In following the conversations about the NASA Curosity Mars exploration rover landing, it is interesting to listen to those who have been in and around science fields for sometime talk about what is missing from today’s viewpoint of the sciences. They talk of so many innovations inside of boxes, but little exploration outside of them. Some speak of the pace of education slowing down the pace of dreams. And some others even talk of the lack of applicaiton towards something better, even having more power in our hands than what was used to put men into space and on the moon.

It’s an interesting perspective and ends up causing something of a reflection towards the conversations that we have in and around #mobmin (mobile ministry). To people who have been doing faith-flavored tech, seeing the acquisition of various technologies is pretty exciting. To some, there is some question though of what people are receiving from their faith leaders as they acquire this tech (boundaries, lessons on sustainability and stewardship, becoming creators/producers, etc.). They talk of it being great that we have apps to be taught and broadcast content, but also of how the general Body is still separated from the conversations of what drives faith because of instutional processes that haven’t kept pace with the people in them or the tech. Some speak towards access as if it’s wide reaching, and others willingly hold themselves out of the stream of some of this tech in order to maintain a presence and reputation towards those who are out of the stream but by class/economics and not by choice.

You hear these streams and wonder where the dreams are for faith and tech. Is it merely to convert all? Is it to wave a flag of freedom of faith and expression? Or, is there a greater, knitting vision to be had. With the Curosity mission, all eyes and energies are set on the question of “are we alone in this solar system?” I wonder if tech in the faith has a similar question at its core. One where we all can rally around our screens and speakers and share in some collective joy.

Or, is this just a tinkling brass (of silicon and electrons)?