Mobile Ministry Magazine

Caught up with this neat piece of news from Laridian the other day.

...our RomansRoad eTract is now available for the iPhone. RomansRoad eTract is a Scripture-based discussion guide to help you share your Christian faith. Based upon the familiar "Romans Road" series of verses from the book of Romans, this witnessing tool uses a unique question and answer format to provide a framework to help you share your faith. As each new key verse is presented, probing questions and explanatory answers are also provided to help you both explain the Scripture and answer common questions that arise.

Pretty cool idea for software, though I will caution that its not enough to just get people on the road to salvation, you also need to take up the mantle of teaching/disciplining them through this walk.

Download the RomansRoad eTract from the iTunes Store. Note, it doesn't require PocketBible to use, but it does help the discussion if you have a Bible app of some kind handy when walking down the road with others with this.

Labels: discipliship, Laridian, salvation

Apologies for the post out of sync with the usual posting schedule, but after reading the Washington Posts' views on the Pope's message, I figured that a response from MMM would be most appropriate.

To those who have been following Mobile Ministry Magazine, you know that we've always advocated the use of technology (mobile and web computing) when it intersects with the daily interactions that we have with life around us. Whether that daily interaction is person-to-person, person(s)-to-community, or personal devotions, there's a response to the intersection of faith and technology that's demanded as part of the context of the times that we live in. There doesn't need to be an official statement from anyone on it - this is the DNA of walking in this Christian faith.

That being said, the challenge is to walk not in the ways of others when it comes to the use of this technology. We are defined by our intense love for God and one another - therefore we model our use of this technology after that, not in light of what others are doing.

Personally, I think that its great that others in the Body are coming around to understanding mobile and web technology. However, to just understand it now, and then dive in without understanding of its implications is foolhardy. There's nothing worse than when the Body of Christ puts on something and it looks like a bad copy of what someone else has already done. And then cannot account for the consequences of that display or presentation. We've got to model not just contextual use, but continual maturity.

I'd like to believe that pastors/layleaders have the shared spiritual and technical understanding to use this tech - but history present and past dictates that not being the case. Those are who enabled in the Body to teach spiritual truths need to come up beside those who are technically able to use the tools of this age and together build on our faith. Sorry, we can't wait for a generation of pastors to come forth who have this shared knowledge - it will be too late.

The voice of Christ will remain constant and truthful in every generation that earnestly seeks Him and His Kingdom. On this site, we've espoused this in our asking of you to take a look at your lives at the intersections of faith and mobile technology. We've already responded to the call and demonstrated the ability He's endowed us with. The next steps are to enable others to preach, teach, and live this Gospel. Anything short of that is just a bad attempt at secular marketing.

Note:
This post is based on the message recently shared by Pope Benedict XVI at the 44th World Communications Day event and the resulting article at the Washington Post (via Smart Mobs).

Labels: devotion, discipliship, faith, innovation, mobility, tech, Web

Ah, now this is some cool software that's really work chatting some about - Covenant Eyes has released for iPhone and iPod Touch mobile devices.

Basically, this is an alternate web browser that replaces Safari and uses the Covenant Eyes service in order to foster accountable web surfing between accountability partners. I've got a friend who's recently downloaded this and he's said that its been a great addition to his mobile lifestyle.

Covenant Eyes for iPhone and iPod Touch is available via iTunes. The application is part of the paid service and cannot be used without it. You will also need to read the follow-up instructions via the Covenant Eyes user guide after installing.

As a side note, MMM is interested in hearing about how software such as XXX-Church and Covenant Eyes has helped your spiritual lifestyle choices. Its not easy to overcome the temptations of web life, but when you have, those stories can encourage others. So do comment here towards your victories and let's hold up one another in this area.

For more information, visit the Covenant Eyes website or connect with them on Twitter (@CovenantEyes).

Labels: accountability, Covenant Eyes, discipliship, iPhone, iPod Touch, software

In some respects, I should apologize for recycling this title from the last post. But I won't because its the same words, but a totally different approach - social networks.

