Mobile Ministry Magazine

Seeing mobile technology through the lens of Scripture

Welcome and thank you for visiting Mobile Ministry Magazine. Here, we explore the use of mobile technology and how it can be used by ministers, missionaries, and many others as a means to augment their abilities to share the Gospel. Read more about our mission to educate and edify at the intersection of faith and technology.

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Friday, June 30, 2006

Addressing Poverty with Mobile TechnologyAddressing Poverty with Mobile Technology
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I had been reading my nearly daily email from Sojourners and they made a point about the missing element within the Western church in terms of addressing the poverty issue. Granted, this being a polotical email, they talked a lot about how the perspective of many Christians and churches is their own gain However, I believe that there is at least a few aspects of poverty that ministry with mobile technology can also address.

The first is that of accessiblity. Because you have mobile technology (be that a PDA, mobile phone, laptop, or multiple items), this places you in the world elite class of someone who has the ability to afford a luxury item. This is not a bad thing, however if you lose the point that with the affulence that you have that you can also elevate others. Then you have successfully denied accessiblity to others.

Another aspect of mobile technology that hits in the area of poverty is that of dependence. Yes, many of us use our mobile devices as our means to contact with the world. However, we should not depend on this soley as our means to contact with the world. Those who have or have not need face to face time with you and I to develop relationships and see God work thru you for them. Servant oriented use, versus user oriented use.

A final aspect of poverty in which mobile technology can and should take a part is that of the digital divide. It is pretty safe to say that those areas that do not have some proficiency in using computers and computing resources can and will fall behind. Using mobile technology can help to alleveate some of those issues of giving computing proficiency to those areas that do not have it. And in addition, can foster a better understanding of using mobile technology on a global scale. For example, a community might receive PDAs in order t better preach the word, but might find that PDAs would also make for an easier deducational tool. Therefore the church would work with the school system in order to show forth use in the classsroom, as well as help to determine with the community those items which constitue responsible use.

Just some thought that the Sojourners email had me thinking. What are your thoughts on poverty as it relates to mobile technology? Please place your responses in the forum.
- sent from Treo