Mobile Ministry Magazine

I was in a conversation with a bro over IM and said this in response to a piece of our conversation talking about mobile devices and trying out new operating systems/devices:

...there are positives and negatives to all platforms, and none are perfect...but you can and should get to a place where the strengths of the platform becomes your strengths to show Christ with it.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? And for those who are looking for a new gadget, is this something that factors into your decision process?

Labels: education, function, Hardware, minister, software

With the iPhone 3G now out and eyes even more wide open than ever towards mobile solutions, its a good time to take another look at the subject of technology strategy and how to execute a solid strategy in the mist of the shinky, new, needed, and useful technology out there.

How to Model Your Tech Use

In the last time we talked about technology strategy, we had this as a first point:

Are you modeling your technology use/adoption after Jesus, or is Jesus modeling your technology use/adoption?

The assumption here is that in deciding that something is worth attaining that it must have some purpose beyond simply just having it. For many who are savvy with information technology, this is a blurry line, yet one that we need to constantly look at and make sure that we are judging with the right mindset towards what is good and perfect towards mobile tech and our example to the Body.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5and said to him, "Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations." But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them." (1 Samuel 8:4-9)

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17)

I will admit that I am probably the worst at this, and I try and justify more often than not. But those things that I see other people with in terms of technology I often want. And many times, I want them for the reasons of doing what others do, or even trying to do better than others do with them.

Before I can even assume that I will attain any new technology, I have to ask the most import HOW question: how is me getting this new thing not lusting after what someone else has that may not be God's intention for me to have right now? (James 4:3)

Ok, after I have gotten past the point that it is not my own wants that I am trying to fulfill by going to a new device, I have to take the mental jump of discerning what this tool will help me to grow/harvest (Proverbs 31:16). No one buys a hammer just to hang it as decoration, you purchase it to use it. In the same way, mobile tech has to take the place of having a purpose, and this purpose should come as a part of you walking out on renewed mindset that you have towards proving God's effective justice and salvation to the world around you (Romans 12:2).

At this point, we now get to all the fun stuff like making sure that there are no hidden costs - the opposite of Matthew 13:44 if you will. For example, many have detailed already that the new iPhone 3G will acutally cost users MORE than the previous version. Be sure to crunch those numbers, there is no reason to not be wise with your resources even though this is something that will grow the King's view in the minds/hearts of others.

After that its even simpler - its not about you. The tech, the service, and even everything from the homework you do to reading the manual after the purchase are not about you. Part of that making disciples action (Matthew 28:18-20) has to occur in this process.

Its not just about attaining a new skill and or getting a new device. Its about expaning the Gospel by small actions as well as the large ones. Understanding how a device works because you read the manual might be something to put you before kings to help them in the area that God has them. Yes, small picture tech, but the bigger picture has to be God's glory throughout.

As time permits, we'll hit on some other areas of technology strategy and where the picture of this as a Christian is very different than that of one who is not.

Labels: community, gifts, minister, mission, people, stewardship, study, tech

Simple question: do you see mobile and Internet Technology as a time enhancer?

There is an article at Scripps News talking entitled Ministers Find Online Word Time Consuming which looks at the bergoning nature of the Internet and asks if it is just something that is too much for ministers to handle.

This is my comment on the matter. Check out the article and let's discource some.

I doubt this will be an issue as the generation of users who have grown up with this tech are adept at balancing online and offline actions. I say this as one who does.

I've stated this on Mobile Ministry Magazine several times, but it begs to be said again: when the Internet and its associated technologies are a layer on top of what you do, it will be harder to stay on top of it. Its only when those technologies become lifestyle choices do they work seemlessly. Its easy to learn something new when it is a part of your nature - that is, you are predeposed to learning and applying technology as a sign of the times.

The other issue, the one that is alluded to but not really expounded on in this piece is that of prioritization. Yes, web and mobile technologies are here to be learned and adopted. However they must be done in light of making sure that balance in the needed things are kept. When ministers act out of balance for the sake of keeping up, then articles like these outlining the 'time consuming' instead of 'time enhancing' nature of tech becomes louder spoken.

Its not that hard of an issue. Use what you are designed to use best, and foster maturity in your approach as you execute on the Great Commission.

Labels: community, computer, minister, mission, tech