Many people enjoy the idea of being on or using social networks as part of their outreach components. And this isn't a bad thing as social networks have taken storm worldwide as virtual meeting places for all types of people within all types of social circles. The problem becomes when people in the Body, start facing the social network more than they are facing God thru Christ Jesus.

For instance, there are over 300 million people on Facebook - that's more than the total population of the United States. Of those 300 million active users, there are a number of groups, walls, and fans of all kinds. Many ministries are using Facebook as engagement platforms for their endeavors - such as Digital Disciples. The thing is, its only an engagement - the relationship has to go forth after that so that the network remains within the social times.

As believers, we have to constantly check ourselves within the use of these social networks towards making sure that we aren't just engaging people within these spaces, but that we are literally facing the commission as it was given to us. We don't just engage with people, but we also find a ways to get both them and us to face the Book so that the work of Christ has a place to take root. If you will, be Jesus with skin on to people, don't just pass them a business card with His name and address on it.

Its easy to fall into this while going out and about online. But I want to encourage you to not be lax in this aspect of your calling. And when you do make those discipleship relationships, treat those persons with the same grace and gentleness that you were given. You never know when it would come back to you, abounding in pages and pages of grace.

Labels: community, Digital Disciples, discipliship, social networking

When I was in Seattle earlier this year for the BibleTech Conference when I heard from and connected with Gabe Taviano from Digital Disciples. Suffice to say, after meeting him, conversing a few times, and listening to his presentation, I was totally moved to see how MMM and Digital Disciples could work together towards tilling the landscape in terms of using technology as a component towards maturing believers after Christ.

This past Monday evening will be the first meeting of the Charlotte "campus" of Digital Disciples. Considering that I'm writing this a good 4 days before that happens, you'll have to stay tuned to Facebook or Twitter (#DigitalDisciples, #DigitalDisciplesCLT, and @mobileminmag) for updates. Nevertheless, its a really good thing that if you are anywhere near a Digital Disciples' plant that you should check out.

IMPORTANT!!! - before some folks get up and arms. Digital Disciples is not designed to replace churches, its designed to augment them by offering technology-enabled discipleship that will lead to greater involvement into and by the local Body. Personally speaking, I look forward to this as items such as the 4Cs and segments like Parents and Mobile Kids will get more face-time in front of the Body.

There's no denying that this is needed. And in terms of MMM's mission to educate and edify at the intersection of faith and mobile technology, we are totally making a point to be a part of this movement.

For more information, especially towards looking to start a Digital Disciple's branch where you are - internationally too - check out the Digital Disciples website. Hope to see you in Charlotte or beyond :D

Labels: community, Digital Disciples, discipliship, tech

This is the short and condensed version of something I've been working on for sometime. This iteration was prompted from one of the guys from the Wed group asking me to help him set up a similar group for high school students who will be discipled by him, his wife and a few others. I'm aware of the rough edges, but still want your feedback. Seriously, I need feedback for things like this. This helps us all.

This is a framework designed using the 4Cs methodology that is used for the Wednesday night men's Bible study that I head up. This is merely a skeleton, however, the basic concepts if held to will almost always produce mature believers in the faith, while developing a hunger for Biblical truth in knowlede, understanding, wisdom, and communication-oriented application.

The 4Cs consist of: Content, Context, Cross References, and Creed. The point of each C is to develop personally the abilities to read and understand Scripture, develop communally the basic abilities to use Biblical resources, conduct conversations with mentors and mentees that cause a personal shedding of sin and exhortation to holiness in living, and create disciples of Christ who are empowed by the Holy Spirit to create disciples of Christ.

Content - the basic building blocks of relationship. In this session, mentors and mentee build a consistent rhythm of conversation based simply around getting to know one another. The Bible study in this section simply looks to get both parties used to reading the Bible on a regular basis, while learning how to talk to one another about what was read - simply listening to the text as it is written and asking "how am I living or not living like what I am reading." Recommended book: Titus. Recommended time span: 1-2 months (if meeting once per week).

