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Is the Digital Church Conference right for you?

Just ask yourself these three questions:

• Does your diocese or group want to use new media (like Facebook, Twitter, mobile and email) but isn't sure where to begin?
• Could your local clergy, religious, teachers, and laypeople benefit from the guidance of top Catholic digital experts?
• Would you like to provide all of that through a completely organized, one-day event?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then the Digital Church Conference is for you!

Brandon Vogt

Brandon Vogt is a Catholic author, speaker, and new media expert who works as the Content Director for Fr. Robert Barron's Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. He blogs at BrandonVogt.com and is the author of  The Church and New Media: Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet (Our Sunday Visitor). In May 2011, Brandon was invited to the Vatican to dialogue with Church officials about new media. Brandon lives in Casselberry, FL with his wife, Kathleen, and their three children, Isaiah, Teresa, and Augustine.

Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner is the founder and CEO of Flocknote.com, an innovative communication tool helping thousands of churches and dioceses better connect with their flocks. He’s been able to reach millions of people by developing various faith-based websites, blogs, and email lists (like Catechism-in-a-year), and by engaging a large audience through social media. He blogs at MatthewWarner.me and is the author of the book, Messy & Foolish: How to make a mess, be a fool and evangelize the world. Matt has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship. He, his wife and his five children hang their hats in Texas.

Josh Simmons

Josh Simmons is the founder and CEO of eCatholic, one of the largest providers of Catholic websites in the country.  Before launching eCatholic, he also worked in the Church for several years as a Youth Minister, Director of Faith Formation, and Music Minister.  He also developed and has lead a popular "eMinistry" Seminar in Dioceses around the country.  Josh has a B.S. in Engineering from Texas A&M University and lives in College Station, Texas with his wife Elizabeth and their 5 children.

Michael Marchand

Michael Marchand is the founder of ParishDesigner.com (a subscription-based design service for Catholic parishes and organizations) and the co-creator of ProjectYM.com (a collaborative youth ministry resource).  Michael's first book, The E Word, is simple and concise guide to Catholic evangelization.  When he's not traveling around the country emceeing the Digital Church Conference, speaking at conferences or leading retreats at parishes, Michael's back in Texas with his wife and three kids.


 

New Media, New Evangelization: An Introduction
Sparked by Pope Paul VI, fueled by Pope John Paul II, and continued by Pope Benedict XVI, the New Evangelization is a call to spread the Gospel with "new vigor, new methods, and a new expression." This talk introduces the New Evangelization and shows how new media technology fits in.

How to Create a Website that will Transform Your Ministry
Your website is the first -- and possibly only -- impression that people have of your parish, school, diocese, or ministry.  What impression do visitors get when they visit your website?  This talk covers the do's and don'ts of creating a dynamic website and includes the 7 keys to unlocking a website that will help transform your communication -- and ultimately your ministry.

Turning Your Web Presence into a Social Network
How to begin building your online community, engaging that community and making social media work for you. We'll also cover specific tips, tools and techniques to help you get started right away, including the use of email, Facebook, Twitter, blogging, video and more.

5 Secrets to Evangelizing Online
This practical talk reveals ten keys to evangelizing the world of Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and blogs. From baptizing your social media to shedding light, not heat, you'll learn several sure-fire ways to spread the faith online.

The Game Plan
This is where you apply all of the day's lessons to your specific parish, school, diocese, or ministry. Using the provided DCC Workbook, you'll devise practical next steps to take over the following months.

Q&A Session
If you have a specific question, this time is for you. Maybe you need clarification on something said during the talks, or perhaps you'd like specific advice for your own project. Whether easy or advanced, practial or theoretical, no question is off limits.

Below is the typical schedule for a Digital Church Conference. The whole day has been carefully crafted to a be a complete and practical 1-day guide to using new media in the Church. (Schedule may vary slightly per event.)

• 8:30amRegistration and gathering
• 9:00amWelcome and Opening Prayer
• 9:15amNew Media, New Evangelization: An Introduction (Brandon Vogt)
• 9:50amThe Most Important Question You'll Ever Ask (Josh Simmons & Matthew Warner)
• 10:15amBreak
• 10:30amHow to Create a Website That Will Transform Your Ministry (Josh Simmons)
• 11:35amBlessing and Lunch
• 12:35pmTurning Your Web Presence Into a Social Network (Matthew Warner)
• 1:10pmConnecting with Your Flock (Matthew Warner)
• 1:35pmNew Media Mixer
• 1:50pm5 Secrets to Evangelizing Online (Brandon Vogt)
• 2:20pmBreak
• 2:35pmThe Game Plan (DCC Team)
• 3:00pmQ&A Session (DCC Team)
• 3:35pmFinal Grand Prize Giveaway and Closing Remarks (DCC Team)
• 3:45pmNext Steps and Closing Prayer
• 4:00pmEnd of day
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