Mobile Ministry Magazine

This week, I had the honor of giving one of my pastors a Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. It was something that he had been looking at getting for sometime and after seeing me with my N800 (the previous model), he would ask of me questions and such about it.

Well, after receiving a bit of an extra blessing from some work over the past month, this was something that I ended up being able to purchase (from another friend) and then present to him. It was really neat just seeing his face as he opened the package and was able to take that next step towards enabling himself to "get out of the office and minister more." Given that his office is kinda everywhere (virtual), this aspect of getting out will get some additional play.

That got me thinking this week: considering the economic times, and the fact that many are tightening budgets, what can we do to enable people to better position themselves (with or without mobile tech) for ministry opportunities. Whether that is something as simple as doing some PC support to a person's computer, or taking some of the extra server space a business is using and renting that out to a ministry who is looking for a web presence.

Even further, what can ministries do with the mobile and web tech that they already have to make it easier for those who might not be able to come to a facility? Can the addition of virtual ministry outposts such as delayed video blogging, podcasts, and even discussion forums help facilitate some of the community involvement that ordinarily would be missed?

It's increasingly important that as the Body we have as few layers as possible to people interacting with us. Even if that makes us a bit uncomfortable that pastor's office is now the local coffeeshop, we have to adjust with the times and give the opportunity for people to be met by Christ no matter where they are. Personally, I like to be the kind of church that goes out to people, mobile tech helps me do this; and giving mobile tech even more so.

Related note: Celio is still offering the Redfly smartphone companion device for $199 (till the end of the month). If your pastor is like both of mine, mobility is just as important as content. Smartphones are great for this, but the screen and input methods can be a bit limiting. This opens things a good bit. Consider asking your pastors and others in leadership if this is something that would work for them, and then go bless them with it. You might find that a little enablement might go a long way towards helping all of us keep mindful of God's needs during this time.

Image by Allen Qu on Flickr

Labels: community, devices, gifts, Internet, internet tablet, mobility, N800, N810, Nokia