Context - accelerating the building of the relationship to beyond surface level conversations. Here the mentor begins to ask questions such as "how are you living out what you've read in Titus" and equating that living to holiness over personal preference. Here also, the mentor and mentee begin looking at Scripture less as just what is said, but starting to pay attention to the details around what is said (environment, reactions from others, etc.). It is important here that beyond simply reading the Scripture that the mentee is asking critical thinking questions such as "what would you have done if it were you Jesus healed here" or "what would your reaction be as a person listening to this parable?" Getting the mentee to think not just about how they are living, but also the consequence to their actions. Recommended book: Mark. Recommended time span: 3-4 months (first month is spent just reading the book, 2 months spent reading one chapter per week, adding a chapter each week to the week before).

Cross References - building out the relationship and conversation to speaking more about the daily struggles and how you are walking in Christ in the mist of these. Bible study focuses on reading the text and learning how to use Biblical resources to better understand the context and meaning of passages. Here, the mentor has to have a firm grasp of Biblical study tools, and then know how to consolidate their use into something accessible to understand for the mentee. It helps also to have an both the mentor and mentee sharing the notes created during this sesson. Recommended book(s): Isaiah, Torah, 1 and 2 Corinthians. Recommended time span: 2-3 months.

Creed - building out a personal faith statement that is biblically sound, empowering and requiring the believer to live continually dedicating oneself wholy to serving God. It is here that the mentor begins to dial down the active teaching and dials up directing the creation of a basic statement of faith in the mold of the Apostle's and Nicene Creeds. Biblical study centers on church history after the time of the apostles until the modern day. It is important here to not get stuck on theological issues, but to continue the process of learning how and showing how to use resources to dig more into a topic of interest. The mentee should be encouraged at this point to begin teaching others (if they are not already), and then being instructed on how to use this framework to create a small group to which they would lead. Recommended book(s): City of God, Eusebius, History of the Christian Church, etc. Recommended time span: 1-2 months.

Simply speaking, the goal is simply to create an avenue where people want to be discipled, and people who can disciple are learning the basics of teaching, leading, and community involvement. Its also very important that small groups of this function are done alongside the local church. In some cases, there maybe areas or topics touched on where the accountability of the local church is advised to preside over. I do say to be gentile though, there are some who will not care for the appearance of traditional church leadership and the goal of every relationship is to put the person in a position where they make a decision to follow Christ, and not where we are forcing them.

Those looking to lead a group under this format should have a solid understanding of the content, context, and structure of the Bible. They should be well versed in basic group-leading, counseling, and mentoring techniques. I would recommend that those looking to lead a group set up regular meetings with their local church leadership noting progress, issues, and opportunities for cross-pollination with functions and activities within the local church.

In terms of materials, various Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries, and online resouces should be used where appropriate. For subjects that are beyond the scope or range of the teachers, rely on the leadership of the local church accountability towards pointing teachers and mentees alike towards solid schooling and resources. Do not be opposed to purchasing smaller items for those hungry, but don't put yourself in a position where you are overextending your personal resources.

Labels: discipliship

If there is one thing that we can gather of these days and times, its that the Internet, and to another avenue mobile devies, offer kids the ability to deal with stresses differently than our parents might have.

When we looked before at parents and mobile kids (Part 1 and Part 2 of this series), we identified how differnt kids are from parents and how both groups need to come together towards working out how usage is different for each generation. Essentially, there are expections that each has of the other which may not be totally realistic, and at the time time, they are relevant towards shaping family life.

Another aspect that's only recently being looked at is the effect of using mobile and web services as a means of managing stress. We know that all people have a means of sheltering out the rest of the world, focusing on some object, and then dealing with the stress. But what we don't know is the relevance of such activities in a mobile/web context.

Thankfully there is some research being started in this area. Louis Leung, Ph.D. Associate Professor & Director of the Center for Communication Research at the School of Journalism & Communication at The Chinese University of Hong Kong actually did a study where he looked at over 700, 8-15 year olds to get an answer to the question of how does technology help or hinder our lives when we encounter stressful life events and become upset.

