Mobile Ministry Magazine

After a week about talking about connectivity and the possiblities in the Body, its good to get some view of what the rest of the mobile and mobile web is up to. The 112th Carnival of the Mobilisits is up at Taptology.

I urge you to at least take a look at the beginning of their post as it highlights some unethical practices going on. As I spoke before, security is very important and something that we should all take into consideration more and more as mobility and personal tech become more the lifestyle than the option.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

Some months ago, Cynthia Ware and I were asked if a few articles that we'd written could appear in a special edition convention magazine for the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). After passing a few last minute emails, the post The Church in the 7th Dimension made it into this special edition.

I was quite excited Tuesday to receive in the mail the issue where the article appears (p.34). Personally speaking, its an exciting moment for MMM as it validates what web've been speaking about from the beginning - that the Body has to understand the use and impact of mobile technology, not only for the benefit of evangelism, but because our lifestyles are more and more crossing that intersection.

Here's hoping to more opportunites for writing in other publications, as well as, getting some teaching opportunities in now that my calendar has freed up considerably.

Labels: community, Digital Sanctuary, mobile, tech

Ricky Cadden of SMSTextNews and Symbian Guru has reported that "Abilene Christian University has officially become the first university in the U.S. to provide an iPhone or iPod Touch to all incoming freshmen."

According to the Abilene Christian University mobile learning website, this is a part of their Connected initative. Programs and the campus has been designed to facilitate mobile learning and mobile lifestyle engagement.

I wonder how the religious/spiritual organizations on Abilene's campus address this shift in mobile tech? We talked before about how a program of churches partnering with communties towards tech education would be something that current technology makes possible. I wonder if there are any initatives on college campuses that are similar, or even further reaching than what Abilene is doing?

If anyone reading has info towards this end of the tech engagement, please comment here towards how the adoption happens there.

Labels: community, education, iPhone, mission, tech

I commented on a recent post at the Mobile Opportunity blog that the idea of hybrid apps is something that should be better explored, especically by Bible software manufacturers. As more and more users are expecting to interact with their content online, yet be able to use it profitably offline as well, to do an hybrid (or RIA in developer speak) application is not just a possiblity, but the way applications are gonig.

So what are some possible routes that these hybrid applicaitons can go? As one developer noted (referenced in the MO blog), there are 3 million platforms with 100 users each. In other words, with over 3.3 billion users of mobile phones, there are very few dominant platforms. There really isn't any that are. Unless one wants to say that the browser is. And then things get interesting. One, because there are several players, but two because most of them are trying to bring the best web solution after the aftermath of the iPhone.

Some examples of developer tools for making hybrid applications include Java, Adobe AIR, Silverlight, Flash, and just plain ole' CSS/XHMTL-driven AJAX. For the most part, mobile browsers can do the latter, but its when you add that additional layer via something like Adobe AIR, things can really get interesting. Besides creating something that is accessible online, the paradigm of use is extended to blend the online-offline realms and then richer content and productivity can be taken into account.

The positives in this approach are that content publishers can keep their licenses and continue to sell their content. Softawre developers though would be resigned to creating facnier and more intuitive packaging, drawing people in with service add-ons such as online storage or integration with other web services. And finally end-users will have competiting and mostly useful solutions for staying informed, but also connected towards their preference. The downside of this is that there will be more subscription-based services, but as you move from a client-application to a service-application model this is something that is bound to happen (as services meet critical mass this cost is a lot easier to swallow all around).

An example of a near-hybrid Bible reader application is Laridian's iPocketBible. Its a browser service/application that allows the transfer of content from the iPhone/iPod Touch owner's device to any other device that has a suitable browser. And with added features such as the new bookmarks and desktop syncing, its only a matter of time before others come, and take what we know of as just a browser and make it more than just a place to consume information.

