Mobile Ministry Magazine

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I begin this post thinking a good bit about the direction that MMM has gone in, and where its going. Given the pace that mobile technology is moving, and the fact that it is being adopted by more people and in faster waves than ever, there's sure to be a considerable amount of churn to hit before things plateau. But what I don't see much of is a response to mobile tech from those who don't usually get a chance to speak up.

You see, as the Internet and blogs go, it is usually those who have the fastest and loudest voices that get the attention. I cannot fault them either. If you don't get it out there, then who will read it. And retreads are just not pleasant in TV nor in news reporting.

I find it kinda neat though when people engage mobile tech for the first time. There's a fit of amazement, followed by disappointment, followed by investigation, followed by evangelism of a different kind - unbiased.

A friend of mine recently won the 16GB iPod Touch and has been slowly getting on board with it. Per my usual role, I am a helping tech voice to help guide things along. Its been neat to listen to the heart of someone who hasn't been in this so long, and just where they can go with it. Here are some examples of what I mean:

• My friend first asked me if there was a case that could be purchased. So I led them to a reputable site that wasn't huge, but has a solid reputation for iPod Touch cases.
• I mentioned that once they are set up, that it would be a good idea to explore getting a Bible on there; they remarked that they wanted to know how to do that sooner rather than later.
• My friend was discouraged that there were places where things like name, address, birth date, etc. were asked for in the installation and registration process. Being a person that doesn't install things very often, this kind of questioning was seen as invasive and pervasive.
• For all the simplicity that iTunes is, the person still had an issue of finding the music they wanted; and music that was mostly free and didn't cost much (if anything). Music is a driver to get online, especially mobile, but the fact that it costs for every little thing can be a limiting factor in some situations.

Its not a total view. The person will be fine once they get the hang of things. Some things won't change though, like the perception of privacy. But other things will, like accessing and using the Bible nearly anywhere.

Its a view of mobile tech that I get to see a lot of, but not always from the very bottom of mobile use. It will be interesting to see this person evolve as a person who engages with mobile tech. And then where they will be an influence to people around them because of what they learn.

Related articles

• MobileShift::The Blessing and Curse of the iPod Touch [via Zemanta]
• Broadband's Kindle Paradigm [via Zemanta]
• Digging Deeper::Your Guide to the Mobile Web [via Zemanta]

Labels: community, iPod, iPod Touch, mobile, mobility, tech

After some time at the beach, I'm encouraged to keep moving forward. With that, Issue 5 is now up for your reading.

If you are a frequent reader of Mobile Ministry Magazine, you will notice that the stores are quite familiar and recent. This is completly intentional. Pass the link along to those who don't know about MMM, or whom you might have occasional tech conversations with. This issue is designed to keep that conversation going forward.

Thanks to all who constantly support MMM: Palm Addict, Trailblazin Ministries, and a host of others. Thank you all, and I hope that this issue encourages you to keep moving forward - not just in the use of mobile tech, but in being like Him as you do.

Read Mobile Ministry Magazine Issue 5: keep Moving Forward

Labels: community, issue 5, tech

Let's take yesterday's post a bit further. When aspects of mobile technology are a lifestyle, and not just a tool, what does this begin to look like to the Body and the world being ministered to at large? How does this change the work of Christ from an institutional one to a spirit-lead one?

There's a simple answer to this to some degree; but we should first make the question a bit simpler so that we grab a better impact:

If Paul had a blog, what would he have done more of or more effectively?

I've explored this question here many times (the original thought, part 2 of this thought, part 7 of this thought, part 9 - eh, I think you get the picture). Each time I come to the conclusion that [aspects of] mobile technology is/are taking us to the definition where people will want to define church not as what happens or is confined by the four walls and a monologue service, but what happens in the context of connecting to other people that leads them to repent to God, and be a life in Christ that speaks to that worship He spoke of to the Samaritan woman (John 4).

A Church Beyond the Walls
The idealism though of a church without walls where leadership is moreso grooming people for missional teaching rather than internal community engagement isn't something new. I just wager that its more possible now than ever. Multi-campus churches are pulling this off to a degree. Cell groups to another. But those are the exceptions. Engaging Christ is still done in smaller more personal levels, then shared moment by moment as or after it happens. If you will, much like Paul went from place to place and documented how the Body engaged the world around it; the church today is largely doing the same thing.

So don't you think that if Paul had a blog, it would look more like this: CNN and National Geographic Put a New Twist to Journalism

I've been banging my head left and right trying to figure out what kind of career works best for my kind of mind. As soon as I read this posting about what CNN and NG are doing it hit me; I've been saying this all along with MMM but haven't really ran out to do it in bunches. Tools needed: Nokia's Sports Tracker application, a capable mobile phone (not necessarily a smartphone), and the willingness to go out and engage the world to share it with others. Nokia, CNN, Reuters, and National Geographic are transforming the news reporting culture. We should be doing the same in the Christ-connecting one.

The enablement of mobile technology allows us to connect with people and directly share Christ in Matthew 5 type ways. And at the same time we are moving from one connection to another, tracking and messaging those places that we've been (letters to Timothy, Philemon, Titus, etc. type stuff), encouraging and equipping those who are in those areas, and providing a dynamic (and digital) witness to what is being done in the kingdom of God so that the emphasis remains on God's glory in the world around us - not on the shiny.

