We’ve long had the desire to move our kids’ check-in system to the web-based system that comes with Fellowship One (Our church management software). Internet access has always been a hurdle. The school isn’t able to allow us to use their network. They also aren’t able to let us install our own line. So, we’ve had to come up with a new solution.

That’s where the Novatel 2200 comes into play. We’re going to be using this handy little device on the Verizon network to give us internet access for our 3 check-in stations. Certainly it’s not optimal. But in my early tests, We’ve been able to simultaneously use two check-in stations and watch a video on YouTube with almost no hindrance. And that’s in our office which tends to be an network dead zone (just two bars coming through).

The simplicity of this device is also a winner. Just 1 button. Let me say that again, just 1 button. You turn it on, it shows up as a wi-fi network in your regular drop-downs, pop in the password and you’re off. No real set-up, just push the button. Brilliant.

I’m very excited to give this a spin as we begin real-world testing in early December preparing for launch in the beginning of January.

UPDATE 11/08/09: Fantastic first time use running our Counts Team machines as they processed checks and gifts from our congregation today. Fast. Simple. Plenty of connection to go around.

This is a great reminder of the importance of Fair Trade. Thanks to @neerajmehta for posting.

So when his new iPhone app launched last week, I jumped to check it out. Despite the hefty price tag ($7.99 US), I still downloaded it immediately. Later, I found out that this wasn’t much to pay for what I got.

Here’s a few features of the app:

1. It’s essentially a cookbook. There’s 50 “20 Minute Meals” (My first one took about 45 minutes, but I’ll get there.)
2. It’s a mobile shopping list. (Every recipe allows you to add the ingredients to a shopping list. You can add multiple recipes to the list, just bring your phone to the store, which you’re likely carrying anyway)
3. It’s like a pocket sous chef. (It tells you all the equipment you need to layout to prepare the meal)
4. It’s a cooking class. There’s quick video lessons on kitchen essentials like how to use a knife properly and more)
5. It’s visual teacher. (Each recipe has step by step instructions with pictures, videos or sound cues like, “don’t forget to check on your potatoes at this point. Truly brilliant.)
6. It doesn’t treat you like a dummy. (The recipes aren’t like shake and bake chicken. It’s real food, real ingredients and real cooking. But the app is designed to be helpful and Jamie’s attitude isn’t condescending. He really wants you to learn to cook)

This may sound odd…
but this little app was a paradigm shift for me. I’ve got 4 Jamie Oliver cookbooks at home. A bunch of shows recorded on the DVR. But this little app made it so easy for me to plan, prepare and cook an awesome meal, that I feel like it has unleashed a new understanding of the potential of mobile computing for me. Everyone probably thinks I’m a major dork at the end of this article, but I’m serious.

This little app is a game-changer for me.

Oh, and by the way, whoever designed this thing is a rockstar. So well done. So beautiful. So detailed.

Thinking about Kem Meyer’s Social Media breakout at the Innovate Conference last week.

I started blogging and entering the social media world about 4-5 years ago. Honestly, I haven’t thought much about you the reader. Realistically, I’ve been thinking about myself. My passions, my quirkiness, my nerdiness, my self-absorbtion. Kem challenged the room to consider their primary audience in the realm of social media and to not forget about their secondary audience.

As I reflect over the last few years, here’s where I think my audience is (feel free to tell me I’m wrong):

1. Church Communications/Design World
   This is really where my heart is, and I’m hoping to make a stronger effort at being useful to this community in the coming months. I love the people, the network, the culture of hope that this community has. I’m excited to be a part of it.
2. Foodie Culture
   I love food. I love cooking. I love tweeting about it and I love creating in the kitchen. I’m working on a new blog devoted solely to my foodie life. Coming soon.
3. Prefab Housing
   It’s an odd combination, but I love modern prefab. Over 50% of the people that come to my blog are coming for links about modern prefab. I’m not sure what to do about that, but I will still post about pretty prefab from time to time.
4. The Sanctuary
   For better or worse, people @theSanctuary see me as the social media outlet for the Sanctuary. I need to work hard to improve the usefulness of our network to help people make a move toward Jesus.
5. Funny lovers
   Usually, the first thing people say when I bump into them is how funny my tweets are. My wife, still won’t admit I’m funny. And maybe people are generally laughing at me. I started this little comedy routine as an outlet for myself. But, I won’t forget, you, the fans, that make my snide remarks worthwhile. HA!

Maybe now that I’ve made assumptions about who you are, maybe you could tell me and share a link to your blog or twitter profile.

If you aren’t following me on Twitter, now is your chance!

http://www.twitter.com/jeremyscheller

Why in the world would you want to be immersed in Social Media?

Is it good for you? Is it good for your organization?

Social media is about discovering the potential of your hidden network. There are opportunities and value in discovering who you’re connected to.

Use tools like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Vimeo, YouTube, etc. to discover your links to

• The World
• Personal & Family
• Team & Staff
• Church & Professional
• Tools & Resources

Wherever you jump in to social media, begin to think about these things:

1. Who is your primary audience? (Keep in mind your secondary audience)
2. Figure out what you want to do. (A journal, an expression of personality, to connect)

Then,

• Get help
• Take it one thing at a time
• Watch for a while
• Start interacting

Communication is not about sending the right message, it’s all about getting the right response.

How to clarify your message for the right response.

1. Check your ego
2. Get an image consultant
3. Keep it simple

Who gives a rip if your idea is original?

Talking about recycling ideas.

We’re all trying to make an impact for God’s Kingdom. How are we going to do it. So many church leaders feel like they have to do the next new thing. New and original are great, but it might not be the most important question.

We don’t ask the question, “Is this original…but we ask, Is this effective?”

Somebody visiting your church today is just sampling. They are new. They are a fresh face with a possibly fresher faith. They need you to help them get to their next step.

So all this made me think of this talk Shawn Wood gave at MinistryCom a few years ago. I think it’s highly appropriate when talking about Recycled vs Original Content.

The point is, what does it take to have a high impact? And what is the least amount of work to have the highest amount of impact. So, find the sweet spot. Don’t get hung up on needing to be original every time. Find the place to have the greatest impact for Christ in the least complicated manner.

The innovations of ministry will need collaboration and teams creating for common purposes that give God glory.

God is calling us to take people he brings to us to build a core, to build a team.

So How do you build a team?

• Make sure everybody is clear about the Mission, Vision and Values. Can everybody on your team clarify your mission? You need to be able to say, “This is why we’re here. This is what every bit of our energy is working toward.
• Create a place of Covenant Community. Not free association. Make it a place where people know that commitment is key to truly be a part of the team.

The place where people, you, mission, vision and values intersect creates the fabric that holds a team together to do the work of the kingdom.