For this post, I’ll link to a website called I Love Free Software. Check out the 5 suggested sites for developing a logo online for free.

This week I was in need of some inspiration. I wanted a logo design from some folks on our church staff who do that, but I couldn’t translate what I was thinking about the design into words. I came across this outstanding site called Creattica. Creattica is a gallery of great design and inspirational imagery.

Want to see some impressive logo examples? How about a unique business card design? Need a fresh brochure look? Creattica is certain to have something to get you thinking. I know this site is going to make it in my frequent bookmark list!

I’m sure you’ve heard of the incredible resources that Lifechurch makes available for absolutely free. Well, I just learned that in addition to their kids and student curriculum, they also have a good deal of worship loops for download. You know they will be quality, because Lifechurch is quality. Enjoy!

Since I am new at a church, I wanted to connect with each child with a birthday card. This is a tall order as I’m hitting every kid on our roll, even if they haven’t attended in a while. That’s almost 600 birthday cards this year! A week does not go by, however, that a child or parent doesn’t thank me for their card. This has been a game changer for me as I get to know folks.

I have designed these so they can be printed on a “bleed.” You could also just copy these designs in a Publisher document and cut them out yourself. There are boys and girls designs. They are high res quality. Hope you can use them!

I know this post won’t be helpful to everyone. If you like video editing, then check out Stock Footage for Free sponsored by Footage Firm. They have some nice loops, time lapse shots, and footage of a variety of settings. The loops are good for backgrounds to song lyrics. The other footage could be used in a variety of children’s ministry settings. Make a countdown with some of them that goes along with the theme you are teaching. Play the sunset scene while you read Job 38 to the kids. Loop a snow scene for an impromptu Christmas skit with kids on stage. Get creative!

For some good editing tips and tricks, check out the Childrens Ministry Tech blog.

When my friend told me today about Red Ferris Wheel, I almost plucked my eyeball out in sheer excitement. Zach Fonville has provided us with a host of free still images and motion backgrounds. It is a HUGE collection! Download them now for your worship environments!

Apparently Free CM Stuff is not an original idea!

A youth pastor friend of mine, cued me in to Pastor2Youth. They have a ton of games, links, media, and object lessons that we can steal and use in CM.

Now humble yourself and admit it, it is possible to learn from youth pastors!

Contest ends soon: You have until this afternoon to get your name in the hat for the Sovereign Grace CD’s. Hurry!

Christian Video Magazine is a free online magazine geared toward providing Christian viewpoints on the use of video and media in ministry settings. Here’s a quote from their site on what they do:

The purpose of Christian Video Magazine is simple. We want to provide our readers with articles that cover everything about using videos in the church, on their websites, and for ministry. How do you use them? How do you stream them? How do you create them? How do you project them? Where can you find them? Who is creating them? How will they impact mobile computing? What about background loops? And how can we make the best use of all of the fantastic Christian music videos?

You can either receive their magazine in a truncated email format or look at all of their articles in PDF or HTML format online. If you utilize videos in your ministry or want to keep up with relevant topics in the media industry, this is a good resource to check out.

Have you heard of Prezi yet? If not, you need to go check it out and see if it could be beneficial to any presentations you give. Unlike cues or slides, Prezi utilizes a “canvas” concept where you zoom in on various aspects of your presentation. It’s quite unique.

The free account from Prezi is a little limited, but still offers you a great deal of flexibility as well as allows you to add pizazz to your presentations. While the free account allows only online presentation development, you still get offline presentation capabilities. This means you can download your custom presentation and present it without a web connection.

Use Prezi for:

• Kids church messages
• In-church recruitment advertisements
• Volunteer trainings

ImageChef.com Poetry Blender

Check out Image Chef to get photo frames, moving bumpers (like above), and word mosaics. You can email them or embed them in your site.