Kingdom View of SEO

The Big-Picture, Kingdom View of SEO

This year, shortly after the launch of the new Christian SEO Guys blog, Kurt published an epic post titled The High Stakes of SEO for the Kingdom of God that conveys the big picture of why search engine marketing is critically important to all Christian churches and ministries. He wrote:

When a young woman searches for ”unplanned pregnancy” in the search engines, do you want your Christian pregnancy center to show up at the top of the search results of planned parenthood? …

People’s eternal salvation may depend on SEO. It’s a big claim, but take a look at the screenshot to the right. Those are the search results for “church near Colorado City, AZ”. Three out of the top four results (including the top two results) are Mormon or Jehovah’s Witnesses churches.

A lot of people have the misperception that search marketing is all about organizations acting in their own self interest. It’s businesses trying to improve their rankings so they can get more customers than their competitors. It’s First Baptist Church trying to get ahead of First Presbyterian Church so they can get more members.

We need to have a bigger, kingdom view of SEO

• What difference would it make in your community if the top 10 churches listed in Google were Christian vs cults?
• What difference would it make in your community if the top 10 counseling centers, pregnancy centers, food banks, life coaches, and more were Christian vs not Christian?

Now multiply that time millions of communities around the globe.

• What difference would it make if the top 10 search listings for “Who is Jesus?” were Christian vs not Christian?

Now multiply that times thousands of related phrases and hundreds of languages.

4 Action Steps To Advance 

the Kingdom View of SEO

We have a real opportunity to spread the gospel and advance the kingdom of God through search engines. To do that, though, we need to take action and seize this opportunity. Here are 4 things each one of us can do

1) Raise awareness. We need to help more and more Christians understand the critical importance of search engines. Talk about it regularly with your church leaders. Blog about it, tweet about it, Facebook about it. Share articles showing how Christian organizations are changing lives after people find them in search engines.

2) Optimize your own sites. Do your part to make sure your Christian church, school, ministry, or business is as prominent as possible in search engines. That’s probably not going to be easy. You’re probably going to have to learn a whole lot about SEO or get someone to help you with it.

3) Connect with others … who recognize the importance of SEO on blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and Linked in. Help others by sharing their content, commenting on their posts, guest blogging and publishing guest blog posts on your blog.

4) Share your insight. Search marketing is constantly changing. Search engines are changing their algorithms, developers are creating new SEO tools, SEOs are experimenting with new techniques. Instead of hoarding knowledge, let’s help one another optimize better.

That’s what we’re trying to accomplish. That’s the motivation behind Christian SEO Guys.

What do you think of this bigger, kingdom worldview of SEO?

Which of the 4 steps above do you feel motivated to act on?

Taken from: http://blog.ourchurch.com/  Thanks a lot to Paul Steinbrueck who is co-founder and CEO of OurChurch.Com, elder of CypressMeadows.org, husband, father of 3, blogger. You can follow him on Twitter at @PaulSteinbrueck

Why Companies Need SEO

How many times have we all heard the phrase, "Google it"? Even with the emergence of social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter, most people (and potential customers) still turn to the search engines to find what they are looking for. Because of this, it is imperative that your company's website and SEO strategy be at the top of their game, no matter if you are in Washington, DC or Los Angeles, California. 

As opposed to some forms of advertising, an SEO campaign should be looked at as a medium to long term investment. It may take weeks or even months for SEO work to impact organic search results (usually longer in more competitive markets). While generating leads from these results will take more time than the immediate benefits of a search engine marketing/PPC campaign, the end rewards will be much more valuable. Once your site begins to rank well organically, it will most likely maintain those high rankings for years. 

SEO Services
These are just some of the local SEO Services that we can offer your company:

• SEO Site Audit/Review
• Competitor Analysis
• Ongoing SEO Campaigns
• Landing Page Design, Optimization & SEO Copywriting
• Social Media Marketing, Optimization & Management
• SEO Training for your in-house staff
  

Simply put, investing in search engine optimization will get more qualified visitors to your company's website - which will then in turn generate more leads and sales.

