It’s been a short but gratifying day here. Got some good feedback from members of the community and am looking forward to finishing the functionality of the app in the coming days. But the interface is done, or very nearly done (pending some final decisions about how one should remind oneself to pray). With any luck, you’ll be able to download “RH Prayer” from the app store in the coming weeks (months?–I’ve heard it’s tough to get final approval). Since I haven’t done a very good job of describing it in these posts, let me just say it’s sort of the app-equivalent of the “Rule of Life and Weekly Prayer Cycle” pamphlets that float around this place. But there are some interactive twists, and the interface should remind you faith formation folks of Westerhoff’s stages of faith (very loosely)–the gradual process by which our connections strengthen, commitments deepen, etc.
I’ve gotta say, training to write software with a real test problem while embedded within the community you’re writing for is an incredible experience. Technically, it gave me the space I needed (i.e., not “at the office”) to be immersed in a programming language and development paradigm that was new to me. Missionally, it gave some focus to the app, so that it could solve a real problem that I could get feedback on “in situ” (inviting people to engage more fully in the prayer life of this intercessing community). Spiritually, it provided me with a community of gracious hosts who kept me motivated and from going too deep into the “programmer’s cave” (Richmond Hill: thank you, thank you, thank you. You all are the best.)
I feel like the Spirit has been up to something really wonderful in all this, and I feel grateful to be a part of it. Stay tuned for info on where this app, and our faith formation app development efforts in the Center for the Ministry of Teaching, go in the months ahead. In the meantime…screenshots! (These were taken on the iOS simulator for Mac, but I can see the same thing on my phone, which is just too cool.)
It’s with a somewhat heavy heart that I leave this wonderful religious community, but I’m sure this won’t be my last trip.
See you in the app store (I hope!).
As you CMT colleague I too am deeply grateful to the RH community for the hospitality and witness that inspired your imagination, and to God who breathed life into all of this in the first place.