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Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss using technology in children’s ministry. Jason shared the following points to remember when using technology in children’s ministry.

Points to Remember…

• Technology is just a tool…think of it as another tool in your ministry toolbox that can help you to be more effective in your ministry.
• You will only be as effective in ministry as you rely on God for your strength; avoid the temptation of relying on your own strength just because you can.

Keys to Using Technology Effectively in Your Ministry:

1. Have a purpose. Don’t just use technology for the sake of using tech.
2. Use technologies that are the best fit. After you determine the purposes or needs that you have, select technologies that help you meet those needs (ie: communicating with others, ministry administration, time management, presentations, etc.)
3. Spend less time, not more! Technology should ultimately make your life easier, not more complicated.
4. Know when to pull the plug. In our society today there is often the expectation that we need to be available 24/7. Email/IM/SMS all make this possible. Set boundaries and take time away from the technology.
5. Start with free. If there is a free version of a technology that’s available, try the free version first before spending too much time and $$ on a premium paid version
6. Stay relevant. Pick technologies that your staff, kids, or parents are also using.
7. Be realistic. Don’t take on too much at once, don’t try to master too many new technologies at once.
8. Involve kids whenever possible. Just because you can do something with technology, doesn’t mean YOU should; train-up kids to use the technologies.

Rhode’s Top 10 Online Technologies You Can’t Live Without

1. Google Reader (reader.google.com) – keep track of your favorite news, blogs, or other RSS-enabled sites
2. YouVersion (youversion.com) – online Bible study site, also available on mobile platforms like iPhone, iPod Touch, and BlackBerry
3. Google Docs (docs.google.com) – collaborate with team when developing documents, spreadsheets, or presentations
4. Twitter (twitter.com) – keep in touch via 140 character short messages from either online, computer client, or mobile device
5. Facebook (facebook.com) – Stay connected with volunteers, parents, and kids; create your own groups
6. Ning (ning.com) – create your own private social network for connecting with workers, parents, or kids in your ministry
7. YouTube (youtube.com) – share videos from ministry events; kids create videos to share in ministry
8. SlideShare (slideshare.net) – share PowerPoint presentations with others
9. Google Sites (sites.google.com) – create a simple online presence for your ministry or yourself
10. Delicious (delicious.com) – bookmark your favorite online resources for easy access from any computer and/or share with others

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Keep the feedback coming! Send your questions, comments, or ideas to childrensministrytalk@gmail.com. As always, you can find complete details about this podcast at childrensministrytalk.com.

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