Why Not Partner with ?

Tablet Computers (Photo credit: jzawodn)

I was recently asked a fascinating question: Is it feasible to plan a course on technology at the next Licensing School for Local Pastors?

The convener for that School, Rev. Dean Emerson, asked that during a break at a seminar we’re both attending. Turns out, one of his students asked a question or three about iPhones, tablet computers, and social media.

“Could it be done in an hour?” Um, no. Dean smiled, having guessed as much.

I told him it could be done in two, but for very, very limited platforms.

But then, I had a stroke of genius. It happens. Stop laughing.

I asked, “Why stop there?”

“What would it look like if we partnered with Best Buy or Apple or whomever to demonstrate the uses of their devices?”

“What if we had technology mentors?”

“What if this were a Continuing Education Unit for the Memphis Conference?”

Dean gets the idea. Dean is intrigued.

With some careful instruction to prevent this idea from becoming an extended commercial for some products, we could give some local retailers the opportunity to share with some folks who are facing an extreme learning curve.

We could ask those who are constantly helping people find their email on their phone to do that in a classroom setting for thirty or forty at a time instead of thirty or forty times a week.

How else could we prepare our clergy, young and old, to use technology to the best of their abilities?