Mobile Ministry Magazine

In some respects, I should apologize for recycling this title from the last post. But I won't because its the same words, but a totally different approach - social networks.

Many people enjoy the idea of being on or using social networks as part of their outreach components. And this isn't a bad thing as social networks have taken storm worldwide as virtual meeting places for all types of people within all types of social circles. The problem becomes when people in the Body, start facing the social network more than they are facing God thru Christ Jesus.

For instance, there are over 300 million people on Facebook - that's more than the total population of the United States. Of those 300 million active users, there are a number of groups, walls, and fans of all kinds. Many ministries are using Facebook as engagement platforms for their endeavors - such as Digital Disciples. The thing is, its only an engagement - the relationship has to go forth after that so that the network remains within the social times.

As believers, we have to constantly check ourselves within the use of these social networks towards making sure that we aren't just engaging people within these spaces, but that we are literally facing the commission as it was given to us. We don't just engage with people, but we also find a ways to get both them and us to face the Book so that the work of Christ has a place to take root. If you will, be Jesus with skin on to people, don't just pass them a business card with His name and address on it.

Its easy to fall into this while going out and about online. But I want to encourage you to not be lax in this aspect of your calling. And when you do make those discipleship relationships, treat those persons with the same grace and gentleness that you were given. You never know when it would come back to you, abounding in pages and pages of grace.

Labels: community, Digital Disciples, discipliship, social networking

Just a headsup in case you missed it on Twitter. The December Meeting for Digital Disciples (Charlotte) will be Monday, December 14th @ 7pm @ Dilworth Coffeehouse in the Ballentyne area of Charlotte. We are looking forward to a good meeting, and a lot of sharing towards how you've been using technology within your ministry endeavors over the past months.

There's also a tentitive second meeting (let's call it a short recap) on Saturday, December 19th. No location has been assigned for that one as we are still trying to get feedback from those who'd be able to make one. Let us know via here at MMM, via Twitter (using the hashtag #digitaldisciples or #ddclt), or via Facebook.

Thanks again for all of you who have come out, or want to come out. Hope to see you next week at one of the two times.

Breaking News: Get a reminder update via text/SMS for these upcoming meetings by going to http://www.textchurch.com/DDCLT and signing up there. Please be sure to read all of the terms of service before signing up for this service.

Labels: Digital Disciples

This past Monday was the second meeting of Digital Disciples Charlotte. Compared to the last time we met, there was double the people (six people!), and tons more stories to go around.

For this, our second meeting, I was asked to facilitate the discussion and have something of a flow to things being done. We opened up in prayer, and then had some time where we gave a small introduction (name, how long in Charlotte, and something about that 'intersection of faith and technology that brought you out to Digital Disciples'). We are a storied bunch, and I (personally) really enjoyed hearing all of the ways that we have kind of gotten to that one point. A common theme early on was transition.

We then moved into a small section of time where we just reflected on the Word a bit. I read from Proverbs 2:1-8 and talked about 5-10min on how our use of technology has to follow in the ways of Godly wisdom and understanding. How it is a good thing to acquire knowledge and use this technology, but we have to hold ourselves to a high standard of integrity if others are going to receive this gift as wisdom and understanding (applied) from us.

Honestly, I didn't want to be overly long with that section of things, but God impressed on my heart that the Word should be broken some that night.

After that I asked a discussion question that pretty much led us into the rest of the time together (about 1hr 30min total time for the evening). The question was, what are some of the ways that you are using or seeing technology being used that you can share with us to learn from? From that we talked about email adoption (and overall the speed of tech adoption) in some churches, to what constitues a tech strategy, to the effectiveness of Facebook and Twitter when groups are cross-generational, to Twitter Lists. Overall, a nice suite of topics and some of which we need to circle back around to and share best practices.

The ended in prayer and basically the same kind of fellowhsip and connecting that had been happening throughout the night. I came out of Digital Disciples Charlotte encouraged and challenged. Personally, I've been mulling over a number of things, and Monday night just kind of put me in a place where God filled me up some, and now I am challenged to live out another testimony. I'd like to say that in the next meeting that I'll have a solid success story to share of a faith-technology encounter. Hopefully, everyone else who shows up will as well.

