A friend from my church called today because she had heard I had taught my Sunday School class on line this past Sunday and wanting to learn how to do it. She had been told we had done Zoom which we had not. I teach a group of older adults and thought Zoom would be a little much for some. I had done Facebook Live. Here is the "plus" of Facebook Live that I learned. We had about eighty five on live with us, but another one hundred or so have looked at it later, since it continues to be on my page. It is a reminder that there are pluses to different methodology.
I am impressed with what so many College Ministers are doing in this "new normal" of students not being on campus. I was in a Zoom visit with six or seven College Ministers from around the country this week and it was encouraging to hear what different ones are doing and what they are learning.
Darrell Cook at Virginia Tech had a large group event on Zoom with more than 100 students in it. Their thought had been to do this one time to kick off their small groups, but then it went so well, maybe this needs to be an every week thing. Another is posting on Facebook a brief daily devotional done by one of their students.
One feature in Zoom meetings that one mentioned was just discovering was that a large group Zoom meeting can use "Breakout Room" to create small groups and then come back together in the large group.
A former student put me in touch with Todd Boyum, who is a former Dell employee, who has done an eBook (Spreading Connection While Socially Distanced) for using technology in ministry. Todd is a Christian and he is offering the book for $9.95 and with it his personal coaching. Some topics in the eBook "Connecting with Large Groups on a Budget"; "Advanced Leveraging of Smart Phones. "Using Zoom and How to do Breakout Rooms".
Mr Boyum indicated to me that he would be willing to do it for a large group such as a state wide BCM organization for $2.00 each. One of the things Todd does now is on line coaching. As a part of the deal, he will work with people individually to help them solve problems or answer questions. Todd's email is todd.boyum@reachmeglobal.net. His cell is 512.970.3836. For some of you techie folks, this may not be something you need, but for those whom this is a whole new world, you may want to check it out. I am not getting a cut of this financially....just trying to throw out helps and I will be glad to share others as they come my way.
PLEASE, PLEASE share what you are learning, so everyone can benefit as we go along and it will speed up the learning and ministry curve for all of us. Don't be afraid to share your failures as well. That will be an encouragement to all to know we are not the only one not getting it all done perfectly on first try. Tell what resources have been of value to you or what does NOT work, etc. I continue to be encouraged by what I see different ministries doing. Ministry with college students is happening and students are coming to Christ through what is happening. Keep on. Learn from and encourage one another!
This is a Friday addition: One College Minister reports posting his Zoom code on social media and having someone join their Bible Study group and begin making obscene comments. Beware of how you share your Zoom Code or set up a "Waiting Room" and only admit those who have been invited.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and is the author of five books on college ministry at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).
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