New Web site offers ministers networking, resources
By Mark Forrester
A new day for ministry has been launched this week at GC09 with the full release of ministrydirect.com, a networking Web site for AG credential holders.
“Ministrydirect.com brings leadership to a whole new level as leaders will now connect to invest in each others’ lives without the limitations of geography,” says General Superintendent George O. Wood.
Explosive sharing. That’s the idea behind the new ministrydirect.com. The General Council, in partnership with the AG Trust, has developed the Assemblies of God’s first venture into the world of social networking.
“The excitement is building quickly. This is an unprecedented user experience for a church body of our size,” says Dr. Ron McManus, president of the Center for Church Leadership.
Pastors and leaders now have the opportunity to share their greatest ideas and innovations, upload their sermons and media, and create their own personalized ministry environment. Each week ministrydirect.com spotlights a congregation and shares their unique ministry perspective, giving users the opportunity to download their creative content. Users also benefit from weekly ministry tutorials from leading experts across the nation.
“I believe in the innovative power that our Assemblies of God pastors and leaders hold,” says Wood. “I am astounded at the possibilities that exist when we are able to utilize their collective creativity to better resource them.”
After much planning, ministrydirect.com became a reality this summer when the Web site hosted its first live Q and A: Ask the Superintendent session on June 26. Users from throughout the AG submitted their questions to Wood live via texting, e-mail and Twitter. Four hundred twenty eight unique visitors tuned in live and more than 800 people have viewed the video on AGTV since that time. Ministrydirect.com users can expect many more live events in the future.
Those who have already visited ministrydirect.com have responded with enthusiasm about the new resource.
“I’ve been browsing the site and I’m blown away with the interface,” says Justin Lathrop, development leader at The Oaks in the South Dallas Metroplex area. “I can tell that a large dedication of resources was involved with this project. It makes me realize that I’m valued as a credential holder in the Assemblies of God.”
Many attendees of the Influence Conference this year were thrilled to see the supplemental resources available on ministrydirect.com. Beyond the ability to interact with other conference attendees, users are able to download special materials from the Influence Conference at ministrydirect.com.
John Jay Wilson, administrator to the general superintendent and organizer of this year’s Influence Conference said, “With the limited time our presenters have in a session, we were excited to offer this new venue for pastors and leaders to be able to access so much more leadership content at their own pace.” These materials are also available to credential holders who were unable to attend the Influence Conference.
General Council attendees are invited to stop by the ministrydirect.com booth in the Exhibit Hall. Ministrydirect.com personnel will be there to assist credential holders in creating their own personal profile, opening them up to the thousands of free, user-endorsed resources and tools that are available. While there, visitors can register to win a free iMac, courtesy of ministrydirect.com.