Here's a quote of one of the conclusions of that study from the website The Next Great Thing:

What did Dr. Leung find? He found that when kids are stressed they use technology to help moderate their emotions. That is, when kids in his study found themselves under stress, they interacted with technology to both moderate their moods and access social networks. Through the Internet, they accessed entertainment and information and sought “social compensation” through recognition and relationship management.

Consistent with good mental health, they recognized the need to seek help. The more social support a subject was able to access, the less impact stress had on their lives.

Looking at this quote, we can see that as before, previous generations of adults dealt with things in the same way, just not with the immediacy of the Internet or the funnel of a personal mobile device (Game Boy, mobile phone, etc.). And while there is most probably some cultural leaning that can also be said of the study - for example, possible fewer technological distractions - one can see that there is a healthy trend here towards managing stress, even though its different.

In light of this, what is something that parents and kids can do though to bridge the gap of what might be misintrepreted communication? First off, establish early on that the Internet and mobile devices should not be an "escape place," but a place of "simmering down." Emphasize the need to verbially and face-t-face address issues, using mobile and web technolgies as initial ice breakers towards opening those lines of communication.

Another possiblity here is alloting time for those "distractions" so that parents and youth alike can have a transistion moment from a stressful environment (school or work day) to a different one (home life, afterschool activities, etc.).

I would also emphasize that the kids be encouraged to also do things such as art and music, with and without connected devices, so that they are dependent on just one method of dealing with stresses.

Again, there's a lot to be learned in respect to how mobile and web technolgies are reshaping how we think about the world around us. And at the same time, its really all the same as its always been. The key as always is seeing what the basic needs are, and then making sure that the tools stay as tools, and the people stay as the focus.

Labels: children, community, discipliship, Internet, mobiles, parenting, Parents and Mobile Kids, teens, youth

Outside of game systems and High School Musical, it seems that mobiles have arisen to being near the top of the list for many kids. They see the ability to text, game, personalize, and connect online as being fruitful elements to how they enjoy childhood. Their parents might even see mobiles as an extended safety net, a means to teach sound financial principles, or an area that their kids need to show maturity before being given a rope.

No matter how parents and their kids are seeing mobility, both groups understand that its not a question of "if" kids will get their mobile life rolling, but "when" and "how" will it effect parents and themselves

So lets talk some about the benefits: applicable communication and technical skills building, grace versus allowance, and sound financial discipline.

The biggest benefit of a child getting involved with mobile communications today has to do with the immediate future value. Sorry parents, the way you communicate is a lot slower and more antiquated than how your kids will. Engaging them towards using mobile devices and services now prepares them for that soon to come paradigm shift when they are leading things. Besides just learning the technology, they are learning it as it relates to how they communicate with others, and this is a decisive advantage over any other media and lessons that they could be learning right now.

Another benefit has to do with the idea of setting boundaries, or what I like to call "grace versus allowance." As we learn as adults, there are many things that God has given us the grace to be able to do and achieve. At the same time, there are many roads we have wandered due to our ignorance that God has allowed us to travel, and may later have proved to be valuable lessons to share with others later. Mobile devices and technology can become a speaking point for you (parent) and a learning point for them (children) towards these areas of grace and allowances that lead them into a better understanding of how to fit within the world around them.

The last lesson is probably the most important, the issue of financial discipline. Mobile devices can be used as a jumping board for teaching sound financial discipline. For example, if a youth wants a mobile device, you ask them to research it. Having done that, you then ask them if they can afford it? If not, you ask them how they can go about purchasing this with what skills they are able to do (chores, outside work, etc.). You then get into teaching how to give and save, with the mobile device as the backdrop to this lesson. If there is a mobile phone involved, you can use the idea of putting money on a pre-paid mobile plan (I never would recommend a youth do a post-paid mobile, its pain for the parent). Using the model of pre-pay, you can teach them the difference between credit and debit budgeting, giving them a heads-up when they get into college and are bombarded with credit-only marketing.

This is a lengthy topic and so please stay tuned to part two (Wednesday) where we will talk about the negatives and an appropriate view of this technology with our changing times.

