A person recently asked me “how do I keep up with the latest technology and its pace of change?” The answer that I gave them was simple, “I don’t.” I have specific goals that I look towards in regards to how I use and understand technology, and do my best to not overwhelm myself with knowing or having the latest this or that. 

Now, that’s something that I’ve learned over time. And certainly, this is something that anyone who is involved within IT in ministry will run into. That’s while I like this recent article by Tre Lawrence at Church Mag. Here’s a snippet of the wisdom towards tech on a minimal budget:



…First, I try to satisfy the congregation’s love of media. Pictures, videos and music. I have albums worth of music on my Android EVO all the time, and a few more on Dropbox. With a good sound guy (and ours, Jay, is the best in the world), we could run service from my phone if needed. The Android OS “Share” functionality allows me to instantly upload videos to Youtube, and I have started using the cloud capabilities of Google+ to store Church pictures. I can get pictures on the Church’s Facebook page and further disseminate via Twitter. Even the two free navigation apps are useful, as anyone who has traveled half a dozen hours with a van full of spirited teenagers can tell you…



Read the rest at Church Mag.



Note that he’s not simply using products becasue of a minimal budget, there’s a strategy there that makes the best use of the time, resources, and people available. The products and behaviors mentioned in that article I would say are great to keep in mind, and even make sure that you are emphasizing if you are in the realm of being the IT-person of your ministry/organization.



An easy way to get started here is to simply make a spreadsheet of those devices you have, the abilities they have, and the abilities you need. This means more than mobile, social networks, email systems, etc. Look at it all in one place, and be honest with the needs of your department or organization. The next step would simply be setting a priority towards those organizational needs. After that, you can easily make the decision towards devices, services, support, and even upcoming strategeic engagements. The last step there is once you have your top items, get a plan to get them accomplished with what you have in your hands. Nice and simple.



I think the quote goes something like, “those who fail to plan are those who plan to fail.” Being efficient and effective is simply planning with what you have, and using it to God’s glory and to your best ability. This article proposes several products and wise behavior. What have you put forth in your ministry or organization?

Even with the amount of people and opportunities happening with mobile, there are still some who will hold out until they have to move that direction. In talking with a mentor in the past weeks, he asked a question that I think is also important to consider:

What are the top 3 reasons why your church is not ready to engage this technology?

These answers could be assumed on our part, but we’d like to hear from you. What are your fears, apprehensions, conflicts with mobile in any form?

After that, let’s later talk about addressing those.

Recently had a lunch with a few folks in Columbia, SC and the topic of the conversation turned to what I do. One of the descriptions given is that MMM asks the questions of how do we respond to life at the intersection of faith and mobile technology. For the first time that I can remember, I used the analogy of “different routes at that intersection.” And then went on to explain them.

There is this stoplight when our life/faith intersects with something that we are most passionate about. At that light, we make a decision.

• We take the road towards our faith/passion, and end up becoming overzealous towards that subject at the expense of growing in skills or application the technology.
• We take the road towards technology, becoming skilled and even efficient, but losing ourselves to it. In a sense, ascribing it to be a deity by which the rest of life will revolve.
• Or, we carve a new road. One where the prospects of our faith/passions follow the abilities of the technology to be a tool or enabler to ourselves and the lives of others. It’s not a straight path, and usually we are cutting a crooked road as we navigate the balance between the strong pulls of faith and technology.
• Bonus fourth realization: we choose that neither the paths we see or the one that we can create are good enough, so we turn around and go back to where we came from.

This was the analogy given towards that conversation. The response was in part, “I never thought of faith in that manner.” Then the conversation moved towards other topics of faith and life as we collectively realized that there is always some response – and in some manner, we are being called to be a witness to what we respond to (Acts 1:8).

I’d like to encourage you to think a bit about how faith and technology intersect, and how you are walking out or carving a path because of that intersection. Check your heart, are you getting what you truly desire (Psalm 37:4-5).

Via Twitter, we noticed an article highlighting one of the often heard challenges to the use of mobile devices in shared listening sessions such as during Bible study or sermons. In this article, the author highlights this competition for attention. Here’s a snippet:

…As a preacher and professor, it seems that I’m going to have to get used to competing with the increasingly brazen use of personal devices. States wouldn’t have to pass laws against texting while driving if people didn’t do it and then crash. As one who cares about teaching and small group gatherings, I wonder how we can overaccept this development as theologian and priest Sam Wells suggests, borrowing from the language of improvisational acting (Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, Brazos Press, 2004)…

Read the rest of the article at New Media Project.

