You Version - The Web 2.0 Bible

YouVersion.com is a great new site that blends the networking and interactive features of Web 2.0 with Bible study. You can read the Bible online, using the King James, New King James, American Standard Version, and several more. You can tag verses with key words and then use the key words to find the verses later. You can even link verses to outside content. Imagine you find a YouTube video that relates to a particular scripture. You can link it in the My Version area so you can find it later. There is also a handy Journal area where you can take notes.
The home page has a very informative video to help you get started.

Acceptable (Responsible) Use Policies

At the CyberSafety conference we identified the need for churches to have Acceptable, or Responsible, Use Policies for the Internet and other electronic resources.

Most AUPs address the following: appropriate Email use, cyber-bullying prohibition, illegal use provision, no expectation of privacy, signature sheet, prohibition against unauthorized software, password policies, and copyrighted material concerns.

Some sample policies can be found at the locations below.

Wesley United Methodist Church

Safe Families

Fair Haven UMC

Diocese of Austin

What do you think? What components are important for an AUP?

Two generations experience the new Nissan GT-R

This week I had an experience that illustrates the impact technology, and particularly video games, are having on how we experience the world. I received the new Motor Trend magazine this week. It includes an article on the new Nissan GT-R which is scheduled to be released in the US next year. This car is obviously out of my price range but it is fun to read about.

My son Timothy was walking through the living room as I was reading the article and I shared it with him. I thought he would be excited to hear about it since we had discussed it previously. Instead he said, "Yeah, I know. I'm driving it upstairs." Turns out the Play Station 3 game Gran Turismo 5 includes the car as one of the choices. It was included when the came was released but it was not unlocked for play until the day the car was actually unveiled. So while I was reading a magazine and looking at pictures he was having a very different experience. He was using a steering wheel, pedals, and a big screen TV to experience the car from the driver's seat. Wow.

21st Century Sheep expect experiences that are interactive and engaging. How do we address this need in our churches?