cru - A New Name for CCCI

Campus Crusade for Christ is in the process of changing its name. Here is the background of the process in a Christianity Today article, "Campus Crusade for Christ changes its Name to Cru".

Framing the Problem of Evil in Animation

Want help framing and responding to the problem of evil? Here are two animations that could help.

The shorter version (1 min, 46 sec):

And a bit longer response (3:10)

Thots?

Debunking Teen Media Myths

Just received the latest Research Brief from the Center for Media Research. Helpful summary. Includes stats like:

Out-Text All Other Age Groups: In Q1 2011, teens 13-17 sent an average of 3,364 mobile texts per month, more than doubling the rate of the next most active texting demo, 18-24 year olds (1,640 texts per month)

What does that say about the next generation of freshmen classes? We have to keep figuring out how to better leverage texting in campus ministry!

A couple of "myths" it debunks are:

Teens are NOT abandoning TV for new media: In fact, they watch more TV than ever, up 6% over the past five years in the U.S.

Teens love the Internet...but spend far less time browsing than adults: Teens spend 11 hours and 32 minutes per month online-far below the average of 29 hours and 15 minutes.

Teens watch less online video than most adults, but the ads are highly engaging to them: Teens spend 35% less time watching online video than adults 25-34, but recall ads better when watching TV shows online than they do on television.

Not sure what those mean for ministry, but thought it interesting. Thots?

What is the Gospel? Another Video Sketch

Here is four-minute video of the gospel, sketched. This version is from Southern Seminary

What is the Gospel? from Southern Seminary on Vimeo.

Thots?

Lasting Influence form Short Term Experiences

Are summer mission trips worth the investment? Do they lead to lasting impact? Great questions!

Couple those with another set of good questions. What part does the ministry of compassion and social justice play when on a mission of gospel proclamation? How do you wed together good news with good deeds? What happens when you do?

How do these two set of questions relate?

As students are exposed to the needs of the world and experience the difference that the gospel (that is, gospel living and gospel proclaiming) can make, it prepares them for a lifetime of gospel ministry--whether in the U.S. or the world.

That reality is illustrated very well by the University of South Carolina Media Relations article: "USC Retailing Student is Clothed in Hope."

Go, Amy!

30 Seconds...Another 18 yr Old Latino in US

Here is a 90 sec read from Fast Company on the Hispanic Market in the US. Not just how big it is, but the implications for companies (and organizations). It is worth your minute and a half.

What the Rise of Univision Means for Your Brand

Every 30 seconds a Latino turns 18 years old. Will we be positioned to reach him or her?

Backstory on iPad: Cool View

My friend and co-worker, RJ, took our work with Life@Large (a seven-chapter, gospel storyline) and created an updated version known as Backstory. We haven't yet pursued creating an "app" for mobile devices. That is coming (we say.) However, I was copied on (another friend and co-workers) DC's e-mail to RJ's on this creative usage:

I shared Christ with a grad student today at Cal using Backstory --- I had him Google search CruPress and download the pdf into his iPad and view on iPad Reader --- looking at it together we flicked the pages back and forth, read out loud scripture, and answered the Q's --- the way it's formatted is beautiful on iPad --- it's 4x it's printed size when you click on a pane and it fills the screen --- 2x the size when "scrolling"--- so easy to read you must try it it you haven't yet --- a quality conversation was had over quality Gospel media --- he's a believer, so I used Backstory to get to know better and to draw out his story --- asked him which of the 7 themes drew him in the most --- he came closer to Christ through the conversation and so did I --- Backstory should get a Grammy for best coffeehouse conversation media for use with an iPad --- I wonder if Backstory could be hosted on campus ministry and personal websites so one could click and drag-the pages and view it similarly to like we did today but with a cursor-- http://crupress.campuscrusadeforchrist.com/files/products/backstory.pdf

Be encouraged. -dc

PS ________, You men have iPads, reply-to-all with your thoughts (viewing it on my MacBook with the Marque Zoom is amazing too) --- let's creatively spread the word about this phenomenon to our students reaching out at Big Break and Spring Breaks everywhere --- and as something new and beautiful to share on campus during Easter Season.

Maybe you should try it too!