Redeem the Commute continues to grow, in many exciting ways! Are you “interested people”? I’ve been reflecting on a chance encounter with some local church members. When they asked what Redeemer, Ajax was all about, I shared the 30-second vision. They said, with the best of intentions, “Call us when you have bricks and mortar – we’ll be interested then.” I shared with them that
Here’s the latest news from Redeem the Commute What’s New We launched Redeem the Commute in early November, and we have seen it making a positive impact already. We’ve now hit 600 installations of the mobile app on iPhone/iPad/Android devices, and over 150 unique users in the last week alone! Yes, we doubled our numbers in the last month with our media coverage on CBC, The Anglican
I led a workshop at the Vital Church Planting Conference 2013 on Disciple Making and Technology – focused on helping people think through a process from message, to audience, to selecting the appropriate technology. This workshop was offered on the Saturday Team Day. Slides & Handouts Disciple Making and Technology Slides Disciple Making and Technology Handout Other Resources http://www.faithhighway.com/freeebook-churchmarketing http://www.churchm.ag http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/ http://tableproject.org/ http://www.onthecity.org/ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-c7zHMv3Ko – Intro
The last few months have been so busy, I haven’t reported much to you, our community of supporters. Thank you for your support, all the same! Here’s the latest. What’s New We launched Redeem the Commute in early November, and we have seen it making a positive impact already. For example, this week we reached 350 installations of the mobile app on iPhone/iPad/Android devices. It will
Redeem the Commute continues to grow, in many exciting ways!
I’ve been reflecting on a chance encounter with some local church members. When they asked what Redeemer, Ajax was all about, I shared the 30-second vision. They said, with the best of intentions, “Call us when you have bricks and mortar – we’ll be interested then.” I shared with them that we need lots of interested people long before there are ever bricks and mortar – in fact, interested people are the bricks and mortar!
Are you “interested people”? Will you help build something with great potential to make disciples, even if they don’t yet gather in one place at one time? This is the kind of gathering together that Paul describes when he writes to the Christians in Epehsus, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22
Please continue to pray that God is using Redeem the Commute to help people under stress, and that we will not be strangers for long, but that he will gather us together in his time. If you hear God calling you to be involved in building this new community online and in person, i.e. if you are his bricks and mortar, please get in touch.
We need all “interested people” – those with gifts to lead small groups, lead worship music, as well as those gifted in sound technology, projection technology, hospitality, social media, communications and more.
We also need financial gifts – that can enable us to help more marriages, families and individuals, as we learn, grow and explore deep questions of life. Please consider making a regular gift to Redeem the Commute here.
David is Redeem the Commute’s videographer. From his background in youth ministry, he brings experience in blending Christian ministry and the creative arts, and with experience in sound production he brings a technical background that is improving our video production values every week.
We had a great time at The Baby & Kid Show. Thanks to our volunteers, Alyssa and Jane, for helping to staff the booth. I know my time there meeting people was equally exhausting and exciting all at the same time. We gained new users and interest, and several other vendors agreed to hand out cards at their businesses and daycares. We gave out hundreds of cards and enjoyed getting to know those who paused at our booth to watch a clip of the parenting course, sign up for our mailing list or ask questions. I trust God will use those efforts to touch people’s lives.
Congratulations to Daniela, who stopped by our booth and won a parenting book for her efforts!
We are offering a live, in-person version of the Parenting Children Course, also available online. It is facilitated by Ryan, but each session consists of video from experts in parenting, and discussion with other parents. This course is relaxed and informal and there is always plenty of laughter. It’s hosted at All Saints Church in Whitby, starting May 6th, for five weeks excluding Victoria Day. Find more information or please register here and please share with local families.
This past month has been busy! With David improving the quality of our daily challenge videos, Ryan has had more time to improve the actual content of our daily challenges, our social media presence, and updates to our course offerings are coming soon. Ryan will also be attending an upcoming conference, speaking at the Synod of the Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI, and various local events.
Here’s the latest news from Redeem the Commute
We launched Redeem the Commute in early November, and we have seen it making a positive impact already.
We’ve now hit 600 installations of the mobile app on iPhone/iPad/Android devices, and over 150 unique users in the last week alone! Yes, we doubled our numbers in the last month with our media coverage on CBC, The Anglican Planet, Alpha Canada and more. We have great numbers, and are learning to interpret them through a lens similar to the Parable of the Sower – some will use the app once or twice, some will use it regularly, and some will begin to form a community of people learning to follow Jesus. We keep our eyes focused on this last group, knowing that God will touch all sorts of other lives as well.
Earlier this month, Ryan spoke at an Ajax/Pickering Unity Service and presented Redeem the Commute as a tool for those participating in the excellent “Every Street a Light” initiative. In upcoming events, Ryan will be preaching on discipleship at St. James Cathedral, Toronto, at evensong on March 17th.
