Recently I was interviewed for Outcomes Magazine and talked about technology issues and the church. I have posted the interview to provide readers with an opportunity to consider the issues that church leaders are facing regarding the use of technology.
I really believe we need a new generation of digital missionaries! Join me if you feel the call! Let me know your thoughts about the interview.
Here is another example of the power of social media and its impact on our world: Facebook is closing in on 200 million users! Take a look at these Facebook visualizations. It is amazing to observe the spread of social networking worldwide. No part of the planet is exempt from the growth of virtual social networks. The world has been united virtually. Who could have imagined this even twenty years ago?
I am often asked as a publisher and leader of a Christian publishing company about the future of publishing. Depending on the person asking the question, whether industry insiders or just concerned friends or peers, there seems to be an underlying anxiety and suspicion that publishing is coming to a sad end!
Perhaps it is my personality, or my outlook on life in general, but as a publisher I am actually more excited about the future of publishing than at any other time in my more than twenty years in the industry! Perhaps you are asking what gives me such optimism?
- Hard times accelerate change in old publishing models and new models emerge.
- Challenging times force publishers back to their core business.
- These times provide incredible technological channels to share content with consumers.
- Authors look for real partnerships with a publisher beyond money to a focus on the ministry.
- Fresh voices and content emerge throughout the Body of Christ ready for publishing and distribution.
Just wanted to write a word to encourage my friends in the Christian publishing world. Yes, times have changed and will continue to change, but the opportunities are all around us!
Filed under: business
The cries regarding the the demise of print media seemed to have increased during these recent economically troubled times. With newspapers and magazine businesses closing and print advertising losses increasing, it seems that print media troubles are growing rapidly.
But perhaps these times really are opportunities to think in fresh new ways about the delivery of content in multiple platforms and media formats. I recently stumbled on a very insightful blog post that anyone interested in publishing, media, or these changing times should take the time read.
Here is the question I’ve been thinking about: Is it too late for print media or can we save it from extinction? And if so, how?
Social networking is growing at an incredible pace! People of all ages and backgrounds are discovering the power and usefulness of these technological tools. Check out the map of the spread of social networking worldwide.
Social networks connect people in a new way. Imagine what it was like when the first telephones began to connect friends and family living all across the world. They had a new technology that connected them. Instant communication had become a reality through the technology of the phone!
So today the world wide web connects us instantly with text, plus audio and video! The world is now connected virutally! Lots to think about! Welcome to the brave new world! Have you joined the virutal social society?
A new site called videoteaching.com now provides a place where any church can log in and connect to some of the latest preachers as part of their worship experience. I’m not sure how real-time preachers in these churches might feel about this virtual preacher tool!
John Piper recently had some interesting comments about the use of video in preaching. Might be worthwhile to take a look at the what he said about all of this, in spite of the fact that 48% of internet users have visited or used video-sharing sites.
So does the church need to utilize these kinds of technologies in the 21st century in order to advance the Gospel or not?
Chris Anderson’s new book Free: The Future of a Radical Price is already causing a major debate among publishers and those close to the industry. Just what does free content really mean?
It is interesting that as publishers move into the digital world there is very little discussion of how it will impact their business models. The herd mentality is moving most if not all book content to the web platform. But have we who are publishers counted the cost? Do we understand what we are doing? Is this what is best for the customer and for our authors whom we represent?
NavPress is working on a very important process for utlizing the web as part of our bigger publishing plan. Stay tuned! Lots of interesting days ahead for the publishing world.
