Graphics4Christ.com

New Site - O2 Graphic Design

2006-09-29T11:32:00.000-04:00

We have a new site for our custom design work. Check it out!

http://www.o2graphicdesign.com

Trash Fonts from dafont.com

2006-09-15T11:21:00.000-04:00

Check out these free "Trash" Fonts! These are fun fonts to use on GenX or Grunge projects.

Resizing Images - Tips

2006-08-28T16:47:00.000-04:00

I've been noticing that many do not know how to resize an image properly on their websites and publications. Here are some tips that may help some of you:

When you are wanting a smaller image on your website, please resize the image in an image editing application like Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop Elements, etc. instead of resizing it in your website editor. When you resize it in your website editor it only changes the size it displays in the browser, but it does not resize the actual image. It will take a longer time for the image to download and it can frustrate your website visitors. It will look better too if you resize it in an image editing application.
Do not make a jpg or gif image larger than the original size of the image. These images are made up of pixels that only get distorted when enlarged.
When resizing an image in your image editing application or desktop publishing application (Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.) please use the corner sizing handles of the image to maintain the image's proportions. If you click on the top, bottom, left or right sizing handles of the image you can stretch it too wide or too tall and it will NOT be in proportion to the original image. Sometimes you may have to hold your shift key while resizing using the corners to keep it in proportion, depending on the application you are using.

Stock.XCHNG

2006-08-19T20:55:00.000-04:00

FREE stock photo site. Check it out.

ChurchMarketing 101

2006-08-05T16:30:00.000-04:00

I read something today in ChurchMarketing 101 by Richard Reising that I'd like to share. Here is what he writes:

". . .You can learn a lot about how well your church is connecting with your community by how many visitors return. . . Unreturning visitors in commerce and in church are a sign that there is a disconnection somewhere. There are a million reasons they might not return but only one reason they do -- value. And the more applicable and life-changing the service is to them, the more valuable they will find it. The higher the value, the more likely they will return. . . Ultimately, value is a combination of consistency, relevance, and power. Notice I include power. I believe we should be simple enough to be understood yet powerful enough to change lives. Provide services on visitor's level and do it consistently, and they will return and return with friends. . ."

This really hit home with me. I've thought about the times that I've gone to an event or service that was life-changing and I wanted to go back again and tell everyone I knew about what happened during the event or service and how it changed me. This creates a "buzz." If a service isn't life-changing then there is no buzz. Wow! Great thoughts for those of us in marketing. Marketing a church goes way beyond the graphics and publications...perceived value.

Church Marketing - An excerpt from a new book on church planting (The Real Dirt on Church Planting)

2006-07-27T16:09:00.000-04:00

Church Marketing - An excerpt from a new book on church planting (The Real Dirt on Church Planting). This church marketing paper is a great read for those of you who are planting churches. It has some wonderful ideas on how you can "touch" your target audience.

New at Graphics4Christ.com

2006-07-11T08:50:00.000-04:00

New at Graphics4Christ.com!! Flattened Photoshop Files Advertising a "Refreshing Church" for $69.95. All files are at 300 dpi and and sized with 1/8" bleed. The zip file includes the following Photoshop files: Invite Card (3.5" x 2"), Door Hanger (8.5" x 3.5"), Post Card (8.5" x 5.5") (We can change the wording for you for an additional $30.00 - Contact Us for more info.)

Upside Down Way of God

2006-07-07T14:36:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry, but this new swag is no longer available and I'm not sure why.

Vine Resources has a new swag: Upside Down Way of God. "See how God's perspective is often upside down from how our culture thinks." Topic Ideas ...
Week 1 First is Last
Week 2 Give to Receive
Week 3 Weak is Strong
Week 4 Slavery is Freedom
Week 5 Die to Live

New Seacoast Resources

2006-06-30T14:20:00.000-04:00

Seacoast has new resources available: Half-Time and Secrets of Life. Bulletins, Posters, etc. all available for free. Files included are ai, indd, tif, psd, and mov depending on the series.

Vine Resources

2006-06-30T14:04:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry, but these swag bags are no longer available and I'm not sure why.

New Swag Bags at Vine Resources. Check them out: Hidden Desire, The Art of Deception, and Beautiful Contrast. You get jpg images, mov and wmv files, and layered psd files all for FREE. Cool stuff!

fotolia.com

2006-06-21T15:31:00.000-04:00

Lake View Church Graphics Library

2006-06-21T14:56:00.000-04:00

Lake View Church is offering some images that they have created for their services. They've made them available for free for worship/media purposes.

Christian Video License

2006-06-19T13:44:00.000-04:00

Video editing software has become more user friendly and available to anyone, which has made it easier to edit movies and show these clips during church services. However, many have questioned the legality of editing movies and showing the clips from their computer ... and if their CVLI license covers this. Another question is if they can put these clips on the internet and are covered under their CVLI license. There are many opinions and I am not an expert in this field, but cvli.org answers many of the questions on their website. Here are a few of their terms that answer the questions many church staff members are asking (careful attention to number 4 & 8 to answer above questions):

"4. The public performances authorized by this License shall take place in the facility(ies) specified in the Application and the sole purpose of such public performance is to exhibit motion pictures to members, staff and guests of LICENSEE and the audience will be limited accordingly. No specific titles, or any characters from such titles, or producers’ names will be advertised or publicized to the general public, and no admission or other fee will be charged to the audience."