In need of local SEO consulting or internet marketing services in Maryland, Virginia or DC? Contact Gospel Marketing today!

Building an App for a church

Entrenamiento: Construyendo su sitio web

Nuevo curso con Latino Economic Development Center: @GospelMarketing ayudando a las marcas a tener una presencia efectiva en redes sociales

Con el propósito de mejorar la presencia en internet de pequeñas y medianas empresas de latinos del área metropolitana de Washington DC y Maryland comenzamos en marzo el curso “Como desarrollar y diseñar un sitio web”  en asocio y gracias a la invitación de Latino Economic Development Center, LEDC. Durante este seminario cuya duración es de 8 semanas,  los asistentes tienen la oportunidad de crear su propio sitio web, conocer las últimas tecnologías de diseño y aclarar sus inquietudes sobre mercadeo en Internet. 

Este curso ofrecido por LEDC y dictado por el Profesor Andrés Henao, se enseña una herramienta para construcción y desarrollo de sitios web en Flash. En el curso se puede agudizar el criterio para mejorar la presencia web desde el punto de vista de mercadeo y desde el punto de vista técnico, todo con miras a obtener más clientes y mejorar las ventas. El correcto uso de los medios alternativos, como estar en linea, impactará significativamente su plan de mercadeo y la presencia efectiva en Internet será parte fundamental del crecimiento y prosperidad de su negocio.

LEDC es una organización que busca equipar a Latinos y a otros residentes del área de DC con las destrezas y las herramientas financieras que necesitan para alcanzar un mejor futuro para sus familias y sus comunidades. GospelMarketing es una agencia de mercadeo alternativo y diseñamos a la medida procesos integrales de formación y capacitación empresarial. Mayores informes: LEDC Metro web site.

Nuevos retos para el 2013

Apreciados amigos de GospelMarketing,

Les comparto esta breve nota para desearles un feliz comienzo de labores académicas y profesionales. Les invitamos a escuchar este audio para compartirles qué hay de nuevo y de bueno para este periodo!  [LINK]

Gracias por estar con nosotros en el 2012. 

Seguimos en un año de crecimiento en operaciones comerciales  y buscamos proactivamente seguir apoyando a las empresas y organizaciones no gubernamentales a entregar soluciones alternativas en mercadeo, emprendimiento y negocios en Internet, desde una óptica alternativa al mundo. Como pioneros en el mercado de GospelMarketing en los Estados Unidos, siempre estamos buscando nuevas oportunidades y alianzas para fortalecer el tejido empresarial latino y tenemos la certeza que el 2013 no será la excepción. Hay sabiduría del cielo para aumentar sus ganancias y reducir sus gastos y eso está disponible para todos, no solamente para los religiosos.

Jesús dijo: «Pero cuando venga el Espíritu de verdad, él os guiará a toda la verdad; porque no hablará por su propia cuenta, sino que hablará todo lo que oyere, y os hará saber las cosas que habrán de venir» (Juan 16:13).

Los empresarios necesitamos más que conocimiento humano o prácticas administrativas de vanguardia, los emprendedores necesitamos sabiduría sobrenatural para enfrentar los nuevos retos de la economía mundial. Se necesita integridad para nuevos dilemas éticos y se necesita creatividad para no seguir obteniendo las mismas respuestas. En GospelMarketing seguiremos entregando soluciones innovadoras para que los negocios prosperen aún en tiempos de crisis.

Mil gracias, Dios les bendiga y que el 2013 sea un año a cielos abiertos para ustedes y sus familias.

¡Hasta Pronto!

Andres Henao

Gospela Languages, Un Espacio Para El Aprendizaje Del Español

Gospel Marketing, lanza para toda la comunidad, su nueva unidad de negocios: Gospela Languages, un instituto de enseñanza del español, dirigido a toda la población que quiera conocer y aprender esta nueva lengua.

