Emerging Media and The Church: Gospel on the Information Superhighway Pt.2

 

Today we have so many more media vehicles to use that the world has become a smaller place. Now a church or religious group in Asia can enfluence a family in London. American donations can found digging wells in war torn Africa. The church is embracing new media and reaching out to those who want to listen.

 

WORLD HARVEST CHURCH

This Ohio based church lead by Rod Parsley is using emerging media to its fullest extent. The organization offers live online broadcasts of programs for those who can’t make it out to service or misse dtheTV show. They have an e-mail service that updates you on appearances and book releases by the pastor. The church utilizes a database service that helps those that want to be informed stay informed.

 http://whc.rodparsley.com/

 

THE POTTER’S HOUSE

Another Ministry that it is utilizing emerging media is the Dallas, TX based Potter’s House. Lead by T.D. Jakes this ministry boasts Three Websites!

www.Tdjakes.com , www.tdjakes.org , and www.thepottershouse.org

This pastor utilizes streaming webcasts, an onlinemagazine, e-mails, an extensive database, and a regularly updated blog! These ministries are taking full advantage of today’s technology.

 

LAKEWOOD MINISTRIES

This Houston, TX church is the nations largest. The Pastor Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria are very intone with new technology. This church utilizes e-mails, streaming video and Podcasts.

http://www.lakewood.cc/Pages/index.aspx

These websites are able to provide a lot of marketing opportunities.

1. They exist as testimonials of the church online. Whenever people want to learn about the churches they can go to these well produced websites.

2. Reaching support. The websites give people options to participate in the ministry as much or as little as they want from as far away as imaginable. If someone wanted to support Joel Osteen’s Africa Aids outreach they can simply go to the website and donate online. You could in theory be a tithing member of a a mega church online. Love Pastor Jakes and can’t get enough? Order his book online. Whether your in Atlanta, GA or in prison if you have web access you can get the ministry you need.

3. Encourage trial. Before you buy a a product you want to see what its about. Ohio and Texas residents can get a chance to determine if these churches are ones they want to visit.

Emerging Media and The Church PT.1

Pioneers!!!

  Non Profit organizations need attention as much as their tax paying brethren. How can the Red Cross save lives after disasters without funding? Who would come to a blood drive if they never first heard about it? Non Profit organizations are often trying to make the world a better place but in the crowded world of media they can be ignored. Today we take a look at how a non profit organization like a church can use emerging media to market itself to the public.

 

 

Brief History of Religion and media marketing!

• 1517-When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis high on the door of the Schlosskirche he never considered that he was advertising. The news of his unorthodox move spread through Germany in a classic showing of Buzz!
• 1879- Jehovah’s Witnesses began printing the weekly Watch Tower magazine. Between the Watch Tower and door to door ”sales” this contriversial group has been using marketing to get the messge out for decades.
  

  Yeah its wierd, but its also historic!

• 1934- Church of God Radio hit the airwaves. The pioneer behind it Herbert Armstrong was often seen as heretic and was often sourounded by controversy. Today he is remembered by Jimmimc as being the first guy to spread word about his church over the airwaves.
• The 1980’s- Tv had become the main stapple of media in the world. Who better to use this method than Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Aside from the scandals on the side. The PTL Club and the PTL Satelite Networks where actually Mavericks (no punn intended Gov. Palin) of the time by not only having their ministry represented on TV but owning the tv station.

In game SHOPPING?

Pizza Hut and Sony add to your gaming and your gut!

Now I have heard of in game advertising. I’ve seen the Toyota instant replay in NBA 2K and drove past the Coke signs in GTA. But Sony knows they are taking this to an unhealthy level with this one. In 2005 Sony teamed up with Pizza Hut to bring you  the ability to order pizza DURING a video game.

 

The addition was placed in the highly anticipated Everquest 2. The fantasy game features 330,000 active players and is a massively multiplayer game. That means you have a virtual “world” where you can interact with others on your Quest.

 

The Skinny:

During game play the player only needs to type in /pizza as a character command. Then a Pizza Hut website window will open that allows you to place your order and instantly return to killing dragons. New Media at its best! Remember they are trying to sell to you!!!!

 

 

 

Obama, Mccain, and your cellphone…

This is about all I can do with these thumbs

I got text and you don’t

You can’t turn on your TV without seeing these guys. They own the news papers and the web. Heck the top read blogs on this website are about Oboma and McCain! They are on Daytime tv and prime time TV. You can’t even talk to a friend without hearing a Palin joke or questions about Obama’s middle name. But now these guys have their eyes on a new campaign to wage war on… your cell phone!

That’s right. By texting the words GO to OBAMA (62262) you can get update news about where your favorite (or least favorite) politicians are going to be next. Joe Biden in Pittsburgh? Find out when and where with this handy text service.

Also the website features “hip” remixes of Barack Obama speeches as ring tones. (Funny) You can also use a famous saying like “time for change” as a ringer. But how could you pass up a DJ remixed speech?

As for McCain? Well dude is a little older and doesn’t endorse text messaging on his website. (Dude doesn’t know how to e-mail.) Jimmimc is bipartisan so in his defense he served in Vietnam and therefore doesn’t need to know how to text. My dad doesn’t know how either. But this dude isn’t bipartisan and tells the story better than me!!!

http://www.talkinmince.com/Art/68200/129/John-McCain-is-Out-of-Touch.html

Go to http://www.barackobama.com/mobile/ get the goods if you want. Stay tuned its going to be a wild ride in November!