Mobile Ministry Magazine

Having received the Nokia N95 (North American edition) as the prize for my second place finish in Nokia's Mobile Web Server Challenge, I am now about the business of using it and its associated applicaitons and services to turn what we know about church and Bible studies on its head.

First thought, and something that I will certainely try and pull off (in some form), is using my mobile device as a learning center for a Bible study. For this we have a few items:

• My N95
• Nokia's Mobile Web Server
• JoikuSpot
• Friends with various wireless devices
• eBible or YouVersion

As you can see, we have a common contact point in the N95. The N95 will serve as the WiFi router for the other mobile devices with JokiuSpot (did you think we'd be meeting in a coffeehouse). And then we will balance having Bibles and resources with eBible and/or YouVersion, while the lesson and its comments will be placed on the Mobile Web Server.

Location: the middle of a park. There are a few reasons for this location. One, we are outside of a building and able to enjoy the beauty of God's creation while engaging His Word. Also, we put people in a place where they are less tight from sitting in a traditional church environment. Lastly, this is open enough that it would invite others to sit with us, but not feel like they cannot just pull out a pen and paper, or a laptop of their own, and jump right into the discussion.

Of course, making sure that this is something that can be found on a map would make it easier, so we use the MapSpot add-on with JokiuSpot to put the hotspot on a literal map so that people could see and engage with us, and have a means to get directions to our location.

This assumes a few things, such as connectivity issues as not being a problem, and that those involved would have the technology to engage this environment. Of both of these, I see them as being much less of an issue for the current and next generation of mobile users than what has been had previously. Devices and networks are ready for this if you will.

After all of that its just about digging into His Word. Using what we have been given in terms of His Word and Spirit to hear what God would have us learn at that moment. And then with the technology we can engage virtual audiences with audio, text, and video. We have a means for people to follow up on things as they are saved on the mobile web server and easily accessible. And then we have engagement. Its all about people and giving them avenues to engage the Word and their communities.

Thoughts (because I've not done it just yet, but I will)?

Labels: community, eBible, internet tablet, iPod Touch, Laptop, Mobile Web Server, mobility, N95, smartphone, study, YouVersion

Basing this question of an article of a similar title (Is Web Work Really Going to My Mobile Device?); what about fellowship and study makes them really conductive to using mobile devices, and what about those two makes mobile devices a non-issue?

Speaking on one side as a person who has forced a good bit of mobility into his studies, there is certainly an advantage of being able to study anytime and anywhere. Also, its made me less reliant on notes as more things have had to sit in my head for retrevial since software isn't as great as I would like it to be.

But for those whom I know don't like the idea of mobile devices being a part of a study, they cite cost of the deivce, device fraility, service availability, software, and a slew of other reasons (excuses). I understand them all, and encounter a good deal of them. I guess I am just the kind of person who would walk thru those issues rather than let them be a determent.

So what about you and your friends and family? For every one of you who can go mobile, there are those near to you who do not. What are some of those perspectives and what does that say about the ability to use mobile tech as agents within fellowship and study?

Labels: Bible, community, computer, Hardware, Laptop, mobile, mobility, smartphone, software, study

An important decision that many ministries are facing right now, especially in the US, is how to conserve energy with the rising energy and gas prices. Whereas many could say that it would be of some advantage to do things such as carpooling and some virtual office tasks, another cog in the puzzle has to do with the hardware itself. Is what you are using too much for the task at hand.

It's hard to think about mobile tech in this light though. For the most part, many of use understand the concept of get it just in case. And while this motto of "be prepared" is a good one, sometimes its something that is too much for what is really needed.

What I am getting at is part of that decision process of how to go mobile if there is a change in computing lifestyle that is needed. Considering things such as resources, device ability, personal ability, and perceptions are a part of this process. We look at how going mobile will impact several aspects of our lives, and what positive and negative effects that it will have for us and others later.

In March 2006, I suffered the experience of a laptop whose motherboard fried. I was left with a computer at work that I could bring home on occasion. But mostly had the use of a Palm Treo and a wireless keyboard in order to do everything from manage this website to connect with the world around me. Because of this trimming of my computing, I found that I got work done more often - the smaller screen made me more purposeful. Also, in telling others of my situation, I began to be an evangelist towards what is possible with mobile devices. Yes, an emergency initiated my situation - just like what happened with this person at Internet Tablet Talk - but I had a choice. I chose to learn what was possible, and it influenced me to change my perceptions of what is possible.

