I mark my entry into digital ministry with video games more than cell phones, but I do have an interesting story about cell phones. In high school, I got my first cell phone (which slid up to reveal the keyboard). I had already experienced the call to ministry, but I also fancied myself an amateur stand-up (technically professional since I won prize money from a local talent show). I would send out messages to my entire contact list every morning with the following template:
1: a quippy one-liner
2: a reminder that God loves you, and so do I
I think back on that and realize that my story of doing ministry digitally is much longer than I realize.
Love this. And video games as a formative moment for you totally makes sense, especially seeing where you are now. Also, you should totally bring back those daily one liner quips. I know I’d sign up for that!
My husband got a cell phone before I did. I told him, jokingly, “I won’t have that new-fangled nonsense in my house. Go out to the garage to use that thing.” Now I’m the one who’s on mine 24/7.
I still wrestle with its best use for ministry, constantly struggling with long-form/deep vs. short-form/shallow.
Totally a balance with the way any new technology (books, tv, phones, whatever is next) can infiltrate our lives. Especially when our phones and the current state of the internet seem so intertwined to keep us addicted with dopamine hits!
I'm not a minister, but I am someone who wants church to reach and be accessible to as many people as possible. I'm disabled, and the way more opportunities were easier for me during Covid was great - but I had never really thought about how digital ministry and communication in general could be so vital to folks who have a harder time getting around than I do.
Looking back, I'm a bit ashamed "how quickly we forget", because 18 years ago Facebook saved my sanity! Lol! I was a new mom, and getting an infant, and later TWO young toddlers into car seats to go anywhere was near to impossible . And it was through Facebook that I communicated with other moms and got SO much emotional support.
And then it was only through digital means that I was able to set up a playgroup with other moms who came to my house. So I think somewhere in my mind, however subconsciously, when I'm volunteering to help with digital worship, I must be remembering what a lifeline that kind of human contact can be. (Oh and I just realized this DOES relate to cell phones because often times it was the only way to access Facebook when I the midst of wrangling two kids! ☺️)
Amen to all of this. Seriously, it is life giving (and life saving) to be able to connect with others who have similar experiences, allowing us to be seen and heard and validated for what we are feeling and experiencing.
Yes! And digital communication can be that for someone when they can't connect in the same physical space (training myself to not say "in person" ;-) ) So it can facilitate connection where someone might not have been able to find it otherwise!
I may have said it here on this substack before, but as I get older and my disability makes things a bit harder for me than they were, I'm realizing all the privilege I had when I could always get around on crutches - like a folk club that has only stairs to get in - when I was younger I hopped up and down them (with my perky little attitude I thought as a disabled woman I had to have) with a bit of hassle, but only thought about *my* hassle, and not that there were other folks who couldn't get in AT ALL. (Said folk club now livestreams a LOT, so I'm trying to give them some grace - they're still in their original now historic spot with no real feasible way to renovate)
I mark my entry into digital ministry with video games more than cell phones, but I do have an interesting story about cell phones. In high school, I got my first cell phone (which slid up to reveal the keyboard). I had already experienced the call to ministry, but I also fancied myself an amateur stand-up (technically professional since I won prize money from a local talent show). I would send out messages to my entire contact list every morning with the following template:
1: a quippy one-liner
2: a reminder that God loves you, and so do I
I think back on that and realize that my story of doing ministry digitally is much longer than I realize.
Love this. And video games as a formative moment for you totally makes sense, especially seeing where you are now. Also, you should totally bring back those daily one liner quips. I know I’d sign up for that!
My husband got a cell phone before I did. I told him, jokingly, “I won’t have that new-fangled nonsense in my house. Go out to the garage to use that thing.” Now I’m the one who’s on mine 24/7.
I still wrestle with its best use for ministry, constantly struggling with long-form/deep vs. short-form/shallow.
Totally a balance with the way any new technology (books, tv, phones, whatever is next) can infiltrate our lives. Especially when our phones and the current state of the internet seem so intertwined to keep us addicted with dopamine hits!
I'm not a minister, but I am someone who wants church to reach and be accessible to as many people as possible. I'm disabled, and the way more opportunities were easier for me during Covid was great - but I had never really thought about how digital ministry and communication in general could be so vital to folks who have a harder time getting around than I do.
Looking back, I'm a bit ashamed "how quickly we forget", because 18 years ago Facebook saved my sanity! Lol! I was a new mom, and getting an infant, and later TWO young toddlers into car seats to go anywhere was near to impossible . And it was through Facebook that I communicated with other moms and got SO much emotional support.
And then it was only through digital means that I was able to set up a playgroup with other moms who came to my house. So I think somewhere in my mind, however subconsciously, when I'm volunteering to help with digital worship, I must be remembering what a lifeline that kind of human contact can be. (Oh and I just realized this DOES relate to cell phones because often times it was the only way to access Facebook when I the midst of wrangling two kids! ☺️)
Amen to all of this. Seriously, it is life giving (and life saving) to be able to connect with others who have similar experiences, allowing us to be seen and heard and validated for what we are feeling and experiencing.
Yes! And digital communication can be that for someone when they can't connect in the same physical space (training myself to not say "in person" ;-) ) So it can facilitate connection where someone might not have been able to find it otherwise!
I may have said it here on this substack before, but as I get older and my disability makes things a bit harder for me than they were, I'm realizing all the privilege I had when I could always get around on crutches - like a folk club that has only stairs to get in - when I was younger I hopped up and down them (with my perky little attitude I thought as a disabled woman I had to have) with a bit of hassle, but only thought about *my* hassle, and not that there were other folks who couldn't get in AT ALL. (Said folk club now livestreams a LOT, so I'm trying to give them some grace - they're still in their original now historic spot with no real feasible way to renovate)