This was our comment on the article:

Indeed, the social behaviors aspect of mobile tech is unsettling, especially within those groups where we hold that giving or having undivided attention is key to learning. I’d say though that the response to this is a sword with two edges (don’t all swords have two edges is the next realization):

– what about the presenter/teacher is not engaging enough to keep people off their mobile devices? Could it be the lesson, the location, the repetition of the behavior, etc.? If those can be modified, even if once per month, what does that do to reengage that attention span?

– what about the lessons towards spiritual development and concentrated disciplines need to be better emphasized (Joshua 1:8 kind of lessons)? How do you teach discipline towards hearing, meditating/contemplation, and study? Is the Sunday school/sermon even teaching such behaviors, or assuming that cultural learning (“you learn quietly because we’ve always learned this way”) will override the behaviors of digitally-enabled cultures?

I don’t disagree that its distracting, nor that its a problem for many. I do think that addressing the solution requires that we actually think about the causes of the symptoms, rather than the manifested behaviors.

Similar conversations (to my comment) can be found in this article at Leon Paternoster and this article at I’d Rather Be Writing.

Besides the items discussed in that article, what might your thoughts towards fostering attention behaviors? Could this include things that devices can do to enable persons with varying degrees of attention spans to better digest lessons in a respectful manner to speakers/teachers?

…In Q1 2011, US became the first major market to exceed the 50% mark in smartphone sales. The global figure stands at approximately 26%. Some operators expect 90% of their devices sales to be smartphones by the end of the year. In terms of the actual smartphone penetration, we expect the US market to eclipse the 50% mark in 2012.

China leads in the number of subs but US dominates in both total and data revenue. A number of emerging nations are now in top 10 – Brazil, India, Russia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico while once dominant – Korea, UK, Italy, Germany have dropped off or slipped in rankings.

The number of mobile operators with more than $1B in data revenues will increase to 47 in 2011. This number was only at 13 in 2005.

Japan continues to be the leader in mobile data with NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, and Softbank Japan ahead of the pack in terms of mobile data revenue and data as a % of total ARPU. In 2011, it became the first major market to have more than 50% of its mobile revenue from data services. Next, Australia and the US have made good inroads in the last two years. In fact, if we look at the overall data revenue, US is much further ahead than any nation due to the size of the market.

While India has the highest subscriber growth rate in the world right now, the revenue generating opportunity remain down right anemic compared to other major markets with average dropping down to $3.50 in overall ARPU. Even with significant subscriber base, there is going to be a general lack of opportunity in the market for the next couple of years relative to other markets…

Read the rest of Chetan Sharma’s Global Mobile Industry – First Half 2011 Assessment at the website (just a summary) or by downloading the PDF (56pgs).

You can also catch up with Chetan Sharma and many others at the upcoming Mobile Future Forward conference.

Over at Mobile Advance, a weekly list of links to news and happenings in and around mobile is posted.Here’s a snippet of what’s in Weekly Web Watch #30:

Security/Privacy

• Mobile Phone Security: What Are the Risks?
  Safer Twitter
• How to Avoid Being Phished On Your Smartphone
• Lookout Mobile Security Adds Safe Browsing to Guard Against Phishing Attacks
• Cellcrypt releases encrypted voice telephony app for Android

Read these notes and others of Weekly Web Watch #30 at Mobile Advance.

Just an additional note: Mobile Advance has discontinued their Weekly Web Watch series as there’s a ton of interrogation of analysis of the 30 weeks of content to review. They’s still continue with the How-Tos and other content, so stay tuned for that being highlighted here.

Sparked from overhearing a conversation while at a coffeeshop in Charlotte, I recently tweeted an idea about a mobile application for members of a church/organization which leverages the conversation and the mobile device to make that push (“sales pitch”). Here’s what I tweeted collected into one quote:

2 guys chatting beside me, 1 pulled out mobile to show video of services to other. 2min vid. Can your church’s mobile app be like that?

The video was of a specific service offering. So mobile church app needs to cache several small vids of relevant activities… but also needs the person to do a call to action. Can’t rely on video/mobile app only. And can’t be a generic video; needs to pinpoint context of conversation. Wondering if onboard mobile vid editing apps can help there?

If you will, create video on device, small edit, then adds to church app (but not uploaded to church server, still needs accountability). So then everyone has church (branded) app, but unique to their network content.

There are some holes here, but this is something that could certainly work for many churches/organizations that rely on word-of-mouth connecting. What are your thoughts?

