ShepherdTools.org

Need help copying your address book to a new Email program or ISP?

Changing can be tough, but this program can help alot! LINK

Want to add your voice to your town?

Tell your people they can help represent your town (and your ministry) by "yelping" - the act of recommending by computer the key businesses in town your people feel are good. You can yelp all of the businesses owned by your own people. Church yelps are also helpful! LINK

Fly Fusion: A Pen that captures digital information

You can sit on the beach or in your car, hand write your sermon, and have it immediately changed to type when you get to the office computer. A great note taking system! LINK

If you need a remote control for powerpoint

I use a remote for powerpoint every week in the service, and this little one is an example of what works well: LINK

If you are thinking of a ministry podcast.

You can develop your own ministry podcast right from your desk. You can record on your computer and upload excellent devotionals, etc: LINK

Worthy Is the Lamb - Inspirational Dance

It could be that you have never considered dance as a part of worship, but this video showcases what I felt was both moving and appropriate. I didn't like the intro from their website, but wait til the dance comes on, and I think you'll see what I found moving!

Starting a Disability Ministry

If you are being led to minister to those with disabilities: LINK

If your windows computer loads really slowly

When you come in and fire up the office computer, does it take forever to load? LINK

Annual Free Stuff List

I especially thought the free furniture one would help some who have people in the church they need to help, but the whole list has something to offer: LINK

Protect your cell phone church information

If the Pastor's phone is stolen, what church information becomes vulnerable? Your contacts, and anything you store in your cell can be protected: LINK

A humorous reminder

Keep your eye on the bigger picture: LINK

The Multi-site debate

Multi-site churches are popping up everywhere. Here is a writer that offers a contrary perspective, but with thoughtful questions: LINK

Premarital Sex and Counseling

Ray Pritchard wrote a thoughtful article on this increasing problem: LINK

Need to know WHICH commentary is best for you?

When needing to choose a commentary, a review can help. This is a big list! LINK

Dial - A - Human offers a way around those computerized phone systems

Ever have trouble getting through on the phone to one of the church's vendors, or your own bank? Here is an interesting time saver site - simple but effective. Short cuts are always welcome! LINK

Erwin Lutzer (Moody Church) Sermon Transcripts

For some interesting sermon reading, I suggest Dr. Lutzer's transcripts of messages: LINK

An Innovative Way to Reach Internationals with Love

If we really want to have an impact on world outreach, here is an unusual way: LINK

Prepare for Rain - Book Review

I read a lot of material, online and in print, some of it technical, some of it fiction, some of it very serious study. Every once in a while a book comes along that captivates me and speaks to me.  I just completed reading Prepare for Rain by Dr. Michael Catt of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany Georgia. Some may recognize Sherwood Baptist Church as the church that went into the movie making business with “Facing the Giants” and Flywheel. Dr. Catt is the senior pastor of Sherwood and brought to the church the vision "we can reach the world from Albany, Georgia". Prepare for Rain is Dr. Catt's reflection of the ministry in Albany as they prepared to receive a blessing from God and follow his direction.  Prepare for Rain traces his history at Sherwood and the process God took them through to go from a typical Southern Baptist Church to a dynamic church that now has a ministry to the world. Their movies have reached around the world and have resulted in thousands coming to Jesus. The sports park Sherwood built in Albany has brought many families into fellowship and into the kingdom.  Dr. Catt led the church across racial boundaries as they fellowship with a predominantly African American congregation in Albany. Dr. Catt makes the point through the book that we need to prepare the ground by getting on the plow and prepare for the rain to come.  We cannot pray for rain and not prepare the ground to receive it. As the Pastor of a small church I have read a great number of church growth books and almost always felt inadequate after I completed them. Not so with Prepare for Rain. Dr. Catt reinforces the idea that as long as we are faithful to prepare for rain and plow the ground we have, God is faithful to give a blessing to us. I would recommend this book to every Pastor and lay leader in every church, especially those that want to see God work through them. It is a quick read but would be worth it if it took much longer. Dr. Catt has tremendous insight in the ministry and work of the Lord. This book should be on everyone’s shelf and read at least once a year.

Pastor Rich Schnieders

 

Free Software: Collaboration and Consensus with Groups

When working with groups that need to come to a consensus on an issue, sometimes software is a better alternative than a meeting, especially FREE software: LINK

Welcome to our church! A great video

I take this out on Sunday morning, and I motivate myself with it!