Another example of this is Google Gears. Google Gears allows for some AJAX driven websites to be used offline, and then when the user gets a connection again, sync back to the online item. When I was at Bible study last night, I began by using eBible and wished for this functionality to be something there for my notes. Wouldn't you know that a port of Google Gears for the Internet Tablet had even been released. Now it would be up to websites to support such a feature (here's one way to do so) and then users to take it and run.

There's more than a place for hybrid apps to take up where many of us have been disappointed in the condition of mobile Bible readers. The question now is if developers and companies see the writing on the wall, and take things a considerable step towards a future of ubiquious connectivity.

Labels: browser, community, software

I've been kinda taken to task for not updating the post The Bible for Your iPhone written last year when the iPhone was made available and many ran online looking for Bibles. So what do things look like now a year after the iPhone's introdcution? Here are some of the iPhone Bibles we've talked about or were noted in comments here at MMM.

• iPocketBible by Laridian
• iPhone Bible by Apathy Online
• iPhone Bible (w/LDS)
• iBiblez
• God's iPhone (the Bible for iPhone)
• iPhoneScriptures
• 3onesix Ministry Tools
• iBibleSpace
• Add the ESV to Your iPhone Home Screen

If you have an iPhone compatable Bible reader, do make note of it so that this post, and not the older one, gets you some additional recognition for your efforts.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, software

As more people are using mobile devices of all types as parts of their world, we are engaging one another in ways that are not dissimilar to being a new kid on a large campus. There are plenty of things to do and places to explore, but like all things, life without measuring these connections to the truths of the Gospel can cause undo suffering. How then do we balance this connectivity to the fact that the world has changed around us? And what is our responsiblity towards those who've not yet entered this "connected campus?"

Connected Campus

One of the myths of computing is that it is like other media. If you will, that like TV and radio before it, it is a self contained silo of information where connections are passively created by those with more capital or power. What has quickly become the truth though is that because of the "web" nature of the Internet and its associated technologies, the power is actually in the information, rather than in those who dissemate it. Because the reader, or connected participant, can decide to accept and continue to read, or move onto something else, the power of information is now in the hands of those who are willing to go out and get it, rather than those who are more apt to go out and serve it.

The Gospel Balance

This sounds a lot like that switch that Jesus aspoused the disciples to when he told them to "go out to all the world and make disciples." In effect, he was saying that in no way is this information good enough for just you to have and no one else. If you will, secret knowledge has no place. They were encouraged, and afterwards empowered to go to as many places as physically possible and spread the Good News. So in effect, by spreading the Gospel, people were to make connections that made for community, and overall a better quality of life for all.

Today's Connectivty

We have multiple means of connecting to the world around us. We can go TV, radio, Internet on a desktop, tablet, phone. We can set up concerts and other events as points of engagement. And then we can mash all of these things together to create something a bit more "community-ish." This is great, but like in all things, if we lose the point of making community, then we become more driven by statistcs and numbers, rather than that commission we are all encouraged to meet (go out and make disciples, teaching them to observe all that the Father as commanded).

Balancing Connectivity with Commission

Therein lies the fun part: balancing connectivity and its ever-changing ways with the commission and its ever-present consistancy. Some have taken the road to meter thier use of modern connectivity options because they have seen that it has taken them away from interacting with the people they were called to disciple. Some have increased their ability to connect with people because while the commission has not changed, the amount of sheep in the pasture has - considerably. In all cases, one has to take a survey of the commission (that doesn't change) and how they are following through with completing the vision as it was given. When there is more of an emphasis on the tool than the mission, then reevaluations should lead to repentance and reordering of connectivity.

And What About Those Not Connected

Instead of casting a net towards all of those possiblites of those who are not connected, I'd like to just concetrate on those whom are closer to our immediate spheres.

Those who might benefit from the digital aspects of connectivity should be not only trained on how to handle the Word and technology, but also learn by lesson and example what it means to do "responsible use." This means teaching things like how to evaluate what technology is best, how to choose the right option for email, and how to discern truth on the Internet. To teach these people how to understand technology we are taking that motto of teaching them how to fish literally; we are giving them the ability to discern and grow with the technology so that they can teach others.