Gospela Languages, lleva en operaciones seis (6) meses y se crea como una experiencia de aprendizaje desde un enfoque andragógico constructivista; es decir, el alumno aprende español desde la inmersión cultural; construyendo y adaptando las sesiones de aprendizaje desde sus prioridades particulares.

Dentro de nuestro equipo de estudiantes contamos también con algunos clientes como: diplomáticos, abogados, militares, artistas, médicos, científicos nucleares, estudiantes universitarios, entre otros.

Es así como Gospel Marketing se consolida cada día más y abre un nuevo camino para nuestros clientes a la hora de entablar alguna relación con la comunidad latina, con la calidad y el servicio que siempre nos caracteriza.

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta sobre las clases, horarios o cursos a la medida, por favor no dude en ponerse en contacto con nosotros. Nuestro personal de servicio al cliente le ayudará a encontrar las mejores soluciones para usted.

Para mayores informes o inscripciones comunícate en Estados Unidos en el: 301-364-7410 ó gerencia@gospelmarketing.org

Visita nuestra página www.gospela.org e infórmate de todos los cursos.

Gospel Marketing in prayer movements

Do you want to observe a Gospel Marketing plan in action? These videos shows how to develop a Marketing strategy for a prayer initiative in Argentina. Is called 40 Days of fasting and prayer.

iPastor – Apps for ministry

iPastor – Recording the need

Bowers Technologies’ latest app, iPastor could be considered to an ad-hoc notepad for those in the ministry. It is a contact do-all which helps track needs, target ministry objectives, and divide responsibilities between staff. In short, it helps ministry workers succinctly organise their objectives and goals for better care. 

 Bowers Technologies, Inc., iPastor – $4.99

Efesios 4:11-12 (NVI)

Él mismo constituyó a unos, apóstoles; a otros, profetas; a otros, evangelistas; y a otros, pastores y maestros, a fin de capacitar al *pueblo de Dios para la obra de servicio, para edificar el cuerpo de Cristo.

Happy Holidays!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you". Jeremiah 29:11

Dear readers, friends and brothers!
The team at GospelMarketing, Pray for Me and Prayer Room and all our blogs editors and contributors, wish you and your loved ones a wonderful and blessed Christmas time.

Our best regards,
Pray for Me team. Happy Holidays!

The substitute

The substitutionary death of Christ

Catch the sheep (Online game)

Contact us!

Catch the escaping sheep. Do it as fast as possible. 

Descripción: Captura las ovejas que se escapan. Hazlo lo más rápido posible. 

Tips to present products to a major retailer

The following are some basic issues to consider before presenting a product to a major account:

• The Window of Opportunity
Certain product categories are reviewed only at certain times of the year. If you miss a category review, you may have to wait an entire year. The reason for this is that a retailer works from a plan-o-gram, the way in which a shelf is set up, so you must be prepared to make your presentation when your product category is being reviewed.

• The Patience of a Saint
If you're not prepared to spend a year to get your product onto the shelves of a major account, don't waste your time and money in a half hearted effort. It takes time to get products placed with the majors, so if you're not willing to invest the time, then you are better off selling the moms and pops.

• Know Your Competition
If you don't know what the company you're trying to replace is charging, then how can you possibly make an intelligent presentation? You have to know everything about your competition. Do you have the resources and know-how to get this information?

• Will Everyone Make Money?
Do you know the margins required on your particular product in order not to be laughed out of the buyers' office? Can you afford to sell at those margins? Are you going to make any money? Will they make money? You can be sure the majors are going to make money, they know exactly what margins they want to make on a product. You had better know this too.

• Do You Have An Attractive Package?
You have only a few seconds to catch the consumer. Does your packaging say, "Buy Me?" Do you have the ability to design something that is eye-catching and tells the story? Good packaging helps move product.

• Can You Get the Buyer to Look at Your Product?
Buyers today are overworked and understaffed. They are responsible for hundreds and even thousands of products. Get to know the buyer you will be dealing with because you may only have one chance.

