Mobile Ministry Magazine

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