"6. The specific titles which may be publicly performed by LICENSEE under this License are motion pictures produced and/or distributed by CVLI-affiliated motion picture companies only. CVLI represents that it or its motion picture company licensors may not possess the appropriate rights to certain individual titles, or, due to the expiration of those rights during the term of this License, CVLI may send LICENSEE at any time during the term of this License binding notices that certain titles cannot be or may no longer be publicly performed under this License. Such notices shall be binding and effective upon LICENSEE when received. It is LICENSEE's responsibility to remain up-to-date regarding CVLI's current list of Producers and Distributors, such list to be made available to LICENSEE upon request."

"7. LICENSEE may publicly perform the specific titles covered by this License by means of lawfully manufactured pre-recorded home videocassettes and DVDs of those titles, acquired by LICENSEE from any legitimate source. The responsibility for obtaining home videocassettes and DVDs is that of LICENSEE, and that the costs of acquiring such home videocassettes and DVDs are to be borne solely by LICENSEE and are separate and distinct from the agreed public performance license fee."

"8. LICENSEE may not duplicate, edit or otherwise modify the home videocassettes and DVDs obtained for public performance purposes under this License."

Ministry Communicorps

2006-06-14T14:42:00.000-04:00

Ministry Communications of the Church of Brook Hills set up a site called Communicorps that is filled with information on how churches can communicate, invent, involve, and inspire--all free to use, copy and share! They have some wonderful logos and themes you can download and in many formats - even layered Photoshop files! Check them out.

Visible Earth - A Catalog of NASA images

2006-06-06T09:38:00.000-04:00

http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_rec.php?id=2429

US Federal Government Public Domain Images

2006-06-06T09:21:00.000-04:00

http://stellar-one.com/public/us_federal_government_public_domain_images.htm

The Library of Congress American Memory Photos and Prints

2006-06-06T09:14:00.000-04:00

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/browse/ListSome.php?format=Photograph

Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog

2006-06-06T08:59:00.000-04:00

http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html

Seacoast Resources are Here!

2006-05-12T09:10:00.000-04:00

Wonderful free resources are now starting to be available at Seacoast. "Be Attitude" message series is now available and they have psd and mov files available for free and mp3 files available for a small donation.

Seacoast Resources Coming Soon

2006-05-10T09:28:00.000-04:00

The Seacoast resource website is going to be a collection of resources, links, and other materials produced by and for Seacoast Church. They are adopting an open source philosophy and will be giving away free stuff to other churches. I can't wait to see what they will be offering. What a great way for all of us to work together for the kingdom of God!

ChurchMarketing 101

2006-05-03T06:22:00.000-04:00

Here is what I'm currently reading. Enjoying this fresh new look at church marketing or really "perception".

ChurchMarketing 101: Preparing Your Church for Greater Growth

By Richard L. Reising / Baker

Throw out everything you thought you knew about church marketing. You never knew that it could be so powerful, so strategic, and so biblical. Richard Reising, former corporate marketer and recognized church marketing expert, demystifies marketing principles and brand strategy, offering fresh insight into the dynamics of both what creates and what hinders church growth. Poured on a strong biblical foundation, this book reveals how small changes can have a big impact on growth, and how strategic marketing can set your church apart and create the momentum to change the life of your church and impact your community for eternity.

Dynamic Graphics Magazine

2006-05-02T15:37:00.000-04:00

I have enjoyed receiving my Dynamic Graphics Magazine and also enjoy visiting their website for great design makeovers, tutorials, etc. Check them out.

Free Photoshop Brushes

2006-05-02T11:41:00.000-04:00

Free Photoshop Brushes from misprintedtype.com

Free Grunge Fonts

2006-05-02T11:36:00.000-04:00

25 Free Grunge Fonts are available at Web Design Times

Church Marketing Cartoon

2006-04-28T15:10:00.000-04:00

How the truth hurts...but funny at the same time! How sad...

Churchonomics

2006-04-28T14:41:00.000-04:00

This is a great blog site full of ideas and resources! http://www.churchonomics.com

Vine Resources

2006-04-28T09:27:00.000-04:00

The Vine at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY is offering great resources for other churches and ministries. They have free downloadable "swags" of what they have produced for their program every week. They include PowerPoint backgrounds in jpg format, mov/wmv moving backgrounds, 5x7 300 dpi images, and the best for last: Photoshop layered files for the 5x7 postcard and for the Powerpoint backgrounds! Cool huh?

iStockphoto Designer Spotlight

2006-04-24T14:36:00.000-04:00

iStockphoto has a great Designer Spotlight that has thousands of different design projects uploaded from designers using the photos available on iStockphoto.com. The cool thing is that it displays the images that the designer used to create their designs. Check it out at http://www.istockphoto.com/design_spotlight.php You can even upload your own designs and earn credits!

Communications Report

2006-04-19T12:28:00.000-04:00

Center for Church Communication published their findings after surveying over 500 churches across the U.S. in 2005. Check out the free PDF report (488 KB, 8 pages). Very Interesting

Church Marketing Sucks

2006-04-19T12:04:00.000-04:00

Church Marketing Sucks is not what it sounds like. This is a great place for wonderful resources to help those of us marketing churches and ministries. Their mission is "to frustrate, educate and motivate the church to communicate, with uncompromising clarity, the truth of Jesus Christ. Church Marketing Sucks is a part of the Center for Church Communication, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the church matter." Check them out!

Now Blogging

2006-04-19T10:38:00.000-04:00

I thought that I would give this a go. I've never blogged before, but I thought this may be a great way of getting some thoughts and resources out there for those of us doing "Graphics4Christ". Come back and check it out as we add more posts and resources.