Who Are You, Really?
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?
This has been a big challenge for us at Simon Solutions. We are a diverse group of ages, expertises, and visions; despite this, we have managed to bind together and create synergistic solutions. This didn’t happen overnight. We’ve spent months growing in this process…and we’re still growing.
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.
This purpose and mission that so defines us as individuals, finds authentic expression is the corporate life of our company. We are community-minded, big on building meaningful relationships, and passionate about serving people and their needs. When we say that "We’re here to help!" - we really mean it.
Right now, our main focus is providing technology solutions for ministries extremely concerned about reaching this next generation for Christ. We define this next generation not so much in terms of age, but in mind-set and practice. These people are best described as change agents, visionaries, and creative thinkers. They are image-driven and entrenched in technology.
They spend hours on the internet; integrating their online world with everyday living. They are young and old; men and women; boys and girls. They are "seekers" of truth and crusaders for authentic community.
These are the people we want to help. Many are in the pews on Sunday morning; others are surfing the internet late at night. Approximately 100 million (according to Barna Research Group) are "displaced," hoping to find a true expression of Christianity online. Whether we want to accept this or not, the internet is where a lot of Christians are gathering for encouragement and support.
Our mission is to provide Christians and "seekers" with an interactive online gated community; one that’s safe and secure. A place of refuge from all the "noise" of this world. A place where people find encouragement and inspiration.
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.
So, there you have it. This is what we believe. This is who we really are; plain and simple. We take great strength and courage from the words of Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet:
"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)."
