If you receive an email warning you of a virus, a scam, or telling some incredible story or urban myth, please always search on Google to see if these are a hoax before forwarding them.

Reputable email debunking sites include:

• Hoax-Slayer
• Snopes

If you get an email warning of a virus, check at:

• McAfee virus info
• Virus Hoaxes
• Symantec security response
• Symantec A to Z listing of threats

These are some of the hoax emails that I have received recently, all false (some dangerously so), all forwarded by well-meaning people. Please do a search to check if it's true before forwarding these things.

Completely false:

• "Palestinian child brides" - remember even if there are photos included, there could be an innocent explanation
• "Starbucks refuse free coffee to soldiers"

True once, but five years out of date:
These were true but out of date, as the scams were shut down in 2005:

• Belize postal scam
• PDS phone scam

Mixture of true and false information:
This one sounds plausible but is a mixture of true and false information:

• Plastic water bottles cause cancer
• Plastic water bottles contain toxins

True, but crucial information omitted:
This one was true, but the email missed out some really important steps in the process and both sexes suffer from atypical heart attacks, so both men and women should be alert:

• Heart attack experience in women

Subscribe here to listen via my Podcast.

Congregational leaders, this is another digital strategy session to support you as we work to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. For many of you, that means moving your ministry online.

In this session, we’re talking small group ministry.

Specifically, why I want you to prioritize moving your small group ministry program online — I recommend using ZOOM video for group meetings.

If you don’t have an existing small group ministry program, that’s okay! You can simply focus on launching a digital small group ministry now.

Doing so will help with present social distancing and will likely lead to an interest in participation when you’re promoting group-based ministry at a later time.

I know how much work and energy it takes to embrace and learn new models. Many of you are accelerating your learning and experimenting at lightning speed. You can do it!

Peter Bowden

On covid19, social distancing, limiting large gatherings, and your digital ministry strategy.

This is a strategy session to get your congregation thinking about the Covid19 coronavirus and your digital strategy should you face community spread and required “social distancing” such as limiting large gatherings and quarantines.

Specifically, how can we use social media, live video, and other tools to accomplish the work and ministry of your congregation without gathering face-to-face? This is something we need to be preparing for and I have strategy ideas to get you thinking.

Listen via my Podcast – subscribe here.

REFERENCED IN THIS SESSION

• Subscribe to The Epidemic Podcast. Epidemic is produced and hosted by Dr. Celine Gounder and Just Human Productions, and co-hosted by former Ebola czar Ronald Klain.
• New York Times ‘When Can We Go to School?’ Nearly 300 Million Children Are Missing Class. 
• Live Map:  Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE  

CONNECT WITH PETER

Text the word PETER to 1 (833) 306-0201 

This will connect us via my text platform.  Once we’re connected, whenever you have questions related to podcast episodes, videos, or other content, you can send me a message directly.  This is NOT a group chat. It is a way for you to share questions with me one-on-one. I also send out low volume updates about live recording sessions and other opportunities to connect.

PRIVATE STRATEGY SESSIONS

I work with nonprofit and congregational leaders across the United States on community building, digital leadership, and other connecting strategies. For private executive and team strategy sessions, please email me. Once I verify we’re a match to work together, I’ll send you a scheduling link.