Google Street View Stop Motion Animation

Posted in creativity, story on 11/30/2011 by mark novelli

Fantastic creation using google street view and a toy car!

For a full description go HERE.

(HT: @kellydolan)

500 posts! Thanks to you.

Posted in about imago on 11/22/2011 by mark novelli


We started out blogging almost 3 years ago with the hope to share thoughts, connect with others who are having similar conversations, and to personally grow. 500 posts later, I can honestly say all that and more has happened. Thanks for joining the conversation. Here’s to 500 more!

Heading to Atlanta for NYWC!

Posted in about imago, events on 11/16/2011 by mark novelli

Michael Novelli and I are heading to Atlanta on Friday to the National Youth Workers Convention.

We are teaching a session together entitled: Story, Experience, and Collaboration: New Approaches to Youth Ministry  For more info click HERE.

Let me know if you will be there and would like to grab coffee!

Louis C.K. Hates Twitter

Posted in culture, technology on 11/15/2011 by mark novelli

Comedian Louis C.K., once again, makes some brilliant observations about technology and culture (WARNING LANGUAGE).

How do you give a presentation when people are texting?

Posted in gatherings, learning, technology on 11/09/2011 by mark novelli

I read a good article in Fast Company entitled, Giving Kick-Ass Presentations In The Age Of Social Media. Here is a an overview – with my thoughts added:

1. Don’t Panic if They Aren’t Looking at You - Engagement doesn’t always mean eye contact in these settings. Drawing or typing on an iPad can be engagement.

2. Stifle the Temptation to Ask for a Device Moratorium - People don’t like being told how to engage. A pen and paper is no more valid or appropriate than a smartphone.

3. If You Aren’t Nervous, You Should Be Now – Your audience has access to unlimited amounts of information almost instantly. This means we must work hard to make our presentations more than just lectures that transfer information to the listener. They must be passionate stories and experiences that allow for participation.

4. If You Don’t Speak Twitterese, It’s Time to Learn It. Share your social media information before you start. Make connections with your audience that extend the conversation outside of the presentation.

5. Congratulations! You May Be Speaking to Millions You Can’t See. Every presentation is an opportunity to share your story with those inside AND OUTSIDE the room. The influence of those in the room is a powerful thing.

6. The Reviews Are In–In Real Time. We should welcome and seek to grow from the instant feedback that the internet provides (but not get too focused on a negative comment here and there).

7. When All Else Fails, Surprise the Audience with Honesty. I believe this has always been at the center of any good message. People can sniff out when someone is honest, and when they they are not.

Things effective speakers have in common - Don’t use word-heavy powerpoint  // good storytellers // use humor // keep it short // allow for Q+A

The full article can be found here

A Coke commercial is a metaphor for the Kingdom?

Posted in communication, culture on 11/03/2011 by mark novelli

I was recently at the Missional Learning Commons  last week and one of the discussions we had was around thinking of new metaphors for the Kingdom. This commercial came to mind and I immediately searched for it on YouTube. For me, it depicts (in a caricature-esque way) how we are to be looking to join God in restoring our cities to places of compassion, love and justice. Enjoy!

Pop Culture Jack-O-Lanterns!

Posted in creativity on 10/28/2011 by mark novelli

Check these creative jack-o-lanterns out from the huffington post.

World’s largest stop-motion animation

Posted in creativity on 10/18/2011 by mark novelli

Can You Make it Through The Month?

Posted in Uncategorized on 10/14/2011 by mark novelli

I ran across an online interactive learning experience call SPENT. It puts you in the shoes of an unemployed, single parent, facing financial crisis. You are given the task of making it through 1 month on a very small budget. That budget gets added to / subtracted from as you make various decisions about healthcare, employment, grocery shopping, etc.

This is a perfect example to me of a new category of learning. Rather than presenting me with a list of information, I am asked to interact, make choices and engage in a story. As I have an experience, I use my imagination to place myself into another story. I don’t feel marketed to, yet I care about the cause of this organization.  I am inspired to dream and create new approaches like this.

Digital Parenting

Posted in technology on 10/11/2011 by mark novelli

As my kids are getting older, I am thinking more and more about what boundries I should set for their technology usage. I ran across this post at churchmag that I found to be helpful. The greatest reminder I took from this article was that my children are watching how and when I use (and do not use) technology.

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