Whoever said that a picture speaks a thousand words is absolutely right, but I’ll bet they had never heard of youtube.  Youtube has changed the way the students of today communicate.  Students can now express themselves in a 10 minute or less video and their video can be viewed by millions of people all over the world.  I use youtube cross culturally as a video can communicate a concept or tell a story much better than I can tell a story or explain something.  A lot of people ask me what I do and sometimes it is a bit confusing to communicate.  This video might explain it better than a long winded explanation of what I do. Watch this and then I’ll explain:

 

When it comes to virtual movement building (or “internet ministry”) many people wait for the finished product.  I love this video, because there really is no finished product.  As soon as we were to provide some sort of  finished product (a website or groups of sites that seem to do all of our ministry for us), then the technology becomes obsolete.  It is like we have to continue to build an airplane while flying (as ridiculous as this video demonstrates).  Once we develop some sort of strategy it is time to get it out there and go on to the next part instead of waiting until every part works perfectly.

My point?  Don’t wait for the vista version of “Christian internet ministry” 2.0.  It doesn’t exist and will (hopefully) never exist.  It is about students having spiritual conversations with their friends on the internet, on their cell phone, via their blog or facebook profile..or even face to face.  We already train students how to share their faith face to face, but can us old dogs (those of us over 30) get out of the way and allow this new generation to approach ministry in a little different way?

In the meantime, pray for me as I help develop this constantly changing airplane…while flying at 35,000 feet!