Selling major retailers can be an extremely profitable market niche for your company. Don't overlook the majors simply because you don't know the tricks of the trade.

No one knows

Campaña gospel recibe honrosa mención

La «Campaña lea la Biblia» recibe una honrosa mención

El proyecto «Campaña nacional lea la Biblia» de la Sociedad Bíblica Peruana (SBP) recibió una mención honrosa en el Concurso «Viva Lectura» realizado en Parú.

El jurado calificador tuvo la difícil tarea de seleccionar a los finalistas y ganadores entre más de 60 proyectos de promoción de lectura que se presentaron a nivel nacional (67% zonas rurales y 33% zonas urbanas).

El jurado estuvo compuesto por prestigiosas personalidades como Sinesio López, Rafo León y Luis Jaime Cisneros. La SBA participó en la categoría experiencias institucionales.

Como resultado de este evento se formó la «Red Viva Lectura», con las 19 organizaciones finalistas de este certamen.

«Este concurso ha tenido un alcance nacional, presentando experiencias de diferentes regiones. Ha unido lazos de fraternidad más allá de creencias políticas y religiosas. La lectura es un derecho de todo peruano y peruana. Este ha permitido brindar un reconocimiento público a las mejores iniciativas de promoción de la lectura en nuestro país» manifestó el Dr. Andrés Cardó Presidente del Consejo Nacional de Educación.

El objetivo de la «Campaña nacional lea la Biblia» es la promoción de la lectura de la Biblia en diferentes sectores de la sociedad a través de un programa de actividades de interacción con el texto bíblico.   Ha sido desarrollada considerando la diversidad cultural, étnica, geográfica, social, demográfica y de credos que hay en nuestro país.

El concurso fue organizado por el Consejo Nacional de Educación (CNE), la Fundación BBVA Banco Continental y el Grupo Santillana, asimismo fue auspiciado por el Ministerio de Educación, RPP Noticias, El Comercio y Empresarios por la Educación.

Pie de foto:Lic. Pablo Gutierrez, Director de Programas SBP recibiendo reconocimiento de manos del Sr. Andrés Cardó, Presidente del Consejo Nacional de Educación Peru.

Publicado el 15 December 2010. Tags:  Campaña Lea laBiblia, SB Peruana
More information on http://labibliaweb.com/?p=16456 

Online Fundraising: Pros and Cons

Online giving and social media have revolutionized fundraising for charities.

With online payment processors like PayPal, anyone with a credit card anywhere in the world is a potential contributor.  With social media tools like Facebook and Twitter, it’s possible for a charity to gain tens of thousands of online followers.  And those tens of thousands of followers have the capacity to spread the word about a campaign to millions of their followers.

I’ve written about several of the success stories:

• Big Love Little Hearts raised $25k with Foursquare, Twitter, Facebook
• Donald Miller raised $300k to save the Blue Like Jazz movie
• Pastor Shaun King, Eva Longoria raised $500k for Haiti through TwitChange

If you lead a charitable organization, it seems foolish not to be using PayPal, Facebook, and Twitter to maintain relationships with donors and connect with new donors.

Donor Fatigue

The success of online fundraising, the low barrier to entry (any charity can set up PayPal, Facebook, and Twitter accounts for free in a minutes), and the growing number of people using social media, has led to an explosion in online giving campaigns and donation requests.

Hardly a day goes by when I don’t see at least one donation request on Facebook or Twitter.

If you genuinely care about people,  reading the donation requests, considering them, making a decision as to whether to give or not, and then accepting that decision can be stressful and lead to “donor fatigue.”

At some point, you begin coping with donor fatigue by closing your heart to the requests.  You read them, but don’t seriously consider them.  Or maybe you stop reading them.  Or maybe you stop following certain people/organizations who ask too often.

Tomorrow, I’m going to write about strategies for coping with donation requests, but today I want to focus on what this means for church, ministry and charity leaders.