The fun part is, I think some of us do this naturally and don't even know it. We go places with mobile tech and then it opens doors towards speaking about our lives in Christ and all of a sudden we have just encouraged someone, or even better, picked up a disciple. I can probably even guess that given how some of us are in social networks that this same thing happens in the various online communities that we visit. Neat ain't it.

A Piece of the Puzzle to Understand
But like Paul, I realize that this kind of thinking and action is not something that everyone can do (1 Corinthians 12-14). And, at least in the Western church, a church that does not have defined walls or order as we are accustomed to can make people uncomfortable. Like I wrote some time ago, the Internet is not just for those type-A (or type-C) personalities. We all have our place where we excel in bringing Christ's passions and love into the hearts of those around us. As a church, we should be cultivating that so that the Body doesn't just grow in number, but grows in quality-of-representation-of-our-Father.

The Challenge Looms
On a website that I visited recently (The Theos Project), the blogger stated that he was going on a church fast. The culture and conditions of the church caused him more grief than he cared to have as a part of. I responded in a comment that he shouldn't leave if the church he was a part of did not equip him with the tools to relate to the world outside of the church. He should stay there until they do give him the tools and wisdom to make Christ-living a lifestyle that is not marred by the culture we call church.

Hence my view on mobile technology and the Christian faith. In coming to grips with the fact that mobile technology is less a tool and more of a lifestyle, we have to equip those who engage this technology with the wisdom that what they do here has effects that are eternal (not just saved in the Wayback Machine in bits and bytes). It is this type of equipping that will enable us as a Body to reach beyond ourselves and engage towards that Great Commission with great success. Propagating old paradigms with new tech doesn't change anything.

This then becomes the challenge of the next generation of church leaders: teach mobile and technological responsibility while allowing the use of the technology to enhance our abilities to reach, teach, and build foundations and lives in Jesus Christ. Its something I am more than ready to do, and offer this challenge to you as something to take on in whatsoever way the Spirit leads.

My Personal Convictions, and Request
This has been the crux of my frustration with MMM. I've wanted this to be the launching point for teaching people how a church without walls can exist. I totally think its possible - even without the mobile tech that is presented here. However, getting people to see and support that has been utterly harder than I want to say in such a public arena. Its one thing to cast vision, its another totally to get people/companies to buy into it to the point of changing the world around you. This is not a knock on anyone, just how much I see, and how easy it is for me to see, but not translate that to you.

Having written all of that, I'm more ready to ask for sponsors towards living a lifestyle that meets this lofty goal (the how to ask is the part I don't know), rather than sitting on my arse waiting for Jesus to come back. To those who have asked me recently in what ways they can help me, this would be it: prayer and a push. I know we can be more than just an intersection of faith and technology. Using this tech effectively casts a light towards what can happen when Christ is in front of us lighting the way (Colossians 2:6 - 3:4). Doing it, well, that's just bigger than me but more than capable enough for Him (Isaiah 49:13).

Labels: Bible, community, mission, mobility, tech, urban, worship

Was reading the discussion that is going on at Engadget about Motorola and a letter that was posted there that was written by a former insider at Motorola. The opinions in both the letter and comments were a mix of passion and acknowledgment of what needs to change.

I found that one of the commenters said something that struck me as something that holds true, especially in light of the issues Christians, publishers, and software developers have had recently:

(my paraphrase) the people who run companies see computer/mobile tech as a tool while those using it see it as a part of their lifestyle...until the leadership matches or runs ahead of the users, the technology will always be doomed to [fall behind the times]

In talking to uses, developers, and companies, I get this feeling from Christians in tech. Too often we are just looking at it from the perspective of a tool, and not as the one where our current and future generations will see it as a lifestyle. From politics to just flat out lack of vision, we could do a lot more with the bits and bytes than we do. Unfortunately, its a mindset aspect that one cannot change.

As society evolves with new tech, mindsets and attitudes do change with it (and the Word remains the same). I just think though that it is very short-sighted on the side of people/companies today to just continue with the same old ways of doing business instead of pushing out into innovative and culture transforming methods of working with this stuff.

Sometimes, I don't know what it looks like to do things different. Else I'd be a Steve Jobs in my own right. But considering how mobile I and others are, maybe its not far off to think that we are making some kind of change that points people to God's redeeming love.

Labels: tech

A great post on Jaiku and how it speaks towards the social nature that mobiles and the internet has become is up over at SMSTextNews. Here is a snippet:

...All this so far has been about the utility. The product. The usability. The benefits. In my next (and last) Jaiku-themed piece I’ll cover off the final piece of the puzzle. The thing that, in my opinion, truly makes Jaiku special: The Community...

Read the rest of Jaiku Unwrapped at SMSTextNews.

Labels: community, Jaiku, mobiles, mobility, networking, phone, tech

A few minutes ago, literally before posting this, I was ready to come here and post that I'm closing MMM. I've been working at this site/magazine for a number of years now and frankly, I'm tired. This started out as a labor of passing skill along to others who were already in position to lead God's people. I've tried managing a team of writers, and that too has been discouraging. Simply speaking, MMM operates at a spirutal and intellectual loss for me. There's not much that really goes into here that comes back that I can see.

Hence my discouragement. Reading at The Digital Sanctuary today and seeing a post on blogs noted as being best towards web-based ministry endavors was interesting as MMM wasn't on the list. I immediately felt totally ineffective at this.

