Porn-Again Christian

Pornography is a topic that has been highly discussed here, and I think it is time to be reminded of God’s view on this again. We need to be constantly watching ourselves and what we put into our minds. I need to remember that lust is no different from adultery, and sex was created for husband and wife only. With all that said, I am excited for the new eBook Mark Driscoll is releasing.

Porn-Again Christian is an ebook dealing with pornography and masturbation head on. It has promised to offend some, and truly help others. The book is being released chapter by chapter over the next couple months, and then the entire book will be available for pdf download.

Read the intro chapter, and let me know how you feel on this issue.

Mark Your Calendars

I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Blog Action Day, but it’s a pretty cool concept. Here’s the basic idea:

On October 15, 2008 bloggers from across the world will be engaging in a conversation about bringing an end to poverty. Each blog will be talking about this issue through their unique lens, in hopes that by generating dialogue with their readership awareness can be raised on this global issue.

We’re very excited here at The Plow to be participating in Blog Action Day 2008. On October 15th we’ll have a special post for you all, and hope that you’ll join in on the conversation. Here’s a cool little video piece from the Blog Action Day website.

 
Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Do We Have Balls?

So what do you think? Do we have enough balls for this? Are you offended, or are you challenged?

I believe art is meant to challenge the way we think. I believe art should offend us sometimes. I also believe the gospel should challenge and offend us. Read more about People of the Second Chance, and please let me know what you think.

Video Game Friday

I thought this game was very fitting for our current economic situation. And you have to love the 8bit NES. Here are how the controls work to. It took me some time to find, so I will save you from it.

Free! Free! Free!

It’s a good habit for a designer to be a pack-rat. If you’re anything like me you have thousands of images, textures, brushes, swatches and snipets laying around in the event that you may one day actually need to use them. Well let me compound that problem by throwing this out there: Free Textures from Texture King

That’s right, Texture King is a collection of 337 (and growing) fine looking FREE texture. Just the thing for that new sermon series or worship concert poster your working on. Head over and check them out »

5 Mistakes Churches/Ministries Make When Working with an Agency

I’ve recently been reading through Branding Faith by Phil Cooke. It’s a great book that makes a lot of valid points about marketing and communication in the church, ministry and nonprofit worlds. Here are some thoughts I’ve pulled from it:

1. Assuming That They Don’t Need the Agency
“Outsourcing” is all the rage in corporate America these days. The big idea is, if it’s not one of your core strengths as a company, church, or organization, let someone who does this professionally do it for you. Mulit-billion dollar companies rely on marketing and advertising agencies for nearly all of their creative needs. It’s the outsiders with “fresh eyes” that can bring a new perspective, and streamline your efficiency. As Andy Stanley says it in his book Next Generation Leader  “Upgrade your performance by playing to your strengths and delegating your weaknesses. This one decision will do more to enhance your productivity than anything else you do as a leader.”

2. Not Giving the Agency Access to the Top Person in the Organization
If an agency has been brought in to a church/ministry organization they’re most likely being asked to help identify, clarify, or express the vision and mission of that church/ministry. Typically the vision and mission of a church/ministry are coming from the top down. It’s kind of a no-brainer, but if you’re asking the agency to help spread your message you might want to make sure they’re hearing it from the horse’s mouth.

3. Having “Middle Managers”Criticize the Agency’s Recommendations
This can be a tough one, especially in volunteer churches, but it’s an ugly reality that needs to be faced. Chances are if the church/ministry leadership has brought in an outside agency to solve a certain marketing/communication problem it’s because the in-house “management” team just wasn’t quite up to snuff. One of the biggest ways to limit the creativity and potential success of an agency is constantly micro-manage and meddle with what they are trying to accomplish. Give them some room to breath, and trust that they are here because they want to help you, not hurt your feelings and take your job.

4. Being Afraid the Agency Will Take Over
If you’re working with an agency that’s been around for more than a few years there’s a 99% chance that you’re not their only client. I can’t speak for all designers, but I love what I do, and love the diverse clients and projects I get to work with/on. That being the case, why would I want to take over your entire church/organization? To us at The Plow, there is nothing quite as satisfying as the excitement and sense of ownership our clients have when together we solve the issue we were brought in to take care of. Plus, making pretty pictures on my Mac is way to fun.

5. Only Use the Agency for Short-term Projects
So you mailed out one postcard to 5,000 people and didn’t get the results you want, what’s next? Fire the agency? Traditionally there is a rule in the advertising world of “six to stick.” That is, a person has to see an advertisement or marketing message six times before it ever sticks with them. This is a great way to look at a relationship with an agency. Sure, they can come in do a new logo, fix up the website, make a postcard, etc. But the biggest waves and the most successful outcomes comes from churches/ministry who invest in a relationship with an agency. Get to know them as they get to know you, and together you’ll go big places.

LifeChurch does it again!

Introducing ChurchMetrics from ChurchMetrics on Vimeo.

It is pretty cool to see churches creating there own web apps, and then just giving them away. LifeChurch is such an amazing example of creativity and service to others. I can’t wait to see how ChurchMetrics works live, but if the music is any indication, it will be smooooth.

Thanks for the link Jesse.

Not Art., On Your Back

As part of of our “Not Art. Gospel.” poster series we just completed here at The Plow, we designed some rad looking shirts that are available for you to buy through Eminence Clothing. The best part of all, 100% of the profits will go to support Lifewater International’s work in Asia, Africa and South America.

Lifewater International is a non-profit organization based in San Luis Obispo, California. There vision is to see “a world where every person has access to safe water, improved health, and the knowledge of Jesus’ love.” Currently they are working in Afghanistan, Laos, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Ecuador. 

We encourage you to check out this group. They are great people with huge hearts. So head over to Eminence, get your Not Art. shirt and help spread the gospel both here and around the world!

Go Get ‘Em! »

Video Game Friday

Are you ready for Free Rider 2? Well, you better be, cause here it is. In this game you create your own track, and ride away! The best part of this game is crashing, nothing better than a limp stick figure falling.

Play Free Rider 2

This is (stock)ART

What I love about design is that you can take multiple photos or art, and create something brand new with them. We are like pixel DJ’s. This site Schtock does just that. They take 2-4 peices of stock art and create something amazing with them. Explore this site and be inspired.

HT: YouWorkForThem