Some Observations

I will begin by taking some editorial license to make two completely qualitative, non-verifiable, observations about high technology.

First, high technology is inescapable. In the western world it defines almost every facet of our lives, and at times seems as ubiquitous as the air we breathe. If you used a mobile phone or checked your email today then you know what I mean (If you’re like me, you probably used the former to review the later). This is no less true in developing regions of the globe.  In fact, I was recently in China and during a excursion on the Tibetan plateau I met a local yak rancher.  This guy looked like he belonged in Ghegis Khan’s army.  Naturally you can imagine my surprise, when out of no where his badger skin coat began to buzz with that all too familiar Motorola ring tone.  I was even more astounded when he asked me to pose for a picture that he took with his mobile phone.  I mean come on… this guy did not even have running water or electric lights in his house!

Second, high technology moves fast… so fast that we often don’t get a clue until the tech-train has whizzed right on by.  Believe it or not, there are churches in America who will vote at this month’s business meeting over whether or not they should “get” a web page.  It is easy to become focused on doing ministry a certain way, and lose the larger picture of how the world is changing around us.  The entire high-tech world evolves so rapidly that by the time we decide that a technology can be used to advance the kingdom, and then put the tools in place to use that technology, we are already playing catch-up.

The point I am making here is that for better or for worse the world relies on high technology, and if we as the missional body of Christ are going to remain relevant to the global tech-centric culture then we must look beyond what is popular today to what will be in use tomorrow.

With these two observations in mind, let’s now shift our focus towards the current trends in high technology.

Trend #1 – Computing Hardware

2010 is the year of the tablet-computing device. This is computing simplified.  Bigger and better than a mobile phone.  More portable and affordable than a laptop.  These devices are robust enough to perform routine tasks like reading a book, surfing the web or checking email, but keep things simple so that even grandma can kick back in her favorite chair and watch a movie or video chat with her grand kids who live anywhere in the world.  The devices are about the size of a traditional school notebook, weigh around 1lb, sport touch screen and wireless technology and start at around $500 (U.S.) for a model with all the basic features.  The magicians at Apple led the charge with their iPad, which launched in early April and sold 300,000 units during its first day on sale in the United States.  Next in line are makers like HP, Sony and Dell which will compete with Apple to expand the tablet market to every corner of the globe in coming years..  While it remains to be seen how quickly these devices will be integrated into everyday life, their low cost and sophisticated functionality levels the playing field for entry into the world of computing which could provide the boost to make them the “next big thing”.

Trend #2 – Mobile is King

Mobile communication and computing is red-hot right now.  In 2007, Apple took the world by storm with the launch of the iPhone.  This single device revolutionized the concept of mobile computing, and for the first time provided a useful tool for voice communication, surfing the web, reading email, watching movies, taking photos and thousands of other task through their third-party application development network.  Today, smart phones are the fastest growing segment of the mobile phone market with every major phone manufacturer offering a device comparable to the Apple handset.  In addition to widespread availability of these devices, mobile network services are rapidly improving as well, and are providing never-before realized access to the communication and information super-highways.  According to the 2010 International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the number of mobile phone subscriptions across the globe is likely to surpass 5 billion sometime in 2010.  Likewise, ITU predicts the demand for mobile access to the Internet to rise to over 1 billion users, an increase of about 67% from last year’s 600 million subscribers.  Even more interesting is that these increases are primarily occurring in developing nations, where previously people had little or no access to global communication networks or the World Wide Web.  Now people everywhere, whether they live in Hollywood or in a one-well village in India, have increasing access to the Internet and associated content and computing applications.  It is predicted that within the next five years, as communication networks expand and modernize to incorporate broadband technologies, more people will surf the web, send and receive email, watch videos and more on laptops and mobile devices than from desktop computers.

Trend #3 – Social Networking

Regardless if you love ‘em or hate ‘em, online social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have transformed the manner in which global cultures interact with one another.  People connect with family and friends, conduct business, play games, laugh, cry and do life together in these digital communities.  Just check out some stats for Facebook alone:

• Global website rank – #2 (second to Google – #1)
• 400 Million active users
• 33% of Internet users access Facebook
• 60 Million status updates each day
• 3 billion photos uploaded each month
• Available in 70+ language translations
• 70% of users are outside the U.S.
• 100 Million active users access Facebook through a mobile device

And that is just Facebook.  Imagine the numbers if you aggregate stats from all the social networking sites… I would venture a guess and say that those tallies would be astronomical. The real question you have to ask however, is what do these numbers tell you?  Without getting into the debate on whether social networking sites are good, bad, ethical or the spawn of satan… the numbers alone tell me that people value social networking.  People want to know, and to be known by, other people.  Now, unlike any other time in history we can locate… and maintain… connections with people around the globe with the click of a mouse.

