Mobile Ministry Magazine

I many times think of how a blog, or a newsgroup could be a benefit to the body. And even more so how these tools could have been used in the time of Paul and the apostles. I imagine that they would have been very effective, not so much because they would have been using a medium that many had access to, but because offline, they had sowed the kind of relationship building that leads to these electronic tools as being faciliators of that relationship. There was always a sense that Paul and the others always wrote not just because it was an item of importance, but something of value that the majority (or at least the leaders) could associate with and gain valuable insight into God's hand in a matter. And it was in that writing, that visiting, that praying, that they were able to take some thing conventional, and refine it to something world-changing. Consider the example:

Greetings to my friends in Galatia with whom I have been some time in seeing. It seems that it has been a long time since we have spoken, howbeit there has been much news of you that has come to me. It seems that you have taken into your community those who would present a different gospel to you than the one that was spoken of by myself and the apostles. But you have the Word; you have read what I read, and checked my sources and even heard my testimony; what makes you think that I would speak to you a gospel that you that the Lord had not revealed unto me Himself. It was those early believers that affirmed God in me not because they converted me, but because they saw the witness of the Spirit within me...

So now, I have had a few moments to sit thanks to your generous hearts in my last visit; but by no means is my ability to be a witness to you hingent on the ability to write to you now. It is the truth of God revealed as when I walked with you and even as in the time after when you walked in those things that were taught to you. Yes, it really is enough to believe, for righteouness has never been by our ability to show God, but in His faithfullness in showing us as children of His...

So let me ask, have you been so long online that you have forgotten the works of the Spirit offline? Yes, as I received of God so have you. But not because we do the law and observe it; but because we by Christ Jesus overcame the law and the blessing from that curse was that the inheritance of salvation comes to usward as well. Let us take what inheritance we have been given of Christ Jesus and stand steadfast and in mind that if we are under the Spirit, then the computer doesnt matter, nor does any law prove to hinder us. Encourage one another and do not despise, restore those who have fallen to the traps of this world...

I took pieces of the book of Galatians as an example postings from Paul's blog, it would have read differently, as the immediate nature of a blog would have allowed him to address issues quickly. But I also note, that his tone too would have been differnt. Rebuking, but quickly affirming. Reaching to the person who was least likely to be spoken to in this manner. But it would have been a largely effective manner of speech, Paul always seemed to know the times and the manner best at which to speak to people. He also understood the need to speak from a distance versus speaking in person. This mastery of his seasonal technology, allowed him to capture different aspects of a relationship that would shape a new/budding church community.

This is one of those aspects of communication that reaches far beyond our tools. Its the VALUE of what we have to say that gives it lasting impressions to change and to show forth the glory of God. If the content is valuable to the recipent then the person is much more likely yo be recieved.

So when you are thinking of how to apply mobile computers to your ministry, consider that your audience will be different. Consider that those who will grab that content will be different. Consider that they are in need of the same, if not more attention from you than people would in other manners. While I love that kids are drawn to my PDA because I like interacting with them. I like better than their parents are also drawn and the open too of mobile technology allows one to build a relationship that works past the laws of normal interaction and strokes the fires of faith just a touch differently.