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What I Read This Summer..

Russell Martin — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 05:38:32 +0000

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/daviderickson/

I subscribe to a bunch of blogs and take time a few times a day to read through what others are writing on the topics of communication, worship, church and life in general. I generally pull them up on flipboard or google reader, skim through the headlines and star those posts that I find interesting. Here are a few I thought I would share with you.

1. 5 Reasons Why You Need to Get Better at Saying “No” by Michael Hyatt -

#5. “Every time I say “no” to something that is not important, I am saying “yes” to something that is.”

If you haven’t read anything my Michael Hyatt now is the time. Every post is great but this one stood out to me because it’s something I struggle with. Understand these 5 reasons and it will help you to re balance your life.

2. Publishing is Not Enough: Become a Blog Post Curator! from TentBlogger by John Saddington

“Your blog is a dynamic and living representation of you, your goals, your mission, your ideas, and more. You would never call yourself or your life “static,” right? As such you should treat your blog with a little bit more care and become more than just a publisher of content – become a curator of your content!”

Are you a publisher or a curator. This post reminded me to continually craft, edit, and revise my blog instead of hitting publish on a post then forgetting about it. Here we get 10 tips on how to keep your blog fresh, creative and alive.

3. Church Websites 101: Call to Action from Church Marketing Sucks by Kevin D. Hendricks

“So you think your church needs a website. Or a new site. Or a better site. Rock on. Welcome to Church Websites 101, a quick and dirty series about how to start or restart your church’s website.”

Church Marketing Sucks (or Church Marketing Stinks, if you prefer) is a great resource for information, ideas and trends for church communication. Here is just one post in a series on how to create a better website for your church called Church Websites 101.

So what are some of your favorite posts you have read recently? Share them in the comments below.

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/daviderickson/

12 Days of Christmas Videos-#10 Digital Story of Christmas

Russell Martin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 05:57:53 +0000

My friends and church members know I am a big proponent of Social Media. Because of that, when someone comes across a video, blog post, newsletter article or story about the good, or bad of, say, facebook or twitter, I often receive a link in my inbox.
I received this next video through email, facebook and twitter links many, many, times… so I am passing it on to you!

And to those who send me these links, keep it up! Thanks!

Oh, check out the rest of the videos using the related links below!

3 Steps to Manage Blog Reading

Russell Martin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 06:12:01 +0000

I read a good number of blogs on a daily basis. They range from tech blogs to worship blogs, from communication blogs to friends blogs. For a long time I have used Google Reader to organize these blogs. Here’s how…
1. In the morning I read through the blog headlines and see which ones sound interesting. Sometimes I’ll read the whole post, sometimes just a little bit. If I like it, or would like to read it later I put a star by it
2. In the evening I read through the starred blogs more closely, and determine whether I will keep it, delete it or share it.
3. If I keep it it stays starred. If I delete it I remove the star. If I want to share it I click the share button.

Those shared items are then put onto their own page that you can access. Just go to http://www.google.com/reader/shared/rgmmusic to see my most recent shared items. If you don’t have time to go there now, here are a few of my most recent favorites. If you like, you can also subscribe directly to my shared items on google reader.

When It Comes to Media, It’s Time To Get Real

Freebie Friday 199: Free motion PowerPoint backgrounds

Best Practices of Combining Typefaces

Movieclips.com Raises $3 Million to Help Bring Movie Clips to the Masses

I’m working on creating a twitter list of all those individuals whos blogs I have shared over the past year. See the initial list at @rgmmusic/shared

Appreciating Your Worship Team- Ask for Feedback

Russell Martin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:49:24 +0000

Each year I have an end of year evaluation with my pastor and other church leaders. This is a great time to look back on the previous year, talk about goals and identify areas in need of attention.

This year I decided to go a step further. I sent a short survey out to my worship team. After all, these are the guys who are in rehearsals and leading worship with me week in and week out, and I really wanted to know what they were thinking. I will admit I was apprehensive about doing so at first, however now that we have gone through the process it is one that I plan to do every year.

The set up was simple:

1. I used google to create a form

2. I emailed the link out to the team members

3. As they filled in the sheet the answers were collected for me

Here were my questions:

1. Rate the overall musical quality of the worship Team (1-5)

2. How much do rehearsals prepare you for leading worship Sunday morning (1-5)

3. Rate the variety of music presented (1-5)

4. List up to three things you think the band has definately improved on in 2009

5. What are three things you would have liked us to have improved on but we did not?

6. If you were in charge, could do anything you want, what one major change would you make?

7. Give me your idea of something new we should try to do?

8. Can you commit to the worship team for 2010? Why or Why Not?

9. What else would you like to say?

Through providing this opportunity for feedback I was able to hear things that I might not otherwise and address them before problems arise. I am excited too about new suggestions that were given and am looking forward to implementing them in the new year.

I encourage you to find some way where you can receive honest feedback from those you work with on a weekly basis. Not only will it help you to stop possible problems, but it gives your team members ownership.

So.. how do you give opportunities for feedback?

Your comments are appreciated.