Before coming to Blogger, I went to HCR's forums and saw a thread titled "Discouraged in Ministry?" That is me, so I read. Not knowing what to expect, but hoping for something that could give me some kind of answer. A sermon from Piper's Desiring God wabsite was linked to entitled "Take Courage: You Build More Than You See."

...Verse 3 shows why the people have become weak and discouraged in their labors. Haggai asks, "Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not in your sight as nothing?" The workers are discouraged because the memory is still alive of how glorious the temple used to be. Less than 70 years ago it stood in this very spot, the apple of God's eye, the magnificent achievement of Solomon, for centuries the center of holy worship. But instead of inspiring the people, this memory made the people look at the pitiful edifice they were building and feel hopeless. "How do you see it now? Is it not in your sight as nothing?" What's the use, they say. We can't match the glory of Solomon's temple. We're wasting our time. Nothing beautiful or worthwhile will ever come of it. We got along without it in Babylon; we can do without it here. Better to have the beauty of a great memory than a paltry imitation. So their hands are slack in the work...

I honestly have no clue why God keeps me going here. Somedays it really is a burden to just think of what it is that really could serve the Body. Its only been a few minutes, and so discouragement is still here. But this is for God's glory and not my own. Hopefully, that cna be something to keep me encouraged in Him and towards His work, instead of seeing and remembering those who's works shine more than my own.

Just my honesty. No need to respond.

The Carnival Of The Mobilists #116 is up at Situational Marketing. The edition features several articles including the one posted here last week (The MEX Manifesto Thu Christian Lenses). I'm personally very happy that MMM has made it into the Carnival again, and hopefully there's more that we can add in terms of perspective to mobile device and community engagement.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

This "conversation" is actially a report that I've filed recently to the Nokia S60 Ambassadors Program. While this fits their purposes, I hope that it sheds some light as to the conversations that mobile technoogy can involve us into, and if we be willing listeners, we can learn something that would help shape mobile use and community engagement on Gospel levels.

This Monday even started out similar to ones in the past where I met members of my church for Bible study. They have become accustomed to me using mobile technology during the study. This week, I had the Sony Mylo along with the N800 and was using the Wi-Fi and coffeehouse environment to compare the user interfaces towards using public Wi-Fi connections and what kind of web-usability is possible with the Mylo compared to what I know with the N800.

The Community Life pastor first asked me about the devices in seeing both tablets. He mentioned that something in the size of an Internet Tablet was appealing to him because he notices that he doesn't so much need the laptop as much as he needs access to the information. I gave him the Mylo to play with first and just looked at some general impressions he had while using it. After some play with it, and a few bits of frustration, he then moved to playing with the N800. He remarked that the N800 had a better feel and felt more polished in the touchscreen and user interface. The conversation with him then moved towards speaking about open source software - as that is an area that he is learning about - and how the Internet Tablet fits in this philosophy, especially in ministry settings with small churches.

The senior pastor came in and also took to trying the Mylo first. Like the first pastor, he had difficulty in navigating the user interface. However, because he had not had any type of hands on with the tablet devices before, he was filled with more questions (cost, availability, applications, etc.). After some frustrating moments in looking up some information with Gmail, he then moved to the N800. Like the first pastor, he said that he felt more comfortable. During the course of the conversation, he asked about the cost of the wireless service. He also wanted to know some websites that he could take advantage of (Google Apps being the most important). The conversation then led into how we could better use our church website and where a device like the Internet Tablets could come in handy.

Both said that they came away with a better understanding of how handheld tech could fit, but they were both looking at things from different vantage points. The first pastor was familiar with the Palm M125 and liked that kind of simplicity, but wanted the free-form of the Moleskin notebook that he uses for writing notes. The senior pastor was more impressed that such technology was available and said that it would be something that he would look into purchasing as it would fill a connectivity need.

Labels: community, internet tablet, mobile, mobile accessories, mobility, Mylo, N800, Nokia, tech

Being that it is a major holiday in the faith (the major holiday), I will probably not post much more this weekend. There is plenty to read however, and as always the archies here and the MMM Jaiku channel have plenty to offer such as:

• Reboot of The Digital Sanctuary
• Nokia Creative taking a look at the Nokia N78 as a versatile and accessible smartphoe.
• The MoLeNET Project
• A Celio Redfly Mobile Companion first thoughts review at The Mobile Gadgeteer

Its for Him that we live and move and have our being; please remeber that as you engage with teh Body this weekend and everyday.

Labels: tech

Last week I visited a youth center in Charlotte that was being outfitted with 16 new computers. The executive director is a friend of mine and I told him that I would visit the facility now that I have the time to get there during their working hours. I saw a place that is right on teh verge of having a major impact in East Charlotte; but also wondered where aspects of learning and understanding mobile tech would come into play in a venue like this.

Use and Sustainability

While it is true that mobile tech has become more and more a part of our lives, it is still something that is an accessory, rather than a need. That being said, I always want to look at how something can be used and maintained in an effective context when speaking of introducing or reteaching technology in a particular area.

For many urban communities, managing finances is a big issue. From the allure of "the greener grass" to the media's depection of rags to riches for just about everything, many of those who live in urban environments have a skewed sense of how to manage their resources. Its in this context where I've sesen pre-pay mobile phones and SMS related services as means for helping to disciple responsiblitiy, and also change the perception that money in is always slower than money out.

Community Involvement

What I noticed about the youth center that I visited is that it sits near a TV station, a radio station, and has a cellular retailer right across the street. If there is ever a means to teach and enable people to reach higher, there are the assests that can do such. In some cases, there might even be other opportunities such as schools, colleges, or local businesses in which their investing of consistent time to teach and mentor can open upthe entire community to start building a solid base for social and economic change.

Spiritual Leadership

One thing that my friend and I agreed on was that for things to change in Charlottte's commnities, the Body has to be a leader in providing those services and points of empowerment that enable and entire city to action. Charlotte is like man places where their is a church on ever corner. When the Body gets together and begins to work in the wisdom and understanding of 'parts and sum' then the kind of leadership that changes communities happen.

And Then the Fun

I had this idea once that students with mobile handsets and some free time could document and change their world. I see this happen more and more as the years go on. Nokia, MTV and Reuters getting together for Super Tuesday is one example of mobile tech doing something different. Taking that action a step futher, using that same mobile tech to give households with no access to the Internet that access. Linking schools, communities, the Internet, and mobile tech to create a community communication net where life is shared appropriately, and generations withining that community are enabling one another to see that the blessings that Christ speaks of in Matthew 5, are as close as us serving one another.

Additional Information

• The Digital Sanctuary also spoke recently about equipping leaders for urban ministry in this post.
• MobileActive.org is a site where one can find out more about engaging their community with mobile technology efforts.

Labels: community, mobility, Nokia, tech, urban

In MEX Manifesto Through Christian Lenses (Part 1), we highlighted that there are issues of mobile technology use and adoption that the mobile marketing, developer, design, and user communities are becoming aware of and need to respond to. In Part 2, we look at this response with Christian lenses, in mind of the Great Commission and a life that doesn't look like the world around it, but sets a standard of holiness.

Content as the Interface of the Future

This is pretty much the case with Christianity already. What will become more the case is how we evaluate associations with one another with this content. Just as in other times of paradigm shifts, all that we do will be measured against the Word and the tradition of the faith. And just like at many other pivotal points, truth and lie will be tacked onto a door and we will have to evaluate it in the mist of seen execution of faith.

Handsets are not longer just for the hand; or the Bible is not just paper and a highlighter

Just as paper has moved in purpose and use, so has happened with mobile devices. No one use will govern technology, and engaging the vast uses over generations of users will take a collective looking and acting outside of the paradigm that we are used to and exploring something new. This doesn't mean to copy what others do, though in places it will. It does mean that innovation has to happen with the tech inside the Body to meet the goals of the commission we are called to.

Fragmentation is the enemy of innovation

Jesus said it best, "a house divided amongst itself cannot stand." This is not just in reference to the ability of one another, but also reaches into areas such as sharing innovation throughout the Body. Larger (well funded) parts of the Body should be spreading innovation to the smaller ones. Sharing the benefits of the technology will build bonds and create an awareness of the strength of the Body when working as a whole, versus the pride of just encouraging the "shiny" parts.

Fashion is a stronger motivation than functionality

The trap of this new tech is to make it shiny and flashy. This is the part of the lens that is a warning and not an admonition. Showing off will cause dissension to happen where growth should. Engaging one another with something new is bound to cause some envy, covetousness, and pride. One part is carrying ourselves as if we are a part of the Body. The other part is just understanding that someone else might see what we do not. Give an ear, an evaluate by the Spirit; not by appearances.

The developing world is the next frontier for mobile user experience

If there is anything that I have learned since starting MMM, it is that innovation in mobile tech in the Body has come faster in places where either the Word is curtailed or resources are just not there. This again, is that areas where well off members of the Body need to plant, water, and listen to what is going on in developing areas of the world, and then be Spirit led in learning, using, and applying mobile user experience lessons to their own appendages to the Body.

Search requires a radically different approach with mobiles

Probably harped on more than anything else here, but it stands to be said again and again. Mobile devices are different. Holding them is different. Interacting with them is different. Developing for them is different. The content isn't. Getting to the content needs to be done in the context of the device and user experience. Not of paradigms of the same users on different devices. Its more work for developers, but that is where user experience professionals come into play to keep things together for us all.

Intelligent contact lists are the information center

The most used and most important social network that we are a part of is our own. And more often than not, it is the one in our phone book. As a Body growing with mobile technology we need to understand this and in our technology efforts focus on enabling users to connect with that network effectively and easily. Whether that is something as simple as showing people how to take photos of their contacts, or something expansive such as using Jaiku or another presence application. There is a lot of room towards keeping interpersonal interaction as the focus of a technology shift.

Mobile payments and the generational shift

I don't agree with this point in the manifesto as I feel that it is too specific and will take longer than MEX professionals really want it to. The broader point that it is making though is something that needs to be stated. Simply speaking, if you were born around 1995 or after, you have grown up with Internet tech as a part of your lifestyle. And if born after 2000 then mobile phones even more so. Feeling comfortable with aspects of your life on the Internet and mobile devices is natural, and will cause the greatest shift as these folks move into leadership-training positions in life. Doing more with mobiles will be the way of life; and there is a hazard in that towards not being aware of what should and should not be public. The Body would be well advised to learn this shift, and teach responsibility, boundaries, and appropriate use accordingly.

Users are complex and contradictory

If you have ever published an application, or dealt with counseling an engaged couple then you know this is an absolute fact. To use this technology and not take into consideration - heavy consideration - that God created us unique and no amount of behavior tracking, profile sharing, or social interaction will ever peg us completely. Dealing with people has to happen on a Spirit-led, person to person basis. We were designed for this type of interaction, and cannot allow technology to be a layer in between it for all aspects of relating to one another.

The potential of smart voice

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). If we don't speak the truth, then we cannot expect people to believe. Yes, voice applications will make a run, but its what is coming out of our mouths that will provoke faith, or provoke hate.

The challenge to the Body is clear when it comes to mobile technology and the changes that are happening now. Its my hope that this look at the MEX Manifesto helps you to understand the gravity of what has and is happening in regards to how we live with tech. This is not an answer to things, just a viewpoint. But one that if the Body takes it, will transform how we do ministry and be Christ-in the world.

Labels: community, mobility, tech

This is part one of a two part series looking at some goals of mobile user experience professionals and how this crosses paths with the technology and use of mobile technology in the Christian faith.

Given that I am able to spend a good bit more time with exploring issues of user experience and user interface design these days, I thought to take a look at something that is of great importance to those in the mobile and mobile web fields, but then will effect all Internet users as a whole as we become more entrenched into the lifestream of using the Internet (on mobile devices).

What is the MEX Manifesto?

Essentially, this is a statement of goals and beliefs that mobile user experience professionals and supporters stand on towards making sure that this new paradigm of using mobile devices doesn't leave anyone out, and takes full advantage of the current and soon to be current applications of technology.

The actual MEX manifesto consists of 10 points of mobile use. Listed here are just the main points, please visit the MEX Manifesto for the details towards each:

• Content itself will be the Interface of the future
• Handsets are no longer just for the hand
• Fragmentation is the enemy of innovation
• Fashion is a stronger motivation than functionality
• The developing world is the new frontier for mobile user experience
• Search requires a radically different approach in the mobile environment
• Intelligent contacts lists are the future centers of user experience
• Mobile payments herald the next generational shift
• Users as individuals: uniquely complex and contradictory
• The potential of smart voice

Now, please understand that I am not saying that all of these fit within the Christian viewpoint of using mobile, internet, and computer technology. But in the context of the Body adjusting its view of the use of technology as a tool within ministry endeavors, these do highlight areas where we can emphasize and therefore engage people in learning/teaching and encouragement areas (Matthew 28:18-20).

So what about those Christian lenses I was speaking of?

Because how we live and conduct ourselves has to be governed by the Holy Spirit and the fact that God's reputation is at the forefront of all that we do, we can look at these points in a light that gives direction to how we take this tech and live.

Stay tuned for part two where we break down those subpoints and give some guidance towards mobile tech use in the Body in light of these challenges.

Labels: community, mobility, tech

Since being invited to be a part of the Nokia Blogger Relations program, I've had the opportunity to review several eye-popping devices. Its even gotten me to admit that I wanted a bit more from my mobile devices, and my moves have reflected that.

As I to do my part in talking about mobile devices and their suitable (and many times not seen) applications. I aim for a view that speaks on more than just how they work best at my place - that intersection of faith and technology for me. I will highlight the things happening with mobile devices that should be considered by all of us (either in use or the changes in lifestyle). I won't shamelessly promote one product over another; but I will push the mess out of something that works for as long as it does.

So I sit writing this post, knowing that I want to do more, but not want to push readers away who might want to do something with their devices or setup that should be explored.

For example, some of you use Linux (in one or many of its various distributions), and I'd like to check in from time to time with what is mobile and relevant here.

Or really take things up a considerable notch and make that N95 purchase, and use the device at home on the TV and produce programs and materials that can go elsewhere to share Christ's heart and Gospel to all.

I don't know all that's out there so I need you to speak up and highlight those things. Same goes for everything really. I've tried to keep this from being a one man show, but because of things in God's control and not my own, the mix of mobile coverage isn't as varied as it could be.

So what I am asking is how MMM can keep a solid mobile mix? Still exploring the ins and outs of what this all means to the Body, but keeping the voice from sounding the same all the time. I invite you to contact us with products, story ideas, or even be a guest poster; or even just post a comment to an article if it gets you thinking/agreeing/disagreeing/etc.

At every intersection there is more than streets and signs. Life happens. As mobile and web technology have let us see, a lot can happen when people come together and converge on the truth of Christ in the world around us. Let's mix it up a bit folks :)

Labels: community, tech

Since moving to using the N800 and N75 as my computing devices, I've had a bit of a quandary when its come to using the devices for Bible study and church. One main issue has been search. Its not so much of an issue on the N75 with the S60 Bible reader - this Bible reader is a lot like the Bible+ reader that has IMO the best user interface for searching for verses when you know the verse you are looking for in either term or address.

The problem comes when I am using the N800. There, I am usually writing notes and want to go back and forth with Rapier and Bible Gateway (yes, I use both at the same time). While I can get to many verses or notes, its cumbersome, and I have gone to the point of putting the devices down and just listening out of frustration.

I read a post about how one can look up Bible references from the web with Logos and it really hit that what I needed (in some cases) was just a better way to get the verses down do that the N800 can give me what I am looking for.

The way that Logos works, according to the post, its pretty much as simple as pointing Logos to the web page where you want to pull the verse from, and then the library shows the verses in another screen. This method really works best when you have a web page that has all the verses listed, and then the browser is open to that page, and the person is in Logos - kinda like one of those options we talked about before.

Here is a bit more detail about the process:

Libronix will quickly find all the Bible references mentioned and add them to your verse list in the order in which they appear on the web page. You can then decide how you'd like to view them. The default is to show only the references without the text. Double clicking those references will open them in your preferred Bible allowing you to read them in their contexts, compare them with other versions, or dig into your study Bibles and commentaries. If you'd like to see the text of the verses along with the references, you can select "References and Text in One Column" or "References and Text in Two Columns."

In looking at this just in the context of Bible software. It would seem that the best way to take advantage of this is have some sort of outline in some kind of container (RSS) that a program could use and then using the ability of that program to take notes, one would have all the verses they need and could just concentrate on listening to the lesson and engaging in the discussion.

Labels: Bible, Bible+, internet tablet, Logos, N800, Rapier, S60 Bible Reader, software, study

The website Help My Unbelief has done an excellent review on the Amazon Kindle eBook device. While we've touched on it in bits and pieces here, this is the first review that I recall taking the device totally from the viewpoint of an aide to Bible study. Here's a snippet of that review:

...I have two versions of the Bible on my Kindle, the NASB and the ESV. Both of them have very awkward navigation methods. When you open the Bible, you start on whatever page you last left off on. This is difficult because if you are in the middle of a chapter, you will have no idea what chapter you are in or what book you are in. The book/chapter reference is not displayed anywhere on the screen except at the beginning of a chapter. The way around this is to change your habits a little and make full use of the search feature. When you want to read Ephesians 3, simply hit search then type in eph 3 and hit enter. You probably won’t be as fast jumping around the Bible on the Kindle as you would with a paper Bible but once you get the hang of it you won’t have any problem keeping up with sermons or Bible studies where the leaders jump from passage to passage. If you know you are going to be in three or four passages and want to flip back and forth between them, you can bookmark each one and jump between bookmarks easily...

Read the entire post at Help My Unbelief.

Labels: Bible, Kindle, review, software, tech

As much as I harp on my Internet Tablet and what doesn't work, I like to also talk about when things come along that are just neat, and have the benefit of having a positive effect on ministry pursuits.

Here's the news, in a few posts, we'll chat about how this has implications for one particular area of ministry where mobile tech and affluence tend to leave behind.

Here's the snippet from Internet Tablet Talk:

The opposite trend has started in the Smartphone world. The desire is to have more content, more details, thus more pixels on the display. The human eyes, especially of elderly people are limited in useable pixel-density. Thus, the size of the display increases. The physical dimensions of mobile devices are not allowed to increase further due to the pocketability constraint. Therefore the display resolution of the built-in display will remain limited. This leads in comparison Smartphone to PC to a disappointing feeling: Overview is still too limited! Alternative form factors such as rollable, foldable and any other kind of flexible display still need to mature for future deployment.

noBounds demonstrates the optimal way out of this dilemma to have a tiny Smartphone, AND utilize high definition (HD) displays by introducing a versatile and highly efficient interaction with external high resolution displays!

Read the rest at Internet Tablet Talk and watch the video below.

Labels: internet tablet, mobile, mobile accessories, N800, N810, Nokia, tech

Earlier this week, I added two new RSS feeds to the MMM Jaiku channel: Biblical Studies and Technological Tools and Lingalinga. Both websites not just hit on technology, but how we should be looking at it through the lens of our Christian walk.

In posting those, I had a thought that I posted there and want to share here as well:

Is anyone getting anything out of these feeds being here? Personally, I was hoping for some discussion of the posts and other discussions, but all it seems to be is a place to catch and read.

I totally understand that the Internet is largely looked at as a type-A deal where only certain people participate. But I wonder sometimes of the use of doing things like the MMM Jaiku channel, which was started as a means to aggregate thoughts and discussions, if no one participates. Thoughts?

Labels: community, Jaiku, tech

Cynthia posted some times and dates for upcoming conferences and events happening this year over at The Digital Sanctuary. Here's a brief of those items:

• Technologies for Worship (NAB) April 13 - 17, Las Vegas, NV
• Biola Media Conference May 3, Studio City, CA
• Dynamic Church Conference May 15 - 17, Dallas, TX
• Church Media.net June 24 - 27, Dallas, TX
• ICVM Catalyst Conference July 8 - 11, Orlando, FL
• Echo August 14 - 16, Dallas, TX
• Internet Ministry Conference October 20-23, Grand Rapids, MI
• Fusion '08 October 9 - 10, Dallas, TX
• and a whole lot more

I guess that I cannot say that there's not one to get to now, hehehe.

Labels: community, events, tech

Monday, I had a meeting with one of the pastors of my church and we talked a bit about getting more out of our church website. Essentially, he wants to use the website bettter to cut some of the administration costs and time to do things. I just wanted to be notified of things in a more upfront, and user-engageable manner. But because both of us are techies, we tended to take things a bit further than some people are willing to go right now with their use of web and technology. So what we did was scale back our thoughts a bit, and then hit on some areas where we could be a good stweard of the web resources we have, but also make those invitiing options for our community.

Here are some of the things we talked about that might prove helpsful to some of you who wish to add some web or mobile-friendly aspects to your ministry efforts:

• Instead of printing announcements and having left overs that just get thrown away, print 1/2 to 2/3 of what you would normally print and then have cards that just list your website address on them to give out when you run out. This drives traffic to your website, and allows your ministry's brand to stand out some more.


• If you have a blog, post a small blurb every week that is just a bulleted listing of the announcements. If there is something that is special or requires more details (such as a teen outing, or study outline), break that out in an occasional single post. Then, when doing announcements, use a screenshot of that posting so that people associate announcements with your website. Here, you can mention using RSS in order to keep up with these items.


• Be innovative in what you post online. I recommended that we post a small outline of our Monday night Bible study on our blog a day or two after the study. This way people who are searching (Google, Yahoo, etc.) will be able to see that we have a study going on, and those who were there would have an additional resource when they want to refer to something said later in the week. Again, emphasize the use of RSS here so that you can empahsize purposeful Internet time.


• Encourage leadership to use web applications for generic things such as teh church calendar (Google Calendar, Upcoming, etc.) and then web-based services such as Evite for special services and events. For example, we talked about using a custom Evite invitation for Easter Sunday services.


• Remind people that their cell phone number is also an email address. For some carriers, you can check these emails online instead of on the device. But, you will receive a text message about them all the time. Using this address for time-sensitive information will help people to keep in the front of their head what the ministry wants to do with them.

These are just a few things, but ways in which technology can be used in a manner that addresses a need to inform, and also a need to trim the fat in terms of administration time. I encourage you to ask those techies in your communities who are project managers and team leads on how to implement these types of things into your ministry efforts. Stwearding this resource well is just as important as any other.

Labels: community, education, email, family, mobile, software, tech, usablity

This was quite interesting to see in my inbox yesterday considering the recent post on being a good steward. Splash Money for Windows Mobile has been released. It was previously available for Palm OS handhelds, but now can be used for those with Windows Mobile devices.

Here are some of the features:

• use stand-alone or sync with desktop edition
• ability to categorize individual or batch items
• 256bit Blowfish encryption
• support for several account types (checking, savings, money market, etc.)
• And more.

I really like Spash Money (and am waiting for the Symbian S60 version). Using this along with doing the Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course with my church really helped me to better mind my manners when it came to spending. The integration with the desktop, along with the wireless syncing on one (unfortunately not all) of my back accounts made keeping track of things pretty much a breeze. Also, being able to create and print out a report of what I've been doing has been helpful as well.

Splash Money for Windows Mobile is available now as a trial version or can be purchased for $29.95. For more information and to download, visit the Splash Money website.

Labels: devotion, software, stewardship, tech, Windows Moible

One of the most involved questions that comes this way is how to attain a solid mobile device or service, and do so without breaking the bank. And while one can easily find devices and services on any kind of search, what kinds of principles are in place that help guide these purchases?

God's Ownership Policy

The overall policy that one should understand that finances of any kind are the Lord's. What we do with those things are a part of how we honor and respect those things that He's given us to steward. While the allure of modern devices and services is strong, we have to first establish and understand that God's best is not always that we get the thing that we want - especially if in what we have we are not serving Him well.

The What and Why

After that, we look at our usage. Many people see my setup and say that they have no need for a smartphone, or the use of a bluetooth keyboard. I say that I have a vested interest in having the immediacy of solid calendaring and contact options (and the immediacy of turning them off [wink]); that I have a vested interest in an ergonomic solution when typing (rather than relying on that ole health care system to fix my wrists). If the technology can in the short and long term prove its usability, then its a solid purchase.

Addressing the Cost

After that, its a matter of setting a budget, and not running towards the most expensive thing. For example, Nokia recently announced a model called the 6220 Classic. This model has all of the same features of the N95, but will cost less once it is introduced. So instead of getting the high end now, when it is most expensive, one can wait until later until it, or another better version, comes out that is cheaper.

Consider that You Are A Steward, Not Just A Consumer

Part of being a good steward over newly acquired mobile tech is knowing how to place boundaries on its use. For example, I used to be a big fan of showing everyone that I have something new to play with. Unfortunately, this is pride and causes strife and envy amongst the brethren. If what I am doing is to be a reflection of God, then I have to allow God room to exhalt Himself and not the new device. This is difficult for many of us because we are accustomed to "showing off the shiny." But just as we are called to humble ourselves, we should also be willing to just use the device, and allow its use to make God more evident than its new gleam.

Meditate and Consider

So as you can see, there is more to making a new purchase than just having the funds for it. As a believer, we have to consider that our actions will have an effect on the Body and people around us in areas more than just getting something new. Being a good steward means evaluating all those things, and then responding to God with obedience and wisdom towards Him in it.

Labels: community, devotion, mobile accessories, mobiles

It's been a bit, but posting shall resume to a more normal pace now. The past two weeks have seen me leaving my day-job, then considering my options afterwards, and last week taking a vacation to see friends and family. If you will, it was a lot like a reset button and being handed the baton for the next stage of things.

To let you all in on things, I'd like for MMM to begin being something that is not a loss in the finances column. That doesn't necessarly mean ads, but it does mean that content and the magazine are to pick up in pace and hopefully frequency. I am still looking for those who can be consistant contributos to the blog, magazine, or both; as well as a means to teach what we know and do the audience outside of MMM's regulars.

I don't know what it looks like. But I run this site from a smartphone and a tablet; so something is sure to spark.

Thanks for your support and prayers; especially the MMM partners, Palm Addict, Laridian, Olive Tree, Logos, and eBible. Its all about faith right? So that's where you will see this go from here.

I suffer from this mindset of a user experience and user interface designer. I think about how and why we use technology more often than anyone else. I am always looking at where to trim the fat, even to the point of taking two steps back to take 20 forward (eventually).

I've felt a lot like this when its come to Bible readers. While I'm in the group of those wanting to have a much improved reading experience with these electronic goodies, I realize that for many people, the need or want to read electronically is not at all attractive.

This perspective hit home (again) when I was reading an article at Ars Technica speaking about the emotional bond that people have with paper. Not that I disagree, paper is great. And I can be accused of looking past that emotional attachment more often than not. But one cannot discount it. Its there, and as a person with just a little bit of voice in this area, I cannot discount it in going towards the bits and bytes.

That being said, I wonder if developers can start thinking about reading with paper. Thinking about a bible reader as if it were paper. Starting from the perspective that content is seperate from presentation (just like in the print world). That formatting and ease of use isn't about sliders and buttons; but about how to enrich the reading experience. About not just giving a great search index, but making search work like our brains do.

I think LJ was really onto something in his part 2 of his The Ultimate Bible Software Application post. But not in the respect of publishing, in the respect of changning the method completly. The web IS NOT print. Its NOT radio. Its NOT TV. Its different - entirely. And has to be done differently. Those that have tried to pigeon-hole it into those same paradigms have fallen aside.

Like reading with paper changed the way that people assumed information was valid and usable, we have to expect that Bible software has to have familiarity, but be different than just pointing and clicking. Its a lot more than that, and our response as technology evangelists means that we have to find that place, and like a nice piece of paper, elegantly show that there's room on the page for this type of reading.

Labels: Bible, software, tech

When I started writing this, I was sitting in front of a big computer with my mobile phone playing the role of music player and social network agent, and my Internet Tablet plays the role of keeping me in tune with news and thoughts from around the web. The effect is that I've offloaded the connect-ability that devices and services bring to devices that won't impair my ability to work; but do sit in a place where my perspective can observe without being taken off track.

In looking at what changes are going on with my life right now, I see the need and the opportunuity to better understand how mobile devices influence our lifestyle. And at the same time, I wonder why so many who are at a point of needing some type of computing, just don't know that its available (cheaply) or that its possible.

For example, last week, there was a couple marveling at the N800, Bluetooth keyboard, Nokia N75 smarpthone, and Palm Centro smartphone that I had on the table. They marvelled not so much because of the tech that was there (the husband was drooling according to the wife); but becaue it hit them were we've come from in terms of computing. We spoke of how they are looking more at tracking solutions for their young children, and whether that engages on any ethical issues on their parts or on the parts of their children. But overall we looked and noticed, those things mobile are here, and for the most part are getting more and more a part of what we understand as the way we do things.

Its one part impressive, and another part wowing. And to think, I got to Philly with a map that folds in my pocket and makes calls too. Amazing what might be next.

Labels: community, tech

LJ posted on his blog another perspective of what we posted on earlier in the week about a Hybrid Bible Reader and what that would look like. Given his perspective of working with Logos and WordSearch a good deal, he brings some needed understanding to the table as to how this can work. Here's a snippet of this post:

...As an avid user of Bible software (circa 1999 or so & using WORDsearch 5 and e-Sword), I've come to find that there are a lot of things that I like in one application, but is not found in another application. Then, there are also those things that I don't like in one software that isn't an issue in the other. Throw into the mix the world of Web 2.0 and you have an entirely different ballgame. Now with the likes of eBible.com and others, one is easily able to share their thoughts on the Word with the world at large, layman and scholar alike. So, just imagine if all of the good was combined into a single application, or at least brought as much of the best of all the worlds together, that's what I mean when I say the "Ultimate Bible Software Application...

Read the rest of the post at the Trailblazin Ministries blog.

Labels: Logos, mobile, software, tech, WordSearch

Matt Miller, aka Palmsolo, has been testing the Evernote Web Public Beta and has posted notes on his findings at the Mobile Gadgeteer blog. Here's a snippet:

...This upcoming web-based version of Evernote works best with the Windows (soon coming to Mac) desktop version since you cannot yet sync your notes taken on a Windows Mobile device with the stand alone Technology Preview for Windows Mobile version of the application to the web version. (See update below for info on a newer version that does sync with Windows Mobile.)...

Read the rest of the post at the Mobile Gadgeteer.

From the looks of things, it seems that this could be a near-notes solution if there was an offline ability to the web-based program.

Labels: Evernote, software, tech

Not being a programmer in the sense of developing applications, I have a large appareciation for those who can stand to listen to hoards of feature requests and feedback that comes on the heels of a popular application. This is something that I've realized first hand as the webmaster for Bible+.

Now again, I see the need to just put out there that a developer is in need of help, not only in terms of development, but also in terms of what could be done with the Rapier Bible reader application.

Over at Internet Tablet Talk, there has been a thread started asking for help and feature request for Rapier. One can also sign up for the mailing list and submit items that way as well.

Much like Bible+, this is a single person who is devoting some spare time to enable those with an alternative device to read the Word. Let's encourage him in prayer and feedback where possible.

For more information about Rapier, or to download it for your Internet Tablet, visit the Rapier page at the Maemo Garage.

Labels: Bible, community, N800, Nokia, Rapier, software