This week Billy and I are going to work on the web pages for the youth programs. We’ve been discussing, what the purpose of a website really is and so to answer that question we researched other youth programs’ websites and various Internet applications. Jim Collins in his book “Good to Great” describes technology as an accelerator, it’s not a solution to all problems, it’s not something that will make your ministry succeed, it will just accelerate you along the path you are going. Therefore, if your youth ministry is doing well and has a strong foundation and you apply technology towards that strong foundation then you can accelerate to greatness. On the other hand if you have a youth ministry that is struggling, not doing well, adding more technology could only help it accelerate to destruction.
I believe Nativity’s youth ministry has a good foundation so some of the things we are looking at is creating a website that addresses three crowds. Youth, Parents and Ministers. For the youth we are looking at involving applications such as Twitter, Blogger and Youtube like features. The point of having these is to communicate to teens in different ways and bringing them to a site with relevant and truth filled teaching. For the parents, it’s about updating, informing and empowering them to raise youth up in a Godly manner. Not to say I have all the answers, I certainly don’t but I’ll keep parents updated with the program schedule and also provide links to resources, training and other information that they can use to empower their parenting. Lastly, we are putting together a message board where ministers can pray together, share wins in youth ministry and lastly receive updates and training. We are constantly looking to create community and on top of all the gatherings we can plan, it will be good to also provide an online community for them to grow and connect.
I don’t know how long it will take to make this all happen, right now it’s about putting together a plan and making it clear and simple with how people can connect to Christ online and make our technology an accelerator motivator for Christ.