Is NING really the best solution for my church??

[Lori R. Bell]

Hi experts,

My church wanted to create a group for our praise and worship team.  After I explained the potential for expanding it to the dance team and the media people, they now want to make it available to the whole church.  So now, before I create it can you help answer some questions:

1. If I create it, I am the owner.  I don't want to be the owner since I am military and will move away.  Is there a way to transfer ownership to church leaders and delete me as owner/creator?

2. They want to name the network "ABC Church" and then make subgroups for each ministry.  Will these subgroups be secure...as in, if the dance team wants to upload a video for choreography, can they make it so that people who aren't members of that subgroup cannot view it?

3. I know under the manage tab you can give certain members roles.  Is there an option to give a member the role of owner/creator? If I create the group will it be forever tied to me?

thanks for your help!!

Lori

[Eric Suesz]

Hey, Lori! I'm extremely biased since I work for Ning, but I hope that some other folks will jump in and participate. I just wanted to quickly answer a few of these questions for you.

Yes! You can transfer ownership. Or, simply create with an account with an email address other than your personal email address. Maybe a GMail account you create specifically for this purpose? That way it won't be tied to you in any way. And, yes! You can create private groups.

Also, just so you know: A lot (and I mean a lot) of churches use Ning as a way to connect and share around the things they're passionate about. Hope this helps!

[Brian Layman]

It certainly is a valid way to go. I would recommend that you plan on spending the money to upgrade to a no-ads account, otherwise you run the risk of having some come through that don't best represent your vision for your church. Beyond that it should work quite nicely.

Be sure to share your results and progress!

[Janettee McCrary]

Eric didn't answer your question... There isn't a way to make videos specific to a group unless you upload it to YouTube and then embed it in a group discussion. That being said, if you do that, simply make sure that all groups are private. What I would do, is have the "Creator" be the church, with the church's email address. That way anyone at the church can take over and it won't matter should the current "admin" move, change their mind, or pass away. Also have the "Creator" start all the groups, otherwise as members leave they can take groups with them. Then should you want each ministry leader to lead their own group, simply make them an admin:) Then you could create your own account, with admin privilages:)

[Lori R. Bell]

Ahhhh....some things I haven't considered! Thanks Janette...very detailed. Thanks all of you for your feedback, especially about creating with a different address. Didn't even think of that! Will let you know how it all turns out!

thanks so much

lori

[Janettee McCrary]

You are welcome:) We had discussed this in a couple of discussions:

1. How Can I Protect My Groups In Case The Group Creator Leaves Or Wants To Delete It?
2. Member leaves and takes group with him

[Thiago Santos de Moraes]

Ning is the best solution to your church or for any other group of people.

For example, I have a community that brings together people interested in catholic apologetics:

http://apologetica.ning.com/

[Lori R. Bell]

In your groups can you segregate discussions, posts, and file uploads to a particular subgroup? For instance, we send out our song set lists and lyrics before our rehearsals for ministry on Sunday. I don't necessarily want the other ministries or the whole ning group to know all that stuff. Can it be protected, like a password or something? Or all discussion, posts and files available for whomever views them?

[Janettee McCrary]

If you have a private group then only signed-in members of the group can see any discussions. However, as groups do not have their own photos, videos, etc only items added to group discussions will be "private". You could always upload the files to discussions:)

[Allan]

By doing so, you are on the right track. Good luck on your endeavor for I knew very well NCs are more than willing to assist you.

[Nicholas Morin]

It is perfect for a church. I am a postor of a church and have used it fo over a year now and love it. It has helped my church grow and create community. It will do everyhing you need it to and give you the security you need.

Afcfamily.org

we didn't remove the adds and have never had a problem.

[Lori R. Bell]

Hey Nicholas, thanks! We wouldn't remove the adds either...nobody cares about ads when they are searching Google so ads on our site probably won't be a distraction. Your site is a great example of what we're looking for!