NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Alerts on resources, events, ministries and other news from LifeWay Christian Resources are now available through RSS feeds being introduced by the Southern Baptist entity.
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds allow people to subscribe to specific news, blogs, podcasts and other information so they receive automatic updates when new content becomes available.
Meanwhile, LifeWay’s corporate magazine, Facts & Trends, now is available online.
Published six times a year, Facts & Trends is designed to assist pastors, church staff and denominational leaders in their roles of ministry by informing them about LifeWay resources and how they relate to current issues in Christian ministry.
The RSS service at LifeWay.com/feeds currently offers about 10 content options, with more to be added.
“We’re putting legs to the enormous amount of information available on LifeWay.com,” said Cleve Persinger, a Web developer in LifeWay’s Internet technologies area.
In order for users to subscribe to RSS feeds, they must download a news aggregator or reader. While LifeWay does not offer a news reader through its website, Persinger said multiple free or low-cost options are available.
LifeWay.com manager Lynn Goolsby said the RSS service “allows us an additional opportunity to reach more people with LifeWay’s potentially life-changing content. We’re freeing up the content to move beyond the bounds of LifeWay.com.”
Goolsby said the information provided through LifeWay’s RSS feeds can push news and event updates directly to subscribers’ start-up pages and desktops. Additionally, the feeds allow church websites to feature instantly updated LifeWay news tickers, much like those featured at the bottom of a screen during television news programs.
Facts & Trends’ January-February issue is the first to move online beyond the magazine’s print edition.
The online version of Facts & Trends will incorporate articles, columns, photos, suggested resources and training opportunities from the print version, as well as photo slideshows, archived surveys from LifeWay Research, audio/video enhancements, reporter’s notes and articles and links for additional information on topics covered in the publication and in Inside LifeWay podcasts.
Polly House, Facts & Trends editor, noted that the January-February issue highlights LifeWay’s training and enrichment opportunities.
“Every year I receive calls and e-mails from people telling me how helpful it is to have all that information in one place. Now, it will be even more accessible online with direct links to registration and event information,” House noted.
Facts & Trends Online can be accessed at www.lifeway.com/factsandtrends. Readers who prefer the traditional print format of Facts & Trends may also submit their name and information through the site for a complimentary subscription.
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