I’m not all that great at keeping secrets. I’m pretty terrible at it actually. My kids know how I feel about keeping secrets – so unless it is a birthday surprise that will be revealed in 48 hours or less? We don’t do secrets around here.
When I was asked to be a part of AT&T’s new faith and mobility initiative, I was really excited. I would be able to go to Blogging While Brown this year and be a part of the program launch, talk with Jason Caston (@jasoncaston), author of The iChurch Method (@ichurchmethod) and the Social Media and Innovative Tech Director at T.D. Jakes Ministries, interview my fellow bloggers at the conference about faith and tech, and hang out with the team from AT&T and the members of the closing panel: L. Michelle Smith, AT&T U.S. Diversity Corporate Communications; Chip Dizard, Ministry Multimedia Expert; Tiffani Robinson, Digital and Social Expert and of course, Jason Caston (who I found out is a SERIOUS Disney dad).
So here’s the catch: I couldn’t say much of anything about the program until after the closing session of Blogging While Brown… AT&T was taking a risk when they asked a blogger to keep quiet – but I managed to do it… well sort of. They let me give a bit of a hint in this pre-conference blog post.
Check out my fellow bloggers sharing how they use mobile technology to stay inspired on the go (part 1):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaZrxITueeI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03akpZn2_5E
This was my third Blogging While Brown conference, and I have to say, this was one of the most interactive closing sessions I have ever been to. Attendees were not only sharing stories of church selfies, and viral videos, but also voicing their concerns.
How can you feel comfortable expressing yourself and worshiping in church if there is a chance that your moment of intense worship could be recorded, uploaded, and go viral? You are only expecting your church family to see you when you are “slain in the spirit” not the whole world? No one wants to become a meme while they worship. No one. What about the tithing kiosks in the lobby area? ATM machines? Is this commerce? Should someone start turning over tables? When you give using an app, do you owe sister so and so an explanation when she side eyes you as you skip the collection plate?
Here are the The Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile Devices at Your Place of Worship according to Jason Caston, Social Media and Innovative Tech Director at T.D. Jakes Ministries.
The discussion is flowing on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook with the hashtag #inspiredmobility – join in!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqyxcq6p7QA
One attendee said that the beginning of the tech revolution in her church began then the pastor was gifted an iPad. He began to preach sermons from it, and it prompted him to really delve into technology as it pertains to faith and inspiration. So do you need some inspiration on the go? Thanks to AT&T, you have a chance to win the technology pack that I am giving away including an iPad mini! Yes, you read that right… an iPad mini. Giveaway ends 7/21/2014. Only available within the 48 contiguous United States. Void where prohibited. Use the form below to enter.
Enter for your chance to win an iPad mini from AT&T and SocaMom.com! [THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED]
Click here to find out more about the Inspired Mobility program and how AT&T promotes the use of mobile technology to uplift and inspire. – http://about.att.com/newsroom/inspired_mobility_using_mobile_technology_to_uplift_and_inspire.html
I am really excited to be a part of this launch along with fellow bloggers from The Cubicle Chick, Brown Girl Gumbo, For Harriet, and Little Tech Girl.
Follow @jasoncaston and @att on Twitter, and join the conversation using the hashtag #inspiredmobility.
