If you want to excel at building ministry, learn the value of carpentry.

Perhaps the best example of this, is my prayer a number of years ago.  I was a new Christian and very passionate about serving the Lord.  My prayer back then will most likely be the title or a chapter in my biography:  “I prayed to be more like Jesus, and He made me a carpenter.”

Larry (one of my ministry partners) said to me the other day, “Why don’t we start an online revolution in Christian ministry?”  

Larry has been talking with ministry leaders across the U.S. about internet technology, and its potential use for worldwide ministry.  He has talked with seasoned veterans in ministry who are quite passionate about new technology. 

Most of these guys work in strategic positions in large Christian non-profit organizations.  Some are pastors; others are speakers at major conventions.  The point is that these guys recognize the needs of the Church and the apparent challenges that face leadership.

They are strong advocates of change, progress, and growth.  They are also practitioners of effective models in ministry.  They believe that an unprecedented opportunity awaits churches and ministries who are ready to embrace new technology and harness its power.

This is especially true of internet technology.  All of the ministry leaders that Larry has talked with have emphasized the importance of using the internet for reaching people for Christ.

Greg (another one of my ministry partners) was telling me the other day that he has encountered a lot of people turning to the internet, looking for fellowship and community.  Some of our research suggests that over 100 million Christians are now turning to the internet for social networking.

Do I see online community replacing face-to-face community?  Absolutely not.  But I am seeing new ways for people to connect and build relationships using the internet.  It makes a lot of sense; especially for young people who are growing up in a techno-savvy culture.

Whether we like it or not, the internet is here to stay!  So, why not take full advantage of its rapid growth, enormous popularity, and economical cost.  Let’s harness its power of communication and influence.  Let’s start an online revolution in Christian ministry that young people can rally behind and effect change in the lives of their peers.

History has proven that God has used innovative tools (like the printing press) in sparking spiritual awakening, renewal, and revival.  I believe He is now using the internet for new paradigms in ministry applications.  He is using it for prayer mobilization and evangelism.

The online revolution that I am talking about is a “back-to-the-basics” organic approach in reaching out and touching people’s lives with a message of hope – the good news about Jesus Christ.  We have the technology to do this, and quite well, through online community development.

So, let’s start an online revolution in Christian ministry.  We might even find ourselves tapping into a powerful “revolutionary tool” that God has ordained worthy and very effective for ministry usage, worldwide. 

Perhaps the internet (instead of television as previously suggested) will be the instrument in God’s hands to reach the globe for Christ and usher in His Second Coming.

“Oikos is a superior interface than most web apps out there today.”

This according to IT guys at a philanthropic agency that builds web apps for huge non-profit ministries.  We are in collaboration with some guys who are “bridging the gap” between large donors and prospective ministries.  We are not able to release the name of these guys until all the details are worked out.

In our conversation today with these guys we found common purpose and mission.  We want to provide “tools” that the Body of Christ can use to build relationships, collaborate, and make a broader impact on the Christian landscape.  It is nice to hear from seasoned business leaders that your software has enormous value.

This was something our developers enjoyed hearing today.  They have been working for over 9 months to build a web app that’s simple to use for individuals; yet has extraordinary features that big organizations can use as well.  Our hope is that the Church, which is often behind in technology, will grasp soon than later what successful businesses already understand about global internet technology.

Internet technology is the way of the future. 

I read a bumper sticker today that said, “Change is inevitable; growth is optional.”  Pray with us that the Church will learn to embrace change and use it to energize progress and growth.  The future of the next generation of young people will depend upon this.

Whether Oikos, or something like it, is the “tool” for next generational ministries, internet web apps for social networking are extremely popular and here to stay.  They will fast become the norm; rather than the exception to the rule. 

Build something so remarkable that people are able to make “great remarks” about it!

According to CNN, the Military has designated MySpace, YouTube, and 11 other internet sites as “off limits” for soldiers.

This recent action comes amidst concerns by the Defense Department over security issues and technological limits.  While this action may benefit the Defense Department, it also cuts off thousands of soldiers from communicating with family and friends using MySpace.   

The Pentagon said no more using military’s computer systems for socializing and trading video.

Yes, soldiers overseas on the battlefield can still keep in touch with family and friends using email, but that’s not the same as being able to blog, journal, and share video and photos.  Using the internet for social networking is “mainstream” in the lives of young people. 

This is the norm.  Millions of young people are integrating their online world into everyday living.  Cut off their online world, and you cut off a part of their lives.

Fortunately, there are other social networking sites available for military personnel.  We at Simon Solutions want military families to know that we are here to help!

Check Oikos out at TryOikos.com

When we say “we’re here to help,” we’re not kidding.

We simply ask that you keep us in your prayers. We want to help those who have vision for internet ministry as a tool for advancing the Kingdom of God.

We see this as a "mission accomplished."  Our hopes in helping ministries build coalition forces for worldwide evangelism are now starting to take shape.

Defining who we really are, can be a challenge. 

We go through so many changes and seasons in our life that influence the way we think and act.  We also have a tendency to imitate others we admire and respect.  But does this truly define who we are, really?

