Gods Geeks

This week I am attending the Internet Ministry Conference in Grand Rapids, MI. The first session I am attending this morning is about Second Life. Second Life is a 3d simulation environment. Many would argue that it is simply a Game, but the truth is that it is much more. All of the characters in second life are real people, spread all over the planet. From a ministry perspective, that makes it a very interesting place.

One of the new features of secondlife is voice chat. I think that makes a huge difference to tangibility of the second life environment.

Now, Second life is an open simulation environment, so there is a lot of freedom. So, just like real life, there good and bad. Sin is there and common. The anonymity, just like many places on the internet, tends to boil it down and focus Things. The protection of the internet allows the social barriers to be broken down. That is true for sinful motivations, as well as spiritual. Those lowered barriers can facilitate spiritual growth and change in a very different way. SL is a place that requires wisdom, I would not send a child into SL unattended. That said it is a huge mission field.

HOWEVER, Second Life is not THE answer for internet ministry. I feel very strongly that it is very important not to bank on one platform for evangelism. If we do that, when that technology changes, all of our efforts become irrelevant. It is more important to have a philosophy, rather than a technology. If we can embrace the idea of communities that can exist on a time and space shifted plane, we can begin to change the approach to not just ministry, but people.

But Second Life IS cool.

I recently started a couple user groups near where I live. I thought this would be a great way to get involved within the community and do ministry. Meetup.com is an online tool that allows you to take the social networking concept and bring real people together collectively at a decided place around a common interest. I think this brings the cynics of online ministry to a better understanding of  how one can do ministry in an online context. I to often hear that you can’t do effective ministry online, without that personal touch. Well this tool will make those cynics a little happier where it blends both methods of ministry together. All are welcome to join the two Meetups that I have created. I will keep you posted on what progress is made at these two meetups.

I found a social networking site that now gives religious institutions, churches and religious based organizations a chance to share in the social networking popularity of today. LightsTogether.com is a social network designed for the church organization, even though they also accept personal accounts. I would say it’s the Myspace.com design for the church. I haven’t created an account yet, this is one of those services that I’m going to watch and see what ministry possibilities transpire. As with any social networking site I believe this is where the heart of ministry is in the 21st century. I see it becoming and developing into a primary method of conversation in future generations.

Tags: myspace, lightstogether, social network, converstation

I often find great sites on the web that converse or link to some form of ministry, but rarely do I run across a site that just blows my mind, of course in a good way!! Such a site is change.org, where a social network is built around social activism, linking and connecting like minded people together for a social cause. It’s where non-profits, politicians and others can build community around social change. I think is a wonderful platform where non-profits and like can raise money and where a grass roots group can make a real felt impact on a social issue. I also find the “tag cloud” on the homepage a wonderful way to see where people’s hearts are and where a real social change is needed and accepted.

Click the link below to join Todd Mace’s network.
http://www.change.org/admin/sign_up?invited_by=11580

Tags: Change, Social, Activism, non-profits, politicians, social networking, ministry

I have finally got around to putting together my first “del.icio.us” network. I run into so much content everyday that doesn’t fit into the Theoechnology focus that I needed a place to bookmark my findings. I don’t have time right now to setup another blog for other interests have, so at this time this is the best place to find content on about any topic, especially technology related.

You can subscribe to my bookmarks here: http://del.icio.us/rangertodd

I know it’s been awhile since I posted, but don’t worry I have a huge list of topics ready to post. Once such topic is the idea of Social Networking around your own idea’s and talents. Instead of following someone else in the social networking scene, do something original. The site “Ning.com” gives you just that ability, build your very own social networking service around your own gifts and interest’s. The power in this, is that one can use about anything to do ministry. There are currently hundreds of social networking sites out there, this is the first one I have seen that breaks the ranks and provides the user the ability to create their own network on any topic.

Tags: Social Networking, Ministry, NingI