As stated in the previous post about MMM finally getting full-time attention for a year, there’s been a number of revelations that have we’ve come to this year in regards to assessing where mobile (in) ministry is as an area of focus. In respect to this article, we’ll look at general topics such as the take up of mobile/mobile services, knowledge sharing and application, and even the scope of this technology across the face of what is understood as Christian faith.

For a basis towards the items covered in this report, reference our previous 2011 reports: What’s Ahead for 2011 and An Additional Mobile Lens for 2011.

Getting Up to Speed Using Mobile

In the past year, the noise of those wanting to use mobile in all lifestyle pursuits has certainly increased. Not to be missed, many of the conversations we’ve had with leaders inside and outside of the faith/religion space have had the conversation fulcrum, “mobile needs to be were we are.” And this is good as there’s been the better part of the last decade where mobile was a silo for those interested in PDAs, niche programmers, and those Bible societies who looked forward, but there wasn’t a large enough user-base to make it sustainable.

Regionally, we are seeing a few key elements taking root:
– in the USA, outside of missions organizations, the push for using and understanding mobile is following the uptake and understanding of applications. Truly an app and Facebook centric culture, mobile activity hinges on how well a church/ministry organization is able to utilize social networking – not expressly in a mobile context. There remains a disconnect between the ability to catalyze messages to minority groups who are more apt to using a mobile device and those ministry well-funded to create a mobile/social presence, but do nothing more than use this channel as yet another broadcasting brochure.

– the approach for missions and service organizations first focuses on the messaging and communication effects of mobile. Groups whom are able have found shortcodes and SMS programs to be their best avenues for engaging their audiences. In this respect, they are following closely behind mobile marketing initiatives. What’s not seen as often in this space is the ability to craft larger marketing programs which go beyond alert-and-response behaviors.

Globally, we see:
– missions organizations which have a global focus are clearly focusing much of the IT resources on adding experience in mobile, security, and social networking. These groups are commonly running up against the wall of there not being enough information available in terms of best practices, curriculum development, and the impact of mobile in addition to previously used channels for promoting content and behaviors.

– the speed at which the leading mobile platforms have changed (note: this has only happened in the past two years) has disrupted the planning processes for some who’ve previously settled on methods of distribution that didn’t take into account growing platforms, web access, or mobile-sized content portals. Their challenges include getting up to speed with current and short-term prospects for mobile directions, which shortening the time between asking “what is the mobile context of our audience” and delivering a solution which best takes advantage of that mobile context.

Knowledge Sharing and Application

Prior to 1.5 years ago, there were three websites (and a wiki) which frequently referred to mobile as a toolset for ministry activities. Since then, there’s been a growing movement within media, IT, and educational spaces to get up to speed on mobile, its implications in those spaces, and join the conversation across shared channels.

This has manifested itself in the formation of the Mobile Ministry Forum, VSN Mobile Media group, and mobile topical tracks at every major Christian conference. At this point, there’s not enough groundbreaking activity happening in mobile (in) ministry for there to be but spot references in non-faith-based conferences/workshops.

As had been demonstrated in other areas of mobile, mobile (in) ministry has a significant gap between those who practice (and document) and those whom are looking for information about mobile (in) ministry. The Mobile Ministry Forum has been the primary effort to date to knit these groups. Beyond knitting those groups, determining the specific areas of ministry to which mobile is most relevant continues to be a matter of conversation, debate, and analysts.

We’ve also noted there being a significant gap in how economics plays a part towards passing the lessons of mobile across ministries. Medium and small ministries are typically engaging mobile either by a passionate member or leader, which larger groups are able to have several persons or a team to devote towards these efforts. The appeal of the successes of the larger groups has been enough to increase their size, and drain the ability/brain of the smaller groups.

In a similar respect, mobile (and social web) activities are causing reassessments of policies, processes, and even communication needs. It isn’t expected that mobile will be a driver in all but a few cases (on-the-field missions for example), but that the general cultural shift to contextual messaging, flexibility of work environments, and organizational transparency will add the need to account for mobile competencies across cultures, devices, working styles. We’re not expecting any major news from ministries in this respect, but have and will continue to listen as systems and processes are effected by financial changes, speed of communication technologies, and generational changes in leadership.

Age (and some cultural behaviors) also seems to manifest gaps. We see the experience of older members of the faith pushing or holding back mobile initiatives. A misunderstanding or overly technical explanation of the benefits of mobile has also slowed the appropriate application of mobile. Unfortunately, affluence plays a part here – where some groups are simply throwing money at mobile hoping that something sticks. To these points, mobile is a much wilder west than the Internet was before/during it.

