Continuing with some reflections from the recent Uplinq Conference, I’d like to speak a bit on some of the things that hit me spiritually.

The Environment
Uplinq, as I stated in the last post, was at one point a developer’s conference. It’s now more or less mixed with about 3/4 of the content for developrs, and the rest for business-minded folks. That means that some conversations would be technical and lack some of that soft richness that – say happened at the HD conference down the road.

It also meant that there would be conversations that came almost no where near spirituality. That is, unless someone asked what whom I was there representing. Interesting how some conversations took a spiritual turn, some continued as is, and a few abruptly ended.

Digital Missions of a Different Kind
It took about a day, but then I did realize that MMM was the only spiritual or faith-based company in attendance. That meant that a number of things had to take place: intergrate, not isolate; and be willing to listen more than to evangelize.

For example, after coming off the WIP Panel, a few people were intrigured about MMM from a spirtual-growth standpoint. And though this wasn’t the nature of the panel, nor my reason for attending, it was good to have those moments by the well, getting an understanding towards what people still feel about ministry.

Openness
An early conversation challenged me towards being open. Open in the respect towards being honest about where I am in this faith-walk, but also in the respect towards allowing others to have their walk. It had been a while since digital liviing provoked this type of conversation, and it was one of many times where afterwards I took some time alone to reflect and pray.

In Need of a Mountain
Speaking of relfection and prayer, I once again understood why it almost seemed random that Jesus took away some time to find a mountain and pray. My room was located on a pretty high floor, and I always found that whenever I needed some extra direction, clarity, or just to bear my heart out a bit, there was that mountain that was available.

In the same respect, I could see how many people worked for companies that had a similar approach. That is, they were there working, but the companies fostered intense work alongside intese time to reflect on the quality of the work and the areas it would effect. I got some ideas on how to have a staff here at MMM from these people.

Daily Bread
For those who extended grace towards loding and food, all I can say is thank you, and I thanked God for your generosity from the time I got on the plane leaving Charlotte, to the time getting off the plan in returing.

Conclusions
A conversation on the last night put me in the position of not just being honest with where I stand in this Christian faith, but also how I relate that to others. I spent the past few nights wondering if I answered the questions right, or if there was another way to word things. But, I’m now content with the answers given.

Each of us is given some gift by God, and are asked to use it to the best of our abilities to encourage the lives of others around us. It could be as complex as spurring developers or as simple as assisting a hoarde of speakers to have all that they need. Each of these gifts are worthwhile to the building up of (C)hurch – a Body of people who might not agree on every line and tiddle, but will agree at Christ and live wholeheartedly towards Him. For MMM, our gift is enabling many to see this intersection between faith and technology, and then build out solutions from that intersection.

At Uplinq 2010, it was this intersection of faith and technology that was most encouraging, and hopefully, enabling towards assisting several people and organizations towards expressing that story of faith.

Update: also check out the recap from the WIP Connector blog.