Setting a foundation at the intersection of faith and mobile technology
How do churches, mission groups, organizations, communities, parents, and people respond to life when their use of mobile technology intersects with their faith? Here, we not just ask that question, but present the foundations for answering it. Read more about Mobile Ministry Magazine (MMM) and its mission/vision.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Don't Take Your iPod To Church
This is another great post series that has been going on and has recently concluded. Over at Challies the topic of discussion is simply titled "Don't Take Your iPod to Church." The series is in multiple parts (Part 1, Part 1.5, and Part 2), but all are some great reading.
And you can bet that I've made a post there. Here's my comment towards what was written in Part Two. Hope to see you commenting there (and here) :D
I begin this post thinking a good bit about the direction that MMM has gone in, and where its going. Given the pace that mobile technology is moving, and the fact that it is being adopted by more people and in faster waves than ever, there's sure to be a considerable amount of churn to hit before things plateau. But what I don't see much of is a response to mobile tech from those who don't usually get a chance to speak up.
You see, as the Internet and blogs go, it is usually those who have the fastest and loudest voices that get the attention. I cannot fault them either. If you don't get it out there, then who will read it. And retreads are just not pleasant in TV nor in news reporting.
I find it kinda neat though when people engage mobile tech for the first time. There's a fit of amazement, followed by disappointment, followed by investigation, followed by evangelism of a different kind - unbiased.
A friend of mine recently won the 16GB iPod Touch and has been slowly getting on board with it. Per my usual role, I am a helping tech voice to help guide things along. Its been neat to listen to the heart of someone who hasn't been in this so long, and just where they can go with it. Here are some examples of what I mean:
My friend first asked me if there was a case that could be purchased. So I led them to a reputable site that wasn't huge, but has a solid reputation for iPod Touch cases.
I mentioned that once they are set up, that it would be a good idea to explore getting a Bible on there; they remarked that they wanted to know how to do that sooner rather than later.
My friend was discouraged that there were places where things like name, address, birth date, etc. were asked for in the installation and registration process. Being a person that doesn't install things very often, this kind of questioning was seen as invasive and pervasive.
For all the simplicity that iTunes is, the person still had an issue of finding the music they wanted; and music that was mostly free and didn't cost much (if anything). Music is a driver to get online, especially mobile, but the fact that it costs for every little thing can be a limiting factor in some situations.
Its not a total view. The person will be fine once they get the hang of things. Some things won't change though, like the perception of privacy. But other things will, like accessing and using the Bible nearly anywhere.
Its a view of mobile tech that I get to see a lot of, but not always from the very bottom of mobile use. It will be interesting to see this person evolve as a person who engages with mobile tech. And then where they will be an influence to people around them because of what they learn.
