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Jason Cooper

Cooper-ation Blog | resourcing your ministry

resourcing - (verb) to search for and provide resources for another

I love gathering lots of resources, take them all in, chew them up, digest them, and spit back out the best to share with others. My primary focus is on resources for ministry and communication.

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Feedly - Google Reader sync for iPad - best magazine style RSS app

When I got my iPad I was excited to use Flipboard. I had seen previews and lots of reviews that were very positive. It gained attention by combining the RSS capabilities of a reader app with the beautiful layout of a magazine. This was in contrast to the more utilitarian RSS apps.

Plus, it had Google Reader syncing - a must for me. I follow several feeds on a regular basis, and Google Reader is my service of choice for managing those feeds.

I was quickly disappointed, however, as Flipboard did not have an option to hide previously read articles. It would mark them as read by changing the color of the title, but you still had to flip over them to see older posts. This was annoying to me. Any standard RSS reader normally has this function.

For a long time MobileRSS HD Free did the trick. It is fairly intuitive and utilizes gestures well for navigation. But....still very utilitarian.

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Then I found Feedly. Feedly offers a great combination of RSS feed reading features with a more pleasing magazine style layout like that which made Flipboard so popular. (it is also available as a browser plugin and for Android, as well as for iPhone)

If you are like me and desire this combination, along with Google Reader sync, check out Feedly.

Now for the Screen shots...


Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)
Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing
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Wunderlist is an amazing, free task management app!

I just ran across Wunderlist last night and decided to check it out. 

I signed up for the web app to get started. Let me just say that I was pleasantly surprised and pleased. It is a beautifully simple task management application. And it is FREE!

Not only that, but it comes not only as a web app (accessible from any browser on any computer) but also as an iPad/iPhone and Android mobile version, as well as Windows and Mac OSX desktop versions.  And, of course, they all sync with each other!

Now I have been a Things user for about 2 years now, and have to say while I like the power of Things, I often feel it is more complicated than it needs to be. Don't get me wrong, it is a great application, with more capabilities than Wunderlist, but it also cost $50 for the desktop app, $10 for the iPhone version.

Here are some similarities of the two applications:

  1. Both apps sync. Things syncs over wifi when both applications (mobile and desktop) are running on the same network. Wunderlist syncs to the cloud. New items are retrieved on startup.
  2. Both apps allow easy organization. Things lets you create either "projects" or "areas of responsibility" for organizing tasks. And a project can stand alone, or be under and "area."  Wunderlist lets you create multiple "lists" (like "areas" in Things).
  3. Both use an "inbox" methodology for creating tasks.
  4. Both have desktop/mobile versions.

Advantages of Things:

  1. Advanced tagging features.
  2. More ways to groups/organize tasks (projects, areas of responsibility, due date, etc.)

Advantages of Wunderlist:

  1. Cloud syncing.
  2. Free desktop client.
  3. Free web app.
  4. Free mobile client.
  5. Simpler for more basic management.
  6. Multiple background image options.
  7. Push or email notifications (mobile version).
  8. Create lists & tasks via a simple email.

Wunderlist also lets you "share" lists, but I have not had a chance to test that functionality.

Here is a screen shot of Wunderlist. Isn't it pretty?

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Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)
Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing
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The "Table" (@table) is Free on February 23rd.

The Table is coming! What is the Table?  

The Table is a relational, online web application, custom-tailored for the church. We aim to engage the community, empower leaders, and move people beyond the pews and into authentic, life-changing friendships. website

Will this thing fly?  Maybe.  The video introductions look pretty good. And with things like Fellowship One integration I could see this behaving as an extension of a church's other online communities, or even a replacement. There are certainly some things I like about this.  I am anxious to test it out when it becomes free to the general public on February 23rd. 

Have you used the Table yet?  What do you think?

 

The Table Project - Introduction from The Table Project on Vimeo.

 

Jason Cooper

@cooperjason

Clever Marketing: Kiss for 2 for 1 at Qdoba on Feb. 14

This is a little of topic for me, but I got this email from Qdoba and thought it was a clever marketing move. 

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I love when marketing doesn't have strings attached - when you don't have to print something off and take it in to get the deal.  In this case, being on their email list gives you the inside scoop, but you don't have to print anything off, just show up and kiss someone.  

I immediately imagined the fun this could be as a crowd goes through the line.  I think it would be fun to run the register on Monday and encourage everyone to kiss. 

I should say that I don't know if this is nationwide or not...but the good thing is that you kiss BEFORE you eat spicy mexican food.

Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)
Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing
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Good Article on "Euthanizing" Small Group Ministry in Churches

There is an excellent article to consider on small group ministry at ChristianStandard.com.  I don't know that anyone would agree with everything the author says, but it forces the discussion on the real effectiveness, and ultimately the purpose, of small group ministry in churches today.  

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My summary is that he is struggling with the tension of "church growth" verses "individual growth".  Most small group ministries come from a church growth mindset - that the purpose is to connect people with the church so that the church can grow.  Small groups have proven to do that well.  

But many today have been told that these same small group ministries are there to help them grow.  And when the overall conclusion is that the average small group ministry does NOT correlate to growth in any substantial way, there are frustrations.

However, small group ministries that are developed out of an individual growth mindset (i.e., discipleship) can do a good job of helping people truly grow in a substantial way.  What matters is not "if" the church has small groups, but "what" happens in those small groups.

