Mobile Ministry Magazine

Security, A Quiet Study
Two things I want to chat about for your thoughts on this middle of the week (for most of you at least): security with mobile devices and having a quiet place.

As I am currently in the library, under a wifi connection my Treo cannot use, I think about having a quiet place and how mobile technology, while many times keeping us too connected, does afford the means to go find a new or old quiet place and do a study, worship, or just get away. For me, I took my Treo and keyboard, popped them into my pocket, and then took my bike and rode to the library. Aside from saving gas and getting exercise, I can opt to stop and type on the side of the road or as I did, wait till I got to a quiet library. Its different to be able to do this with my PDA and not really have explored it so much before. How do you feel about mobile tech making a leadin for quiet places?

Then while sitting here I thought about security (slight backdrop: as I was riding here I was listening in on a Palm/Cingular conference call about mobile device securitty in the workplace.). But not so much the "dont steal my PDA" variety, but the kind of security that comes from knowing that being connected can encourage, edify, correct, or even administrate from a distance. I know that in some sense that is a bit of a false security with mobile devices as many times they break, need to reset, be charged, etc. But the ability to do so much from a little (or not so little device) has to make a lot of workers feel better. I do wonder if the Body has done enough info gathering and applying to make this a reality for the many overworked missions workers, pastors, etc. who could really use this tech to be more effective, while maintaining those healthy relationships that keep folks from getting burned out?

Just some thoughts as I sit here and get ready for a ride again. .
- sent from Treo