Mobile Bible

Posted by Chuck on January 1, 2009 under Ministry, Resources | Be the First to Comment

Not too long ago a church member saw me playing with my cell phone while another speaker was presenting a lesson.  They wanted to scold me for “texting.”  I then showed them the GoBible and they were amazed.

With all of the games and apps out for cell phones it was only a matter of time before someone made a Biblical application for a mobile.  Here’s three I’ve used:

http://gobible.jolon.org/
This is currently on my cell phone.  It gives you complete search capabilities of the entire KJV.  And after it’s downloaded it becomes an app on your phone, so no network connection is needed.  And best of all it’s free!

http://mbible.com
My next favorite is mbible.com   The only reason this is number two instead of number one is because you need a network connection to use the site.  The site is very simple and easy to use on your mobile, because that is what it was designed for 100%!  You can search for a verse reference, find cross references, and search for phrases.  Why I would use this in addition to the GoBible is because mbible.com offers multiple translations.

http://mobile.biblegateway.com/
A step beyond translations is mobile.Biblegateway.com   mobile.Biblegateway.com  gives you the power of the Biblegateway.com site in the palm of your hand.  You do need a network connection.

With anyone one of these, as long as you’ve got your mobile, you’ve got the Scriptures with you.

Jokes, Stories, Humor - Part II

Posted by Chuck on December 28, 2008 under Ministry | Be the First to Comment

A database of sermon illustrations is really useful to the preacher only when he cannot draw upon a real life scenario to make a point.  Unfortunately for most of us, very few of us have lived long enough and done enough to have an illustration for every text in the Bible.  So, where does a preacher go?

I have a few favorites.

Crosswalk.com has 10,000 Sermon Illustrations to search and pick from.  Although I have personally found multiple dupes in their database, they still have quite a good collection.
http://www.crosswalk.com/pastors/illustrations/

SermonCentral.com is my second favorite place to get illustrations from.  They’re my second favorite not because of a lack of material, but because I don’t like the search results when I look for something.  I suppose if I was a paid PRO member the results might be better.
http://www.sermoncentral.com/

With that in mind, IF I was a paid subscriber, PreachingToday.com would be a nice resource, but unlike SermonCentral.com there are no freebies here.  So, skip it unless you can work it into the church budget.

Some other places that I check out from time to time (in order of my personal preference) are:
http://www.sermonillustrations.com
http://www.sermonillustrator.org
http://www.funnysermons.com
http://net.bible.org/illustration.php
http://www.sermons.org/illustrations.html

Jokes, Stories, Humor - Part I

Posted by Chuck on December 27, 2008 under Ministry | Be the First to Comment

One of the things that really gets a sermon, lesson, or class going is a good illustration.  My own list of jokes and stories is found here:

Bible101.org Jokes & Stories
http://www.bible101.org/stories

So, where do I visit for a good joke or story?  One of my favorite places is Cybersalt.

Other sites with cartoons, and humor can be found here:

Positions Listings

Posted by Chuck on December 26, 2008 under Ministry | Be the First to Comment

One of the most difficult things to do is to find a new ministry position.  Well, finding one is easy, but whether or not you like them and they like you is another story.

I compiled this list for myself and shared it with a friend.  It’s a list of sites that have listings for various ministries.  Ministers can also post their desire to relocate on these sites.  Of the sites listed, I like the first three the best.   ACU’s site will also let you post your resume.

http://www.hugsr.edu/info/openings.php

http://www.christianchronicle.org/classifieds/

http://www.bible.acu.edu/ministry/looking/

http://careercenter.lipscomb.edu/careersearch.asp

http://www.lcu.edu/LCU/academics/bibstudies/biblejoblist.htm

http://www.rockymountainchristiannewspaper.com/

https://www.pepperdine.edu/churchrelations/resources/jobs/

http://www.ovc.edu/bible/chlookpg.htm

It has been my observation that Harding, the Chronicle, and ACU have the most updated lists and are therefore (IMHO) the best sources.

Of course, this same list is also a good place for churches to look for ministers!  Like any minister would tell you, it is always nice when a church acknowledges them and either sends a “denial/no thank you/position filled” letter or a “congratulations/thank you/let’s talk” letter.  It would also be nice if congregations would take down their listings after their positions are filled.

The same is true of ministers “looking” - to at least take themselves off of “looking” lists and to acknowledge congregations that were applied too that they are “no longer interested.”

Communication is the key here folks!  We’re in that business, yet we struggle with effective communication.  Good Bless in everyone’s search!

House To House

Posted by Chuck on December 24, 2008 under Ministry, Resources | Be the First to Comment

http://www.housetohouse.com/info/index.htm
The minister that taught and baptised me used direct mail before it was ever “popular” among the churches of Christ.  House To House makes it simple, easy and affordable to reach people in the community through direct mail.