Founder and speaker of iGETitLIFE, Robin Bryce and her pastor/husband Chuck present "He Said, She’s Sad" No wait that’s "He Said, She Said" a topic on marriage at Central Cities Church in Copperas Cove, TX in the center of the greater Ft. Hood area. If you’re in the area, come for the fun and laughs and leave with inspiration for a better marriage.
June 27-28th, 2009.
Are churches engaging the culture, making changes to spread the news and share the hope of Jesus? Or are they just twittering?
In business, I’ve tweeted quotes of conference speakers. And, when attendance wasn’t an option, I’ve watched tweets of twitterers at the conference. Their twittering created a feeling of connection with the event and gave the most impressive information almost like I was there. I’ve also taken conference notes on my iPhone and scheduled noted events in my calendar all while listening to the speaker. I’ve seen speakers reading scripture from their Blackberry and following their presentation notes from the same. Mobile devices aren’t just phones to those who utilize their great functionality. They’re cool tools!
Should these awesome devices be used during church? For a long time I’ve thought how Twitter can be used to create a community that is involved rather than spectating during church. Christ followers want to interact, make a difference, and worship. They don’t want to watch church. They want to engage. Those who use mobile devices and Twitter in their everyday life will naturally want to do so during church.
Twitterers heralded the prayer request for the shooting of Pastor Fred Winters of Maryville, IL that happened during a church service. My husband and I received the real-time tweet and brought the request to the attention of our church meeting a thousand miles away. Real-time prayer needs. Should we twitter in church?
I wonder if the question of twittering in church could be rephrased, “Should church engage the culture?” When we send missionaries into a culture, they study it to learn effective ministry in it. We live in a post Christian culture that needs engagement for the purpose of sharing Jesus. My previous post with great video, Twittering Ministry, shows how today’s business world has changed and the implications for necessary change in ministry.
Once I had a friend jokingly tap me on the shoulder during the service and whisper, “Are you texting in church?” Me, a preacher’s wife, texting in church? I’ll admit to nothing. At that time I was only taking notes.
It seems taboo to utilize a different way of making notes than scribbling on a piece of paper. Wasn’t there a time when scribbling on paper was considered prep for passing notes in church? Now churches have fill in the blank outlines and other methods of engaging attendees with note taking. Why not the PDA? It won’t get lost or tossed as scrap.
Churches could teach their parishioners how to engage each other and their community during church with these not-so-new tools and alleviate the stigma of “not paying attention.” The fact is users may be even more engaged in worship and ministry than those sleeping or staring blankly at the wall behind the pastor. (Do you know how many ceiling tiles are in your church?)
Time magazine released an interesting article worth reading, “Twittering in Church with the Pastor’s O.K.” Certainly our world gets it, and some churches are getting on board as well. Check out a worship leader’s perspective “Using Twitter the Phone in Church.” by Chad.
“What is Twitter?” some ask. It’s micro-blogging, or broadcast texting. You can say whatever to whoever wants to listen in 140 characters. You can use text messaging on phones, applications on PDA’s, and online computers to Tweet. For a better description of the what and how of Twitter, check out Michael Hyatt’s step-by-step posts or peruse Social Media Strategies and Tools Explained blog by Beth.
Oh, and tweet me, @RobinBryce. Let’s engage for the glory of Christ.
Starting is “the first step toward success,” said John C. Maxwell, international leadership expert in business and ministry. Starting is the hardest step because it’s a commitment to begin something. Dedication is difficult. Our lack of risk taking and jumping off with that first step often causes success to elude us.
“False starts and weak foundations can be ruinous,” said Maxwell. We rehearse first impressions, opening statements, and initial handshakes because how we start is important. Here’s a summary of Maxwell’s five insights to a positive start.
Now, where do we begin? Oh yeah, with myself. See you in success corner. Summarized from Maxwell’s post on the "Starting – The First Step Toward Success" on the Catalyst blog. Hop on over there to read his article and get started toward success.
Ready to win? We have opportunity to gain the encouragement we need to rise above, get over the hump, and get out of the slump. We’ll find inspiration to take charge of our lives. And it’s FREE! Let’s go, girlfriends.
On May 22-23, 2009, join Thelma Wells at her Ready To Win Conference in Garland, TX (Dallas area). It’s free! Register for your free tickets and get more information at ThelmaWells.com.
Thelma’s the real deal, an authentic Christ follower that’s been in the slump, at the bottom of the hump, and in need of rising up. She knows how to win in difficult situations. Come join in, if you’re Ready To Win. You’ll be blessed.
I’ll be there. Tweet me @RobinBryce, and we can have a Tweet-up for fun. if you’re unsure what Twitter is click Twittering Church? for links of explanation. Look forward to seeing you there.
Staying means comfort, risk-free, known terrain, but going …
I hate change.
No I like change.
Uh-uh, change is disturbing.
No, it’s exciting. (there’s nothing like inner conflict!)
Gosh! I hate my life.
No, no. I really love my life, but these decisions are killing me.
Should I stay? Or Should I go?
While the beat of that song plays in your head, I’ll tell you we struggled. We struggled within ourselves. And we struggled with God. Then my husband and I finally came to the conclusion.
“Okay. We’ll go.” We’ll give it all up and follow God. (not like we weren’t totally given to ministry already!)
“It could never be better to stay once He [God] determines otherwise.” Streams in the Desert January 14th.
That may be right, but it doesn’t help the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of the future, the misunderstanding of others placed on us.
“He [God] goes on ahead of [us]” John 10:4
That’s more comforting. God is leading the way, going in front of us, and showing us the way.
F. B. Meyer states, “All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us.”
Now that’s a shield in which I can get behind and forge ahead.