If you understand donation request fatigue as an individual, don’t perpetuate it as church, ministry, or non-profit.  This is another situation where…

Less is more!

Limit and be strategic about when and how often you ask for donations.

Have you personally experienced “donation request fatigue?”  Church and charity leaders, how often do you ask for donations via Facebook, Twitter, & your blog?  Do you consciously limit the asks?

Three casts of a Total Church Communications Strategy

Brandon Cox published a blog post on Resonate or Die titled Three Layers of a Total Church Communications Strategy. The three layers he describes are

1. Communication Among the Leadership
2. Communication Between the Pulpit and the Pew
3. Communication From the Church to the Community

If you haven’t read the post, I encourage you to.  I think you’ll agree that for a church to function well, it has to communicate well on all three “layers.” But I believe there is more to it than that.

In addition to these three layers or casts, there are also three dimensions to each of these layers. For a church to really live out its calling, it must communicate in all three dimensions.

1) Speaking

Most churches live in this first dimension of church communication, speaking. The vast majority of time, energy, and resources and put into communicating the vision, mission, and values from the top down.

• Communication among the leadership consists of the senior pastor communicating his vision to the church leaders in staff meetings, emails, etc.
• Communications between the pulpit and the pew consists of sermons, the Sunday program, emails and newsletters from the staff to the congregation.
• Communication from the church to the community consists of marketing, signage, evangelism and getting the church involved in the community.

These are all critically important facets of communication, but notice how in this first dimension all the information flows in one direction, from leader to followers.

2) Listening

The second dimension of church communications is listening. It’s providing ways for information to flow from the bottom up.

• Communication among the leadership consists of the senior pastor getting ideas and input from other leaders.
• Communication between the pulpit and the pew consists of surveys, communication cards that invite comments & feedback on services and ministries, putting email addresses in the program and on the website so people can get in touch with church leaders.
• Communication between the church and the community consists of church leaders going to people in the community and asking, “How can we help?” “Where are your greatest needs?” “What’s hindering your relationship with God?”

If you really want to know how to help people, it starts with listening.

3) Facilitating

The third dimension of a total church communications strategy is facilitating communication among other people.

• Communication among the leadership consists of leaders from different departments, discussing ideas and planning cross-ministry events without the direct oversight of the senior pastor.
• Communication between the pulpit and the pew might be conversations had between church members on the church’s blog, forums, or Facebook page. It might be a member of the congregation organizing meals for a family that has a new baby, someone in the hospital, or experienced loss.
• Communications between the church and the community consists of equipping people in the church to talk about their faith with friends, start a bible study at work, or serve outside the church in a teen pregnancy center.

This can be really scary for a lot of church leaders because when you facilitate, you lose control. What if some staff begin to focus more on their own side projects rather than the core church vision? What if some church members post some bad theology to the blog? What if a church member gets involved in the community and does something to embarrass the church?  These are all real possibilities.

But God doesn’t speak solely to and through senior pastors. And churches are not called to put forth perfect ministries staffed with obedient minions walking in lock-step to the vision of the senior pastor.

God speaks to and through every follower of Christ. And for a church to be attentive to what the Holy Spirit is doing in its midst, its communication must be three dimensional – speaking, listening, and facilitating.

What could your church do to become stronger in all three dimensions of church communication?

Thanks for Paul Steinbrueck is co-founder and CEO of OurChurch dot com and the writter of this article.

A greeting and a hug of gratitude!

Gracias por haber estado con nosotros en los proyectos de este año.
El 2010 fue productivo, retador, edificante! 
El 2011 nos deparara más proyectos nuevos, ahora en la apertura 

de nuestra operación comercial en Maryland EEUU.
Ahora con un sitio web renovado, seguiremos poniendo nuestro empeño y talento en hacer que sus seguidores y clientes estén bien informados, activos y comprometidos con Su misión. Nuestras fuerzas están renovadas para seguir aportando un granito de oro y para seguir haciendo que las cosas pasen!