Connecting

So what is the relationship between computing hardware and twitter, or Facebook and the spread of mobile phone networks?   I would say that the lowest common denominator in everything I have mentioned is very simple.  Connecting.  All of the major techno trends for the next year are moving us towards increased levels of connectedness with everything around us, especially each other.  Technology in 2010 will make the world a smaller place, to the point where anyone, anywhere can connect with all of the world’s information and any other member of the human race instantaneously.

So what?

So how do these varied gadgets and gizmos fit into our global outlook as missional followers of Jesus?   Returning to the first of my initial observations, though technology may be inescapable, the trend towards increasing connectedness presents great opportunities for the Christian church.  As computing hardware and mobile devices become available to more of the earth’s population; and as those people connect with each other through sites like Facebook, Twitter and whatever comes next… we also have a great means through which to preach the gospel, teach new disciples and reach those yet to hear about Jesus.   That said, the speed at which technology changes means we must always remain ready to implement new ideas into our ministries and lives.   To put it in surfing terms… we need to be on the lookout for the next big wave.   When we see it coming, we have to paddle hard before it arrives so that we can ride it while its big, and then jump off to find another monster before the one we’re on piles us into the beachhead

What do you think?

Well we have covered a lot of ground, and I have undoubtedly left out some things here and there.  That said, I want to pass the ball to you.  Let me know your thoughts about the trends I have mentioned or others that you have picked up on.  How do you think the missional community fits into this picture?  What are we doing good, and how can we improve to redeem high technology for God’s glory?  Leave us comments, send us an email and share it with you friends and family…

So there you have it… according to Derek Sivers at TED, the biggest part of starting a movement is gaining followers.  Want something a little more Biblical to chew on?  Just think back to the first missions movement that was begun by none other than Jesus himself.  Aside from the fact that he was God incarnate (no incidental point I might add), what was key to making his mission work?  Followers, right?  Partners in the battle that would carry the message to others.  The apostles were the catalyst, the seeds, that God used to create a movement to spread from a handful of believers in the first century to almost 2.3 billion adherents today¹.

As things stand now, we at Missional Digerati are just the nuts dancing around at the concert with our shirts off.  But we are convinced that God has big things in store and wants to use technology to advance his name throughout the world.  It is not about us.  It is about Him, and his movement.  Will you take the bold step and join or support us to become the catalyst for a missions movement?

Sources:

1.  http://www.gordonconwell.edu/sites/default/files/IBMR2010.pdf

Overview

• Name: Missionary Support Application
• Description: A tool that provides a means through which deployed missionaries can securely connect with their support base, communicate needs, receive and track support and provide periodic status updates.  Security would be a primary concern with a need for secure two-way communication within the application (missionary-to-support, support-to-missionary).

Overview

• Name:Prayer Rich Internet Application
• Description:The application would allow people to form prayer groups within their community of influence.
  Tracks submitted and answered prayers. Maps prayer networks Immediate needs prayer request… send up a prayer flare. Prayer groups could connect with one another to partner in prayer. Application would work across all mobile devices, web browser and desktop widgets.

Overview

• Name: The Field Guide
• Type: Mobile Discipleship Guide
• Platforms: Mobile
• Technology: Not specified
• Current Status: Early Conceptualization Stage
• Description: Matthew 28:19a records Jesus’ mandate to all believers, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”.   The Field Guide is a mobile manual of sorts that can be used in the task of equipping others as followers of Jesus.  Users will be provided with a range of tools for use on a mobile device that essentially walk them through the basics of formal discipleship.
• Current Needs: Seeking thinkers, designers and developers to finalize concept and move into development stage.

Overview

• Name: Need It – Share It
• Type: Resource Exchange System
• Platforms: Web / Mobile
• Technology: Not specified
• Current Status: Conceptualization
• Description: Imagine a ministry in Great Britain in need of a website, but without the resources or know-how to complete the project.  On the flip side, it is not too hard to envision a web designer somewhere in the world with some spare time on their hands, and a desire to use their skills for God.  In short, some people need it, and other people have it and want to share it.  Our goal is to connect the two…  Regardless of what “IT” is, whether tech skills or something as simple as listening, God wants to use “IT” to advance his kingdom.  Need It / Share It is a tool that connects the services, resources and skills that people and ministries need, with those services, resources and skills that others want to share.  It makes all of God’s resources fully available to the missional community on a global scale anywhere, anytime.
• Current Needs: Seeking thinkers, designers and developers to finalize concept and move into development stage.