Maybe going is the best answer when God says, “Go.” (check Matt. 28:19-20)
So we find ourselves taking an Abrahamic call. My husband resigned a great pastorate of over eight years. We don’t know where we are going. We are unsure of what we’re doing. We simply answered the call to go.
We didn’t come to this decision lightly. The struggle took a while and we often switched places with one sensing the call stronger and the other not. We never struggled with each other. But were united in intense struggle to do only what God wanted. My security was challenged. His identity challenged. This was all so new, and well…challenging!
Our last Sunday is January 25th. Then . . .
I have no more to write. I don’t know anything more. Going . . . with eyes wide open!
Can twitter give your ministry’s effectiveness a step up? The church could learn alongside businesses that social media matters, because word of mouth can build or destroy a company or ministry’s PR impression, how people view them. Word of mouth is, after all, the way in which the gospel is spread—one beggar telling another where to find the Bread of Life.
It’s time for beggars to unite and network with others socially, offering something of value. For goodness sake, don’t enter the networks with a, “ya’ll come now, you hear?” attitude. This isn’t a place to issue blanket invitations to a church service or gathering. We’ve got to enter into a relationship with those we want to reach. Offer ourselves, friendship, a listening ear, an encouraging word, a big kudos for a job well done. Offer helps, tips, whatever, as long as it’s of value.
Should a church or ministry have a social media minister? Since businesses find great potential in social media as a cutting edge way to do business, it might benefit ministries as well. A ministry can make relevant connections and impact lives through social networks. I’m not saying all ministries or churches should engage social media as a method of reaching and touching people, but it’s a great way for ministries to engage and relate with those they want to reach and give them something valuable.
Here’s a video worth looking into. It’s Laura Fitton’s, @Pistachio, keynote address about twitter titled “Twitter for Business.” If I could rewrite the script, I would title it “Twitter for Ministry” and have every mention of business rewritten as ministry.
Think of
After watching the video, please share your opinion of the benefits social media can have on your ministry. Have you seen a social network ministry be effective, build relationships with opportunity for life change?
To view @Pistachio’s power point presentation.
I look forward to hearing your ideas.
What does Michael Hyatt know? That’s what I wanted to know. I have been frustrated with PC elitist mystical knowledge. I’ll never know enough to keep the thing running right, or to recover the files it loses upon crashing. I’m always taking it in for some expert geek to make it behave. I hate the thing. It’s driven me beyond bananas.
I’ve drooled over the ease from which all things Apple seem to work. The iPod is so user friendly with only one button that a grandmother or kid, either one, can use it with ease. Actually, I think a happening dog could howl along with his choice of tunes from using the friendly device.
My husband’s iPhone is absolutely amazing. (I must be careful not to drool profusely on it. He found out they don’t swim well.) As a Blackberry user, the iPhone is whoa so cool. The display, the internet visual, and usage exceeds all I’ve been using with my PDA.
I wondered if a writer’s business could be done in its entirety with the same ease and pie-in-the-sky dream of Apple tools that actually work without the major headaches of the PC.
I took my wonder to Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Apple fanatic. Counting on his knowledge about business, writing, and Mac’s, I asked him why I should or should not do the switch from PC to Apple, what might be the weaknesses of doing my business all in Apple. (It seemed the advantages were obvious.) Basically, I was a beggar looking for a crumb to keep my life and ministry running.
Mr. Hyatt said, “I think the biggest issue will be accounting software. You may have to run what you are using in Parallels. I do this on some other software, and it works flawlessly.”
There you have it. Flawlessly. That’s what I want. So I drove to the Apple Store and purchased all things Apple. Now, I have to learn a few new tricks, transfer info from the PC, and set all the Apple stuff to work for me. The learning curve and set up are slowing me down some, but I still have dreams of working flawlessly. I purchased OnetoOne for training and questions as I learn. These geniuses know Mac AND are always ready to share all they know every time I enter the store. One day cyberspace, business space, and personal space will all be unified in one place with one button. I’m so excited. Could it really be true that tools do what they are supposed to do? Pinch me. I pray I’m not dreaming.
When: November 7 & 8, 2008
Where: North Point FWB Church
17018 FM 1314
Conroe, TX 77032
936-697-0786
Accommodations: Drury Inn & Suites
28099 I45 North
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-362-7222
Cost: $40.00 for Retreat and Meals
See Registration for Special Room Rates!
www.iGETitLIFE.com
Contact info: Robin@RobinBryce.com
936-449-5571
Ever wanted something so bad you could taste it? No, I mean so bad it hurts? A longing that if left would eat you alive, a feeling that seems so right when a taste of the desired is given. A desire and consuming passion that remains foremost in your mind. One might even say head over heels possessed with love for it.
It sounds like I’m talking about some passionate romance, and in a way it might be. It is them. I love them. I want the best for them. I can’t stand not reaching out to them, offering friendship, relationship, and acceptance.The other night, Chuck (my husband) and I went to see a single man our age in the hospital then took his parents and another woman in her 60’s to dinner. We were in a college town, the home of a big college. Our friend said she had never seen so many young people in one place before. Chuck and I had a great conversation with our waitress all during the dinner. I felt at home and in near frenzy in such a target rich environment. We dropped our church members off at their car then went to Starbucks. The place was full, inviting, and very open.
Feelings stirred deep within, a desire to meet each one and offer friendship with them all. I really can’t explain this feeling any better than the feeling of that first love. (Remember the first crush on a guy and the desire that accompanied it.) I want to be around them and give them all I have. That is the best description I can come up with.
The Spirit moves both Chuck and I to love them. He’s wondering what, how, when, especially since he already holds two full time jobs. Pastoring is part time pay, but always full time job. And I’m a financial drain, in other words a well kept woman.
I know I must write, speak, and whatever, and this love is the reason I do it. I am going to
Just call me Consumed.
