August 2006

Peter Otvos is planting a Foursquare Church in Watsonville, California.  He is currently bi-vocational and utilizes podcasting to multiply the hours in his busy, weekly schedule supplementing his “official” work time with preparation for his real calling.  Here’s his take on the spiritual advantages of an iPod particularly as used as a study help: 

Technology has saved me a lot of money by allowing me access to study/  inspiration resources that I would not normally, or so easily, have been able to draw from.  For example, the very best use of technology for me, so far, has been my iPod.  I pick up podcasts from a diverse set of pastors because there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors (so the proverbs say) and so the blessing to those who seek the wisdom of varied sources goes.  

If we are going to be able to speak to the diversity of the next generation, we as local pastors, can benefit greatly from hearing a wide range of experts. A broad sweep of interpretation from leaders we trust on the same scriptures can give us great depth perspective. It can also galvanize our specific take on any one verse or topic. Never before has this process been so easy and inexpensive.  For me, as a young, bi-vocational pastor who doesn't get the benefit of a weekly sermon I can listen to (other than my own!) it is a great source of instruction and encouragement.

Here’s how to get podcasts. You can go to Apple.com and look at the "sale" rack for used ipods to save even more than buying new. You can also buy a radio transmitter that plugs into the top of your iPod and play it through any radio. Go to iTunes and start searching the web for different people to download podcasts from. It's free!!! Right now I've got over 179 pod casts from Jack Hayford.  How many conferences would I have to attend and how much money would I have to spend to listen to all the wisdom he has to share?   I can't tell you the number of times that God has spoken to me through these podcasts while I was driving around in my work vehicle.  Some of these messages have led to teaching topics for me, and some to personal moments of revelation and repentance.

By the way, I still love books, digital is not the be all end all.  It is simply a great new way to step into a world that frequently requires that we know more than just what our own experiences are able to provide for us. Using podcasts to multi-task while in the car, means I’m able to use my time to learn rather than just waste it behind the wheel.  I want to steward my time well and my iPod lets me accomplish that.  For more iPod resources go to the GodiPod link or iTunes.

Futurists and critics are fond of thinking of church/religion as a dinosaur of the past facing almost certain extinction. However, the future of the 21st century Church is completely secure. The Body of Christ has been carefully preserved like the Word of God, throughout the ages by the power of God’s Spirit and will continue its operation as the Kingdom of God on this earth into the future. Thus, faith has a secure, that is, known future. And likewise, technology is here to stay.

What is unknown involves the evolving influence of the collaborative models the internet is providing that are transforming our world. Linking individuals, groups, businesses, corporations, denominations, etc. into a global pool of fluid thought, observation and experience will produce a world we cannot yet define and a Church we cannot yet see.  Although yet uncharted, tomorrow's Church will be significantly influenced by the collaborative social networking nature of technology in general and the web in particular.

The internet is redefining traditional institutions, shifting paradigms, moving walls, creating new questions – privacy, transparency, information overload, dissolution of traditional hierarchies, etc. According to the inventor of the web, Tim Berners-Lee, the internet is increasingly becoming the dominant medium binding us.  Any survey of the Church’s future operation involves speculation and extrapolation. Although trajectories may be slightly off, social research and forcasting about the nature of the internet and its influence on the Church are well worth it.  After all, the Bible is known for its prophets.

Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D. C. offers insight on the unparalleled current opportunity for Christians to steward technology (see “Cultural Mandate” – Jack Hayford). Mark is a great example of an innovative pastor who is embracing technology as a tool both for spreading the gospel and for discipling purposes. He utilizes many forms of electronic communication including emailing several thousand subscribers each week. Mark is also a blogger and podcaster. He is allowing me to re-publish a portion of his article “I love technology".

"I’m not a technophile. I’m not even tech-savvy. But I love technology. Here’s why: technological developments have presented our generation with an unprecedented opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” And technology has brought most of the civilized world to our doorstep. Our generation has witnessed the death of distance. The world is a mouse click away.

I don’t think there’s ever been a more interesting or more exciting time to do ministry. The technological tools at our disposal have totally reshaped my portfolio as a pastor. We’ve got to be good stewards of technology. The church should be in the business of redeeming technology and using it to serve God’s purposes.

Isn’t that what Johann Gutenberg did? The Bible was unchained from medieval pulpits, copied on his printing press, and put into the hands of the average parishioner. It was the democratization of discipleship.

In his book, God’s Secretaries, Adam Nicolson says, “The old church and new technology were the closest of allies.” And it was that new technology that fueled the Protestant Reformation. Nicolson calls Martin Luther “the first genius of mass communications.” One German printer estimated that he had sold 100,000 Lutheran Bibles.

Here’s the bottom line: a revolutionary message plus a revolutionary technology packs a powerful one-two punch. The Printing Press marked the transition from oral to analog. Our generation is witnessing the transition from analog to digital. And just as the church led the way in the analog revolution, the church needs to lead the way in the digital revolution."

