You might have noticed some random changes in the site over the last few months… font tweaks… layout changes… plug-in experiments… We’ve been working and reworking site functions and appearance for a beta test…

And now we’re ready to start the beta test…

Now, if our site had a lot of moving parts, we’d be using the next six months  to make sure everything works… taking user feedback and rewriting code and all sorts of other technical stuff…

But we don’t have a lot of moving parts…

So, OUR beta process will look a little different… We’re going to focus on promotions, features and gathering reader input about content…

Changes that you might notice…

This week, we’ll be adding a tool that will allow Facebook, Twitter and Flickr users to contribute content to the site through an outside media website… The media site is also in beta, so we will be inviting a limited number of reader-contributors to test the functionality of the interface… Once the media site opens for business in September, we’ll tell you how you can join too…

We’ll also be starting our #MusicMonday promotion for independent artists on Twitter on Monday, August 3.

Our Featured Artist program is gearing up to present a new artist every 2 weeks, beginning August 3… We have some great artists lined-up to introduce in August and September.

We will be changing how the slideshows work… This is the number 1 user-recommendation that we’ve received in the past 2 months… You’ll see this improvement on this week’s Flickr Frlday post…

Finally, we’ve added a WOP Bookstore at Amazon.com… We’ll be adding recommendations from WOP staff and friends…

Changes that you probably won’t notice at all…

All of our programs are being streamlined internally… For example, we’re adding processes and forms to the way we invite content, contact artists and tag posts, photos and media… You won’t notice, but it will free us up to spend more time creating and inviting great content…

Where all of this is going…

Ultimately, we have established 2 goals:

Create a site that motivates and inspires artists to use their gifts in ministry and worship…

Create a site that assists churches is starting ministries to artists, for artists  and by artists…

How you can get involved…

Comment on everything!  If you like a post, show us some love… If you disagree with a post, show us some critical thinking (with love)…

Retweet us on Twitter whenever you find a useful or interesting post… “Like” our posts on Facebook…

If you blog, photoshare or produce media that is focused on art, worship, ministry or inspiration, you can contribute content to the site by joining our beta test group… We are limiting the number of users, so contact us to request an invite… and don’t be offended if we reply that the pool is full…

If you are an artist in any medium, contact us with a brief blurb about yourself and your art, include some samples or a link to your website… You might be selected to be one of our Featured Artists…

Become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our YouTube channel and join our group on Flickr.

Thanks!!