How to EASILY Record and Send Facebook Videos
Posted on 14. Nov, 2008 by Aaron Marshall in Social Media
Facebook has a feature that allows you to record video without any special software. This is a great feature for making videos to all of your friends or for private messages through your facebook inbox. I have made a point of trying to use video instead of text when responding to people on facebook. If you don’t have a web cam, I have used this one before and it works GREAT.
Tutorial Video
My Facebook Video Challenge to YOU!
I am not going to shave my head or anything but it would be awesome to see a bunch of videos pop up on my wall!
What are some ways that the Church can be using Facebook Video?
Twitter as a Spiritual Discipline
Posted on 01. Jun, 2008 by Aaron Marshall in Church2.0, Social Media
The more I use Twitter, the more I like it. I don’t like it for the sake of new technology, rather I have come to believe it is a tool that can deeply enhance relationships. Some balk at the idea of telling or knowing what others are doing and thinking, but aren’t these key components to relationship?
Twitter Encourages Intimacy and Deeper Relationship with One Another
I recently visited NW Oregon, where I grew up, and I had the opportunity to share Twitter with nearly my entire family, and several long lost friends. I am happy to say that my grandparents in their 70′s joined and are now regular users. I also introduced my church community group to twitter.
I am learning VALUABLE details about my family and friends that I would have never learned (unless I were living with them). This has given me the opportunity to pray specifically for them and given me cues when I should reach out and make a direct connection.
Twitter Combats Self-centered Thinking
I get so wrapped up in my own world. My wife and I are in the midst of making some pretty large life decisions and I often get lost thinking of myself, my plans, my designs and my life. Twitter reminds me that its not about me and that there are more important things to be thinking of than myself.
Twitter Helps Us to Open our Lives to Family and Friends in Tiny Digestible Chunks.
The problem with other tools for connecting is they require two way communication, which adds all sorts of social rules to the picture. With Twitter we can simply state what we are doing, how we are doing or what we are thinking without getting bogged down in pleasantries. I am not saying that two way communication is bad, its just not optimal if you want consistent regular updates from folks.
My grandma LOVES knowing what we are up to, but phone conversations are short because she doesn’t want to interrupt or burden us. The truth is I would love to tell her and I would also love to know what is going on in their lives as well. Twitter has given us way to connect better.
By opening up and sharing our lives with one another through Twitter we are fulfilling God’s call to love one another. I have a deeper more intimate connection with my family and friends because of Twitter.
What are other Spiritual Benefits of Twitter? Can “Twittering” be a Spiritual Discipline?
Learn RSS: The Best First Step for a Church or Ministry Wanting to Understand the Web
Posted on 11. Nov, 2007 by Aaron Marshall in Church Technology, Church2.0, How To, Social Media
How RSS Benefits folks in Church and Ministry
- Absorb large amounts of useful information without being overwhelmed.
- Make an easy way to keep up with news and information thats important to you.
- Create a constant stream of new ideas for your church and ministry.
- Keep up with multiple members, church leaders, and group blogs.
- Have daily devotionals and bible readings fed directly to you.
- Be aware of your local city and worldwide happenings without having to receive and read multiple papers.
Its very hard to keep up, let alone stay ahead. RSS feeds give a healthy boost of new and relevant information without overloading you. RSS is a foundational staple for understanding the web and keeping up. If you take the time to learn any new internet technology, take the time to master the RSS feed.
Instructional video to help you get started:
RSS Readers
Mobile RSS Readers
If you are like me and don’t like staring at computer screens I recommend using a mobile RSS reader. I dont read any RSS feeds at a computer, I do it all through my Blackberry. I will talk about mobile web content in the future. In my opinion its already becoming huge, and will quickly become a standard medium for receiving information.
Upcoming Posts about RSS:
How Missions Organizations can Benefit from using an RSS Reader
Awesome List of RSS Feeds for Church and Ministry
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