I’ve written before about how cool it would be to have a “one-to-one” church where individuals in the church could be equipped with an iOS device or digital camera as they do ministry, specifically with regard to documenting outreach and missions opportunities. Seriously, how cool with it be if the lay people in our churches were able to blog, vlog, or flood Facebook with ministry updates and photos?!
In that same vein, I was surprised when I saw this story on TUAW.com, “Drexel University intros MacBook Pro vending machine.” That’s right! A vending machine that dispenses MacBook Pros! Makes you wish you were back in school, right? Yeah, me neither.
When I read this story, I instantly thought, “What if a church tried this? That would be awesome!” Of course, this plan is way more feasible for a major university than the average church, but I love how the whole thing came about:
Someone asked.
That’s right—someone asked and someone else said “yes.” Perhaps this is where the church could benefit.
Apparently, a representative from the Undergraduate Student Government Association met with the Drexel Dean of Libraries and asked if the library could find a way to provide a laptop rental service after staff hours had ended. This student expressed concern for his personal security (and comfort) in bringing his own laptop to campus. Clearly, the Dean felt that other students probably had similar concerns.
What concerns are lurking in our congregations? Are there tech needs that we could be addressing if people felt that they had permission to ask? This Drexel student was a member of student government, so he already had access to those in a position to address his concerns.
Do our people have access to ask?
Yes, this could be extended beyond technology, but let’s keep it centered on tech if we can.
How many technology concerns/needs might be at your church on a given Sunday service?
Most of these might be personally-focused and information-based (“How do I…” or “Is there a way to…”), but many might have a ministry-focus (“Could we…” or “What if we offered…”). Your church may not be in a position to provide MacBook Pro rentals—what church could?—but maybe you could provide a public access computer lab or free training classes?
The point here isn’t that Drexel has a cool MacBook Pro vending machine, though that is sweet. It’s that they have a culture were someone saw a need and someone else saw the value in saying “yes.”
Let’s try to create a culture in our churches where our people have access to ask questions and express their technological concerns. We may not alway be able to give permission or to provide a material solution, but we can demonstrate how we value others and their opinions by encouraging them to share.
Eric Dye says
Another awesome connection between tech and the Church.
Phil Schneider says
I hate to be all “Grandpa Phil” about this, but man, we didn’t have this back in my day! (Wish we did. 😛 )
Eric Dye says
“Grandpa Phil” — LOL! 😀