Labels: children, discipliship, education, Internet, mobility, parenting, Parents and Mobile Kids

One of the prevailing themes with mobile technology, whether we are talking of devices, software, or usage, has to do with control. Unfortunately, we don't always get an understanding early in our faith with God that we don't have a lot of control over things in our lives; that's something that comes later. As we grow and mature in the faith we do understand more than the control over life that we do have is something very small in terms of the scope of things, though has very large reprocussions. I am speaking about controlling how we react to life around us.

A lot of the exhortation found in the New Testament about us and control has a lot to do with reacting to life after we now have our framework in the life of Christ. From Jesus telling the young ruler to sell all he has and follow Him, to Paul exhorting the church of Corinth to be mature in their use of spiritual gifts, to the many exortations to simply rein in the sensual desires in order to be better presented holy; control is a theme we see that weaves in and out of other areas. However, many of us struggle with control because of lack of maturity, or willful ignorance.

I find that a lot of the struggle that people have these days with mobile technology have to do with control and access. Control from the perspective of how/when to use it, what can I do with it legally/illegally, and how should what I want to do be governed by what I believe.

So how do we address control? No, not how should the devices and services help us address it, but how do we take personal responsibility towards these issues of control?

Here are some things to think about:

• How does your use of mobile devices or your preferred mobile software demonstrate healthy control with work, ministry, and personal relationships?
• When do you find that using a mobile device is harder not to do than other moments? Is it profitable?
• Do you get positive value in using your mobile device or service in its prescribed functions, or do you prefer tweaking it (legally or illegally) to get that value?
• Based on what you know about the life and times of Jesus and the disciples, how would they respond to the same technology in repect to increasing the reputation/light of Christ to those inside and outside of the faith?

Take the time to chew on this. Accountability and responsibility has its roots in control. Good control is a model of God's hands working effectively, bad control casts a tainted light to the name by which we are called.

Labels: accountability, discipliship

One of the comments and observations that I get around these days is that people do not look at discipliship (apprenticeship) as they used to. Part of that is indeed due to the speed of life and the technology that has gone along with it. However, I'm the last person to say ditch the tech because we cannot do things the way we used to; there's a response to being more successful in the context of discipliship given these days and times. It's up to us to figure that out, and then make sure that people don't miss Christ, no matter how fast they are able to SMS.

Identifying the issue means only that we know what the problem is - how do we effectively disciple one another in a culture where instant information and communication leaves little room for patient wisdom to take root? Thankfully, there are some examples of things we can do, and the tech that we have is a good tool to facilitate it.

The personal approach (John 4:1-42):

We are indeed familiar with the story of the Samaritian woman at the well. But unlike those times, we are apt to catch people in all manners of uncomfortable times. Here we take a slow yet open approach to discipliship: confront with the truth, speak slowly, and then before the person leaves your presence give contact information (phone, email, IM, blog, etc.) that will enable them to keep that point of contact with what you have given them. No, there's not much you can do until they reach back out to you, but in this kind of in-and-out engagement, the approach is to keep it personal and not push the person towards anything but the truth of the Gospel. Use the tech in order for them to have a teather towards affirming your works as on Jesus' team.

The Community Approach (Exodus 18)

This story also remarks of being familiar, however one of those questions do tend to remain to those who might not have studied this text throughly - how did Moses keep up with the smaller group of folks that he assigned as managers? In this case the tools of phone, email, and SMS would come in handy. However, it would also be smart to be like a cartographer and get a map mashup of those areas that are in play so that in terms of a physical understanding of the scope of ministry that one doesn't lose heart with the boundaries and the aims.

The other aspect of that map mashup comes in play for those being led, they can see the scope and followup from the inside with issues that might not be as aparent from your top-down view.

These are just a few applications of where modern tech doesn't mitigate the responsiblity of disciplship, it makes it more granular. We can utilize mobile and internet services and devices in order to facilitate communications in the way that they were designed to do. And at the same time, understand that we don't have to know everything. The models of discipliship that we used to use still stand, we just have more avenues towards making sure we don't miss something.

Labels: communication, community, culture, discipliship, people, tech