Overview

• Name: RE:FORM
• Type: Web & Mobile Content Solution
• Platforms: Web / Mobile
• Technology: Not specified
• Current Status: Conceptualization
• Description: A tool that allows ministries to effortlessly create content, host discussions and post pictures, audio and video while connecting with a global community of supports and friends over the internet and on mobile devices.  The big boys of ministry have entire nerd herds running around running all their cool web and mobile projects… but what about the little guys?  What about missional churches whose pastors double as the lawn boy?  Or missionaries in India who are excited because their village is getting a water well for the first time in history?  Let’s face it… our average front line workers don’t have the time to figure out how to connect on a global scale.  But what if they could?  The vision of RE:FORM is to provide over-worked and under-resourced ministries with an instant global reach without having to hire an IT guru or spend months of their lives learning how to build and then maintain webpages.  We endeavor to create an effortless and reliable method that will offer these ministries the ability to publish content to the web and mobile device, while also building a network of supporters and friends interested in their work.
• Current Needs: Seeking thinkers, designers and developers to finalize concept and move into development stage.

• Name: The Gospel for Mobile Devices
• Type: Mobile Application
• Platforms: Mobile Devices (iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, etc…)
• Technology: Not specified
• Current Status: Conceptualization
• Description: The Gospel for Mobile Devices provides the truth and good news of Jesus to a generation of mobile computing users.  This application will provide the user with access to the gospel message through various media including text, audio and video for use in a ministry setting, as a personal evangelistic tool or by anyone interested in learning about the gospel.  The application will also include a feedback tool whereby respondents to the gospel can sign-up for “next step” discipleship and follow-up material.
• Current Needs: Seeking thinkers, designers and developers to finalize concept and move into development stage.

Why A Community?

We are surrounded with the “Do It Yourself” mentality, and as result it can be hard to imagine the power of living, working, and participating in a community.  However,  God intended the church to be a living and breathing community.  A community that draws its strength from the individuals that make up the whole.  A place that empathizes with one another,  uplifts the faint of heart, equips the individual who is lacking and works together to accomplish God’s purpose on this earth.

Missional Digerati desires to create a community of missiological and technological thinkers and doers that come together to accomplish what could never be achieved as individuals.  This community understands, loves, and desires to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all the nations.  This community harnesses the power of cutting-edge technology, in order to evangelize, equip and mobilize the world.  This community is devoted to one common purpose…the glory of God.

Why Technology?

People today live, breathe and socialize on the web.  We are infatuated with technology.  Think about the last time you interacted with technology.  Was it ten minutes ago, when you updated your Facebook status?  Have you sent out at least 1 email today?  Did you know… Twitter will record 27 million tweets while Google logs 242 million search terms today.  Facebook alone will undergo 45 million status updates during the 8 billion collective minutes users are online today.  It is amazing how technology has swept through our culture, and captivated our hearts.

So why technology?  Because it is the common heart language of our global culture.  If we want to evangelize, equip and mobilize this generation,  we must capture their hearts, and the best way is through technology.

Why Reach Everyone?

Remember the first time you heard about Jesus?  Remember the day your eyes were opened, and your sins were removed from your burden laden shoulders?  There are many people, even today, that will never get a chance to hear that saving message.  Many people groups do not have a growing church movement,  or even missionaries to share them the old, old story.

God has called each one of us to find our strategic role in the Great Commission.  At Missional Digerati,  we believe the best way is to unite together,  harness the knowledge of this generation’s missional thinkers and doers and utilize the tools that God has given us in order to reach the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Will you join us?

• Name: The Big Idea
• Description: A 3-day global conference for thinkers, designers and developers that inspires a heart for missions and challenges participants to create technology tools for use in God’s mission.  The conference will consist of discussions on missional topics and breakout sessions where participants work in teams to create simple technology applications that focus on solving a specific problem that is present in accomplishing the missional task around the world.  Attendance will be free of cost, however participants must be sponsored by a number of supporters with all proceeds benefiting ministries currently working amongst unreached people.
• Dates: August 2010
• Location: Global (core team and broadcast hub based in/near Pasadena, CA)

• Status: Planning

• Current Needs: Seeking venue partners in/near Pasadena, CA to host core team and broadcast hub.  Require a space with tables, chairs, lounge furniture, several air mattresses, access to internet and use of bathroom and cooking facilities.