¡Un saludo y abrazo de gratitud!

ANDRES HENAO
www.GospelMarketing.org

http://www.gospelmarketing.blogspot.com/

http://www.andresfelipehenao.blogspot.com/

Skype: andres_henao

 

Our wishes for this Christmas are...

Thank you for being with us in the draft this year.
The year 2010 was productive, challenging, uplifting!
The 2011 will bring more new projects, now at the opening of our 

U.S. commercial operations in Maryland.

Now with a revamped website, we will continue our efforts and talent to make your fans and customers are well informed, active and committed to your mission. Our forces are renewed to continue to provide a grain of gold and to keep making things happen!

A greeting and a hug of gratitude!

Changing Paradigms

Ken Robinson: Changing Paradigms (Spanish)

"Hay 3 tipos de personas en el mundo: los inamovibles, los movibles y los que se mueven" Estas son palabras de Benjamin Franklin, recitadas por Ken Robinson en enero del presente año, al finalizar su exposición dada en uno de los eventos organizados por RSA". Interesante!

"There are three types of people in the world: the immovable, the movable and moving" These are the words of Benjamin Franklin, recited by Ken Robinson in January this year, at the end of his presentation given at one of the events organized by RSA ". Interesting!

Descargar vídeos de Youtube sin instalar ningun programa

Te ha impactado el video de un testimonio? Alguna alabanza que te conmovió? Quieres compartirlo con un amigo o en tu congregación?  Mira esta herramienta tan interesante.

Alguna vez nos hemos visto en la necesidad de capturar o descargar un vídeo de Youtube para guardarlo en nuestro disco y después poder visualizarlo sin estar conectados a Internet. En la Red hay muchos programas para capturar y descargar vídeos de Youtube, pero PWN! YouTube nos lo hace muy fácil porque no hemos de instalar ningún programa, ya que simplemente hay que añadir 3 letras a la dirección de la página web de nuestro navegador.

Como muestra la imagen, cuando estamos visualizando el vídeo de Youtube, simplemente hay que escribir las letras pwn delante de youtube. De esta manera accedemos a la web de PWN! Youtube, donde podemos elegir el formato del vídeo a descargar, .flv (Flash Video) para calidad estándar o .mp4 para vídeos de alta calidad.

Desde la página de PWN! Youtube también podemos descargar cualquier vídeo de Youtube incrustado en cualquier página web introduciendo la dirección de la página. También funciona para los sitios locales de cada país de Youtube, como http://es.youtube.com.

Otro que uso frecuentemente es: http://keepvid.com/

Funciona igual que lo anterior.

Follow us - Síguenos en:

Virtual Church

Nuevo concepto de evangelismo por internet: 

Las iglesias en Second Life

Article of John Brandon Ministry Outreach - Topic: Innovation - Virtual Gospel

For some churches, “to the ends of the earth” now includes the online virtual world of Second Life. LifeChurch.tv's newest campus is extraordinarily small. Although it holds an entire island with a large building, the new church takes up no more square footage than the server that houses it. That's because it exists in Second Life, the popular 3-D online virtual world.

LifeChurch.tv is no newcomer when it comes to using technology to reach the lost in new, previously unknown ways. Since 2002, it has taken the multi-site church idea to a new level with campuses across the United States that share services together via live satellite and the Internet and reach about 19,000 people. But this new, virtual campus pushes technology in ministry to a new level.

Second Life is an online portal that thousands of people log in to from their computers every day. They use an avatar (a virtual alter-ego) to talk with other visitors, buy and exchange items—such as a new pair of shoes, real estate, or a car—and go out to meet people at different places in the virtual world, all without revealing their true identities.

Just as in real life, there are Second Lifers who seek the mature-rated side of the alternate world, and there are those who just want to meet new people and talk about politics. Large companies such as Dell, IBM and Cisco have virtual campuses in Second Life, and companies such as H&R Block offer free tax advice on the service. A few retailers, such as Reebok and Circuit City, have virtual stores on Second Life, and Best Buy has a Geek Squad island where you can ask technical questions.