Then there are those who have technology but are abusing it. To these people we also want to teach them how to evaluate technology. But, we want to teach them the dangers of pride and disallusion that comes from absuing connectivity. For example, as pastor once wrote here that he was happy that his computer was sent off for repair because he had not realized (even with others in his ear) that it had become and idol and instead of sheparding God's people, he was sheparding a computer. As I've learned so much in the past, just because you can do it does not mean that its good for you to do.

Graduating From Campus

Well, not exactly. This isn't college where you get a degree and then there's the real world. For many of us, some type of interaction with computers and the Internet is the real world. And like in college, you have to learn how to navigate the surroundings so that you can get through, but also so that others might be able to grab a hold of God's enabling (grace) so that they too can see that life is more than just trying to keep up with the Jonses.

Labels: accessiblity, Bible, community, mission, mobile, tech

Following on yesterday's post on writing notes while reading/studying, how are your mobile devices and services enabling you to keep towards your resolutions of reading the Word more consistently?

To those of you having trouble keeping pace with those resolutions, what do you need from the community of believers around you (online and offline) to help you continue your reading goals?

Labels: Bible, community, devotion

I got an email the other day about an update to the PhatNotes Windows Mobile application and it got me thinking about a friend of mine who was using his Windows Mobile smartphone at Bible study, but didn't write one note because the process was just too cludgy between his Bible reader and paying attention to the lesson.

This is not an uncommon problem to many. Annotating is something that we do internally pretty well (usually), but when it comes to transcribing, there just doesn't seem to be enough programs that do it "right." That's not to say that PhatNotes does it bad, but its a solid solution for any of you looking for a notes solution for things such as sermon notes or Bible studies.

A suitable notes solution seems to be something in a few of our wish-lits. That being said, there are solutions, what do you use?

Labels: annotating, Bible, notes, PhatNotes, software, tech

The Laridian Blog has broken into a rather neat discussion about the using the Bible Maps feature of their Pocket Bible 3 software for Windows and Windows Mobile/Pocket PC as part of an effective reading of the Word. Here's a sniippet of the discussion:

Each map is filled with names of places for which you can read more information. Just tap the name of any location on the map and an article will appear. If you do not currently have the Bible Maps – Articles book open and your preferred dictionary is something other than Bible Maps – Articles then the system will first look in your preferred dictionary for the information and open the appropriate article. If you want it to only look in the Bible Maps – Articles book then you need to either:

- Change your preferred dictionary to Bible Maps – Articles OR:

- Close your preferred dictionary and open the Bible Maps – Articles so that both the maps and the articles are on the same screen. By doing one or the other then it will default to opening the article within Bible Maps – Articles.

Read the rest of this insightful entry, and join the discussion at the Laridian Blog. For more information visit the Bible Maps page at the Laridian website.

Personally, I'd love to be using features such as commentaries, references, and maps more, but I have found that the interface on my IT hasn't yet been optimized for these resources.

Labels: Bible, Laridian, study, tech

From The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus, comic number 371:

I wonder what this would look like when mobile and Web 2.0/3.0 is added into the equasion?

Labels: community, mobile, tech

I remember back in 2002 when i received my first mobile device. A Palm Vx. Though I think it was a couple of years old, to me it was a world class device! Black and white screen (STILL can't beat those for battery life or visibility in the sun), 8MB of memory and a 20MHz processor. It's crazy because I still have the device complete with 56k modem sled, docking foldaway keyboard with case, and a hard case. Still works though the digitizer drifts a little more these days. I've turned it into an alarm clock/multi-device remote control when i ever do use it. Most of the time it just collects dust unless one of my newer fancier devices stops working. I was looking at the Vx docking station sitting here on my desk and wondering... who else out there still has their original mobile device? What was it? What do you use it for now?

Labels: device, first, original, Vx

My bro was just telling me about how he uses Windows Live Writer as a component in making his increasing popular devotionals and it hit me that this type of integration of a blogging platform with a Bible reader program could help some who would like to get into journaling.

