With people looking for new and effective ways to connect, I thought that I would share what I have been using to connect with my family (both church and biological). I will list the features that I use, as well as some limitations.
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One-to-one connections:
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WhatsApp – available for Android, iPhone, Mac, and PC.
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Works all over the world (great for connecting with those overseas!)
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Video chats with individuals
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Group texting
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Video and picture sharing
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Voice messages (perfect for saying happy birthday when someone doesn’t answer)
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Downside: it is one more thing to sign up for.
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The other basics:
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Call someone: believe it or not, smartphones can still make phone calls!
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Texting: be sure to include your flip-phone comrades!
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Group Video Chats
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Google Hangouts – available for Android, iPhone, Mac, PC, and through browser
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FREE!
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Most useful for small-group video chats (maximum of 25 people)
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Has all the basic functions of a group video: mute yourself, share your screen, turn video off, file sharing, etc.
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Only “downside” is that you must have a gmail account to use it.
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Zoom – Available for all devices
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Seems like everyone is using Zoom now
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This is how most of our Connect Groups will be meeting for the time being. This is how we are meeting as a Church Staff also.
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If you don’t have a computer or smartphone, you can still call from a landline and be a part of the audio
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Downside: It costs money for meetings longer than 40 minutes
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Social Media
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Swift Creek Baptist Church Facebook Page – Most of the official church announcements, teaching, and communication is posted here
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Church Facebook “Groups” – these are “closed” groups that require you to be approved. We do this because it allows us to share more personal needs and prayer requests without it being publicly posted.
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Swift Creek Kids – Run by Janelle (my wife), which means you’ll get good, encouraging posts to interact with.
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Swift Creek Students – Run by Pastor Mark, which means lots of good wisdom combined with his insanely adorable children.
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Swift Creek Women’s Ministry – I have no idea what they do in this group. I’m not allowed in…
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Non-“connection” apps, but useful
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Food ordering – we all know Chick-fil-a has an app, but…
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Slice is an app that LOCAL pizzerias use to make online ordering available to their customers. I have used it and I am glad that I have online ordering options other than the major pizza chains.
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Starbucks App…because sometimes you just gotta…
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Grocery stores also have apps to help with your shopping. I know Kroger is doing free pickup right now. (of course, item availability may vary)
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Feel free to make your order, then ask someone from the church to do the pickup for you if you are in an “at risk” group.
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Call the church office for help with this (804) 739-3001
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We live in a time where technology connects us more than ever. Use it wisely. Use it to connect with others and be the Body of Christ.