Welcome to Marlborough Bible Baptist Church, Blenheim, New Zealand

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Podcast?

A Podcast is an audio or video program that is released in episodes usually on a regular basis. You use a special piece of software called a "Podcatcher" to receive the files via an RSS feed or they can be downloaded like any other file from the net. Podcasting first began to gain in popularity in 2004 and, since then, has grown increasingly popular largely because of the success of iTunes and the Apple iPod. Advantages of Podcasting include...

• Podcasting allows you to keep your episodes in sync. New ones are automatically downloaded as they become available while old ones are automatically deleted.
• They are "Play On Demand" - kind of like an audio version of Youtube where you decide where and when to watch today's episode.
• Many radio shows are moving to Podcast format including a lot of older ones, for example, the Old Fashioned Revival Hour.
• Most of the time, Podcasts are completely FREE and there is a wealth of good information out there.

How do I listen or download these files?

Although you can simple go to an RSS Feed like the one at the top of the page and download each episode individually, the easiest way is to set up a Podcast Client (Podcatcher). Popular ones include..

• iTunes - Brilliant if you have an Apple iPod. PC and Mac versions.
• Juice - another very good one which also works well with other brand MP3 players. Comes in flavours for PC, Mac, and most Linux distributions.
• Golden Ear - a very easy to use one in retro style. Good for those who are not comfortable with online activities. Windows only.
• iPod Touch or iPhone. Now you don't even need a PC to download the podcasts! You can also use the iTunes app from inside the iPod OS to subscribe to our podcast.

Visit the players websites by clicking the above links to find out how to download and configure the software.

Because they come in common formats (MP3 or OGG for audio, MP4 for video), you will find that most dedicated multimedia programs can play them. For example, Windows Media Player, Winamp, Windows Media Player etc can all play them from the word go and newer versions even include a built-in Podcasting client.


Can my MP3 player play these files?

Yes. Podcasts are simply glorified audio or video files (usually MP3 or MP4). Most modern (post 2005) players include a specific Podcasting ability to take advantage of the ability to sync the episodes so you always have the latest on your device.


How do I play these on my computer?

Download a Podcatcher or simply click on the RSS feed at the top of the page and then individual messages.


How do I play these on my car or home stereo?

Yes, but the type of your stereo depends on how easy this is...

MP3 Compatible Stereos - those with the MP3 logo on them

Simply burn the podcast to a CD using and insert the disc in the drive. Alternatively, I like to use my iPod with a 3.5mm plug running directly into the stereo via a mic jack or line in.

Older and non-MP3 compatible stereos.

You will need to convert the MP3 files to a different type of format called WAV files. The free and easy to use Cdex ( http://cd-to-mp3.firefoxgrab.com/cd-ripper/) is able to convert multiple files at once from MP3 (compressed audio) to WAV. After you convert the MP3 to wave it is a simple matter of burning the files to a CD for use in your stereo system.


Can I get these sermons on audio CD or in better quality?

Yes. We do have a large number of sermons from the many years our church has been running. However, as we are a simple ministry we only have the ability to burn limited numbers of CDs. You are welcome of course to duplicate the messages as many times as you like providing you do not change the Podcast (remove or add anything) without our express permission. If you would like a digital copy of a sermon in better quality, email me and I will see what I can do. If you would like to order copies of our messages on CD, please use this form and be sure to specify the title of the sermon, airing date, quantity, and if you would like them in higher quality. Donations are gratefully accepted as we are a faith based ministry, but your prayers for us are much more coveted. Sorry, we don't ship CDs outside of New Zealand but are happy to email you the files.


Windows Media Player or another Computer based player will not play the files - it says there is an error. Help!

Chances are it is a Codec problem. Codecs are a piece of computer code which tells a multimedia player such as Windows Media Player how to play a file. Download the free codec mega pack from http://www.codecguide.com/download_mega.htm which should fix the problem. If it doesn't then try using a different player or uninstalling then reinstalling your player of choice.

I'd love to hand these out / give these to a friend / play them at a meeting or Bible study etc. Can I?

Yes, in fact, we encourage you to! No, you don't need to ask us. Just be sure that you distribute the Podcast episode in its entirety (no chopping bits out or adding bits in) unless you check with us first.

Please can I link my site to your Podcast?

Yes! We really appreciate you doing so.

Feel free to copy any of the material on the SFTW website for use in your promotional activities (banners, text etc)

For an HTML button, cut and paste the following code

<!-- Link to CyberEars content starts here --><table><tr><td><center><a href="http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Show/audio/5766"><img src="http://www.cyberears.com/images/cyberears_link_image.jpg" border="0" alt="Podcast Hosting"></a></center></td></tr><tr><td><center><a href="http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Show/audio/5766"><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Click here to subscribe to the Straight From The Word Podcast</font></a></center></td></tr></table><!-- Link to CyberEars ends here -->

For the tech-savy out there, here is the RSS Feed URL for you to use if needed.

http://www.cyberears.com/podcasts/podcast_5766.xml

Please link our website as well

www.mbbc.org.nz/podcast

And finally, the iTunes page for SFTW

http://itunes.apple.com/nz/podcast/straight-from-the-word/id383193974


I love this ministry! What can I do to show my appreciation?

- Send us an email testimony or letter of how you have found this ministry to be a blessing. We LOVE getting feedback
- Friend us on Facebook
- Link to us using our banner on your website or blog (see previous question)
- Pray for us
- Tell others about us and how to listen in
- Share our page on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc to help bring more people to our website
- Make a donation towards the running of our ministry through our contact us page.

I am interested in studying the Bible some more. Do you have any free Bible studies or lessons you can recommend to me?

There are plenty of good Bible studies out there and many of them are online. Jeff Williams has also written a free postal correspondence Bible study for residents of New Zealand (sorry, but at this time we cannot take students without a NZ postal address. However, the whole Bible study is available in printed format as the Line Upon Line home school curriculum. For more information, contact Verity Charity Publications www.veritycharity.com ) entitled the New Zealand Correspondence School of the Bible. This verse by verse study takes you through the entire Bible for only the cost of postage. For more information, see their website www.nzcsb.org.nz


I really am looking for a good church that preaches and teaches the Word of God like you do. Can you point me in the right direction?

We would be happy to! Contact us and we will see what we can do. If there is enough demand then we may put a church finder for NZ up on the site.


Did these not answer your questions? We still want to hear from you! Please email us using the form here