Mobile Ministry Magazine

Probably one of the hardest gaps to bridge is that of technology within the church. If you are reading this, then you have probably a good idea of what I am talking about. Some ministries, even now, have a hard time in understanding exactly where computer technology fits within the Body. Some don't want to have anything to do with it and from that end things just fall out. Then there are churches that push the envelop as to what they can do and will do to keep folks connected/equipped. Then there is the largest group, those in the middle who don;t know where things are going, but are doing their best to keep up with where things are.

The problem is two-fold. There is a gap in understanding between those who are techies and those who are not (see this article for the business side of this statement). Techies are concerned with one aspect of getting things done, while non-techies are usually concerned with the people side of things. While there is some overlap, for the most part, the two groups have a hard time seeing eye to eye because nether really understands their value to the other (1 Cor. 12-14).

The second fold is that innovation within the Body is not always open to happening (see the business side of things in this article). This is not a bad thing, as many times much prayer and research needs to go into understading and item before it can be widely accepted. However, in recent years, the explosion of mobile technology, and the services and systems that hold it up has left for little time to research (there is always time for prayer).

So what can be done? Realistically, understanding one's place in the Body should lead you towards humbleness towards where others are. It might very well be that others do not know that sending text messages of church announcements during services is possible, that is no excuse to bash the pastor for not listening to your request. You take it into prayer and find out how God wants you to speak so that you say something that no only makes sense to the non-techie, but also speaks life to whom you are speaking. On the other side of that, having an eat to listen is something we hear many times in the NT while Jesus is preaching. It might very well be that an idea for using a mobile website does not fit within your ministry's needs. However, as a means of income to fund what the church does do, advertising a service where you create mobile websites for those ministries that do need it is a way to keep innovation flowing, as well as community within the Body.

Yes, the speed at which technology has taken hold of the world has been a quick one. But given the long lasting and eternality of the Word and how it does speak, we can walk this bridge and possibly even bring a few billion folks with us :-)