As a company, we’ve finally come to some conclusions.  We are not like many others in the marketplace, especially in web design and software development.  I guess the best analogy of who we are, is the television commercial of the two guys: PC and Mac.  The PC guy is professionally dressed, all about efficiency, and little nerdy.  The Mac guy is casually dressed, all about aesthetics, and “cool.”

The Mac best describes our company, organic and approachable.  And even though we are the "new" kids on the block, we have many years of experience in ministry and technology.  People say our software is amazing with a "wow" factor that has great value and practical functionality.  We have a reputation for being visionaries, ahead-of-the-curve, and innovators.  We kinda like these labels, which resonate from the "paradigm shifts" that we’ve experienced in our personal lives.  At times we do feel like "a voice crying in the wilderness."

Rest assured, we don’t consider ourselves radicals or revolutionaries.  We are still ordinary people with extraordinary vision, especially as this relates to thinking and doing Church in the 21st Century.  And even though we think "outside the box," we still celebrate an organic, back-to-the-basics approach in life and ministry.  Jesus is at the center of our lives; guiding and directing our paths in purpose and mission.

For some of you, this kind of talk sounds a little "futuristic or out there!" But with all respect, this is the future of things to come.  In order for us to reach the next generations, we will have to shift into a higher gear in relevant language and practice.  New technology can help us.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)."

We are all wired for relationships. 

O.S. Hawkins, in his book entitled Tearing Down Walls and Building Bridges, says: “God wired us for relationships, and we can’t exist without them.  Small babies die without a loving touch.  Children are emotionally scarred for life in the absence of a loving parental relationship. It is said that bachelors, on the whole, don’t live as long as married men, and even married men who kiss their wives before leaving the house have fewer accidents than those who don’t.” 

Deep within the heart of every person is the strong, but often conflicting desire to “connect” with others.  All of us want to be secure in our own individuality; and at the same time, reach out and connect in meaningful relationships with others.  But what if we have a hard time “connecting” with certain people?

Research has shown that social proximity and communications do not constitute genuine connection, or authentic community development. People want more than casual conversation and personal contact.  They want to build genuine mutuality in relationships.  We all prefer to hang-out with people that really care about us and truly listen to what we have to stay.  We want relationships with people whom we share common interests and life experiences.  

Community is where we “connect” and build relationships – the most central factor in our existence as human being.  Our entire life is spent in an organic network of relationships; cut off from them, and we die.

Perhaps this is the reason why millions of people now choose to “connect” with others on the internet.  In his book, The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic, Howard Rheingold suggests, “Perhaps cyberspace is one of the informal public places where people can rebuild the aspects of community that were lost when the malt shop became a mall.” 

The internet provides people with new ways to “connect” and build relationships.  Perhaps the main reason why millions of people gravitate toward the internet has to do with the increasing popularity of online social networking.  The internet provides the most inclusive form of community on the planet. The benefits of an inclusive community environment are many and far reaching.

An inclusive environment is welcoming and accepting.  People feel safe and empowered.  They experience freedom to be themselves – unrestricted by labels and peer pressure.  People are free to voice their opinion and engage in open, honest conversation.  An inclusive environment is rich in culture and diversity; an inviting gathering place to meet new people and share life experiences.

While some critics question the validity of online community development, millions of people just do it.  Many have learned to integrate their online world with everyday living.

Regardless of circumstances, people will find a way to “connect.”  The internet provides entrance into an inclusive environment that beckons many to follow.  As to how this shakes-out in everyday relational development, only time and technology will tell.

Managing cell groups can be a challenge, especially if you are the pastor of the largest church in the world.

David Yonggi Cho is pastor of the largest Protestant church in the world, Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Korea.  A church with 750,000 members and approximately 25,000 cell groups.

During a recent breakfast in Southern California, Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church, asked pastor Cho: "How have you used technology to care for the needs of everyone in such a large church - to give personal attention when you have so many thousands of people?”

Cho responds:  “We couldn’t handle the situation without computers. We computerized everything in the church - every facet!  We also make use of the Internet.”

Concerning the future growth of his church, Cho says, “The next generation IS the Internet! Use the Internet - it is better…I have already announced to my people and ministers that the next step is to go into total cyberspace ministry because it is a real waste of money to build larger buildings.”

I was so excited reading this.  My immediate reaction was to simply get Pastor Cho on the phone and say, “We’ve got exactly what you are looking for.”  But, I don’t know how to get in touch with him.  Maybe someday.

I believe what we’ve got is the future in cell church software, especially with all the productivity tools that will be added.  We are also working on a way to translate our software in different languages.

It makes a lot of sense.  Cyberspace is where people are going.  So, why not take ministry to where millions of people are?

Everyone that sees Oikos is truly amazed. 

Greg and I were talking this morning about what people are saying about Oikos in the community. One of the friends of Greg’s family is Dr. Janet McMullen, associate professor of Radio/TV/Film at the University of North Alabama.  Both families attend church together.

In essence Dr. McMullen sensed great urgency for churches to use this cutting-edge technology to reach and minister to the "millennial generation."

Greg was "pumped" about what Dr. McMullen had to say about Oikos. He said, "I hope there are more people like Dr. McMullen who have a heart for ministry and a vision for new technologies that empower the Body of Christ."