Ellison Research recently reported that most churches (70%) rely on Vacation Bible School for community outreach. Since it is time to start planning, I put together this list of web resources that will help you have your best VBS ever.

Use Basecamp to get your entire team on the same page

Basecamp allows you to get your whole team on the same page and eliminate miscommunication. Basecamp allows you to upload files (like schedules or release forms), post messages and attach comments, create milestones (calendar events), to do lists and assign all tasks to specific people. This tool should be the place where everything is discussed, logged and validated. So if anyone has a question, they can consult your Basecamp page.

37 Signals offers Basecamp free to manage one project or $12/mo for up to 3 projects.

Create a Skype “Hotline”

Skype is a VoIP (voice over IP) service that lets you use your computer to make real phone calls. A great idea for Skype is to use it to create a “Hotline” for the latest VBS information. Get a Skype In number and sign up for voicemail.

To create your hotline, customize your voicemail message to provide callers with VBS information: like times, places, cost and your web site address. Callers can also leave a voicemail message; during the event you can forward your Skype In number to your mobile phone.

Publish a Free VBS Blog

Visit WordPress and register for a free blog. WordPress is by far the best and most used blogging platform. Get your blog online in seconds then use the power of blogging and RSS feeds to promote and plan your VBS.

Raise Money for a Scholarship Fund with FirstGiving

FirstGiving allows your most passionate supporters to raise money to support your VBS. Not every family can afford to send their kids to VBS, so use FirstGiving to raise funds for scholarships. This site allows your supporters to create their own fund-raising initiatives.

Communicate via Email with Google Groups

Google Groups is a great tool to manage an email list. This service will allow all your parents and team members to be contacted by sending one email to the list.

Get images and graphics from iStockphoto

The coolest secret of designers everywhere is iStockphoto where you can buy images and vector graphics from $1-$10. It is high quality, great stuff.

Train your team remotely using YouTube

Set up your video camera and record 2:30 minute training videos for your team and post them to YouTube. If you start now, you will build an amazing video library of training resources.

Your ideas

Enough of my ideas, what do you think? Post your comments below.

Plaid is an innovative web-based application that will help ministry leaders grow their ministry and eliminate stress. The Plaid Blog will keep you up to date with developments with Plaid; however, it will seek to be a resource for leaders looking for the most innovative web-based tools on the web to aid them in ministry.

The reality is that so many people who do ministry; use computers and the Internet to get stuff done — read Plaid and discover the best tools the web has to offer.

I know that most churches expect their staff to be “in” the office. But for most of the work that gets done in the church; leaders are working out of the office. Here are five ways to minister out of the office effectively,

1. Use instant messaging to get answers fast. If you have a full-time job outside of ministry, use IM to stay in touch during the day with the other leaders in your ministry. I use a combination of Skype, Yahoo Messenger and Gtalk. If your company or church blocks IM clients, sign up for Meebo where you can IM using your browser.
2. Use Backpack to organize your projects. I use and share Backpack pages whenever I have to organize a project. I can create lists, posts notes, upload files or images. Then I can either make the entire page public or just share with a few stakeholders. The most important part is that Backpack is available anywhere I have an Internet connection.
3. Use Skype to make cheap phone calls. If you’re sitting using your computer, why waste your mobile minutes when you can make a phone call to anywhere in North America for pennies. Until January 31 2007, get unlimited calling for $14.95.
4. Use Gmail for all your email. I used to think my domain name mattered in email; well, it just does not anymore. I have a half dozen or so email accounts, they all forward to my Gmail account. I have my mail anytime, anywhere I have a Internet connection. And if your worried about looking up your email when your offline, use Google Desktop and have it index all your e-mail for offline viewing.
5. Save files to Xdrive (an AOL product) instead of a USB drive or CD-ROM. Xdrive gives you 5GB of online storage. This is great when you have to share big files will others or if you need to transfer files between computers. I have used Box.net but it only gives my 1GB of free storage.

What tools to you use to work when out of the office (or if you don’t have an office).