My Shared Items 11/02/09

Russell Martin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:56:43 +0000

Each week I receive posts from over fifty different blogs. I collect and read them on Google Reader and thought you might benefit from some of the things I am reading. So here are some of my favorites from this week.

In Happy Hallow…. Harvest Festival, Michael Buckingham talks about ways to use Halloween as an opportunity, not a stumbling block. Yes I know it’s a little late, but file it for next year.

One of my favorite new blogs to follow is Michael Hyatt’s Blog. On 10/30 he shared a guest post from Margaret McSweeny on 12 Strategies for Leadership Success.

And finally TechCrunch, Pandora now offers integration with Twitter and Facebook

If you like, you can subscribe directly to my shared items on google reader.

Also if you have a blog to suggest, please put it in the comments below.

Criticism and Praise

Russell Martin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:56:50 +0000

I was reading through the google shared items of Michael Hyatt, and ran across an entry he had shared called False Praise and Distorted Criticism by Pete Wilson. Read the whole post, but I wanted to share one thing that the Pete said.

Don’t waste your time listening to false praise or distorted criticism. The praise will go straight to your head and the criticism will go directly to your heart. Both will lead you astray and both will damage the work God is doing in you and through you.

Wow, how true that is. I can point to many times in my life when false praise has blown my head up. I also look back at times where I let criticism crush me. At both points I was worrying about, or basking in what others said about me, and took my focus off of Christ and his work through me.

As Christians, we need to remember that our purpose and our worth comes from Christ.

Worship Planning with Google Wave

Russell Martin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:21:34 +0000

I was invited to a google wave “post” or “blip” or whatever it is called, where my friend was writing a blog post, and wanted some fresh eyes to read over it. He posted his thoughts and what happened next was amazing. About ten other people started sharing thoughts, finding spelling mistakes and making corrections, giving alternate ideas and collaborating on the post.

After watching this for a few minutes I wondered if it could be used for planning worship services? What would happen if someone could start a wave with the sermon and scripture, then let people from all over comment, make song suggestions, give links to videos or tell about a skit they wrote that would fit the topic?

Well let’s find out. First let me say that I know not everyone has Google Wave, and I know this process won’t fully work until it is available everywhere, so hurry up Google! But I think there are enough to give this experiment a try.

I have created a wave for a service we are doing on November 8th. If you have wave add me to your contact list and I will invite you to the wave.

My contact is rgmmusic@googlewave.com

Instrumental Reflection #9- It Is Well With My Soul

Russell Martin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:10:44 +0000

Sometimes these reflections are hard to come up with. Unfortunately this weeks came too easy, but for a difficult reason .

My sister’s best friend was supposed to be married in a few weeks. A few days ago her fiancee went to sleep and never woke up. I cannot even begin to imagine what she and the family are going through. I cannot think of any words to say. When I found out the news this one song rushed into my head and has not gone away.

This reflection is not only for her, but for all who are going through tough times.

Click to listen. Right click and choose “Save as” or “save target as” to save to your computer.

It Is Well With My Soul

It is Well With My Soul
by Horatio G Spafford
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
- Refrain:
  It is well, with my soul,
  It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

If you would be interested the family has set up a pay pal account which will be used to defray funeral expenses and to pay bills, etc. that may need to be covered. Any gift would be appreciated.

Also I will pass on any comments or words of encouragement you leave in the comments.

1. Go to paypal.com
2. Press Send (to send money)
3. Enter davidrosbrough@gmail.com in the to box and then enter your email address in the from box
4. Enter amount desired.
5. Scroll down and click on “personal” and “gift”
6. Press continue and follow instructions

Did you enjoy this Instrumental Reflection? Check out the other instrumental reflections in the suggested sites below. To get them delivered to your inbox Subscribe to forkintheroad by Email

Wave Winners

Russell Martin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:57:08 +0000

Congratulations to those who responded in my Google Wave Contest, and will be receiving a Google Wave nomination. I want to say thanks to each of you who left comments Congratulations!

I will be sending an email to the address you left in your comment to find out what email you want the wave nomination sent to.

Two Ways to Get A Google Wave Nomination

Russell Martin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:36:13 +0000

Thursday when I received my Google Wave invite I did what came natural. I posted it up on twitter. What happened next suprised me. All of the sudden twitter and facebook I had about 45 responses from people asking for me to give them one of my invites. Some of the eager responders were my friends; others I had never even heard of.

So today I thought about how to use my invitations wisely. Since Google Wave is a collaborative tool I thought it best to find those with whom I share something in common and could collaborate; worship leaders, youth directors etc… I thought it would also be fun to give a few out randomly. So here it is.

First- Leave a comment on this post saying how you see Google Wave being a tool for ministry. How would you use it? What ways would it benifit different areas? I’ll choose 3 and send you an invite.

Second- Leave a review for “Unfailing Love” CD on Itunes, or Amazon.com . Then copy it and post it as a comment on the post entitled “Unfailing Love Cd Available. I’ll collect the names, choose 2 at random and send you an invite.

I will choose the winners on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m.

One more note.. I still have a few more to give away after that so you also can just ask me. Find me at the following

twitter.com/rgmmusic
facebook.com/russellmartinmusic