_Overview_FACT_2008.pdf
Evangelism: Via Media: www.everyvoice.net/viamedia
Lenten study program: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/groundwork.htm
Morehouse Publishing: www.morehousepublishing.com: wide array of books and resources.
Postcards, posters, banners & handouts: order online (very inexpensive - $4.00 for 25 postcards!) at: http://docstore.kinkos.com/episcopal-dso
Shy Person’s Guide to Evangelism: $1.75 each. Contact: Ms Helen Netos: The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, 138 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02111 or call 617-482-4826x402.
Start Up / Start Over: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/startup.htm
TV-Radio: Episcopal Media Center: www.episcopalmediacenter.org; 800-229-3788. TV, radio ads & programs. Also: on DVD, with study guides: "The Story of Anglicanism" narrated by Michael York and "The Story of The Episcopal Church" narrated by David Morse. Also: on 2 DVD’s, with study guides: Newcomers Guide to The Episcopal Church: http://www.alliance4media.org/servlet/the-376/Newcomer-Collection/Detail
UK Church Army: look for "Fresh Expressions of Church": http://www.encountersontheedge.org.uk/
Vestry Resources: Episcopal Church Foundation: www.episcopalfoundation.org.
Video promo from Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix,
The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona: www.youtube.com/user/TrinityCathedral
Young People, Ministries with: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/myp/

As of June/07, 5,780 designs on 78,300 products: mugs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, magnets, bumper stickers, golf shirts, buttons, baseball jerseys, postcards, stickers, greeting cards, calendars, more! http://www.cafepress.com/buy/episcopal

And: Educational Handouts for Visitors (and yourself):
So You Think You're Not Religious: Adams, James R. Cambridge, MA. Cowley Publications, 1989.
The Episcopal Church Welcomes You: Gray, W. & B. Seabury/HarperCollins, 1979.
Welcome to The Episcopal Church: Webber, Christopher L. Morehouse Publishing, 1999.
A People Called Episcopalians: Westerhoff, John H. St. Luke's Press, 1994, Atlanta, GA.
and from Forward Movement: (Catalog: 800-543-1813; http://www.forwardmovement.org):
The Anglican Way: Moore Fenhagen, James C.; 20 Questions & Answers, Francis J.; The Episcopal Church Welcomes You; Church Customs. Tonk, H. Scott.

And: FYI, demographics in The Episcopal Church (US in parens): over age 65 = 27%(12%); under 15 = 14%(22%); ages 20-34 = 9%(21%).

SECTION 2: SOFTWARE: Other than the Adobe reader, I haven’t tried these; but I have listed them as each recommended enthusiastically by participants:

Adobe Acrobat Reader: free at www.adobe.com

Adobe Acrobat Converter: http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry10?SP=10023&PN=1&xid=19198&V1=955606&CUR=840&DSP=&PGRP=0&ABCODE=&CACHE_ID=269159. If that link gets changed, go to http://nuance.com/business.pdf

Adobe file Create Alternative 1: http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry10?SP=10023&PN=1&xid=19198&V1=955606&CUR=840&DSP=&PGRP=0&ABCODE=&CACHE_ID=269159

Adobe Acrobat Create Alternative 2: http://www.pdf995.com

Adobe Acrobat Create Alternative 3: http://www-pdfcreator.com

Church Management: www.acstechnologies.com

Graphics and Newsletters Formats: www.church-software.com.

OpenOffice: $47.00 alternative to Microsoft Office: http://www-openoffice.org

Open Source Programs: http://sourceforge.net/

Photo Editing: photo retouching, image composition and image authoring: http://www.gimp.org/

SECTION 3: BENCHMARK WEBSITES (Some With Adobe Acrobat Newsletters)

Constructing or upgrading your own church website? Redeveloping your newsletter format? If so, you may find it helpful and productive to visit these sample sites for ideas on format and content. You can also check out the web page design and structure alternatives which are available using different programming tools. Some of these sites have internal links to their own Adobe newsletters. (See also www.magnetic-church.com/resowbnl.htm for more newsletters.
And although no one site or newsletter has every element or link structure I would prefer, all have relatively user-friendly menus and good ranges of content. Also, they exhibit a range of design layout and structural complexity because they are produced with different (and differently complex to use) programming tools.

Adobe Notes: need Adobe Acrobat reader? click http://get.adobe.com/reader/ to download the most current version - 9+. Happy coding!!

www.calvarymemphis.org: very attractive index page with crisp graphics; easy-to-use pop-up sub-menus; also, excellent weekly email newsletter.

www.calvarylosgatos.org: very crisp, visual, contemporary design; very ‘inviting’ links and ‘ok-if-you-don’t-know’ Q&A sections.

www.capitolhillpreschurch.org: clean, concise, manageable; easy email links.

 

www.epiphanydc.org: brand new Aug. 2011; great texts and pictures.

http://fpep.org/faqs: 'second' page of Q&A for visitors; really super helpful.

www.goodshepherdrmt.org: very attractive index page with crisp graphics; but, no prominent welcome to visitors - I would rename the ‘about us’ page as ‘welcome’.

www.gracestlukes.org: beautiful design; absolutely clearly obvious how to proceed if a visitor; a terrifically specific "Closer Look" page, great texts; equally superb and specific “What to Expect on Sunday”.

www.secondchurch.org: !!2!! superb visitors’ link, with: Map/Directions, What to Expect, What to Wear, Where to Go, What About the Kids, What We Believe, Our Worship Tradition, A History of Service, About Presbyterians, and Joining Second.

www.sjcathedral.org: unfortunate black background on index page; easy to find "New to Us?" link, and once there, terrific welcome message and good links to visitor query structure.

http://stcolumba.ca: very contemporary design, great links and a sense of energy; marred by weak welcome message and no FAQ.

www.stgeorgesparish.org: absolutely terrific (crisp visual) front page; terrific "What Happens on Sunday" for visitors.

www.stmarysbonita.org/: crisp, visual front page, with terrific flashing event/program highlights with imbedded links.

www.stpaulsriverside.org: great menu graphics - terrific drop-down sub-menus; explicit and very detailed visitors’ guide (once you find it); otherwise beautiful and informative site marred by no "welcome" or mission statement on front page.

www.tpcmidland.org: bright and airy; good sample of site provided by www.acstechnologies.com

www.websterhillsumc.org: very airy index page; super ‘for our visitors’ link to very practical questions (children/dress code/parking, etc); interesting left-hand menu (no newsletter).

And: www.stjamesweb.net: this isn’t the niftiest web page by far: it has no welcome message and the picture is of a building, not people, or people in front of a building. However, I have included this page because: although this church is off the beaten path, invisible from the main road, and hard to find, the members told me that after they had removed from the street-visible sign everything except the worship times, but put on the web address - now 80% visitors stated that they found the church via the website.

Also: http://www.echurchonline.com: this company provides web site design and management.

PS: If you are aware of a site that you would recommend I add to this list, please email the www.address to me (aw@magnetic-church.com), and I will check it out!!

 

SECTION 4: SAMPLE BLOGS & YOUTUBE VIDEOS.

Fr. Steve Rice is the Rector of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC. He has been most generous in encouraging anyone to copy and/or adapt these on-line ministries without prior permission. However, I think it would be helpful for anyone who does so to let him know.

http://sttims.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/anglican

You may also want to check out www.tangle.com, a social networking site with tools for the faith-based and family friendly marketplace. tangle is a place where all users including Individuals, Groups, Churches, Ministries and Bands, among others, can come to connect and share their faith and lives through videos, photos, blogs, prayers, music and more.