Technology part 2 of 2

Last week we beat up on the idea of technology a little bit and this week we are going to see how it has made things MUCH more convenient. The very first job I had as youth minister was in 2001. The way that I contacted students was primarily through landlines. This meant much interaction with parents as a result of calling homes and many times having parents answer. This meant good things like me having the parents ‘in the know’ before their son or daughter. What I discovered is parents really liked this way of knowing before their students did. It gave them a proactive heads up. However we flash forward now nearly 10 years and this is not always the case. That being said I really enjoy how convenient today’s society has gotten with communication. For example in the olden days (you know 2001) when I scheduled and event many of the lines of media were still the same (i.e. website, handouts, e-mail). However, when technology rocks is when we are in a pinch. For example it is a Wednesday night and weather turns sour and we need to cancel. Before this meant at least 30 minutes of phone calls to all students or perspective students that might be coming. Now in a simple text message it can be done in less than 1 minute. We have instant access to one another through the lines of internet, and cell phones. I have no desire to turn back and neither do students. It is fantastic. Another thing that is great is that your job now can be done from anywhere. Now with wireless internet in many places or a phone that has internet a job (not just ministry) can be done from a coffee house, a car, a deer stand, or even a boat. Location is irrelevant to many of the tasks that I have. What use to take hours now takes thirty minutes. I can send students and e-mail, Facebook, and a text message and through those 3 avenues of communication parents and students will get at least one of them. I also enjoy it because it is discreet. Many students think that because we have small children that we walk around quiet as mice after dark because our little ones are sleeping (if you know me at all then you know I AM A VERY QUIET PERSON). However students many times will send me a text message before they call just to make sure I am up and it is ok. Basically I don’t need to make a case that technology is good or bad but I am going to use it in an effort to further God’s kingdom.

Your zinc riced,

ike