An Inkling
It seems like everyone is reflecting this week on the significance of Steven Jobs’ life and work. I won’t add to that. But I have been thinking about how church life and ministry have changed with computers. There is a whole generation who can hardly believe we had no computers when I began my ministry 30 years ago!
So here are some simple observations:
- Spell checker makes me look much smarter than I am.
- A google search makes me feel smarter too. With it I can find any quote or story, even with just a few words.
- Email and google docs allow for brainstorming between meetings.
- Big filing cabinets are becoming relics. We can store a “Library of Congress” worth of information in a shoebox now.
- Our local ministries can have global effects. It’s surprising to see which countries connect with our website.
- People seeking a church now know much more about us before they ever enter the doors. Thus the import of a good website.
- Broad communication is much simpler, quicker, and cheaper. (Alas, the poor Post Office!) It’s especially wonderful to know that so many are immediately networked for prayer needs.
- We can now have “face to face” conversations with our mission partners abroad via Skype. That’s good for both heart and mind – on both ends of the link.
- We can forward the latest dire economic forecasts and guaranteed miracle cures to everyone on our address lists. (Oh well. It’s not all upside!)
Like any other part of our fallen world, bright spots have their shadow side, and that’s certainly true for computing. May the Lord who redeems our creativity give us guidance in how best to use these amazing tools to his glory!
And RIP, Steven Jobs,
Keith