We are particularly excited to be attending the Durham Baby & Kid Show, with 2500 visitors from our local area, all focused on young children. We’ll have cards in lootbags sharing The Parenting Children Course as a resource for young commuting parents and are gathering a team of volunteers to staff a booth, hand out cards and talk about what we do. Would you be willing to help on April 6th or 7th in Oshawa? Contact Ryan Sim ASAP.
Thank you for being a friend of Redeemer Church, Ajax and the Redeem the Commute community! We need your help to continue growing into a vibrant church community.
In addition to your prayers and participation, would you consider giving thanks with a financial gift? We are growing fast, and as we grow, our expenses rise. Your gift can enable us to help more marriages, families and individuals, as we learn, grow and explore deep questions of life.
Please consider making a regular gift to Redeemer Church, and this important ministry to commuters. Our denomination handles our donations using the form here. Your charitable receipt will come from The Anglican Diocese of Toronto.
If you have any questions about our stewardship of your generous gift, please contact Ryan Sim.
We also need our friends and partners to do the following:
I led a workshop at the Vital Church Planting Conference 2013 on Disciple Making and Technology – focused on helping people think through a process from message, to audience, to selecting the appropriate technology.
This workshop was offered on the Saturday Team Day.
The last few months have been so busy, I haven’t reported much to you, our community of supporters. Thank you for your support, all the same! Here’s the latest.
We launched Redeem the Commute in early November, and we have seen it making a positive impact already.
For example, this week we reached 350 installations of the mobile app on iPhone/iPad/Android devices. It will take time to interpret our detailed metrics on daily usage of the app, as well as usage of the mobile web site and social media, but from the big picture summary numbers we have, it’s apparent a good number of people are following our life courses and daily challenges each week.
My work right now is focused on:
Redeem the Commute has also been profiled in a few different outlets: ChurchNext, Darryl Dash’s blog, The Anglican, Fresh Expressions, and more.
We are in the early stages. We have a long road ahead of us, that began here with life courses that we trust will serve needs and introduce discipleship to busy commuters. We trust that we will pass new milestones along that road, including:
We need our friends and partners to do the following:
Here are slides from a social media workshop that Jordan Wellington and I led in Oshawa for local clergy.
I thought I’d transcribe and share a recent conversation with an elder saint:
Her: So are you starting an actual church in Ajax?
Me: Yes!
Her: Where are you based, do you have a building?
Me: No, we..
Her [Interrupting]: So are you preaching on the streets?
Me: No, we’re starting with the mobile app for commuters that I mentioned, that will…
Her [Interrupting Again]: Oh, so you have church in a big truck, then?
Me: No. We’ve developed a way for people to get help with life, and learn about Jesus, on their phones while they commute.
Her: Oh, I see. So will you be starting a church, then?
Me: Yes, as people learn about Jesus we will help them form groups, and…
Her [Interrupting yet again]: Yes, but will you be bringing them here for church?
Me: No, they’ll become their own church over time.
Her: So will you ever be starting a traditional church?
Me: No. [Shaking and Weeping Silently]
This reminded me of the hilarious “It’s a Book“…you can see why in this short trailer for the book:
Draw whatever conclusions about communication, assumptions, etc. that you like. I’ll be in my truck.
Photo Some rights reserved by lonelysandwich
It’s awful how far behind I’ve fallen with this blog. I have a good excuse – Redeem the Commute has finally launched. That has meant a huge relief, but also a huge workload. I’ll be blogging more, though, so look forward to more posts soon!
And more from my link backlog, this time on mission:
Evangelism and the Presence of God
A review of The Sacrament of Evangelism
The Neighbourhood Mission Start Up
What does missional living look like in your neighbourhood? This is a good guide.
Turning a Church into a Community Centre
Fascinating story – do you think it’s a good idea?
21 Things They Don’t Tell You About Church Planting
Some wisdom from my friend Darryl. So true.
August has been a busy month in the development of Redeemer Church and Redeem the Commute! Now that we’re on the ground in Ajax, we’ve been getting settled, meeting neighbours and potential partners, and preparing to launch Redeem the Commute in just one month.
And please pray for our family, those discerning joining us as hosts, and those who will see and respond to Redeem the Commute.
And more links from my backlog, this time focused on culture:
A Tacky Mess – The Masses vs. Great Design
This really resonated with me.
How Casinos are Failing the Elderly
From the Atlantic.
More from Seth Godin.
We Built Way Too Many Cultural Institutions
A really interesting exploration of cultural institutions in the US, and whether they are sustainable. We could think about church buildings in the same way.