As you engage with various aspects of mobile technology, I would hope that you take the time to challenge your perceptions as well. You might not need all that you have, or you might need more than what you have. But you need to assess and then drive the boat. You'll be surprised where it can take you and others.

Related Posts:

• Technology Strategy (MMM)
• Your Preferred Combination (MMM)
• Go Mobile to Sustain the Earth

Labels: Laptop, mobile, mobile accessories, phone, smartphone

While it is great to have a mobile Bible, or at least an electronic one that you can read or study from nearly anyplace. There are some accessories that make using those electronic Bibles a lot easier to deal with. Here are 5 mobile Bible accessories that you should not be caught without:

• Word Processor/Notes Application
  Recommendations: MemoPad (PalmOS), Notes (Windows Mobile, Internet Tablet), MS Word/Google Desktop (laptop, desktop)
• USB key/memory card
  Recommendations: several options, but the general rule is to find the largest size that you can afford, and then go for the next size up via a website like NewEgg or Buy.com. Deals and prices means that space to store and backup information can easily attained.
• Case/laptop bag
  Recommendations: You will want to stuff only so much in your pockets/hands. A nice case will not just keep your hands free, but also protect your devices. In the case of laptops, make sure to find one rated with high shock protection. NotebookReview.com has several models of laptop cases they have reviewed.
• Print Bible
  Recommendations: one small enough to fit in the glove compartment of your car, or a small pocket in your laptop bag for you never know when that power might go out and you want to continue reading.
• Prayer
  Recommendations: seriously, you cannot do anything without this accessory. Get it in when reading, studying, or just out and about (Ephesians 6:18)

What are some of the things you would consider an important accessory to have with your mobile toolkit?

Labels: Bible, desktop, Hardware, Laptop, mobile accessories, mobility, prayer, software, tech

One of the questions that I get asked often is "what electronic Bible is best for [my device]?" Truth be told, there are plenty, but some offer more bang for the buck than others in various areas. Here is a list of 5 electronic Bibles that I like for their cost, versatility, reach, or intangibles:

• Palm Bible+ (Palm OS only)
  Reasons: free, tons of Bible versions in several languages; open source
• Laridian (Palm OS, Windows Mobile, iPod/iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows desktop)
  Reasons: nearly every computing platform is covered; excellent online solution with iPocketBible, responsive customer service, tons of auxiliary resource content
• YouVersion (browser-based)
  Reasons: excellent community interaction features, private and shared journaling; active development; very diverse user-base
• WordSearch 8 (Windows desktop, Windows Mobile and Palm OS via 3rd party application)
  Reasons: directed towards beginner and advanced Bible students; (mostly) user-friendly interface; excellent note taking feature; not nearly as expensive as its best competitor
• MoBible (any mobile device that can view WAP pages - all of them)
  Reasons: flexibility for use on any mobile phone; several languages; accompanying devotional; doesn't require the user to download anything

What are some of the electronic Bibles that work best for you?

Labels: accessiblity, Bible, desktop, Laptop, mobile, mobility, smarpthone, software, usability

As I sat in a coffeeshop today, I noticed a guy that I had seen a few times before with his Bible out. But that was not the part that got me thinking. In addition to having his Bible out, he was typing notes in MS Word, and using another program to look up commentary information.

Looking at him interact with that setup for a bit it hit me that while there is this studying that we have to do; many facets of mobile technology allow us to do this in different ways. This person used a combination of a print Bible, word processor, and online information. What are some of the combination that you use when studying the Bible? And do you have a journal/Word document where you keep track of what you do?

Labels: Bible, Laptop, software, study, tech

Image via Wikipedia

In reading Matt Miller's latest post about a sub-$1000 ultraportables, I was wondering, how many of you use a laptop/ultraportable (not smartphone and keyboard) in Bible studies, meetings, etc.?

Considering devices like the HP Mini Note and Asus Eee PC that are well under $1000 (under $500 in some configurations), it would seem that its very possible to have a capable note-taking solution?

Of those of you that use ultraportables (that is, laptops with less than a 12in screen), do any of you orchestrate special programs or usability features for those in your communities that also use them? If so, what do you share/do?

Labels: Asus Eee, community, Hardware, Laptop, mobiles, software, study, tech