I have been a part of both kinds of groups.  My wife and I were part of a wonderful small group a few years back.  We loved the people. We had great fellowship and discussions. We looked forward to our small group time each week.  But even in the midst of that, and especially looking back on the group, we can't really say that it helped us grow in any substantial way.  Sure, we built some great friendships, and really enjoyed our time, but did it really help us grow?  

On the other hand, we have been a part of groups with a clear discipleship focus.  We had the same feelings about the group - loved the people, had great fellowship and discussions, looked forward to each week, but we ALSO felt like the group helped us grow - in substantial and identifiable ways.  For now let me add that is was NOT a "Bible study" group - maybe I'll write more about what I mean by that later...

Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)
Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing
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Reminder - What kind of DVD players to buy for classrooms - get full front panel control

I had decided to use a video clip from a DVD in my class at church a couple weeks ago.  I had prepared a lesson and had planned on using the clip to help illustrate my point.

That morning, I was about to show the clip when I realized that the DVD player in my classroom only had play/stop on the front of the DVD player and the remote was gone (that's what you get for $35). The problem was that the clip I needed was the fourth chapter on the DVD. If the player had a "skip" button, i would have been OK, but it didn't - just play/stop!  HOW USELESS!

This reminds me of a post from the past - about how when you buy DVD players for a classroom setting, be sure to get one with full navigational controls on the front - as the remote will inevitably be lost or the batteries will die.

Needless to say, I have since ordered some replacements for our classrooms. 

For what it is worth, Pioneer still sells one like this - model DV-420V-k - that is available on their website. They cost a little more, but they are well worth it...

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Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)
Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing
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Hootsuite iPhone App (full version) is Now Free

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I was quite pleased when I noticed this the other day. The full version of the Hootsuite iPhone app is now free.

Hootsuite is a web application for managing your social networks. You can use it online with just a browser or on your mobile with one of the mobile apps.

For "live" Twitter browsing I prefer the official Twitter iPhone app, but Hootsuite allows me to schedule updates to both Facebook and Twitter. So if I want an update to go out at a strategic time, I can use Hootsuite to schedule it.

Scheduling is a must have feature for anyone who manages social networks for an organization.

Jason
@cooperjason
Cooper-ation Resourcing

Anyone Really Need a "Christian" Pocket Knife?

So I was visiting the Christian book store the other day picking up some resources for the groups I teach (exploring NT Wright). I saw this display by the register.

Now I have been there dozens of times and not really paid attention, but there was a display case with pocket knives that had scriptures engraved on the handles. Does anyone else think that is utterly ridiculous? Who really needs a "Christian" picket knife?

Don't get me wrong. I am not against knives. I carry a small pocket knife virtually every day. But the thought of carrying a knife with scripture engraved on it seems absolutely silly.

Though you could have some fun with it. The close up shows one that says "fix your eyes on Jesus" and you could add the word "punk!" on the end for fun, and for witnessing...

Is anyone else annoyed with some Christian marketing?

Don't get me started in the Christian silly bands that were there too...

Jason
Cooperation Blog
@Cooperjason on Twitter

Buying TV's for Your Org - Say No to Combos!

Last week I had a bit of a set back. Despite my instincts, and despite most recommendations, I purchased an LCD TV/DVD combo for my church to use in a classroom. The simplicity of having one unit instead of two (and all the necessary cords) has significant appeal. But I was quickly reminded why most "experts" in the tech world don't recommend combo units...

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It was a piece of junk. It had that lightweight, cheap plastic, happy meal feel to it. The picture wasn't bad - until I hooked up my laptop to it, then it was horrible.  Unfortunately, that is one of the primary uses intended for the unit. Needless to say, I took it back the next day.

So, instead I purchased a nicer LCD TV and an upscaling DVD player.  It cost a little more, and there will be more wires and remotes, but better than a combo. (I realize there might be some quality combos out there, but I couldn't find any that I could buy locally)

BTW, if you buy equipment for your organization, read my recommendation on DVD players.

Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)
Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing
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Hootsuite.com - A Great Tool for Organizations

As someone who manages multiple Twitter accounts and a couple Facebook pages, I have tried out several tools that are supposed to help make it easier.  Most have been pretty good - in that they let you post to multiple locations with one click.  Nice!

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I was recently introduced to Hootsuite.com.  Hootsuite allows you to manage multiple social networks through one, online application.  Here is a list of the built in networks.  

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In addition, you can setup columns to monitor searches, twitter hashtags, mentions, etc.  Pretty handy.

Here is what I LOVE about Hootsuite - you can schedule your updates!  I can plan out a whole weeks worth of posts and sit down at the first of the week and schedule them all in hootsuite.  How sweet is that!  Can't do that with any desktop app I know... [Correction.  Tweetdeck does allow the scheduling of status updates in the latest release.]

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THE DOWN SIDE - It appears that you cannot post an image to a Facebook page without also posting it to a Twitter account.  And when you do, the image doesn't show on the FB page, just the link...  This is bad since our audience is primarily made of FB fans, not Twitter followers.  We often use graphics to add a little "attention" to our FB page updates - just can't to it in hootsuite.  Oh well.  

I will continue to use hootsuite.com though to schedule what I can.

What FB/Twitter applications do you use that allow scheduling?  How do they compare? [Yes, Tweetdeck can too, but especially curious if there is one out there that will attach images to a FB page update.]

Jason Cooper (@cooperjason)
Cooper-ation Ministry Resourcing
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