It started during the great snow of December. Suddenly Skype in the Snow became a welcome alternative to setting out never knowing when you might return. It was surprising how much could be done from the comfort of the office in Perth .. including a full meeting of the College of Bishops.
So I’ve gradually been extending the range – I have a monthly meeting on Skype with my ‘coaching bishop’ in the US as part of my involvement in the College for Bishops Training Programme. And today I spent an hour – and we mutually agreed to mention it – discussing with Kelvin issues like the IT implications of the new Mission and Ministry Policy and diocesan websites and various other things. A meeting which we might not otherwise have had – no time required other than the meeting time – no cost whatsoever. Sharing the cup of tea is a bit more difficult.
The convenience, the efficiency, the environmental benefit of skyping are extremely compelling, but the value of sharing that cup of tea can’t be overstated – except perhaps here in the US where a good cup of tea is not to be found…
Yes I think it’s a both/and like most things. My monthly chat with my ‘coaching bishop’ in the US – part of my involvement in the College for Bishops Training Programme of TEC – frustrated us both this week so that we had to give up. And the shared cup of tea was not an option.
I think that certain types of subject lend themselves to Skype – and it needs to be people to know each other well.
And we didn’t mention that Skype meetings are faster!