Jason Reynolds Life and Times

Church Building Security

// September 26th, 2006 // No Comments » // Business, Design, Leadership, Ministry

Recently in my area there have been a series of vandalisms of churches. For the most part the incidences seem to just be graffitti, but I am sure things could get worse. Also, over the years, there have been a number of shootings, child abduction and molestation cases, church burnings, and various assortment of other violent and non-violent crimes on church properties. Since 9/11, physical security has become a focus for most Americans, and churches are no exception.

Web Ministry Idea #1 – Squidoo you

// September 22nd, 2006 // 1 Comment » // Design, Ministry, Web Ministry, Writing

This is idea #1 in my series on web ministry. Follow the trail to #2 here.
Much of what is required in web ministry is creating new channels with which to connect with people. I am of the opinion that you must go where the people are. Like the roots of a hardy plant should our projects in web ministry be.

One root I have discovered and predict will grow in popularity and traffic is the Squidoo lens. Squidoo’s own definition:

A lens is one person’s view on a topic that matters to her. It’s an easy-to-build, single web page that can point to blogs, favorite links, RSS feeds, Flickr photos, Google maps, eBay auctions, CafePress designs, Amazon books or music, and thousands of products from hundreds of other trusted merchants. You can pick whatever content you want to put in your lens to bring context to your topic. Then, when someone is looking for recommended information, fast, your lens gets him started and sends him off in the right direction. It’s a place to start, not finish.

This means you can leverage a platform that receives more traffic and has more credibility with the search engines than your own ministry site. It is a way for people to initially find your ministry distinctives (speaker, programs, beliefs, unique attributes) and become more familiar with your organization over time.

As an example, I created http://www.squidoo.com/chuckswindoll/ in order to promote Chuck Swindoll. The page was created on 07/12/2006. As of 09/22/2006,

On Mercenary Killings and the Love of Hunting

// September 22nd, 2006 // 1 Comment » // Economy, Environment, Health, Hunting, Outdoors, Theology

If you know me, you know it is time for the beard. The beard is the annual signal to friends and family that it is now hunting season. This is that time of year when men, women, and children all over the US prepare to hunt the warm-blooded beauty of God’s creation, the white-tailed deer. For real hunters, which I would arbitrarily define as someone who thinks about hunting at-least weekly, hunting isn’t only a hobby, a pastime, or a sport, but a lifestyle choice.

German Purity Law

// September 21st, 2006 // No Comments » // Learning, Miscellaneous, Personal

Another beer post… I recently saw reference to the “German Purity Law” and thought it was some kind of moral code against illicit material or something. As seen below, it is actually a law about beer making. So, German companies, make war or peace in whatever adulterated way is necessary, but don’t you dare mess with the beer!

Laughing at myself

// September 21st, 2006 // No Comments » // Learning, Personal, Web Ministry

As to show I have a since of humor, here is an image of me doctored up by our Director of Communications yesterday after a brief photoshoot for a bio picture for a web ministry panel I am to sit on at NRB in Feb ’07. The sun was in my eyes and I was struggling to get them open at all. He said I looked drunk, which was the apparent inspiration for the picture. Poor choice of beer though… I am a Fat Tire, Dos Equis, Shiner, or Guiness kind of guy myself. Have never even heard of that brand!