Ok, I know, I know...it's been like, forever and a day since I got on here and wrote something. It's been a crazy spring here in paradise. Lent has finally run it's course and Holy Week is upon us. So what have I been doing that I have so neglected the offerings of a gruntled mind?
Well, when I tell you, you're gonna think that I've been slacking my day job. But really, I think it has great opportunity for reaching out with the message of the Gospel to the Church and the wider culture.
For the last few months I've been working with some folks here at HTLC to develop and expand two modes of communication, connection, and resource sharing. We have completely redesigned our website - www.htlutheran.com, and we have developed a mobile app for iPhones and Android devices.
Now, you probably think, so what...aren't websites are as ubiquitous as phone books used to be...and what the heck does a church need an app for?
Both are good questions. And the answer to each is as important to the future relevancy of the Church as "Should the pews be padded or not?" used to be (and still kinda is). Because it has to do with how people feel when they come into contact with what our church represents.
If you don't know (either from experience or observation), people in today's world connect electronically. Think about what you're doing right now. And especially for young adults and kids, meeting and getting information, and even socializing and sharing events online is the norm. My 2 year old godson already knows to bring the iPad to mom and papa when he wants to Facetime grandma. And when I ask my teenage kid why he doesn't hang out with friends, he says, "I was just texting one of them."
We can debate whether this kind of connection and social interaction is more or less valuable than old fashion face-to-face meeting, but the reality is that it's happening. If churches cling to one mode of operation, it will be not just a horse and buggy in an automobile world, but a horse and buggy in a spaceship world.
But it's more than just keeping up with the times. I really think that meaningful and valuable connections can be made via electronic media - particularly in light of the fact that we are often physically at great distances from one another. Many from my church travel north and east during the summer month's. Should they disassociate from their church during those months? Since they can't attend church services or events, should they not experience the joy of hearing the word or sharing stories with friends? Of course not.
And if it's good for these folks to stay connected, what about people who are on the outside looking in? What about the friend of someone who has attended church here once in a while...who is wondering, "What's that all about - that Christian stuff?"
It can be kinda scary just to show up at a church on Sunday...I don't care how friendly and welcoming you think your church family is. But if someone could listen to a sermon on line, or see videos of our kids interacting with each other, or jump into an online Bible study...maybe they would risk sharing a little bit about their story...maybe they would give this "Christian stuff" a try.
Which leads me to the real reason I think all of this is valuable. We are in the feeling business. No one is a Christian via their intellect. God connects with us through the heart - through beauty - through emotion - and through the stories that we share. However we can open those conduits of connection and fiberoptics of feelings, is good. And for many, that means hanging out in this strange new corner of God's creation called cyberspace.
Anyway...there's a lot more to it, but I wanted to bring you up to speed on what's been stealing all my extra time. I'm pretty "Gruntled" about how both the website and the App turned out. If you want, take a look - the website is at www.htlutheran.com. And if you have an Apple or Google device, you can link to the App from the website. Let me know what your think!
There are many out there who deeply desire the opportunity to connect with something of the Spirit of God. I remain committed to helping them make those connections.
Well, when I tell you, you're gonna think that I've been slacking my day job. But really, I think it has great opportunity for reaching out with the message of the Gospel to the Church and the wider culture.
 |
| HTLC's new app |
Now, you probably think, so what...aren't websites are as ubiquitous as phone books used to be...and what the heck does a church need an app for?
Both are good questions. And the answer to each is as important to the future relevancy of the Church as "Should the pews be padded or not?" used to be (and still kinda is). Because it has to do with how people feel when they come into contact with what our church represents.
If you don't know (either from experience or observation), people in today's world connect electronically. Think about what you're doing right now. And especially for young adults and kids, meeting and getting information, and even socializing and sharing events online is the norm. My 2 year old godson already knows to bring the iPad to mom and papa when he wants to Facetime grandma. And when I ask my teenage kid why he doesn't hang out with friends, he says, "I was just texting one of them."
 |
| HTLC's new website |
But it's more than just keeping up with the times. I really think that meaningful and valuable connections can be made via electronic media - particularly in light of the fact that we are often physically at great distances from one another. Many from my church travel north and east during the summer month's. Should they disassociate from their church during those months? Since they can't attend church services or events, should they not experience the joy of hearing the word or sharing stories with friends? Of course not.
And if it's good for these folks to stay connected, what about people who are on the outside looking in? What about the friend of someone who has attended church here once in a while...who is wondering, "What's that all about - that Christian stuff?"
It can be kinda scary just to show up at a church on Sunday...I don't care how friendly and welcoming you think your church family is. But if someone could listen to a sermon on line, or see videos of our kids interacting with each other, or jump into an online Bible study...maybe they would risk sharing a little bit about their story...maybe they would give this "Christian stuff" a try.
Which leads me to the real reason I think all of this is valuable. We are in the feeling business. No one is a Christian via their intellect. God connects with us through the heart - through beauty - through emotion - and through the stories that we share. However we can open those conduits of connection and fiberoptics of feelings, is good. And for many, that means hanging out in this strange new corner of God's creation called cyberspace.
Anyway...there's a lot more to it, but I wanted to bring you up to speed on what's been stealing all my extra time. I'm pretty "Gruntled" about how both the website and the App turned out. If you want, take a look - the website is at www.htlutheran.com. And if you have an Apple or Google device, you can link to the App from the website. Let me know what your think!
There are many out there who deeply desire the opportunity to connect with something of the Spirit of God. I remain committed to helping them make those connections.
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