The SXSW Music and Media Conference (aka SXSW) is a set of interactive, film, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring in Austin, Texas.   It was a SXSW that I first began to track the news of a little tiny newbie microblogging service called Twitter.  Well, after Austin began to tweet, the rest is history.   Now what would we ever do at large events without “tweet ups“?

SWSX first began in 1987 and is centered in downtown at the  Austin Convention Center and in surrounding areas.  SWSX showcases hundreds of musical acts from around the globe on over eighty stages, but it certainly doesn’t stop with music.  Conference registrants do business in the SXSW Trade Show in the Convention Center and partake of a full agenda of informative, provocative panel discussions featuring hundreds of speakers of international stature.

What does this have to do with The Digital Sanctuary?  Well, three different sources have now contacted me inviting me to participate in putting together a panel called  Church & Technology for SXSW 2010.  We’re brainstorming topics, trends, speakers and panel participants.   If you’re interested in access to the google doc where it all happens – comment @cynthiaware me on Twitter or gmail me.

Having just been in Austin for this year’s Q Conference, I can highly recommend it as a diverse, interesting and inspiring town with a ton of personality.

You can catch highlights from SXSW last year at the SXSW YouTube Channel.

iDEA NATION is a social network designed to link believers together who have a passion for creating new innovative and creative strategies for ministry endeavor.  iDEA NATION, built on Ning, is the brainchild of Josh Webb and is designed to be a space where ministry ideas are shared, explored, collaborated on, etc.

iDEA NATION invites new concepts and ideas so whether your ministry projects are tested or have never been used before, all are welcome to contribute.  Obviously, you’ve got to join to participate.

The site looks good and it’s primary drawback, at this point, seems to be lack of content & membership.  It appears that around 90 people have signed up.  Likely, since it’s a new network, membership will grow and resources accumulate.

Whether you’re a seasoned ministry leader with innovative ideas to share or a novice looking for resources, you can check out iDEA NATION at: http://www.goideanation.org.