5Q: 5 questions that change the man

Posted November 2nd @ 5:26 pm by paul

[snip]
From http://www.5qcommunications.com/5-questions:
Creating an effective web site starts with asking the right questions. Before launching into any work for a client, we start with analysis that will help them and us discover the keys to developing a site that communicates effectively and produces the results that are needed. In summary, these important questions are:

* Who is your audience?
* What primary action do you want visitors to take?
* Does your design and text communicate effectively?
* Are your systems integrated and compliant?
* How do you measure success?

[snip]

These are the 5 questions we ask potential clients when initiating a new project in the discovery phase to build a website.  Simply put, a website is a tool and these are the questions we ask to determine that tool’s effectiveness and impact.

If we are God’s instruments for His purposes, what do these questions look like when we pose them to ourselves through the lens of spiritual application?

1.) Who is my audience?
What is my vocation?  Where has God put me to be a light?  Who are the people that God has targeted and is specifically pointing me toward?

2.) What primary action does God want others to take when he puts them in my path?
Note that the question we ask is “what primary action do you want visitors to take?”  It’s not “what primary action do you want your website to fill.”  This question is focused on the people the tool impacts, not the tool itself.

We design websites to guide users toward a single primary action when they encounter that tool.  What has God designed me through my standing stones to guide people to do, see or better understand?

3.) Does my person and speech exhibit Christ effectively?

I’m loaded with conviction just thinking about it.

4.) Am I actively performing my designed function in the body of Christ?

Recently, as I’ve watched the church, I’ve seen our function in the body of Christ more and more similar to a game of chess.

In the proper setting, there are several individuals on the board doing the will of a single mind that has  a plan and insight of the end-goal.  No piece by itself can achieve the goal and without the cooperation of each other, the goal is not attainable.  At all times, the pieces are in motion, working toward the goal, each performing their specific and critical function and most vulnerable when they try to perform the function of another or when they find themselves misplaced (outside of the will of the master).

The best chess players use the pieces to protect one-another and always has a specific purpose for every move.  None are wasted.

The illustration shows the critical nature of timely and absolute obedience.  One can imagine how frustrated a player would become if a piece became disobedient and decided not to move or moved before it was supposed to… or to the wrong location.  What if a piece refused to give up a place where another needed to be?

The consequence could be:  1.)  that piece put itself in danger  2.)  that piece put another in danger  3.)  the master would have to use another piece to complete his will, taking up precious time to get it to that position.

5.) How do I measure success?
Because each person is designed so wonderfully differently, the measure of success will differ from person to person as to how effective a vessel they are being.

We aspire to hear the words from Matthew 25, “well done, good and faithful servant,” as illustrated in the parable of the talents.

Should we not also aspire to be like Christ in his final hours, standing boldly before God, saying, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do”? – John 17

At 5Q, we individually review our 5 questions to ourselves weekly because we believe that “creating an effective web site starts with asking the right questions.”

Maybe being an effective Christian does too.

Happy Boss’s Day!

Posted October 16th @ 9:16 am by paul

So today is Boss’s Day, thanks to Hallmark.  Everyone knows that you want to keep your boss happy.  Today happens to be my boss’s birthday as well…

…and by “boss,” I mean wife.

Happy Birthday, Natalie!  Thanks for sharing this last 1/3 of your life with me!

May this year be filled with purple, blessing and dark chocolate for you!

Work and cats

Posted October 15th @ 1:15 pm by paul

I got this email today.  Enough people have enjoyed it that I thought it was worth just posting here.  Thanks, mom!

Phase 1


You are listening to jazz — Your first day at work is great. Your coworkers are wonderful, your cubicle is cute, and your boss is the best!


Phase 2


You are listening to pop music —
After a while you are so busy that you are not sure if you’re coming or going anymore.


Phase 3


You are listening to heavy metal —
This is what you feel like at month end.


Phase 4


You are listening to hip hop —
You become bloated due to stress, feel sluggish and suffer from constipation. Your coworkers are too cheerful for your liking and the walls of your cubicle are closing in. You have started thinking ‘WHATEVER’ about your boss.


Phase 5


You are listening to GANGSTA RAP —
After more time passes, your eyes start to twitch, you forget what a ‘good hair day’ feels like as you just fall out of bed and load up on caffeine.

Phase 6

You are listening to the voices in your head —
You have build a makeshift door on your cubicle to keep people out, You have a dartboard with your bosses picture on it in your cube, You wonder why you are even here in the first place.

18

Posted October 13th @ 10:44 pm by paul

So a few weeks ago, I went to the video game store at the mall and they were having a big sale on software.  I selected several games (war, flying, fighting, racing, etc) and went to the counter to purchase them.

The employee began to scan my purchases and asked, casually, “Is your mom here with you?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Your mom… or your dad.  Are your parents here with you today?”

“No.  Why would my parents be here with me?”

“…because you have some war games here that are rated ‘Mature’ and you have to be with someone at least 18 years old to buy them.”

I know I look a little young… but really?

When I told him I was 31 and showed him my ID, he said, “man… they are gonna give me so much crap for this!”

So am I, man…. so am I.

Early Bird Video

Posted May 30th @ 11:47 am by paul

I recently published a fun video for the Gospel Communications Internet Ministry Conference Early Bird registration promotion:

If you’re interested in going to the conference this year, get your early-bird registration in!

June 3, 2008 the cost for the 2008 IMC will go from $450 to the regular price of $499.

http://www.internetministryconference.org/

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