November 11, 2011


Missouri Conference News High-Tech Chat


Lay Leader Column By Brian hammons


Ten Words to Remember for a Fruitful Lay Ministry: Jesus, Mission, Pastor, Field, Connect, Read, Simple, Discipline, Fruit, Spirit


Field What does the word “Field”


have to do with lay ministry? Well, maybe the image of an empty field isn’t what we’re after. But perhaps a field crowded with people isn’t far off. Our Methodist roots are in


the field – literally. In 1739 John Wesley found that very few people were in the church building, so he began to preach outside – in a field near Bristol, England. The result? About three thousand people heard the Gospel message of grace that day! And after that first submission to go against tra- dition and “be more vile,” as he wrote, Wesley’s greatest preach- ing impact was outside where the people were. In America, the Methodist


movement grew largely because leaders also went where the people were. They didn’t stay in the church building waiting for folks to come. They went out- side, meeting in homes or public meeting houses, going west as the nation grew. Jesus’ Great Commission, and


thus our mission, is to “Go” with his authority and presence, and “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). He didn’t say to wait for them to come but to go out – into the streets, the restau- rants, the workplaces, the lake- shore, even the field. Wherever


the people are. The message of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ is transformational, able to change the world one person at a time. But we have to get out of our comfortable pews, to “be more vile” as Wesley did, and take the message to them. Wherever they are. Ourselves. Laity and clergy alike. What is your congregation’s


mission “field”? Where is God calling you to “go” with the mes- sage of Jesus Christ? Where are the people that you can reach? That’s your “field”? Some of the tools we use in HCI consulta- tions, such as MissionInsight, can provide surprising demographic information about who is there. And as you venture into that field, you discover that God is there already with those people, simply needing you to help a little in pro- ducing abundant fruit. The concept of an expanded


“field”, including younger people and more diverse people, is vitally important if we are to be part of a renewed Methodist movement – God’s “new thing”. May God bless and guide you as you go out into your field in the name of Jesus. Thanks again for your leader-


ship! Brian Hammons, Mo. Conference Lay Leader


Mobile strategies that work Placing your church within an arm’s reach


By Eric Seiberling Mobile messaging and applica-


tions are the latest innovations your church can use to reach a wider audience. In today’s busy world, this technology enables you to reach people while they’re on the go. Many people believe mobile


is just a fad … the data suggests otherwise. Whether for teens in the


United States or people in the Philippines, mobile devices are becoming the primary method to connect, communicate and relate to one another. Mobile provides real-time connectivity, 24/7, in the palm of a hand. Mobile usage is growing. Every


region of the world is experienc- ing very rapid spread of mobile usage. Smartphone penetration is growing exponentially world- wide. Cisco Systems Inc. forecasts that global mobile data traffic will grow 26 times over the next five years. Mobile is here to stay. Are you ready to place your


church within an arm’s reach? In the Great Commission, Jesus


calls us to reach out to all nations — even when it means trekking into unfamiliar territory. We need to reach people wherever they are. A mobile strategy can help connect people to your church. Make your website


mobile. More than 40 percent of users access the Internet through their phones. We need to create our websites in a format acces- sible by smartphones and other mobile devices. If Wordpress powers your website, try www. BuddyPress.org, WPTouch Pro or WordPress Mobile Edition. Look at Mashable’s article for other tools to create a mobile website


Vision: Growing, fruitful, vibrant congregations changing lives through Jesus Christ.


www.moumethodist.org


(http://mashable.com/2010/12/16/ create-mobile-site-tools/). There’s an app for that. If you


want to go one step beyond a mobile website, try making an app. AppMaker (www.appmaker. com) provides an easy way to make an iPhone app. Appsbar (www.appsbar.com) can help cre- ate apps for both iOS and Android operating systems. Reach out and text some-


one. Text messaging is becoming the primary method of communi- cation around the globe, especially for youth and young adults. You can use tools like www.Txt Signal. com, www.Tatango.com or www. ChurchTextingManager.com to send mass text messages to adver- tise events, send reminders and request prayers. Connect via QR (Quick


Response) Codes. QR codes are two-dimensional matrix barcodes that can be scanned or read with your iPhone, Android or other camera-enabled smartphone. The codes can link to digital content on the web or activate phone functions, such as e-mail, instant messaging and Short Message Service (SMS). You need to gen- erate a QR code (using a QR code generator like www.qrcode. Kaywa.com) and decide where to connect it. It could link to a special-events page to promote a church outreach event or to a YouTube video. Use it to offer directions to your church, “Like” your Facebook page (www.likify. net) or even send a text message to your church SMS account. Put a QR code on marketing mate- rials, church signage, vacation Bible school registration forms or wherever you want people to find more information or to act. The individual can use a QR Code


reader app like www.i-nigma.com (all smartphone OS) or Qrafter (iPad) to scan it with their camera and access the “call to action” you created. GroupMe (and others). One


helpful tool for church staffs, youth groups and other teams is www.GroupMe.com. This online tool allows you to create a group of 25 people and then do group text messaging and conference calls. It also allows photo shar- ing. Four to 10 people is the best group size. Create several groups to make communication manage- able. GroupMe and other online tools can help your team coordi- nate events or improve collabora- tion. Test … learn … rinse …


repeat. Mobile marketing is not a


cure-all for your church, but it can help you connect with your community. Try differ- ent approaches and see what works. Start small by using mobile marketing techniques around a single event like your children’s Christmas program. Create a micro-site using Wordpress and then use WPTouchPro to make it mobile. Next, create an app that includes videos, songs the chil- dren will sing and pictures from the event. Include QR codes on all posters, invitations and signage for the event. Take the time to test and


refine your approach. This is your opportunity to bring your church within an arm’s reach of your community.


Eric Seiberling is the church


strategy and marketing blogger at www.flockology.com


3A


THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE REVIEW


Robert Schnase Bishop, Missouri Area Sherry Habben


Director of Connectional Ministries Contact information 3601 Amron Court Columbia, Missouri 65202 E-mail for news submission: fk oenig@moumethodist.org


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Lorraine Sanders, Circulation


Circulation e-mail: lsanders@moumethodist.org Next Deadline: Nov. 11 Next Issue: Nov. 25


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