A Technologist Living Outside of the Silos

Written by: Mobile Ministry Magazine

As a lead-in to my presentation at BibleTech, I’d like to talk something about the dilemma that we are sometimes presented with as technologists who also share a “moving faith.” That is, we are constantly looking at the output of our inputs through the lens of going to someone (evangelism), teaching someone something, or building a replica of Christ that is context-sensitive to the times and seasons they live in (discipleship). I’ve seen in my 12 saved years of life that much of how we go about this – from a technologists’ point of view – is siloed to one of those three areas, and usually over-saturated with everything except the solution.

What goes into how we determine to use the available technology at hand in order to meet the Gospel-centered needs of the real and virtual communities in which we live?

This probably has a good bit to do with how we’ve developed culturally. We see input equaling output. Put in “x amount” of hard work  and get “y amount” of reward. We study and observe high level trends, but only a few are motivated to go beyond the horizon to something different – which could be better or worse – and too often found ourselves actually going backwards in view of trends.

How do we build on top of the foundations of our faith, respecting what/whom went before us while creating identity in Him due to our different times/circumstances?

This dilemma presents itself in how we use Internet and mobile, social networks and educational software, and in general, how we view going to church versus being the church. The technologist who chooses to minister has to observe these silos and find ways to enabling the Gospels to go to others while teaching several perspectives while raising up proficient persons to lead for the next paradigm changes.

How can we enable the next generations of servant-leaders, when we have people unable to read the present to be current ones?

Admittedly, this is difficult without some focused approach towards cultural and spiritual studies. And this is surely not as doable given the oft-quoted high illiteracy rates even amongst those outside of the Body. There’s got to be an emphasis on all of these areas. A respect to the content (Word) and the context (current times) that goes beyond merely something semantic, shiny, or even accessible.

How do we walk in step with the Holy Spirit?

Living the Great Commission in a siloed technological world is a problem. And the solution isn’t as simple as another technology media/medium or social do-hickey. The dilemma starts with our perceptions of where its possible for people to engage God through Christ Jesus as we live with them. And the solution is clear when people live “by God through any tech-means necessary.” The concept of “go, teach, disciple” isn’t just how we display Christ, but how they display Him when we empower them to. Its both personal and communal. Its living by the moment, and preparing appropriately for the moment(s) that will be. Its not Mac or PC, Internet or mobile, mega or house – it is something that looks, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels like God Himself is walking amongst us.

How we do this within our technical spheres means understanding lanes and gifts, but also yielding to the Holy Spirit. We have to have the body, mind and spirit in tune with the Father, Word, and Spirit. Every bit and byte has to both sound like something God coded, and lead someone into being reformatted by His divine purpose.

How do you know when you are in that non-siloed place? When people eat from the fruit of your bits and bytes and look unto God as the bringer of their salvation.

As you move into living into a digital context both online and offline, be in step with His leading and the context of tech will always fall on good soil.