Dynamic Church 08 Recap

Ξ May 25th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Computer Stuff, Life |

I had the privilege of heading down to Frisco, TX for the Fellowship Technologies Dynamic Church Conference 08 or DC08 for short. Now I could just recap the entire thing for you…I did take notes but what kind of fun is that? Here are some of the things that stuck out the most for me.

1. I think there were more people there this year than last. And the content was dumbed down a bit (Keynotes specifically) so that it wasn’t so technical. Last year this was a pain point. Most of the people there couldn’t care less about AJAX, Platforms or Frameworks. This year I think people began to understand what F1 is trying to do…really empower the church to use technology.

2. I attended not as many technical sessions as last year because Sunset was either not implementing those features or we already had the knowledge to do so in the first place. Instead, I attended more “process” oriented and communication specific forums.

3. I had the privilege of rooming with Bill Hill, Sunset’s money man. He is truly a unique individual. Better though was that I got to really sit down and talk to Mike Matousek, the new Minister of Operations and my boss. Every single night the 3 of us were talking ministry @ Sunset and had some meaningful discussions…it was simply awesome! Good bonding experience with Mike also.

4. I got to see this guy. We happen to take a lot of the same sessions as we both share a passion for engaging church ministries in using technology.

5. I got to have dinner and hang with Terry Storch, Jeff Pelletier and his wife, and Matt. Afterwards we saw an amazing Lincoln Brewster concert. So sweet. My only regret is that I hadn’t of stayed up till 3am the night/morning before…wanted to be a little more engaging with Terry @ dinner.

6. I got to meet with Jared and Jill Still! Unfortunately again…I was up till like 3:30am the night before and I was just mush for lunch…I was so dazed it wasn’t funny. Matt got some footage of me eating sushi for the first time though…that was…interesting.

This conference helped me realize that ministries in general are missing an entire generation of people who communicate differently. Online activities, web sites and social media are here and now. In the end, in a small away I left disappointed. Not specifically about the conference, but how most churches deal with this “problem” of technology and communication. I think Terry put it best in his session on social media:

It’s no longer an opportunity to engage the community with technology, it’s a responsibility.

That really resonated with me. I often focus on the negatives rather than the positives. After getting back and thinking about my approach and really what I think He has called me to do, I’m much more happy since relying on Him rather than my own ability. There is just too much opportunity to get discouraged.

 

Romans 8

Ξ May 16th, 2008 | → 4 Comments | ∇ Life |

Through a friends blog I found out about Romans 8 Movement. I have been trying to memorize Romans 8 with this group for a couple of weeks now. I have also found that memorization is really not my favorite cuppa tea. I think part of it may be that Im some 6 and a half months pregnant and I cant seem to remember anything anyways.

However, I am signed up to memorize it and that I will do. I have called upon my old highschool and college ways of memorizing speeches. I write it out. I talk about it to myself. It helps that I visualize words in my head as I talk. When I can see it go through my mind, I can usually hold it in my memory. I am finding what was once a daunting looking task is actually becoming a great challenge which is challeging not only my mind, but my heart as well.

So today I get to sit out on my parents front porch swing in Corbett, in a calm breeze and already warm morning listening to what God puts on my heart and reading through Romans 8. I’m really very blessed.

 

Let’s Revive This Blog!

Ξ May 15th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Kids, Life |

It has been so long. This blog has been neglected. I am so sorry.
Let me update you on life.
Zaeda is almost three! ( coming up so soon on June 22nd!) She has entered a difficult phase of independence. I didn’t think that the independent phase could get any more independent than it already had. I was wrong. She is growing in amazing ways though, and can be seriously sweet as well as sassy and strong willed.
Elizabeth is doing really well too. She spends Thursdays and weekends with us every week. Our adoption committee meets on May 27th and we will know then if her adoption has been approved by the Department of Human Services. She will move in with us full time the first week of June. Craziness. It has been so long in the making.
Matthea is growing strong. We are getting our home all set up to have another little baby. The end of August will roll around so soon. I cannot wait! I feel better some days now so I am able to get some things done. However, the sickness still hits every night and morning. Yuck. All I can say is that Im glad I know such an amazing little kiddo will come from all the sickness. It gets me through.
Mike’s away this week at a church conference in Frisco, Texas. All his girls, including me, miss him really badly. I am glad he gets to go to this conference though, he gets to meet some cool people, hang with some of his best pals and come back with great ideas and a little refreshed from his intense work schedule. Oh yeah. he also gets to experience big Texas weather… rain, wind and when he was supposed to be landing in Dallas fort worth I noticed that there were tornado watches ALL AROUND that area. How fun.

 

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