Nine in 10 in US have a mobile
Harris Interactive reports that according to a recent survey, nine in
10 adults (89%) in the U.S. Have a wireless or cellphone. (Seattle
Times, 4/14/08)
Frontier Mission thoughts by Dave Hackett, mission strategist, network and partnership specialist, and mobilizer
Harris Interactive reports that according to a recent survey, nine in
There is close connection between lack of confidence and a passionate state of mind, and, as we shall see, passionate intensity may serve as a substitute for confidence. The connection can be observed in all walks of life. A working man, sure of his skill, goes leisurely about his job and accomplishes much, though he works as if at play. On the other hand, the working man new to his trade attacks his work as if he were saving the world, and he must do so if he is to get anything done at all. The same is true of the soldier. A well trained soldier will fight well even when not stirred by strong feeling. His morale is good, because his thorough training gives him a sense of confidence. But the untrained soldier will give a good account of himself only when animated by faith and enthusiasm. Cromwell used to say that common folk needed the “fear of God before them” to match the soldierly cavaliers. Faith, enthusiasm, and passionate intensity in general are substitutes for the self confidence born of experience and the possession of skill. Where there is the necessary skill to move mountains, there is no need for the faith to move mountains. ("The Ordeal of Change," Perennial Library, 1967)Gaining the Skills of Collaboration
What the Church needs to harness for successful mission today is synergy. Yes, synergy.
"The Old Model is resource-rich organizations trying to "give out stuff" to people; the New Model is discovering ways to connect and release all the resources of those within an ever-widening network."Sometimes prophets come from the strangest places. The October 2005 Wired Magazine has an article on a guy, Tim O'Reilly, who seems to be two steps ahead of the rest in sensing where things are going. He urges any and all to rebuild approaches so that the intelligence of our networks is harnessed.
"When [Tim] O'Reilly talks to startups, he always asks them: 'What are you doing to harness the intelligence of your users?' Drawing on collective thought is a key principle of Web 2.0."O'Reilly "dead-on inner compass," an accompanying article says, has led him to anticipate how the Internet has turned into an "architecture of participation" powered by the bottom-up nature of sharing and collective action.
I want the Church to ask this question over and over again, all through its systems and structures: What are you doing to harness the intelligence of your networks? Don't try to become a fountain of resources - connect and release the powers a wide group has! Only then will we begin to discover the strength of Kingdom synergy that the Holy Spirit has for us - found in each other as we work together.--Dave Hackett
Leave it to Presbyterian Church General Assembly Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase to give an exciting insight into how little it takes sometimes to create a vital network.
"Back at the church...I find a 'seat-of-your-pants' disaster recovery center that Pastor Chas Jones and members of the church have put together. There is a five-foot long poster board showing the organizational diagram that they have come up with. Chas’s name is at the top (for a long time, his was the only cell phone that worked, and he was the entire organizational chart), and then there are about ten different task forces with the names of responsible folks under each one: communications, pastoral care, material aid, clean-up, etc. After two weeks of learning as they go, these folks look like pros."
This creative and deadly insightful version of The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) appeared in the 1912 missionary publication, The Korea Mission Field. My thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Moffett for spotting this gem. I've reproduced it as it was printed.
Our Father Who art in Heaven,Hallowed be Thy Name.
ThyKingdom come.
ThyWill be done on Earth
Asit is in Heaven.
Give us (me) this day our (my) daily bread.
And forgive us (me) our (my) debts,
Aswe forgive our debtors.
And lead us (me) not into temptation,
But deliver us (me) from evil:*
ForThine is the Kingdom,
Andthe power,
Andthe glory,. Amen.
Forever