One of the issues with a program/service like Windows Live Writer (WLW) is that its a blogging program ment to publish to a blog. Its not specifically meant to write into as a journal. Then again, one could set up a private blog, and then have an online repository of their journaled writings, and then access that from anyplace (searchable any way).

WLW does have the feature of being usable offline. Meaning, one can view previous posts after they have been published, whether one is online or not.

But back to the Bible integration, how could this work?

Take a program like WordSearch. Excellent study materials, and a solid overall program. Add the capabilities of a solid program like WLW, and you have a Bible reader that has a notes program that links into and out of it personal notes. And gives the added benefit of making some personal commentary available publically.

Then again, our personal thoughts about God's Word are just that - personal. Leveraging the electronic services such as WLW and WordSearch, one could keep things personal, and gain a bit of digital posterity towards those thoughts.

Labels: accessiblity, Bible, devotion, software, tech

Cynthia Ware has taken a look look at how Christian missionaries are using new media as parts of their efforts to connect and share news of their connections when away from their "roots." Here's a snippet:

...Today's missionaries are using blogs, facebook, shutterfly and other social media to extend their connectedness, reward their supporters and create archived memories of their unique adventures. Whether missionaries are serving on short term teams or serving in long term posts, they need no longer be disconnected from their points of origin, hometowns, partners, sending churches, extended families, etc. In fact, if they have internet access, there's virtually (no pun intended) no reason they can't be very connected...

Read the rest at Digital.Leadnet and also check out Cynthia's site Digital Sanctuary for more views on ministry, media, and their convergance.

Labels: accessiblity, Bible, church, community, email, gospel, mission, mobile, mobile accessories, mobiles, networking, phone, podcast, software, tech, usablity, worship

Here is a second attempt at making a post vis Maemo Wordply. This time I have the full use of a keyboard that wasn't working so well. Not that I am complaining, but I haven't rebotted this tablet in about a week, so that's not a bad thing at all.

Now, how to really make this work as a solid reporting platform, because I really want to make sure that I am getting the full use out of the tablet, keyboard, and everything else that I'd rather see making inroads into ministry endavors. Something like MMM meets Future Lab.

A bit ago, we talked about Tim Samoff and his giving away of a second Nokia N810 Internet Tablet to a prorgammer of his choice. After reading about the person that was chosen and the reason why, I have to say that I am throughly impressed, and humbled at the choice, the process for the choice, and the action that the recepient will be undertaking.

That is, in my opinion, mobile ministry as what it should be.

Labels: community, gifts, internet tablet, N800, Nokia

In keeping with speaking about those things Symbian and Nokia related, a review of the N81 8GB that was given to me by Nokia Blogger Relations has been published at Brighthand. Here's a snippet of that review:

...The N81 8GB is a mobile that sometimes let me down, and others times delightfully faded into the background. Just the design of the device screams of something needing a touchscreen and touch-sensitive controls, and I was let down where I could not do so. Even still, the buttons and controls were well placed and for the most part easy to figure out...

Read the entire review at Brighthand.

One of the more impressive aspects of the N81 8GB is the battery life. For example, I use it in the office all day as a music player and email device, and at the end of the day there is more than enough energy to go to the gym and use it still as a aide to running, and a point of learning (podcasts and music). Its nice when tech is suitable and fades just enough to the background to allow one to carry on the business of life.

Update: I have a few pics of the N81 8GB on my Flickr account here. I'll post more as I play a lot more with it and explore other ways to use it as a backend towards ministry endavors here.

Labels: N81, Nokia, review

Great post over at W. Hall Harris' Blog (Net Bible) talking aobut the history of Bible software. Its interesting that its not changed much from its search and retreive nature (one would think that the software would have picked up some new tricks along the way). Here's a snippet:

...It did not take long after computers became "personal" (early 1980s) for people to start using them for Bible study. The initial advantage computers had over printed Bible study tools and materials was speed...they could search large amounts of text relatively quickly. So the first Bible programs were little more than basic electronic concordances, useful for finding where certain words were located (at first in the King James Bible, then other translations were added). Later as computers improved in their ability to handle foreign language fonts, the original Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT) texts of the Bible were added...

