Posts from Media Blog

Web Updates: Blog Comments

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:27:30 GMT

We are very pleased to be launching the capability that gives you the opportunity to leave feedback and to comment on the all the material we are publishing on newcommunitychurch.org.uk.

The collection of blogs from different leaders and various areas of church life have been an incredibly popular feature of the new site and this is a function we have been looking forward to for some time. We want to invite you to use this new feature as much as you would like. Our online resources are growing everyday and we would love to hear your comments on them.

We hope you are enjoying using the content and materials we are periodically posting up. If you experience any technical problems please contact chris.smyth@newcommunitychurch.org.uk.

Chris

iPhone App Release: In 'iTunes App Store Now!'

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

We are pleased to finally announce the release of the new NCC iPhone app which hit the iTunes App Store earlier in the week. This app is another phase in the steps we have been taking recently to improve and expand the media resources we are releasing.

The app will enable iPhone users to access our audio, video and blog resources at the touch of a button anywhere in the world. The app enables anyone who already listens to, reads or views the content we are producing all the time in a way which may be easier for them to do so. All the content which gets uploaded online is now available straight through to your handheld device. So whether you’re on the move or at home you can access our content without having to be near your computer.

Since the launch of our new website we have seen a massive increase in hits both in the Resource section, which contains weekly sermon video and audio, as well as the number of blogs we have recently introduced. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to keep up-to-date with everything that is going on in the life of the church.

We hope you enjoy your free download at the iTunes App store and let us know what you think.

Click here to download

For any technical help email: chris.smyth@newcommunitychurch.org.uk

Using the Resource section

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Since the launch of the site, we are pleased to report that there has been a steady increase in online usage. With the Resource section being the most visited part of our site I thought I’d make it as easy for you as possible to enjoy the content we are uploading weekly.

'Phase One' of our web project launch saw the exciting step to 'video streaming' as well as the podcast we have been using for the last couple of years. I do hope you are enjoying be able to watch or re-watch the video sermon as we have been making every effort to get this material online as soon as we possibly can after the Sunday. The streaming uses a great little provider called 'vimeo' where you can either click across to our online library on their site or continue to navigate through our content using the easy to use Resource section. The sections are broken down into series with the occasion events promo video being thrown in. Clicking the thumb graphic or the series list on the left will lead you to the entire series content where you can select the sermon you want to view. Recent sermons all have video streaming working, but as you scroll through order series many simply give you the option to download, subscribe to the podcast or stream the audio.

When viewing the sermon video you can view full screen by hitting the button in the bottom right hand corner of the video box. Using those tabs you can also change the volume, play, pause or jump to any where along the duration of the video you like. Please note the speed that the video loads depends entirely on your internet connection.

Next phases involve video blogs and video interviews so stay tuned! We would also love your feedback and thoughts on everything media, or if you would like to get involved with the media team please email: chris.smyth@newcommunitychurch.org.uk

Serve on the 'Media Team'

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:00:00 GMT

One week on from the launch of phase one of the website and we hope you are all enjoying the new features and resources. We have had a great deal of positive feedback already and have seen a huge increase in the use of the site.

This new site is only the first phase of a number of media advances we are hoping to take over the next year. You may have noticed the advertising space we have been using regularly at Sidcup train station and the camera at the back of the hall every Sunday morning. These are just a few things we have going on and there are a number of new areas we hope to move into in the future.

Media projects like these require a great deal of time and energy and an enthusiastic team working behind the scenes. And the more we move into, the bigger the team of volunteers we need. In the coming months we want to put together a 'Media Team' of individuals working in small teams in their choice area.

These will include set up teams, filming, video editing, photography, advertising and marketing, web development, graphic and digital design. We need a wide range of volunteers who have a heart for media to use their abilities and gifting to serve the church in this capacity.

This is definitely a new and exciting area for you to serve in, so if you are interested in getting involved contact Chris at the Office or email him at: chris.smyth@newcommunitychurch.org.uk.

Chris

January Relaunch

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:00:00 GMT

At last the wait is finally over and we are very pleased to be relaunching our website this weekend. Many hours over the last six months have gone into the design, production and implementation of this site which we believe really does start to take church websites to a whole new platform.

As a church, one of our key values is that we are a 'resource church.' We want to echo this quality throughout every aspect of church life, including our online materials, as much as possible. This site takes this value to an even greater capacity.

We wanted to move away from the trap of creating purely an 'information site' which is just used as a 'front window' for the church and wanted to create an interactive online resource that is both 'church member' and 'visitor' friendly. A site that is attractive and at the cutting edge of modern web design, aswell as being functional and user friendly.

As a result we have integrated a number of new features to the site which we hope you will use regularly. The first of which are a number of church blogs. These enable fresh, real time content to be added daily from different ministry areas within the church. You can subscribe to blog content via the RSS feeds and receive updates quickly and easily direct to your inbox.

Another key feature is our 'what's on' calendar. We wanted to take our events calendar to a whole new level with this highly interactive monthly display with detailed event descriptions. In the past we are well aware that the website hasn't been kept as 'up-to-date' with the key events as it should have been. This new system allows us to upload at least three months in advance and is a fantastic resource for both church members and church visitors.

The third key development and a large focus of the new design for us is the 'resource' section. At NCC we are blessed with a number of very gifted bible teachers and preachers and we wanted to really utilise this valuable resource God has given us. The 'resource' section works similarly to any modern music software such as iTunes or Spotify, with series and sermons being graphically broken down and streaming audio with the option to download or subscribe to regular podcast feeds via iTunes. We wanted to create a site that was also forward thinking and have the ability to include video as a key part of our resource section. So watch this space…

I hope this has given you a brief overview of the new site, but please keep clicking around for yourself. This space will be used to inform you of implement changes and developments to the site. We aim to be continually working and improving this site as the months continue. This new redesign is a truly fantastic resource for the whole church and the wider community.

Chris Smyth (Designer) Dan Bradley (Developer)