We keep pushing the fact that to best understand technology’s usefulness, you have to understand the context that it has been introduced into. And beyond that, adapting our perspectives as contexts change and adapt allows that technology to not just be a tool/agent, but a conduit for furthering our application of faith in a consistent and historically respective manner.

I therefore get a bit of a buzz when reading about what happens in the world around us. For example, in a recent email newsletter from The Bible Society of Egypt, hearing how they adapted the message of Scripture to broker peace in a volatile media environment encourages my heart and adds the right kind of perspective towards how we address themedia/medium of mobile:

…The Bible Society was just starting another campaign in the newspapers at this time, focusing on Biblical values. We immediately replaced the ads with a different message: “And seek the peace of the city… and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jer. 29:7). Along with our contact information, the short message says, “Let us share together in prayer for peace and unity in Egypt.”

This is the first time we have been allowed to quote a Bible verse in any of our public advertising, and many people, from all backgrounds, have called the Bible Society to thank us for the timely message and positive role. One prominent political figure, the editor of a major newspaper, called to say that he is grateful for all that we are doing to promote peace and unity in these difficult days. We have 16 front-page ads in these coming weeks, in eight major newspapers…

Read the rest of this newsletter and the Rebuild Egypt website to see some of the successes and challenges being found in Egypt.

Yet, this is a mobile tech website, what is the connection?

You are looking to use or introduce a theological/spiritual initiative and mobile is part of the media/medium/context/interface of those efforts. In what ways do you understand both the Scriptures as well as the tone of the culture you are introducing this into in order to have the most successful demonstration of the faith? What resources will you rely on to get this information. You can’t do this like drive-in or drive-by engagements have done in the past. You have to have a distinct knowledge of the pulse of what’s happening, how it’s happening, and then move forward with your engagement.

Here’s the sticky: How can you seek the peace of a city you don’t know anything about? Your use of media will dictate not just that you can be heard, but whether you are listening.