Sounds like a weird question I am sure. But sit on it for a minute if you will and just think:
Should how you handle your computing sit down for the goals for your ministry?
Let me break down the question a bit and then maybe you can process it a bit more.
How do you handle your computing?
Are you the type of person that likes to tweak and tiddle with your computing devices. Is some level of stress relief for you found in looking for and installing new software, or purchasing something new so that you have that flavor of exploring a new device? Are you someone who (by your fault or not) has to admin a home or orgainzation's computing solution. You install or troubleshoot issues; help out other users for basic and not so basic tasks; or any number of other things.
How much of all of that keeps you away from actually doing the work of your ministry?
Are you a person that is driven by interacting with other people? Do you find a joy in being able to give an answer, just as much as you are in helping someone else to find the Answer. Are you the type of person who longs for those quiet places in nature, or just at home where there is little more than a light and your heart to be present with God with? Are you someone who has a family responsibilty, and at the same time your love for those things computing borders on being an unhealthy obsession because you minister more to the computer than to your family?
And so with all of that said, I say:
Should computing sit down for ministry? Or, should it enable your ministry to flourish?
When my laptop died on me last March, there was this void in my life. It was a positive one. I was the type of person who would come home and spend two hours playing a game, and then two or three hours on email and surfing the net. Sure, I would get in that time with friends, but most of my ministry happened between the keys. And admitly, most of my falling also did as well. When my laptop died, something in me rejoiced that I was no longer tied to the lap anymore. There was a chance - no a necessity - for me to get up and do something outside because I was no longer bound by the computer under me. I could truely be a mobile minister and allow the computing to augment what I did, instead of hold it back.
And so today, as I am now at home and resting after a long weekend, I read an article at Slashphone talking about the effect of the Apple iPhone on the Japanese mobile tech culture and realized that I am a lot like the japanese. I am not tied to a large screen and my mobile device plays the role of so many parts and pieces of technology that I cannot help but to be out and about. That might not be the opportunity or case for you, but as it is for me, I sit tonite and wonder how much longer will I sit down because of computing, or will I finally stand up and go somewhere, making computing the augmenting and connecting tool that it should be. Thereby putting myself in the place where ministry is always possible, where meeting Christ is always possible, where engaging God is always possible.
That is something that I cannot say that I want to sit down for ever again. What about you?
~ sent from Treo via Mo:Blog
posted by Antoine @ 1/21/2007 11:21:00 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Antoine, your question hits home. I am a pastor in a small church in Fredericksburg, VA. My life has been enhanced by the advantages of the laptop, WiFi, internet, and pda use. I am currently using my Treo 650 to write this comment. However, over the past year I have found myself getting caught up in doing nothing for hours on my computer. Even though I have invested 100's of dollars into Bible software 'other things' prevent my use of it. At least that's how I see it. Since then, I have sent that computer off for a three week repair job. For me, Lent has come early. I have felt 'free'. I no longer feel enslaved. This is the perfect opportunity for me to rethink the role my computer plays in my ministry. I waste so much time doing nothing I fall behind on my studies, devotions, and visitation. As a result, I lose my meditation time with the Word and the studies I have prepared. The wasted time could have been used to review, reflect, and listen to God more BEFORE I teach. While I will continue to use mobiletechI must use it in a completely different way. Technology is a good thing when used in a proper balance. My prayer is that God will help me use technology to bring the 'Word of the Lord' to his people in their time of need. If utilized properly and balanced well mobiletech can be a TREMENDOUS assest to the ministry of any Christian lay person or clergy. -Prayerfully Submitted, Mark.
Hey Mark, thanks for commenting. I am sure that many of us are in that same boat and have a hard time getting out of it.
It's my hope that MMM can help all of us make technology a relevant aspect, but not an overdone one, when it comes to its use. The point should be interpersonal interactions and community living, not playing admin person. Here's hoping that we all can come face to face with God in terms of our pull to technology.
I've often thought that computers ARE my ministry. Frankly I don't spend a great deal of time with them at home, although they can be a distraction and have been in the past, doing the work I do, I just want nothing to do with them at home in the evening generally. I do go out to people's houses and fix things that are broken, and I maintain our church web site, but generally, not much else when I'm away from it. I'm not usually "connected" when I'm away from work except by cell phone. Even though I have a WiFi card for my Palm I don't use it all that much and it's really more of a novelty than anything else. Mobility to me is something different I guess. When I consider mobility, I think of the laptops like you can get on http://dynamism.com/ that are sub 3 lbs, sub 2 inches thick with 12 inch displays and 15 hour battery life. I still can't quite make the move completely to the SmartPhones and Black Berrys. Additionally, one of my ministries is to endeavor to show people how to protect themselves and their families from the internet via routers and firewalls and software like Covenant Eyes (which if you haven't seen it is very nearly a must have for EVERY Christian man, check it out at www.covenanteyes.com). I guess all that to say that if the technology weren't as it is today, I'd be doing something all together different. I sure wouldn't be relying on the internet to make my living, but with regard to computing specifically sitting down for ministry, I'd have to say that personal computing doesn't interfere that much, although it might be interesting to find out what happens if MY laptop died all of a sudden...
Grace and peace,
A. Jay
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