Mark has additional comments on emailing, blogging and podcasting that will follow in future posts. He has also written a chapter in the soon-to-be-published book The Blogging Church.

Kevin McKenna, technology editor at the NY Times, answers readers’ questions about computers, technology and the future. He notes that digital technology, and especially the Internet, will continue to change many dimensions of everyday life including the way we get our information, shop, get medical care, buy homes, form relationships, practice democracy, etc. The Internet’s impact (intended or incidental) cannot be underestimated.

Over the next many months individual Internet use will continue its ubiquitous spread. For Christians daily use might include accessing Bible Gateway each morning rather than a print Bible as a simple way to achieve daily devotions. Listening to a pod cast of a favorite pastor at our desk in the office is followed that afternoon by checking in with an accountability/support group via blog for today’s prayer requests. Evenings are spent evangelizing in online chat rooms or studying a teaching topic of interest. This is a typical wired day.

Kevin McKenna, however, recommends we begin to shift our focus off wired tech and onto the growing impact of mobile technology - new kinds of wireless applications, the spread of high-speed wireless Internet connections, the growth of hand- held video, etc. WiFi development will ultimately transform our culture and have dramatic effects on all social institutions, including the Church. Any future thinkers want to comment as to how?

If churches and pastors want to connect with a wider audience, build new relationships and influence hearts and minds we need to communicate more effectively in today's digital world.  Having a traditional website and sending out a monthly email newsletter is better than nothing but it does not make churches effective communicators?

Hopefully churches and pastors want to be where the action is, on the front lines where human hearts & minds are located. Think of it as the information war zone where God's critical business is conducted.  If you are not in the war zone you may miss out on key battles.

Are churches and pastors prepaired?  Are we armed with knowledge tools, information skills, intuition and desire? Are we on a mission?  Do we know where the war zone is, what to do when we get there, and how we can fight to win?  If you operate in the information war zone then your badge says digital pastor.  If it doesn't then it either needs to be updated or you may not be in the right location.  Some pastors & churches are still in Tazmania looking for action because they either boarded the wrong flight or missed their plane all together. These are the people that will have to be dropped into the war zone as paratroopers.  Paratroopers are known to eat a few bugs and fly through some dust storms but they do make it.  All they have to do is jump. Don't worry.  If you have a blog then your badge says digital pastor.  You are operating in the war zone. Reviews, promotions & any medals deserved will be discussed later.

The war zone in today's online world is built on blogs, social networks and web 2.0 ajax applications like politicians don't have websites anymore they have blogs.  Websites don't buzz or have blogrolls, blogs do. Bloggers have user ID from They use an administrative interface to communicate 24/7.  If you do not have one of these user ID's you might still be in Tazmania or possibly worse… the South Polar Arctic Zone. 

Thinking of rebuilding your church website? Think again. Take another look at social networking.  Consider church blogging.  Your church website is kind of like a page in the phone book.   It is not like making the phone call and actually talking to someone on the other end.  That's blogging!  The interactivity that we may be looking for doesn't come from an archaic dinosaur that does not communicate very well and eats way to much. Design a church blog where people can interact, communicate, share, post video and photos, play podcasts and post comments. (moderation filter ON)  Have one author or multiple authors. Publish from Santa Monica to Zurich.  Blogging is the new Church Commons.

You heard right. In the latest boost to its dominance of portable music players, Apple Computer Inc. has teamed up with GM, Ford and Mazda to integrate the iPod into their car audio systems according to CNN.  Ford says it will offer the iPod integration as a dealer- installed option called "TripTunes Advanced." GM and Mazda will offer iPod integration on all new models.  An adapter that doubles as a battery-charging station would go in either the glovebox or center storage console. Users are then able to control the iPod through buttons on the steering wheel or the radio.

"Consumers are listening to music, they're messaging each other, and they want to engage in all those activities in their vehicles but in a safe manner," says Ford's product and business development director.  So listening to the Bible on your iPod or Podcasting your favorite pastor’s message just got a lot more portable.  The iconic iPod as an auto necessity underscores another example of one of technologies constantly unfolding benefits: dissolving the traditional limitations of time and space and providing us with instant accessibility anywhere.

Articulate as always, Jack Hayford, President of the Foursquare Church, comments in his blog post Waltzing with the World (July 20, 2006) - Today's world is shrinking, fast-changing and stunningly diverse, and it calls for sensitive and skilled leadership who can deliver God's Word in ways that "fit the world" they're reaching to.

Further, this call goes well beyond music styles, to summon our relevance at every point, in language, technology, dress, media, communications, architecture and so on. In short, 1 Corinthians 9:22, says it: We have a cultural mandate. It's that apostolic directive that commissions us to use "all possible means," a phrase meaning, "If you would 'reach the world,' communicate in ways it can understand." Technology, like music, the arts, etc. is neither inherently good nor evil but rather a means by which we might communicate our beliefs. Online technology becomes an neutral medium for the Church to influence and leave an impression on.