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.
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.
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! ☺️)
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.
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.
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! ☺️)
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)