WARNING: Please read before clicking any links below!
If you have surfed the world wide web for any amount of time you know it is full of good and great things, and also every evil, ungodly thing imaginable. Please be careful when you use any service or tool online. I cannot take responsibility for any viruses, or evil that you may stumble upon using the services below. All of these tools I have or do use, but it is up to you to be wise, and safe about what you do. Some great resources may inadvertently link you to some not so great things, it's your job as a Christian striving to live a Godly life, to stay out of these places. Now, if that didn't scare you off, take a look at some of these tools.

Communication

Blogger: Want to create a blog? Try out Blogger. It's free and works great! If you didn't know, a blog is like an online journal that you can write and post things to. It's a great way to share what's going on in your ministry, your life, etc. Please remember, what you post is open for the world to see, so be careful!

Esnips: I just started playing with this tool. Esnips is an online community of sorts. You can upload and organize all types of files, audio, video and more to your "site." You can make you site private or public. Keeping the site private, you can invite others to join your site so only they have access to the files you are sharing. If you have a ministry team, this might be a good way to keep project material available to all members of the team, where ever they are. It would also be great for idea sharing, camp planning or even an online place to store things for parents or volunteers.

My Church: Think MySpace and your church website merge. Welcome to MyChurch. This is an online community that allows you to set up a virtual church community. Each member can have their own page and can "join" your church site. You can post bulletines, announcements, audio/video files and other things to share. With anyone online community, please be careful and remember, everything post is open for the world to see. Check it out and see what you think.

FaithFreaks: Okay, this truly is a Christian MySpace. You've got all the features of MySpace with out all the garbage. At the moment things are still coming together before the worldwide launch, but you need to check out if you're looking for a cyber-social network.

Survey Monkey: Okay, I haven't played with this yet, but it is supposed to let anyone create quick, professional looking surveys online. The basic subscription is free, but you are limited to 10 questions and only 100 responders. The professional cost but gives you 1000 responders with unlimited questions.

Media

YouTube: If you want to share your videos creations with the world, YouTube is your place. First, it is free to use and store videos on. At this writing, there was not limit to the number of videos you can post, but you are limited to each video being no more than 100 MB each - and usually no more than about 10 minutes long. Please be aware, there are some pretty awful things on YouTube - so think it through. YouTube will allow you to post your video on their site and then you can embed a video player that plays your video on your website - and you are not taking up any of your webspace. The video that is currently on the start page of this site, is hosted on YouTube.

SlideShare: If you are looking for a way to share slide shows (like PowerPoint) online then you need to check out Slide Share. Just think about delivering custom teacher training or Bible lessons from your website or online space. Oh, and like so many great online tools, it's free.

Mixpo: Okay, if you want to share presentations that contain video and or photos, check out Mixpo. I have just discovered this tool, so I haven't played with it yet, but it looks great. Again, the applications are up to you, but why not broadcast children's church, puppet moments, or make training available online for teachers. Check it out. Currently, it's free.

Photobucket: Looking for a way to store pictures online that you can share with others, or create fun online slideshows for webpages, blogs or whatever else might be out there? Then check out Photobucket. Oh, and yeah, it's free.

Video Creation Tools

Light Saber Maker: Have you ever wanted to create your very on STAR WARS parody? Of course, it's not STAR WARS without a light saber fight. This program is what several light saber videos I've seen were created with. They look incredible. I have not used this program yet, but have it downloaded. It is a free download.

Pivot Stickfigure Animator: Here's another free video creation tool. Make simple stick figure animations with this fun little program. Warning. It does take a long, long time to make stick figure animations as you move each limb frame by frame.