There's even a separate currency in Second Life, Linden dollars, which currently has an exchange rate of around 270 to one U.S. dollar. Some people have jobs in Second Life and make enough to support themselves in real life.

The whole point seems to be less about an actual online game—since there is no score-keeping or quests to complete—and more about just hanging out and chatting.

The Virtual Advantage

The anonymity of Second Life is what makes a virtual church particularly interesting because it creates a more open environment. People can ask questions, share the gospel, debate an issue, meet to pray together or just listen to worship music and sermons without the confrontational aspects of some ministries.

"The church is designed for people to discuss spiritual topics because an avatar lets them ask questions that they would never ask in real life," says Bobby Gruenewald, a pastor at LifeChurch.tv who was instrumental in building the Second Life virtual church. "Yet, there's a real person behind every avatar."

LifeChurch.tv first started exploring how to do ministry online with its Web site, a popular forum for people to chat and watch sermon broadcasts.

The first church service in Second Life was held on Easter this year, and about 200 people attended. Though that number might seem small, it actually stretched the limits of how many avatars can gather in one place in Second Life.

"The response has been great so far," Gruenewald says. "Second Life is an immersive metaverse environment, and we thought it would be an ideal place to connect and reach people on the Internet. During the first service, we noticed a geographically diverse group—some were clearly not Christians who just came to see what it was all about."

The Online Challenge

Gruenewald, who writes a blog at swerve.lifechurch.tv that recounts his experiences building the Internet church, noted that there have been several technical challenges in creating this unique ministry.

At the first service, some of the issues had to do with streaming a live broadcast through Second Life to so many attendees, a hurdle that has more to do with the Internet and streaming technology than the Second Life platform. They are currently working out these kinks for additional Sunday services.

There are also ministry challenges. While a company such as Dell or IBM will limit what you can do in their campus (for example, you cannot wield a weapon), LifeChurch.tv is less restrictive. Anyone can visit, and the church could potentially become a place where disruptive individuals stage their own talks.

Another challenge is just in promoting itself outside its service times. Second Life tends to be event driven because the world is so massive and visitors want to know that other people will be around. However, the church is open 24 hours a day and is usually only occupied by a few church attendees and Second Life regulars, as well as brand-new visitors.

The Second Life pastor, Larry Transue, says that some of the challenges in Second Life are the same as they are in real life, such as running slideshows that hold the attention of participants. He says the technology adds to the normal expenses, however. For example, land costs about $100 for 5,000 square miles in Second Life, plus all the streaming media fees and equipment costs.

"I think the bigger investment is time," Transue says. "Time to prepare, time to produce audio files, and time online building relationships and ministries."

A New Frontier?

In the actual virtual building, there are recorded sermons available, a worship music mix that starts playing as soon as you arrive and plenty of trinkets, such as a free LifeChurch.tv in-game T-shirt.

To find the church, you must install Second Life (just go to secondlife.com) and then search for LifeChurch.tv. When you first visit, you are placed outside where you can see the elaborate church building, which looks like it was modeled after Willow Creek or Saddleback. A large entryway leads you to a spacious foyer. The worship center has a massive streaming video screen and a stage.

"An online community is no different from all of the other media influences out there, and it can be used for good or bad purposes," Gruenewald explains. "These technologies are not inherently evil, but if the church abandons them, they will turn to evil purposes."

Other churches are holding services in Second Life as well. One example is Northbound Community Church, based in Thousand Oaks, Calif., which has a thriving virtual campus.

These virtual churches are just learning what it takes to impact a diverse group of technology-savvy people, but the rewards of planting spiritual seeds, challenging people to think about faith issues, and even leading someone to Christ through Second Life have eternal value—even if the church is just pixels on a computer screen.

John Brandon is a full-time writer, confirmed technogeek, doting husband and father of four. He is based outside of Minneapolis.

Follow us - Síguenos en: