Mobile Ministry Magazine

This is a piece that was written for the BibleTech Conference blog: A Technologist Living Outside of the Silos. Its a thinking piece - or a motivational one - you'd have to come to BibleTech to hear this one ;)

Labels: BibleTech, information technology, tech

Just a reminder that you can meet up with Mobile Ministry Magazine (MMM) and many other bloggers, ministers, teachers, and organizations from all over the world at this year's BibleTech Conference. There are tons of topics being covered over the two day event, and if anything like last year the backchat (Twitter, Facebook, and in the hallways) will be just as engaging.

This year, MMM's topic will be Mobile's Christ-Led Encounters (last year's was called Mobile Technology and Connecting Communities) . Here's the presentation abstract/summary:

Mobile has now taken hold as a main fixture within the regular consciousness of most mainstream technical thought. From sociology to psychology, transportation to entertainment, Facebook to the Good Book, mobile is now at the tip of every tongue in being that next great area of opportunity, engagement, division, and law. Still a new media, mobile suffers from the same growing pains centering around the question: "what's its relevance?" Through the Body of Christ, we can point to some examples of mobile taking root in engagement, evangelistic, and opportunistic measures. We will look at some of these areas as a means to describe what has happened, but also in light of what can still be explored with mobile. It is from this lens that we can engage audiences towards utilizing their mobiles-in-hand as a handshake to open the door for an engaging Christ-encounter.

Hopefully, that has you a bit excited towards what's to come - and not just from MMM. Be sure to register and get your hotel reserved as soon as possible. There's a conference discount for the room, and you don't need to worry about food. It will be in San Jose this year, and so we might get more than the 20min of sun we saw last year ;)

Looking forward to reconnecting with many of you, and seeing some others for the first time in person. But, don't let conferences be the only time you choose to connect with MMM. We are on Twitter, engage the local Charlotte, NC community with Digital Disciples, and are available for other presentations and engagements through Inner-Linked. Suffice to say, we're mobile - and at BibleTech, you'll hear more about this mobile lens and how you can respond to it. See you there!

Labels: BibleTech, conferences, Inner-Linked, twitter

This week, I received notice that my presentation topic Mobile's Christ-Led Encounters was accepted and therefore I'll be representing MMM as a presenter at the BibleTech 2010 Conference in San Jose, CA.

I'm pretty excited about the opportunity, and hope to build on the topic and technology exploration done both at BibleTech and the Visual Story Network's conferences. Here's the submitted abstrat, as to the topic direction, you will want to be there for this one:

Mobile has now taken place within the regular consciousness of most mainstream thought. From sociology to psychology, transportation to entertainment, Facebook to the Good Book, mobile is now at the tip of every tongue in being that next great area. Mobile though suffers from the same growing pains that every other media suffers from when its new - specifically, what's its relevance. Within the Body, we see many examples of mobile taking root as an engagement, evangelistic, and opportunistic medium. Within this topic, we will look at some of these areas that mobile has taken root in, as well as exploring some areas that have not yet been explored.

For more information and to register, visit the BibleTech 2010 Conference website. Hope to see you there

Labels: BibleTech, community, tech

Preparations for BibleTech 2010 Conference has recently been published and this one will be held in San Jose, California. Here are some of the particulars:

BibleTech explores the intersection of Bible study and technology. This two-day conference is designed for publishers, programmers, webmasters, educators, bloggers and anyone interested in using technology to improve Bible study. BibleTech 2010 is an opportunity to meet others who share your interests and hear from industry leaders.

This year's conference will be occurring on March 26-27. Check out the BibleTech Conference website for more information concerning registration and costs.

If you are looking to be a presenter, the call for papers is now open. Get your topics in and make sure that they are solid, relevant, and something that sparks conversation. I can attest that a good topic keeps people talking.

A tech note, take many batteries for your mobile devices. There's a lot of tech talk and you will be online and on social networks all the time.

Again, for more information, check out the BibleTech Conference website. Hope to see you there.

Labels: BibleTech, conferences

In trying to better understand where you are going, its best to see what has already happened. If you will, history is a good indicator to the future, though not always accurate to a tee.

This excellent post from the Jewish Publication Society's Dr. Ellen Frankel is a key piece of understanding for those who want to use Web 2.0 tech and principles towards their ministries/organizations. Also, for students doing research towards how mobile tech mirrors prior art, this is an excellent starting piece. Here's a snippet:

The Mishnah was the Rabbis' first attempt to expand beyond the Bible, but it failed because it was a closed system. In effect, it was Web 1.0: top-down, non-participatory, read-only, and designed for repetition, as its own name suggests. The Rabbis’ next effort, the Talmud, was a much more dynamic system. In fact, the Talmud has dominated Jewish practice and study for almost 1500 years. It also represented a leap from Web 1.0 to 2.0.

The Talmud is built upon the content architecture of the Mishnah. Each Talmudic discussion, called a sugya (Aramaic for "a walk" or "path") begins with a short passage from the Mishnah. It then proceeds to walk the reader through a meandering conversation about what the passage means, what it doesn’t mean, and how many permutations various rabbis can dream up to read it in different ways

Read the rest.

By the way, you can listen to this as it was presented at the Bible Tech 2009 Conference (Speaker Abstract, MP3 audio, PowerPoint via Slideshare). I will not lie one bit when I say how excited listening/seeing this presentation at Seattle made me. Some things are just clearer when history is given.

Labels: BibleTech, community, Jewish, Mishnah, Talmud, Web

Again with the BibleTech reflections... ok, so you are probably getting near tired of these, but really, there was a lot of good information that came through the presentations and networking. One of the conversations that I had was with a few of the folks at BibleTech (with the ears of other software and publishing houses nearby) in speaking about what users really want from electronic Bible readers.

There's one little problem, there are different buckets of users, and they want a different starting point. So I asked a question: since mobile is just one section of users, the paradigm of mobile use isn't the same as desktop or even book use, how about we start designing a Bible app from that different paradigm.

A few definitions so that we are all seeing this in the same (or as close to the same) light:

• Mobile: just speaking of devices that have a screen size smaller than 5in
• Mobile use paradigm: the goal is a task that can be completed quickly, and leads to other interactions that may or may not lead to a different technology or use (30 seconds versus 30 minutes)

So that be leveled, let’s start with what the process looks like:

Person sitting in a fellowship gets the call to open their Bible to John 3:16. There's some reading of the verse, then commentary. All the while, the only interface to the text is John 3:16.

Current Bible software says:

• Head the call to open bible
• Navigate to application
• Open book chooser, chapter/verse chooser
• Open another application (or feature to reader application) for notes
• Bookmark verse for later reference (notes usually not attached)

This sounds pretty simple. And in most cases, this is the process that we use when "thinking" about how to interact with content. Now, what if the user interface (UI) had us go into this differently:

• Navigate to application (or widget)
• Type in the reference(s) - yes, we can deal with multiple references at once here
• Select option to tag text (given preset tags of book, chapter-verse, date, and geolocation; can add custom)
• Small text field to write notes which are saved to an external file that can be read by other Bible, browser, or text applications

If you will, instead of starting at the point of "show me the text then go to where I want to go" (something how babes in Christ learn how to read the Word); we give folks a simpler interface (search box - think Google - and a list of recently used tags).

In speaking with those folks at BibleTech, the draw is that we want to expose people to that greater functionality such as commentaries, other languages, maps, etc., however the current user interface leaves a lot to be learned by users, which makes the user experience falter.

So my suggestion is that we simplify things. Starting from a search box (and this works for every mobile platform), from there, opening only the functionality that needs to be seen.

Now, this works for mobile devices better than it does for desktops (and to some degree laptops). When you are at those larger devices, you are sitting still for some period and working out something a bit more than casual reading. When the device gets smaller, the perception of functional time is different. You get on a mobile to get things done quickly, not just to read and browse. That being said, there are some elements of thinking like this which can be pretty powerful if given the attention to structuring data and simplfying.

I'll have to do some screens of how this would work out, but here and here are similar thoughts to what I've done on this meme previously. Who wants to take the first crack at doing something different?

And if you've read this far and think that this kind of approach might not be so good, take a look at what the Mozilla Firefox folks are proposing (Ubiquity/TaskFox). There's a lot that can happen when all we do is strip the conventional UI from the app, and start letting people use natural language to request functionality.

Labels: BibleTech, innovation, mobility, software, UI

Logos posted this Tuesday that the audio files from the various BibleTech presentations have been posted at the BibleTech conference website. Some speakers have also made available their slides that they used for their presentations.

For MMM's presentation, Mobile Technology and Connecting Communities, here's the audio and outline. Enjoy.

Labels: BibleTech, innovation, mobility, speech

First off, let me say that this is not a knock on any of the presenters, or even Logos, but its something that was highlighted to me directly while at BibleTech that is something that needs to be address sooner rather than later (more like addressd yesterday instead of tomorrow if you get me).

I am speaking of the subject of accessibility - specifically for those with visual, touch, and auditory impairments to whom mobile and web technology should be making for a better life, but has really made them stand out more as "different."

I had a discussion with a person who works alongside the e-Sword project and one of the questions he asked me is if I had seen the Braille PDA. This PDA I had seen, but it had been many years since I had heard anything about it. Come to find out at BibleTech, this device - which was antiquated when it was origianlly developed - has not seen any development, nor has the price decreased.

$5000 device.

Really, folks can barely afford a $500 device in a consumer-driven economy, and now we have a need for accessible technology that is priced so far out of range that the argument that "no one is buying it therefore we don't need to develop it" is about as flawed as any.

I got a chance to play with this device (pictured), and I had to say that its a pretty neat device when you think about it. You "see" with your thumbs and the first 3 digits of your hands on each finger control the dots so that you can "read and write." It would have taken me some time to get used to it - because I cannot read Braille - but as an assistive technology device that can plug into just about anything, this was cool.

Yet where's the discussion in the Body on this aspect of mobile tech?

That night, I started thinking about that scene within the BibleTech lunchroom. All of us with our G1s, iPhones, laptops, etc., chatting away about what the other is doing to make information, connectivity, and more possible because of what's available to us. And yet, we weren't there addressing those people who had even more legitimate needs - people to whom rightfully deserve the Gospel and all its benefits presented to them in a "language" they can "hear."

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:21-23)

It would be really sad to think that for all that I've tried to put my hands to do here, that it would mean absoutely nothing in the heart of my Lord. But in terms of that critique towards where BibleTech could and should have been more effective - talking about how technology is meeting the felt needs of HIS people - that was one area where I was left at the lunch table a lot more hungry than the food in front of me presented.

Maybe beyond what's possible, we can start building the conversation and action towards what's needed to be heard by all.

Labels: accessiblity, BibleTech, mobility

Something about BibleTech that was very evident was this idea that the current [computer] tech revolution is only a bridge to the next one. If you will, there's a bigger thing happening/yet-to-happen that as a Body we not only need to be prepared for, but also innovators in front of.

Now, I can say that I did my part in respect to talking about mobile (3-4billion folks vs the 175million on Facebook means something I think) and doing the QR-code for a business card (though many could not read it apparently). There's just more coming down the pike, and for us to recognize that is very important.

For example, there were the discussions on tagging the Bible - using semantic data to create machine readable text that can be shared, read, and understood in a fuller context; discussions on how to approporately use resources like Logos in a classroom where there are different types of hardware, but there needs to be a reliance on the same software and not just teaching how to find something, but to think about it.

I guess were I'm getting at is that BibleTech opened some of us to the fact that there's more than just the tech that is going on in our front yards that is important. There's the continual growing and maturing of a faith community with and without this tech, and bringing that to the 95% of folks that currently don't see what we see.

To me, that just makes it quite fun. Especially now that the conference is over, and there are articles like this and this and this that call us to more than just leaving a status update. We have to continue to get out and engage, introveted in demeanor or not.

Labels: BibleTech, innovation

The title is kind of how I've felt since getting back to Charlotte from BibleTech. Mainly because I've been talking with others about some of the things mentioned in the last post, and in general because I'm really excited at hearing and seeing what others are doing in the Body with technology.

A piece of reflection that I can say that gets me is that all blessings tend to come back around. Since before (grammar police go away) MMM began, I was always one to give people mobile devices. At BibleTech, I was the reciepent of a new device - thanks Matt - and felt just like there are blessings in doing MMM that reach beyond the people that read here, and the moments of rocking with the tech in our hand. There's a lasting effect to this that I really need to continue to see in my life and the lives of others.

That being said, I'm also totally in need of rebuke for doing MMM as a largely solo effort. Your boy needs a hand and really appreciates those that write, pray, host, etc. here. I've got to do better cultivating folks in that arena.

Other blessings so far: jet lag, more conversations, and the sowing back of energy and tech into my church. I'm digging this kinda stuff.

More reflections to come. As well as some important issues that came to light.

Labels: BibleTech

What, you thought that things would stay conventional ;)

For those without a QR Code reader such as inigma or Kaywa Reader on your camera-equipped mobile device, you can see the presentation outline here.

Labels: BibleTech

Not that this was something that could not wait, but since I am on the Nokia N800 and using WordPy its as good a time as any to compose a few reflections on BibleTech.

First off, I need to say that "I" needed an event. Just to be in the physical company of companies and people who think in the vein of "computer technonlogy should be used to glorify God" was refreshing and refilling. I literally feel refreshed spiritually.

Secondly, the first day was a lot of networking and listenimg to raw tech; day two pointed everything at Christ-leading. The call to accountability after seeing and hearing so much was "mature."

Some notable presentations that I would encourage you to lten to include Dr. Eileen Frankel's How the Jews Invented Web 2.0, Craig Rairdin's talk on a new SMS service for churches (called Church Texting Manager), and the two Olive Tree presentations.

You can see the "other" conversions via twitter by searching for the hashtags #bibletech2009, #bibletech, and #bibletech09. Some of us had that wrpng a few times (whoops).

I only got out on Saturday night with Wes and Greg but it was great. Seattle has a nice vibe to it; and great seafood dishes via Elliot's (thanks Camille and our driver for pointing that place out). Gabe's piece digital discipliship was so on point. And all the talk of semantics, linguistics, and makin better study methodologies was just "ooh" packed.

We flew around Mt. Olympia (a few minutes before I started writing this) and that was just awesome. Out of the clouds there's this mountain sticking out. I. Feel. Small.

More reflections to come. And also some important issues towards publishing, development, and accessibility that were brought to my attention. We have a lot to do in respect towards making sure no one is left out when we use tech - mobile or otherwise.

To those who are visiting for the first time; welcome. The search box is the best way to find anything here as there are more than 1600 posts published. If you'd like to see us better cover something use the Contact page, or message us at twitter (@mobileminmag).

This was really good.

UPDATE: Some updates of posts by Wes Allen, Mike Miller, and a photo gallery of BibleTech/Seattle from myself.

Labels: BibleTech

Any good presentation also contains a history about its speaker and the circumstances that led to this point. In snippet #2 of the BibleTech presentation, we give you some of the history of MMM and how its evolved to an intersection of faith and mobile technology, and where that point's MMM and the Christian Body as a whole towards for future items:

Mobile Ministry Magazine was started in 2004 as a response to (a) boredom and (b) an increasing awareness of the misunderstanding that the Body (in the Americas and Western Europe) had towards the impact of mobile devices and connected services. And while many were aware of this as possible, few in the Body were taking that literal next step of answering the call that 4 billion mobile users bring to the table. Most settled for the smaller set of folks who wanted websites and social networks. And though this is good, it didn't address the simple fact that for most, their mobile is with them just as much (if not more) than the clothes on their back.

So MMM asked a simple question: who in the Body would be the ideal target audience for educating the masses about the intersection of faith with mobile technology. Of course, I chose pastors and teachers. These would be those persons ahead of the technology curve, already established authorities, and hopefully, open enough to the newness of mobile that they would at least listen.

That did not happen. Ironically enough, before the iPhone, MMM was very much ignored because many in MMM's initial target group did not see the point of instant communication devices, accessibility, or understood enough about it to teach healthy boundaries and how to navigate a world around them that had gotten the memo and were moving quickly.

These days, MMM has a voice with some people, but the point isn't the voice, its the realization that the Christian Body has and always will intersect with modern technologies. And we have to not merely adapt to them, but innovate over them in order to keep the message clear, approachable, honest, and consistent with its initial speaking.

Mobile devices and services offer the ability to literally be a stoplight towards whatever we are doing, and we have to respond - either in faith or tech - then have a resultant action that will effect those around us.

So MMM has evolved since that first 2004 magazine. In April 2005, MMM launched as a website and expounding on various approaches towards looking at mobile devices and connected technologies - reviewing them, asking questions, tying the understanding and reflection of Scripture, trying and failing at several types of communication solutions, and connecting with others in the Body who share similar passions - in order to demonstrate and create a baseline of knowledge that will enable current and new leaders the ability to discern how to correctly apply these and future technologies in ways that mirror that first passing of a lesson by word-of-mouth...

Labels: BibleTech

Keep up with MMM @mobileminmag via Twitter, or look for the #bibletech2009/#bibletech09/#BibleTech09 hashtags at the jaiku and twitter general feeds. I'll also have some personal updates via my personal website later today.

Labels: BibleTech

As promised some time ago, I'll be letting the cat out of the bag towards the MMM BibleTech presentation now that the conference has begun. Of course, I cannot let it all out, you have to get a bit at a time, and then with some commentary (and probably questions from attendees), we can talk about it in a clearer light.

To get things started, here is the first piece of the presentation: the abstract. Slightly tweaked from the submitted version, this should offer many of you a clear idea of what MMM will be talking about, and how we will be approaching all of the conversations and tracts at BibleTech:

The next technological paradigm to challenge and change how people relate to one another has been exposed by mobile devices and services. From location-based services such as Google Maps, to social networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn, the ability to connect with one another has moved from large screen and time-dependent media (radio, TV, PC internet) to the more personal and time and location independent arena of mobile devices (SMS, applications, mobile internet).

Forwarding this change has been smartphones, iPods, and Wi-Fi. Modern culture has demonstrated various ways to connect with this mobile technology, though the Body has been slow to assume the position of a change-agent for using this technology to connect communities. When we understand this ability for mobile technology to enable us to be change agents, we can better adjust our focus of ministry towards more than just those stationary moments.

This presentation will therefore cover the impending impacts of mobile devices and services on local and global communities, and how we can be led by Christ towards connecting to all.

Stay tuned. More to come from both the BibleTech website and here towards thing things being talked about.

Labels: BibleTech

Here's another hint towards what's going to be happening at Bible Tech.

Labels: BibleTech

I said earlier that I would continue to drop some hints towards the contents of my presentation at BibleTech. Here's the latest hint, and this one I didn't even have to write up:

...The folks attending this show are generally ahead of the computing trends in the general population, so while I don't foresee folks dumping their notebooks in favor of smartphones, I do think people are more comfortable with letting their smartphone be their computer for a longer amount of time. The willingness of these attendees to rely mainly on their phones on the floor of the conference is a shift from years before. I bet it's a shift that continues as mobile phones get smarter and mobile broadband gets better.

This is part of an article posted at GigaOM concerning the SXSW Conference that went on this past week.

A hint or two more to come until the big event ;)

Labels: BibleTech, Laptop, mobility, smartphone

BibleTech 2009 is in a few weeks and I'm in the mist of preparing. Unfortunately, that plus a new project have really sapped the energies needed to push out content here. I won't leave you all totally devoid though, here's a snippet of what's going to be part of the BibleTech presentation:

In April 2005, MMM launched as a website and expounding on various approaches towards looking at mobile devices and connected technologies - reviewing them, asking questions, tying the understanding and reflection of Scripture, trying and failing at several types of communication solutions, and connecting with others in the Body who share similar passions - in order to demonstrate and create a baseline of knowledge that will enable current and new leaders the ability to discern how to correctly apply these and future technologies in ways that mirror that first passing of a lesson by word-of-mouth.

In effect, look at MMM as a signpost signifying that from this point on, things change.

Like I said, just a piece ;). If I make my goal this weekend, I'll post another piece of the presentation, and something that I hope to get you thinking more about what's in your hand and how that intersects with God's heart.

Labels: BibleTech, communication, community

Despite the anemic pace of posting, there have been a number of items of note that have passed via my RSS reader which are worthy to note. Here's the rundown:

• The ESV Online Study Bible was released this month alongside the hardcopy and is free throughout the month of March (via Biblical Studies and Technological Tools). Its available for a slew of mobile devices too (such as Olive Tree), so there's no excuse for not having a suitable read-reference with you.
• Carnival of the Mobilists #163 (via Golden Swamp).
• Don't forget to register for MinistryTECH and BibleTech.
• A Microsoft-proposed vision of of computing in 2019 (this is what kids will know as normal).
• The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelism in Cape Town South Africa is going on in 2010. You can submit your choice for those you'd want to attend (via Sacred Digital).
• A person who is using a Palm Centro smartphone for Greek and Hebrew learning (via Palm Addict).
• The responsibility of parents to not allow kids to follow trends of mobile technology without first establishing guidelines via the Word (via Baptist Press).

That's all for now. I'm busy as ever and trying other new things with a mobile while working on a few articles and reviews. Back to the sea of life around me, hoping to catch a few ;)

Labels: BibleTech, Carnival of the Mobilists, children, ESV, Greek, Hebrew, innovation, MinistryTECH, Palm, Palm Addict, parenting, RSS

Two things to remind you, even though this seems to be a very busy week all around.

• BibleTech: Don't forget to register if you are intending on going. Remember also that there's a special room rate at the Hilton where the conference is being held. Keep up with the speaker schedule and other updates via Twitter (#BibleTech09)
• Pretty cool event going on in Barcelona, Spain called the Mobile World Congress. Basically, every mobile, web, and IT folks from all over the world showing their wares and presenting what will be coming down the pipe. And believe it or not, innovation and ingenious use doesn't slow down because of recessions. Just imagine what areas the Body can plug into given the state of those things mobile and web.

But that's all for now. Stay tuned this week for the next part to LJ's T-Mobile G1 Review, as well as some other thoughts and goodies.

Labels: BibleTech, community, G1, MWC, review

Well, I just got my confirmation numbers for the flight and hotel. So you know that means that I am just about set to go for BibleTech 2009.

What's BibleTech? Well, its a conference of developers, technology evangelists, pastors, bloggers/journalists, and others who are interested in learning and collaborating about how mobile technology and the Internet are being used to foster better relationships within the Body and give a clearer understanding of the Bible. In a lot of respects, its a trends-spotting event where there are a lot of conversations towards what works and what doesn't, what's here and what's to come in this arena.

For me, this will be the first time that MMM goes across the US in order to share our vision and mission. I hope that you would decide to attend. And if so, that you would take the opportunity to connect and build with us at the intersection of faith and mobile technology

Labels: BibleTech, community

Olive Tree brings name recognition and a reputation for reliability to the game. One of the things I first looked for when I initially considered the jump from Palm to BlackBerry was the presence of Bible programs.

The fact that Olive Tree had a BlackBerry port helped make the decision easy.

Olive Tree BibleReader for BlackBerry Version 4.0 is an impressive Bible study program that provides access to an entire suite of inspirational resources.

What makes this software compelling is the ability to store bible translations and related material on the user's expansion card. This removes the natural fear BB users have when it comes to device memory. Now, with this software, the only restriction on how much resources one can carry is based on device OS and memory card size.

Genius.

I am finicky. OTBR accommodated- me. Option-wise, I had numerous options: the ability to adjust font size, font color, background colors and more. The search function was snappy; I found it to be very responsive, even to multiple words.

Of particular interest to potential users will be the Bookmarking feature. It does just that: it keeps the selected verse in memory. This is great for when you are at service or such and have a list of scriptural references, you can save them in the program before-hand. I found it very useful.

Olive Tree has a library of dozens of bible translations and related reference resources that can be stored on card. Of these, a few are free (like ASV and BBE); the rest are for sale at the Olive Tree site. The reader itself is free.

My biggest issue with OTBR is admittedly somewhat unfair; it is based on the fact that I was such a huge fan of the features on the Palm port. To be specific, I was dismayed with the inability to add notes directly into the program while studying the bible. As said early, I loved this feature on my Palm. At the risk of sounding overly whimsical, I missed the ability to "split" screens with different versions. Again, that feature enhanced bible study a great deal

Simply put, this is an excellent program. It is well-made, feature-rich and has the potential to be a valuable tool in the lives of the familiars and the curious. If anything, try out the free translations. Support is quick, updates are frequently put out, and the developer clearly aims to please.

This software is rated for devices running OS 4.2 and up.

It is also available for Palm, iPhone, Symbian, and Windows Mobile.

This software was tested (and its review written) on an 8320 running OS 4.5 on T-Mobile.

Labels: BibleTech, BlackBerry, Olivetree, review

Just wanted to make sure that all of you were aware of the BibleTech 2009 Conference. Happening in Seattle, WA (USA) on March 27-28, 2009, this conference will bring together publishers, programmers, webmasters, educators, bloggers, and tons of others folks to meet and discuss how to use technology to improve Bible study. It should be a good time, and I hope that you can make it.

As for me, well... I submitted my abstract (Mobile Technology and Connecting Communities) and it was accepted. So expect me there, and ready to engage with the whole lot of you.

Here's the (edited) abstract to what I'll be speaking on:

The next technological paradigm to challenge and change how people relate to one another has been exposed by mobile devices and services. From location-based services such as Google Maps, to social networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn, the ability to connect with one another has moved from large screen and time-dependent media to the more personal and time and location independent arena of mobile devices. Forwarding this change has been smartphones, iPods, and Wi-Fi. Modern culture has demonstrated various ways to connect with this mobile technology, though the Body has been slow to assume the position of a change-agent for using this technology to connect communities. When we understand this ability for mobile technology to enable us to be change agents, we can better adjust our focus of ministry towards more than just those stationary moments. This presentation will therefore cover the impending impacts of mobile devices and services on local and global communities, and how we can be led by Christ towards connecting to all.

So, even if this is something that you ordinarly think might not be so exciting, come out anyways. There will be a lot of pushing and challenging the Body to be better examples of Christ-centered living with this conference. And who knows, maybe I'll do a good enough job that you'll want me to come and speak with members in your community about the same topic ;)

Labels: BibleTech, conferences, Logos

I didn't make it last year, but hopefully I can this year. The Logos blog has posted about BibleTech 2009. Registration and proposal submissions have now been opened for the conference that will take place Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 in Seattle, WA.

There's not much more to say other than check out the conference website and get rollin.

...and yes, I have submitted a presentation proposal. Hopefully, it merits consideration and approval and then you can see me there.

Labels: BibleTech, community

Want to keep up with MMM and several other sites via one page (or RSS feed)? Check out the MMM Jaiku channel. Several sites and discussions going on there currently. Here are a few notables.

- Would anyone be interested in a MMM meetup in Charlotte in February?

- I'm sure this is a well known bible study site but I thought I'd share it just in case

- Palmsolo's coverage of BibleTech 2008.

- Pirating of Logos, Wordpress, and other resources.

Some of the websites that have RSS feeds on the MMM channel include:
- Church Tech Matters
- Christian Computing Magazine
- The Digital Sanctuary
- Bible Software Review Weblog
- ESV Bible Blog
- and more

Jump on over or subscribe to the RSS/Atom feed for the MMM Jaiku channel and engage folks with a bit of social networking.

Labels: Bible, BibleTech, community, Jaiku, meetup, mission, mobile, tech

Aside from my own disappointments in not getting there, the 2008 BibleTech Conference is underway. Updates are coming from the Logos blog as well as PalmSolo.

Do make sure that if you have any questions towards what's happening at the conference that you speak up in one of those discussions.

Labels: BibleTech, community, Logos

I have a bit of a confession (hence the breaking of that one-post-a-day thing I've been doing); becuase I have not been so mindful with my finances, I am not able to attend the BibleTech Conference that's going on later this month. Its not because I was crazy and spent funds on tons of things even. I helped out a (new) friend in need, plus met financial goals in other areas, and that left me without the ability to go to BibleTech.

I really feel bad about this because I've want to not just go to this, but other conferences this and last year, but the finances and travel/time management side of things has seen me coming up short (should I pray for an assistant in that area?).

So I do want to apologize in advance to all of you readers who were expecting me to be there. I cannot. I've prayed about going, and even as far as wanting to do things out of order financially to go, but I cannot.

This is probably the one area where in doing MMM that I am most discouraged. Financially, I'm not yet able to do what I'd want to do in terms of traveling, speaking, and teaching, because finances are an issue. Thankfully, I have been getting a better hand of things (been doing Dave Ramsey's Financal Peace University with my church for the past two months, and I am in remarkably better shape than in the recent past); I just haven't turned the corner where I can say that finances are not a hindrance here.

Apologies for the extremely personal post, regular programming will resume hereafter. I read this and it just hit me (again) that I'm not able to partake in what should be a great event for MMM, its readers, and the entire Body. Nevertheless, please keep myself and MMM in your prayers, hopefully as the year goes on, other opportunities will come where engaging companies such as Laridian and Logos can happen.

Labels: BibleTech

In airing last week that I am moving to a new device, there's also a bit of a change that I'd like to do that is a lot more far reaching. I'd like to make an effort in this coming year to be a almost-always mobile blogger. Meaning that I'd like to not just post the occasional post to the blog, but even go as far as produce and admin all the content for it.

Doing this is going to be a good bit of a challenge. The major hurdle will be getting the devices and accessories needed to make this happen. Right now I have the 3G phone, but looking at either expanding that to the N95-3 (US 3G super phone) or just getting an Internet Tablet and running from there.

Sidenote: the N95 would allow a good bit more play in terms of creating multimedia-themed aspects to things (here and elsewhere), while making outreach something that will challenge perceptions. The Internet Tablet aspect is more personal and would allow for the investigation of reading and study solutions that haven't been pursued as much.

I've gotten a keyboard ($30 at Amazon). But then I'll need to make sure that my charging solutions are together (car and solar are already on tap).

After that, it will be a matter of just doing it. And by it I mean everything. As it stands right now, there is not a suitable web/offline application that works as a great reading, studying, and journaling Bible (still). That's something that I'd like to see (and would help develop if time permits). I'd need a suitable platform to admin this blog, and might even have to move to another platform to make that easier. And then there is the web/offline office apps that I'd use. Its a lot that I'd be pushing to happen on this move, much of which I've aired in part before, but will be a bit louder about making happen.

In a recent Brighthand editorial, I mentioned that moving away from the the Treo the the N75 was like changing into a new relationship. And in a lot of ways it is. But the kicker is that I've made this change so that I can walk even more fully into the mobile life that will probably define most of the rest of my 20s (not that many more to go there). I think there is value enough in what's to come that I'm willing to push out and try something not-yet-done.

My only hope is that I don't reach too far, else no-one benefits from this, and I end up with a nice sized empty wallet. I've already seen this happen with my inability to get to BibleTech 2008. I've got to make sure that this move is a good bit more planned, and then executed so that the intersection of what works and what doesn't in terms of faith and tech, is made clear.

Labels: Bible, BibleTech, internet tablet, mobile, mobile accessories, N800, N95, software, tech

I am having a hard time titling this post. Mainly because it is a public writ of some personal thoughts that I have had for some time.

I have been on the road since Tuesday of last week. Between a new laptop and my Treo (and mainly the Treo), I have been able to stay up to date with various news and notes from around the web and with people around me. Because of the accessiblity I have with this tech, I was able to reconnnect with a lot of people in the DC, Annapolis, and Phila. areas. From phone calls to text messages, it sure seemed that for all the mobile that I was doing by driving, that my tech was doing a lot of the same, just stretching the ability to connect a bit further than I was driving.

This morning, I got into Charlotte after driving the entire night from Philly and went straight to church. I am one of the persons who helps to set up for service and this was my week to be there early. After we finished setting up, I pulled out my laptop to email one of the guys some notes from my trip that I had taken. Another member stopped me and began asking questions about mobile tech (that I use) and RSS. He expressed at one point that he felt he was being a bother, but he wasn't. I was happy to share what I know with him. It was there that it hit me (again): does mobile ministry really matter if the things that I take as being simple are not yet understood by the many.

In the conversation I had with Mobile Cowboy this past week, we talked about really getting out there and challenging the way that churches respond and use tech. And we both have a great idea as to how to do it. The question stopped at the "how and where's the relevance" end of things. Sure, we are passionate about it, but without sounding geeky, how do we translate this appropriate use of technology into something that can viably be called a ministry.

I am thinking about this past week and what I was able to do personally, but how little of it had relevance to anyone else until I was able to sit down with them. Mobile tech is shaped like that; its personal by design and has to have personal relevance before it can become even a blip on the radar. I've been at this blog/magazine for sometime now and feel like I fall short in encouraging/teaching where tech becomes a personal enough matter to enable the right kinds of change when it intersects with our fatih.

Now, this is the right kind of change. Its the kind of effect that I wish that MMM had/has (changing a paradigm of use, as well as galvanizing communities whom otherwise would be left out of those things tech). I am not sure that it does, and therefore I question its relevance and effectiveness. Sure, expressing God's heart for tech and and innovations of what is here is great, but to date, I just haven't been able to turn that corner to where all those things typed get practiced more often than sometimes.

I hope that by going to BibleTech 2008 that I'd find what I am looking for in terms of that further kick, motivation, or something. I just don't know if mobile ministry will be relevant enough as a pursuant in my own life for me to take the best advantage of it. Unless a personal connection is made with the people who would most benefit by it, mobile ministry is more talk than action, and in effect missing the point of doing all things to the glory of God.

Labels: BibleTech, mission, mobile, tech

This is one of the first days since moving down to NC that I can really sit and go mobile and not have too many distractions. In a cafe, I am listening to some solid jazz while getting a good amount of rest time in to ponder the world around me.

Of course, I am here with my Treo and keyboard, hoping to make good on a ton of the time that I have not had to blog and read. It's in these situations where I would like to throw somethings out there. Things that I think that in this time of mobile tech that we sometimes take for granted.

The first is the idea of socialization. A few people have asked me about my "Blackberry" (Treo and BBs look alike) because I have an external keyboard. Ironically, this is something that many people woudl go for given their respective uses for a smartphone. From this point, a door is open to conversation. Now, granted I am not looking to do anything major like baptizing anyone, but the idea of making relationships should never be ignored. I recall the story of Jesus and the tax collector in Matt. 18 (hope I got that right) and how he developed a relationship with him moreso than pointing out wherer he was in wrong standing with God. Sure, that would have come up, but it was not the primary thrust. Being in different businesses (carpentry/teaching) and finances, the two had a good deal to learn from one another. From there, changing a life could happen.

Another thing that has been on my mind is the BibleTech 2008 Conference. It is something that I really want to get to and I am hoping that the steps I am taking in budgeting and sponsorship can make for me going. I really encourage you to look into going, or sponsoring someone who is going. The wealth of information that will be shared there will definitely be something worth sharing a few times.

One of the last things on my mind to write about has been mobile epistles. If you will, a blog that acts like a newsletter in the sense that it would send out (daily/weekly) a letter to various churches and orgs. I think that in some respects that MMM is good for that, but maybe that is something to consider when other areas of my life and this team are settled.

Until all of that happens, enjoy the break. Mobile tech is not just about productivity, but about creating personal space in such a way that draws you towards God and away from the stress of life. Be encouraged all.

Labels: BibleTech

I've been sitting on this for sometime now. The issue being that I didn't want to rehash some of what we already know as suitable software/hardware or services/applications, but really point out the why in using these items we set ourselves up to be presentable with the Gospel.

That being said, here are my selections for part 4 of this series Software, Services, and the Gospel.

- Photography
- Logos

Photography
When we think of the evolution of photography, we think of services such as photo sharing websites (Shozu, Flickr, etc.) and multimedia messaging (MMS). But instead of just speaking about the services, which we are for all intents and purposes familiar with, I want to just highlight how photography is an effective tool for sharing and living the Gospel:

Read this verse then view this website.

To me, this is probably the most impressive display of mobile ministry I've seen to date.

Logos Bible Software
Despite being one of the most expeisive software packages available, Logos Bible Software has been widely regarded as the best for several reasons. The latest version, Logos 3, has several additions that makes it an even better buy:
- Bible Speed Search
- Bible Word Study Report
- Vocabulary Lists & Flash Cards
- and tons more features.

I've used this software exactly one time in the past, and have been wanting for my PDA's software ability and collection to be this good. Granted, that might not be possible on a Treo just yet, but considering all that Logos has done so far, who knows what might be possible in the near future.

Note: Logos Bible Software is hosting BibleTech:2008 Conference in Seattle, in January. Read more at the Logos website.

Labels: BibleTech, photography, software, tech

Was reading at the Olive Tree blog this weekend (via RSS) and they made a mention about BibleTech 2008. Its a "two-day conference is designed for publishers, programmers, webmasters, educators, bloggers and anyone interested in using technology to improve Bible study."

Olive Tree posted that they will have two speakers at BibleTech. The titles of their presentations will be Electronic Publishing and Bible Software in a Fast-Moving Mobile Landscape" and "The Challenges and Future of Bible Software in a Mobile World."

Logos has set up a page with all of the pertenant inforation including whom to contact for setting up a hotel room at a reduced rate. All in all, this looks like a great event to get out to.

Labels: BibleTech, mission, mobile, Olivetree, tech

Mobile Ministry Magazine began its run by releasing quarterly issues which contained reviews, editorials, and how-to articles which would enable readers to get a hold onto mobile and web technology and further see how these are being used. While the issues are no longer being published, there are several series of articles which are published from time to time in keeping with the original purpose of having "issues" which are able to be recorded and discussed.

Issues

• MMM Issue 1: Premiere Issue (PDF)
• MMM Issue 2 (PDF)
• MMM Issue 3: Mobile Tech in Ministerial Roles (PDF)
• MMM Issue 4: At the Intersection of Faith and Technology
• MMM Issue 5: Keep Moving Forward

Special Reports

• MMM Mobile Experiment Report (PDF)
• MMM Smartphone Guide
• Church in the 7th Dimension
• Parents and Mobile Kids (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
• The Paperless Pulpit (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
• 2009 BibleTech Presentation: Speaker Abstract and Audio | Outline (HTML)
• 2009 Visual Story Network Presentation

Labels: BibleTech, Church and the 7th Dimension, Issue 1, Issue 2, Issue 3, Issue 4, issue 5, issues, Paperless Pulpit, Parents and Mobile Kids, VSN