In terms of the next meeting, the first Monday in December (Dec. 7th) is most likely going to be the date. However, that's not firm just yet. I asked the question about what other days would be suitable (and proposed Saturday, but I know how packed Saturdays in December can be). If you have some suggestions, please respond to this post, on Twitter (use the hashtag #ddclt), or at Facebook. We'd like to get a firm date as soon as possible so that people can start planning. This Monday we had one person come from Columbia, SC (about 75min south of Charlotte), so we want to be respective to distance and time where possible.

Other than that, let's continue to connect. If you would like to connect with any of us who have met at Digital Disciples Charlotte, catch us on Twitter (@susanjspaulding, @BrettQ, @itybtyctykty, @faithandhealth, @JustWarrenC, and @mobileminmag) or Facebook. Hope to connect with you next time, and stay tuned to these connected spaces for updates towards the next meeting time.

Labels: community, Digital Disciples, tech

In Charlotte this past Monday, I became a part of what could be a major milestone in my life - and definitely in the lives of others. The first meeting of Digital Disciples has just happened. Digital Disciples is actually the product of Gave Tavino and I was one of many people that he's asked to see about interest in a Digital Disciples group in Charlotte, NC. What can I say, I like discipliship.

Tonight's meeting was pretty much just an interest meeting. We just established basic communication with one another. We talked :)

The other two persons who were there tonight were Dale Fletcher and Susan Spalding. Weirdly enough, I sat back for a while when I made it to the venue, I want to watch them for a bit before engaging them. And that was good, both Susan and Dale have a lot that I can learn from.

During this time of just building an initial relationship, we talked about what we expect to get out of this kind of group and two key things stuck out to me: establishing a core group and paying attention to the context of those who'd like to be a part of this group whether walking in the Faith or not. Being one who is already mentoring/discipling a number of people, I see Digital Disciples as just another branch on the tree God is planting me to be. And at the same time, I think He'll use Digital Disciples to further tweak areas I'm not so strong in.

At the end of the night it was clear though that our hearts were definitely knit towards making Digital Disciples Charlotte a place where people can and will mature in the faith. It will be very interesting towards seeing how God leads us from this point as I think one of the best things is that not all of those interested have showed up yet. That part will definitely add a good kind of sweetness to the tea.

Until next month though, there will just have to be prayer and administration work done. Thankfully, there's something of a piece of groundwork that is happening. From Twitter, to Facebook, to SMS messaging (yea!), we'll be working towards getting the word out. So stay tuned, and at the same time keep prayerful. Technology is only a doorway. The key is all things should point us towards maturing in our relationships with God and others by grace through faith. Beyond that, its just tech.

To find out more about Digital Disciples, make sure to visit the website and click on the Local Gatherings tab. There will be some info posted here, Twitter, Facebook, and a few other places as to how to get connected and what's coming in the next meetings, so stay tuned.

Here's the hCal event for the next meeting:

November 2, 2009 7 - 8:30pm : Digital Disciples Charlotte at Dilworth Coffee Ballentyne, Charlotte, NC

Labels: community, Digital Disciples, tech

When I was in Seattle earlier this year for the BibleTech Conference when I heard from and connected with Gabe Taviano from Digital Disciples. Suffice to say, after meeting him, conversing a few times, and listening to his presentation, I was totally moved to see how MMM and Digital Disciples could work together towards tilling the landscape in terms of using technology as a component towards maturing believers after Christ.

This past Monday evening will be the first meeting of the Charlotte "campus" of Digital Disciples. Considering that I'm writing this a good 4 days before that happens, you'll have to stay tuned to Facebook or Twitter (#DigitalDisciples, #DigitalDisciplesCLT, and @mobileminmag) for updates. Nevertheless, its a really good thing that if you are anywhere near a Digital Disciples' plant that you should check out.

IMPORTANT!!! - before some folks get up and arms. Digital Disciples is not designed to replace churches, its designed to augment them by offering technology-enabled discipleship that will lead to greater involvement into and by the local Body. Personally speaking, I look forward to this as items such as the 4Cs and segments like Parents and Mobile Kids will get more face-time in front of the Body.

There's no denying that this is needed. And in terms of MMM's mission to educate and edify at the intersection of faith and mobile technology, we are totally making a point to be a part of this movement.

For more information, especially towards looking to start a Digital Disciple's branch where you are - internationally too - check out the Digital Disciples website. Hope to see you in Charlotte or beyond :D

Labels: community, Digital Disciples, discipliship, tech