A historic gathering of Seventh-day Adventist communication and information technology professionals have converged near Sao Paulo, Brazil for a week-long series of events that seek to better understand technology, its current use in the Church and ways in which it can enhance mission effectiveness.
The Ministry of Information Technology
The week began on August 7 with the fourth annual meeting of information technology (IT) specialists from around the world. A record 336 attendees from multiple countries flocked to the Southern Hemisphere to grapple with the ever-changing technology landscape and the even more dynamic landscape of global mission.
“Reaching the world through technology solutions and services’ is our mission statement,” explained General Conference administrator of ITS Software Development
Stephen Filkoski. His words were reflected in close to two dozen other presentations that peppered the two days of intense meetings—IT is a ministry function that provides tools for effective ministry.
“You have a unique ministry,” said Mabio Coelho, Chief Information Security Officer for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to those in attendance. “What you do is no less a ministerial work than pastors and those who physically baptize other people.”
1 comments
You are very correct and relevant. Technology and Mission must marry if we are to reach the world, especially the Millennials who are now entering the workforce and other religions that do not want to have face to face contact with Christians. Members born since 1982 are born with technology stamped on their DNA, hence, to reach succeeding generations with the gospel, technology will play a very vital and critical role. Baby boomers are now getting ready for retirement, and Generation-Xers are taking over with the Millennials or Generation Y on their heels. On the mark, get set go as we marry technology and Mission to finish the work and usher in more early than later the coming of our Lord and Saviour , Jesus Christ.