mike jones

Hosting a live event and wish you could interact with your event participants?

Is there a way that people could use the technology built into their mobile devices to provide feedback to what’s being presented – live?

Meet YouVersion Live!

I had the pleasure of getting a sneak preview this last week of the latest technological breakthrough from the Digerati team at lifechurch.tv lead by Bobby Gruenwald and Terry Storch. This team has developed some amazing things over the last couple of years and their latest is nothing less than brilliance!

As a follow up to the very successful mobile application YouVersion (which in short, allows you to carry many bible versions along with your notes on your mobile device anywhere you can access the internet), this new addition available in October gives mobile app users the ability to have live interaction within scheduled event.

The event does not have to necessarily be a worship gathering, but tied to YouVersion makes it seem like an easy fit. YouVersion Live allows event participants to take notes with a predetermined presentation outline, answer questions, submit prayer requests, give online, respond to polls (that can have results posted live for people to see)… just to name a few options. The setup on the event side seems very easy and my opinion opens the door to two-way conversations to take place. People want to be able to interact in an event and what better way to do so by using the technology most event participants already have at their disposal… web enabled mobile devices.

You can check out details and get a glimpse of the power of this FREE application online here. I can definitely see the use for this in worship gatherings at The Orchard where we have already seen the usefulness of live texting through tools like Jarbyco. What better way to get a pulse on what your crowd is thinking and feeling and how they are responding to what is being presented?

Are you ready and open for conversation?

Check out this brief interview I had with Tony Steward of Lifechurch.tv on the new YouVersion Live! Can’t wait for what’s next!

We’ve been in the middle of a message series at The Orchard called Yesterday.  It’s a series that takes a look at the spiritual leaders from the past, from Yesterday, and learning what we can to help us on our journey forward.

It has been a powerful series.

A few weeks ago, our church community took a look at Saint Benedict of Nursia who had some great teachings on Humility.  In response and preparation for the weekend gathering,

I wrote a poem which we had Chris Rayford do a dramatic reading of at the end of the service.

Humility

we gathered together
the night before
did a lot of walking
listened to some talking
electricity in the air
time to remember
a time to eat and drink
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

I expected a lot
the night before
I was a nobody before I met him
right-hand man now I’m hoping
time for a change
he’ll take the reins
show us how to lead
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

we met in that room
the night before
to praise what God had done
how he had once saved us
now we have a king
“Hosanna!” they did sing
is it really God’s son we’ve seen?
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

as we sit at the table
the night before
who will wash us? who will serve?
was anyone for this job secured?
for certain not me
get on hands and knees
to make us ready to eat
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

then it happened
that night before
he picked up the basin of water
picked up the place of no honor
as a servant he knelt
I did nothing to help
what could it possibly mean?
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

he washed our feet
the night before
washed us all one by one
in a servants place, God’s own Son
I couldn’t believe it
“master please stop it!
you’ll never wash my feet”
but they were dirty and now they’re clean

with tears in my eyes
that night before
I watched the master, the Son
wash our feet, one by one
me and the others who stayed
even the one who betrayed
“do for others as you have seen”
my feet were dirty but now they’re clean

so much humility
that night before
the next day showed even more
he died in my place, my Savior
put me above himself
could I do for someone else?
lift others as greater than me?
your feet were dirty but now they’re clean

Thanks for the encouragement from my team and fellow leaders and for God’s inspiration. Now go in humility.

… a lot more than ever before! Still, I’d like to flex my public writing muscles a bit more so back to the blog yet again!

Been doing some poetry writing and some song writing. If nothing else they help me express thoughts, feelings and my journey.

And yes, I’ve changed my blog layout yet again. Still trying to find something that is me but also inspires me to write more. Inspiration is important.

What inspires you?

Peace.