God 2.0
Posted by Chris | Filed under Design, Inner Thoughts, Religion, Standards, Technology
Wow. It’s been a while since either of us has written anything meaningful here. Yes, we love to brag about Trinity. I love to talk about nerdy stuff. Jen loves to avoid the blog whenever she can. Well, it’s good to be back.
Jen and I actually got to attend most of a church service this past Sunday (don’t judge, we are usually doing Kids’ Church). And during worship, a man in our church got up and started talking about obediance. He had something to say to the congregation and he felt that he wasn’t being obediant until he said it. Neither Jen nor I can really remember the whole point to his message, but what caught both of us was the obediance.
That got me thinking about what I should be obediant about and how I should use my gifts. We all have gifts, and we all need to use our gifts for the advancement of the Kingdom. We aren’t here to promote ourselves, our club, group, church, etc., but that’s a whole other topic. We’re here to use our gifts. I thought to myself, “Self.”
Self said, “Yes?”
“What are my gifts? What can I do to be obediant and reach the people for God?”
Self replied, “Well, you’re a nerd that is into computers. You know HTML, CSS, a little Flash, you know, nerd stuff. You’re fairly quiet, fairly inquisitive, a decent thinker. You’re really into technology, getting into politics and the news, but are still a conspiracy theorist to a point.”
“Okay, that’s a little random, but I generally agree with that,” said I.
“Why can’t you use technology to reach people? You could build websites for God and be all geeky for the Kingdom.”
“Good point, Self. I’m an okay designer though. What are all the good designers doing to promote God in their media?”
To me, it seems like when anyone tries to promote God through the Web (and most of any technologically advanced media), it comes out hoakey, cheesey, and irrelevent. This includes church web sites, businesses that promote religious artifacts and non-profits that promote the Kingdom. I have decided not to post any specific sites on which I would put the aforementioned labels. I believe that, even though I see them as cheesey and irrelevent, someone may find comfort and joy in them. I also do not wish to tear down brothers in Christ. Plus, I realize that many organizations cannot afford help in designing a Web site, so some poor secretary is sitting in front of her screen trying to sort through a WYSIWYG editor or trying to teach herself HTML from online searches. I would like to draw your attention to some of the better examples:
The guys over at Godbit.com have actually answered my question before I even asked it. From what I can tell, Godbit.com is the brainchild of Nathan Smith. I’ve been reading Nathan’s blog for about 6 months now. He is a talented designer/developer who loves the Lord and wants to see the Kingdom advanced. From his writings, I can’t tell what denomination he is, which is a big reason I like him so much. Godbit features many authors discussing ways to bring the Church into the 21st Century.
This is so common in fact, that the term “Christian” when associated with the Internet has become synonymous with “sub-par.” Without pointing fingers specifically, some of these practices include overuse of JavaScript, malformed (X)HTML, all-Flash websites, and over-dependence on tables for layout.
We realize that no one person can do everything well, and so we hope that through engaging in a community discussion, we can all learn from one another, and in so doing be like iron sharpening iron, spurring one another on to further understanding, and greater achievement.
While I don’t necessarily agree with the “all-Flash websites” (see: Origins Community), I love the job that they are doing. They are probably doing the best job in bringing the Church up to speed on web development, technology, and Spirituality. Their name says it all: Theology + Technology.
SacredSpace.ie could take a few lessons from Godbit.com in the way of design, but needs no help in the Annointing. Jen found SS somehow (not exactly sure), but it is a great site. They post a new prayer every day, actually they are always a few days ahead, and let you see a few days back (in case you missed one).
It’s just a few minutes, in front of your monitor, getting alone with God. In this crazy world of multitasking and gadgets, SS.ie lets you get in touch with God, even if it’s just a few minutes. It’s a good way to spend a lunch or a break.
The design could use some help. They use Javascript for the prayers, but the homepage is one long page in which you are taken down to different sections by links. If you are using a monitor that is smaller than 17”, you may think you are being taken to a whole different page. But if you look at the scrollbar, you can tell.
These definately aren’t the only 2. I would like some feedback into what sites you visit that have Spiritual meaning or any technology-related material that promotes God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.
7 Responses to “God 2.0”
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Jen Says:
March 22nd, 2006 at 10:46 amI was just wondering if you thought about using your gifts because John said that in church, OR because you have been watching Trinity’s veggie tale movie “Lord of the Beans” in which Todo Baggypants has been given a gift (the bean) and he wants to know how to use it. Just wondering:)
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Nathan Smith Says:
March 22nd, 2006 at 7:28 pmMy one and only qualm with all-Flash websites is accessibility. I agree, the Origins Community site is very well done. I think that we’re slowly approaching a point in which Flash can be accessible to blind users, in which case I’d say sure – go wild. Tables for layout I will stand my ground on though.
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julie Says:
March 22nd, 2006 at 11:56 pmStay on the edge but remember – content is the key. Once you nab them what do you have to communicate? It’s no different than having a church that has all the bells and whistles but once people are there, do you have any substance? And do your claims match your reality? I feel the same way about technology. All of my dvd’s are scratched. Every vhs tape I have works fine. Same content. Different form. I’ll choose what works.
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Jen Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 4:18 pmOR you could just do like Julie does and throw up a site that has no design AND no content like her xanga page.
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julie Says:
March 23rd, 2006 at 7:07 pmThat xanga page was a total accident. Why do you think I prefer VHS? I just wanted the ability to make snide remarks on people’s websites and poof! I have my own site. Which makes a good point. Just make websites that people like me can navigate. Please?
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Chris Says:
March 24th, 2006 at 11:57 am@ Nathan
I totally understand where you’re coming from. The problem is that you’re always excluding some one. Currently, it’s the Flash designers. But I see how you made your desicion.
@Julie
I totally agree with you too, that you have to have the content despite the design. However, shallow people like me aren’t always able to get to the content b/c of the design. I know that churches aren’t supposed to be the best web designers in the world, but it wouldn’t hurt to contract out or even see if you can get a pro bono thing. I’m sure Nathan has done some, I’ve done one or two. I just think god design helps the message shine through even brighter.
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Jarrod Says:
April 4th, 2006 at 4:12 pmAs a casual observer, I feel somewhat like I am butting in here, but I felt led to post a response.
My wife and I, recently contemplating a move to Corvallis, OR, were looking into churches there. I checked out the site http://www.calvarycorvallis.org/ to get some information about this church.
I am no connoisseur, but I thought this site was pretty well done compared to many of the church websites I had visited. I am just beginning to dabble in CSS myself, and used it as a reference for re-vamping another site that I was doing.
Not sure if they contracted out for it or did it themselves… Corvallis is a college town known for its geeks, so they may have had some talented guys in the congregation do it.
So, anyways, here is a 2-cent opinion from a random surfer.
God Bless
