Mobile Ministry Magazine

I would like to formally welcome Rodney Solomon to the team at MMM. This is the first of what I hope would be many articles of insight towards getting established in technology.

It becomes apparent with all of this technology that the human race has at its fingertips, there are many that still have a problem utilizing their computers to do everyday tasks. As a part of this race of sapiens, I feel like I take advantage of “simple” assignments and have not truly appreciated my upbringing in the Digital Age. In fact, it is known that some of the elders in the church are computer illiterate, let alone know how to get “DVD-thingy” to play a movie. “What’s scene selection?” At any rate, I was moved to write about this topic because some years ago, I was actually faced with the challenge of teaching the functionalities of a computer to a community leader, who just happened to be 50+. You say, “Wait a minute, I’m 50+ and I bet I can run circles around you in any technical application or product on the market.” My response is this: you probably can, however this isn’t about those who are, but those who aren’t. Apollos may have not been Peter and Paul, but that didn’t stop him from preaching the gospel. So, let’s take up our mice and spread the (Microsoft) Word.

SO, MY PASTOR SAYS, “WHERE’S THE POINTER THINGY?”

Imagine, if you will, you’re having a chat with your pastor after service, thanking them for that edifying, convicting sermon, and you’re presented with the question of how to type up notes on the road when the Spirit speaks to them in regards to a specific topic. Now, you’re thinking like me that either you’re crazy and they meant some higher form of technology or they are just utterly clueless to the workings of a notebook. But this is your pastor, your spiritual leader, your shepherd. Surely, they know how to use a notebook? The conversation continues and you find out that they do not. This is a sticky situation: teaching the use of a notebook to your earthly counselor. Say the wrong thing and you could find yourself excommunicated from the congregation at Mount Zion Baptist. Never fear; the techie is here. Just calmly extend an offer to meet and formally introduce the foreign (at least to them, it is) material. I am currently using a Toshiba Tecra with Intel Centrino (M), running 1.6 GHz of processor speed, 512 MB of memory, and about 40 GB of hard drive space. Now, one must be aware that this person is completely new to the laptop, therefore, start with the basics.

For the sake of boring the know-it-alls, I’ll skip the preliminaries. However, it is critical that they know how to turn the notebook on [slight giggle]. See that squarish box in the middle of the screen? Yes sir that is the directional pad for the mouse. So, let’s place our finger in the middle of that box. Oh, wow! The pointer moved! (We’ll not mention the blue button in the center of the keyboard. That’s a little advanced) Next, take the pointer and move it over the “start” button in the left-hand corner of the screen. Once hovering over the button, tap the left pad* button to “click” on it. Let them know that this pad button will be used often. With the start menu opened, tell them to slide the pointer to the word “program” and to “left click” on it. This opens up the portal to exploration. Lo and behold, tens of program applications to utilize.

In closing, it is most important that one exercises the use of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) when dealing with those ignorant of electronics. These verses read, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Make emphasis on the words “love”, “patience”, and “gentleness”. After the twentieth time your pastor says “Where’s the Start Menu”? (a small moment of reflection, please) you are definitely going to need some patience and gentleness. Encourage them to not get frustrated when they click the wrong button or, God forbid, accidentally erase the entire project that you and them have been working on for the past thirty minutes. Now, lastly, the Bible says that “[Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers”. If you know you do not have the gift of being able to teach, don’t even try. Call James – your brother with the computer – and let him assist your pastor. You’ll be smarter to do so, trust me.