Puppets. Big puppets.

I ask for forgiveness in advance...

I do reserve the right to skip across the lake of irreverence from time to time, but this one might get me fully immersed. No pun intended.

I am making no theological pronouncements, and for the record, I love a well done, tasteful praise dance routine. However, my fear of seeing life sized puppets was mostly surpassed by my feelings of unrestrained joy at seeing the look of abject confusion (or was that horror?) at seeing what could charitably be described as a Black Jesus. And everyone knows that nothing causes more consternation to more people than... never mind...

I don't know how I ever lived without YouTube. It is a true gift that never, ever stops giving.

Puppets. Big puppets.

And this is why I am headed to Android...

I love technology, and what it allows me to do.

I waited with bated breath to see what new things Apple would roll out in the name of iOS4. As always, beautiful hardware (all "grip of death" jokes aside) and the pseudo-multitasking is definitely welcome, but I think my decision to retire the BlackBerry for an Android device instead of an iPhone is the right one. For me.

Today, I learned of a new development in my favorite part of mobile-based technology. Google just unveiled a new utility from the labs called App Inventor. It allows average joes and geek wanna-bes like me to create applications for Android OS. For free.

Now, the potential is clear. Giving people the ability to create custom-made apps in an easy format is beautiful. Now, your device is even more personal. I read of a poster on an Android-enthusiast forum who eagerly looked forward to creating soundboards of his daughter.

I look forward to seeing what it can do. Another shrewd move by Google, particularly when you realize that Android OD is making its way to TVs and netbooks.

So, in theory, if I wanted to make an app relating to visitations or ministry needs, I could. Opportunities abound.

I have to see how it shapes out... for example, I am interested in seeing how the App Inventor handles issues in the real world. Or, if there will be controls to help dissuade people from adding to already burgeoning list of adult titles in the Android Market. In any case, I like this a lot.

And this is why I am headed to Android...

Letting the Spirit lead.

Here's a quick hitter from Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor of LifeChurch. As some of my recent posts may reveal, this is something that has been weighing heavily on my mind of late.

As the modern church strives to be relevant to a modern generation, I think it is important to remain focused on God and His spirit as the Decider-in-Chief of our collective mission. While "models" might be an easy thing to emulate, we cannot forget to pray and ask for insight FIRST.

The very ministry of Christ was atypical in so many aspects, and He gave us quite a model to follow, starting with love as an underlining concept.

Letting the Spirit lead.

East Digerati

I am the beacon of technology at our church.

Iwork on the website, update the Facebook page and send out the Twitter updates. I do the Youtube uploads, and try to keep our Foursquare location relevant.

I am the tech whiz. I am the smartphone-wielding pastor who serves as our gadget evangelist.

One problem: there are quite a few "Is" in that monologue, and not enough "Hims" to suit the type of work that I am supposed to be doing.

In the 21st century, it is key for church works to find acceptable ways to tap into the consciousness of the people we look to reach and serve. However, there is a true danger in loving the medium a bit too much... perhaps more than the Message? It becomes especially wayward when the tools become symbols that distract from the mission.

Sometimes, to some people, seeing their pastoral staff, or getting a simple phone call from them weighs a whole lot more than a tweet or FB wall post asking for prayer. And there is NOTHING wrong with that.

Sometimes, it's the simple, "old-school" methods that make people see the Jesus in us, so we need to work harder to not forget them.

*Thanks to my mentor, PJ, for reminding me of this.

East Digerati

Full Circle

It's that time of year again...

It's been very busy. Just got back from a youth mission trip to Grifton, NC. Now, I'll be honest; I had never heard of Grifton prior to getting involved at East. It's out in eastern NC, and compared to Charlotte or Raleigh, is much quieter and somewhat rural, what with all the sprawling farmland and such.

In any case, it was back-breaking work. It was also very humbling work. I got to know my youth even better, and bonded with my parent volunteers. Through all the sweat, early mornings, hot afternoons and unexpected happenings, we returned as a very tight knit group. The one thing that continually lept out at me was the concept of "renewal." More on this later.

Beyond that, we are saying bye to some of the best seniors in the world. Most are staying around and/or going to local colleges, but I have one going all the way off to Kansas. Happy for her, but truly unhappy to see her go that far away. I console myself with the fact that God has a plan, especially since guilting her into staying didn't work.

Then, I said goodbye to my two soccer teams. I had been with the core of the older team, current U-14s, for some time; they will all be mostly playing first division soccer for new coaches in the Fall, which is a huge jump, and makes me very proud as a coach. Of that team, only one is left, and I had her for only half a season. I am also saying bye to my younger team. We went through so much as a unit, from all losses to a winning record. They are all mostly playing at the classic level, which makes me very proud as well.

In return, I have two new teams... two mostly new ladies, a few who I have coached and coached against in the past. I am looking forward to the challenge, and developing new relationships with my new team and parents.

I am truly thankful for the opportunity to be used, and I hope I can be a blesing to my youth on the field and in church.

Full Circle

Prayers for TN

Just a quick note of prayer to our family and friends in Tennessee... the rain and resulting flooding has been devastating.

Just wanna throw a quick shout-out to Pete Wilson... if you have a boat and a heart to help, reach out to him and the folks at Cross Point Church, who are looking to help.

Prayers for TN

The bottom line

In the last couple of years, much has been made of the drive to use technology to reach people. In church affairs, the subtle undertone has been to use technology to bring people in.

Count me in amongst the shameless adherents.

I believe the church needs to move at the pace with most of society at worst, and leads the pack at best. There are numerous ways we can use technology to help us fulfill our spiritual goals, and I get a lot of satisfaction in finding out new ways.

One big point of pause should be the fact that old concepts should not necessarily be discarded. While we feel driven to share our messages on Sunday from our smartphones and/or tablet devices, there is nothing wrong in acknowledging the fact that some congregants may be reassured by seeing a physical Bible.

Hearkening to the past is not necessarily a sign of weakness.

In taking my current position (and by default, becoming the church "digerati"), I have come face-to-face with a fact that startled me: some of my church family won't ever visit the church website I take so much time to keep updated. It has taken me longer to understand that that is okay.

As soon as I start creeping into ministry, I begin to displace what should be the true Source. There is also a real danger in allowing a ministry conduit become THE ministry. And that is what technological pushes really are (or should be): tools.

You can use all the flash-bangs in the world and hit air if you don't have an overall focus on people. We can play the numbers and unseeingly witness our ministries will go awry. We might have full auditoriums and sweet testimonials, but we might not be truly changing hearts.

My point is to vocalize what I have been cautioning myself with... love what God is doing, not the tools that are harnessed to effect it. When my BlackBerry freezes during a witness, should the witness stop?

Let's not leave folks behind if we can help it. In the mean time, I am off to download yet ANOTHER minstry tool to my smartphone.

I never said we should stop using these tools, did I?

You see,

The bottom line