Read the rest at W. Hall Harris' Blog (Net Bible).

Labels: Bible, software

Caught this post over at Swerve. As soon as I read it, I was moved to just stop.

...For years, older and wiser pastors offered advice to make sure I didn't burn out. In my mind, they were just old and lazy. Because of my defensiveness and unwillingness to listen, I had to learn too many lessons the hard way...

Read the entire post at Swerve; then go rest.

Labels: devotion, Devotions

The 109th Carnival of the Mobilists is now up at Wap Review with a ton of articles this day before Super Tuesday. Weird how the entire world seems to be looking at Super Tuesday with a lot of interest. I wonder how much mobile browsers will come into play in terms of how many will be keeping track of things. Well, if the browsers aren't up to par, will it even matter?

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

One of the things that influenced the early beginnings of my life in Christ was that Jesus would take these solo moments on the mountain to just chat it up with the Father and let go of what's on his heart. I always wondered even how some of his prayers were recorded, seeing that most of them were private in nature. But I was glad for the insight, and welcomed just that small view of Jesus' private time.

We are in an age of "everything is connected and communicated." And though we have ways to get away more times than ever in the past, that aspect of privacy (even in prayer) has seemed to take a considerable hit. Even to the point that one can make the argument that nothing is private anymore.

Reading a story at ReadWriteWeb about a child whose MySpace and Facebook records were subpoenaed as part of the company's defense against the child's parents. What's interesting about this is not so much the case (which I'll leave for RWW and other sites to discuss), but that privacy is no longer accepted as part of our person, but something that has to be opted into.

With endavors such as Google's Social Graph API, its becoming harder and harder for people to get online and make a space of their own on it. And this is a property of the Net; things in bits and bytes will travel, and will last as long as there are servers to store and eyes to see them on.

So how does one address this? In some cases people cannot just go offline (though being told a woman is fasting the Internet for Lent was kind of amazing to me). How does one measure what things should be online versus those that aren't?

I'll give you some rules I walk by, and most of them come from a different perspective on Matthew 5-6 and John 17 than what we normally hear:

- Is what you are about to communicate by being online going to benefit you or another
- Is what you are about to communicate something that you don't mind being called into account for years down the line
- Is your benefit for being online to run with the crowd, or are you interested in being salt
- Is being online making you look more like the world when you respond to issues of lust, family, or God's heart for those that have not
- Are you more than a consumer by being online
- Is you being online causing division in the Body, or accounting towards unity and righteousness in Him

These are just some thoughts that most of the time don't figure into what we do online. But if we are going to treat this place as holy, even when we use it as a conversation between God and ourselves online, then we have to understand the gravity of our presence here - God's reputation is at stake.

Labels: community, tech

Something that I have learned in the time that I have been around the idea of mobile ministry is that what is mobile and works for me, may not be mobile and works for you. Mobile, just like automobiles and pens, is a highly personal yet community reaching technology. Its very easy to get into the mindset that what works for me, might work for someone else. Are there lessons that can be gleaned from one person to another? Yes, and in fact that should be the case in this type of media technology. What we do need to do is something that the Body should be doing from the get go, understanding and appreciating our varying gifts, and then pressing towards a life that looks like that of one taught to by Christ.

I had a conversation with someone recently that was of the ilk that the Body has a hard time reaching various age groups and demographics. And while I agree, I see the need to understand why those difference exist, and then push those to the background so that we can get to the business of being a model of Christ to the world around us.

Of course then, we have to ask that question of how does mobile do that; because if it is usable, then it has to be able to point or enable us to point others to Him?

So that question I shall put out there for you to think about for a bit, how does whatever you use put you or others in the position of looking like that Church that Christ is coming back for?

Labels: community, tech