The Divine Touch, Technology and a new Mindshift

Jeff Han introduced a REVOLUTIONARY computer interface at the TED Conference 2006. It is a dynamic touch screen interface similar to what you saw in the Tom Cruise Movie – Minority Report. I’ve linked Jeff Han’s TED presentation recently posted on Youtube. (Purple highligted text is a link to a video or an article).

The story is told in February’s Fast Company. Consider how architects, product development, marketing and sales will be better able to understand, share and develop ideas. This link provides a video clip with a more in-depth presentation.

Industry and cultural transitions simmer until a catylst creates a fundamental shift in our orientation to knowledge, time and people. Here is a link to the Fast Company article.

Church leaders (most leaders) are Digital Immigrants. We still think, organize, respond and process in what my son call's "Old School" ways. One good example is how we process people who want visit a church and decide they want to get involved. Most churches take ALL people - novice or seasoned vets - through the same (batched) set of meetings to share the church vision, cover Chrisitan basics and then find a place to "plug" them into some existing activity.

If you miss the sequence you will have to wait for the next cycle. If you've walked with the Lord for many years - served and lead - you'll be politely asked to got through the process anyway just so you can get a hold of the "unique" way this church carries out their mission. You can meet the pastor at the after service guest greeting. However, don't expect that this will evolve into any ongoing relationship or even recognition from any of the top leaders once you leave that room (for most mega churches).

There is nothing relational, tailored or contextual about the process. Its a factory - efficient - focused and unable to handle "special orders."

"Leaders are becoming less like prime movers and more like advocates and facilitators. They have an ability to see and cultivate collective potential. They are less driven by their urge to recruit people to serve their vision. Their sensibilities are different. They find fulfillment by helping individuals connect and develop a unique and familial expression and then watch it grow." P162

Jeff Han provides not just a new toy to view - but a new view altogether. We've needed big buildings to draw people to distribute content and as a minor note - connect people in some kind of community. Content, connection and community can be better accessed, facilitated and lived outside the Sunday event. But gathering is valuable, essential and commanded. The question, "for what purpose?" The Protestant model was designed 500 years ago when books were few and those educated in theology fewer. The non-denominational model was designed almost 60 years ago to take advantage of television and the emerging suburban demographics.

What is the model for people who have access to the best content in the world, who can read the best commentaries available, view the best preachers and do so where and when they want? What is the model for those who come from fragmented families, grew up in suburbs that have little history, work in occupations that are not 9-5, deal with complex family crises and challenges, probably in debt, have little time or resources to serve others and have probably never been mentored and commissioned by a mature Christian.

Hmmm - its time to walk my dogs with my wife Lisa and wonder about this new church we've been visiting.