Mobile Technology in the Christian Faith

There’s a definitive difference between what’s possible, what’s done, and what the consequences are. It has only been this year where we are seeing pastors, authors, speakers, and organizations tackle the questions of the implications of mobile (devices, services, and experiences) to the spiritual welfare of believers. The common sentiment has been to tread lightly, experiment as led by the Spirit, and take time away to unplug. As mobile increases into the conversation, we can expect more theological discourse on this wise.

The imprint of mobile has been felt on the publishing side. We’ve seen a number of software companies fold or be acquired by faith-based/secular groups. It will not be known for a few more quarters the comparative nature of print publishing versus electronic publishing, but it is clear that many stalwart print publishing outfits have begun aggressive efforts to make sure that the digital audience is addressed. The growth of fiction as a digital publishing field where independents can financially excel has been noticed, but there’s no sign yet that the (very large) Christian fiction market is effected by this.

As with other media channels and their development early on, experiencing it in a fashion that’s not just a repacking of former media lessons is taking time. Much of what (western) Christianity understands as native to the Christian experience has translated seamlessly to mobile. What will happen (as with every other media channel), is that those who grew up closer to the technology as their frame of reference will remix old behaviors and create new ones. At this time, there are only bubbling signs as to what this will look like – but the book Alone Together seems to point to an eventual reality/issue.

Conclusions: Not Leading, Not Distant

We’ve tried to present the observations of mobile technology and faith communities in a light that shows the successes forward, and the challenges that lie ahead. Clearly, having a consistent and clear message will be key towards mobile being best understood. Efforts to clarify the intention of using mobile, practices towards mobile, and noting successes and failures will allow for this intersection to be a green light forward.

As with other media channels, the same potential exists for destructive tendencies. Information silos, disallowing of experimentation, and lack of support/discipleship will cause any lessons learned to become heretical or even a disassociated language while the general mobile world moves forward (for example: teaching the KJV in cultures that no long speak that dialect; the challenge therefore not only teaching the Scriptures, but also teaching an unknown language). 

Compared to other applications of mobile (education, health, etc.) mobile (in) ministry isn’t far away from inventing its own innovations in this space. Distributed networks, mobiles for social good, and media targeting are areas where mobile (in) ministry is specifically equipped to address these, and then create opportunities and behaviors which easily share into other mobile spaces. Communication, clarity, and cohesion plays the glue that sticks this into the foundation of faith (John 17).

Mobile Ministry Magazine (MMM) exists to understand how the Christian faith is using and understanding the impact of mobile technology when it intersects with faith/faith traditions. This article is meant to provoke discussion and introspection towards the use of mobile technology within this cultural context. Coming to conclusions, and even evolving from there, will be key towards having a faith that also evolves with the times.

If you are working with mobile contexts related to ministry, education, communication/marketing, etc. and would like to learn more about how MMM can help you towards your efforts, get in touch with us.

Really simple question as those of us in the USA celebrate Independence Day today:

Has the introduction of mobile into your life given you more or less independence in ministry?

Let’s hear your responses in the comments and on Twitter.

I was sitting with a young friend of mine and his frequent companion was the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). It was a bit of an attention diversion in some respects, but given some of what I learned about him in that time, it proved to be one of the few pieces of technology that was able to hold his attention and have him cultivate some knowledge.

I one of the conversations with him, I asked if he was able to get online with the PSP. It had been years since even touching a GameBoy, let alone anything newer, and so I wasn’t sure of it’s abilities. After a small web search, I found that not only was there a browser for it, but also a bible application.

If you saw the tweet, you would have seen my small glee that there was a bible app for this gaming platform. However, my glee was quite short-lived. You see, as much as I know that this teen, and many others, would have no problem with a bible app on a PSP, I wondered about other types of engagements on these gaming devices, and if they could be done well.

Bible Navigator X is one gaming-based Bible app that I’ve seen in the flesh that convinces me that something solid could be done, and done well, for mobile devices. Definitely, there are licensing and UI challenges. You can’t just slap the Bible on something and expect people to change. There’s got to be something that drives them to a decision point. And so I wonder, have there ever been narrative explorations of the Bible and it’s topics on gaming devices that actually put the player into the story in some measure?

Or, what about add-ons to current games like the SIMS or Farmville which can take those constructs, and influence those worlds with Christ added into it? If you will, is it possible that we’ve missed the mobile ministry opportunity in these portable gaming devices because we’ve not been as willing to jump out of our narrative and revitalize the Scriptures? I look at that teen, and the challenges he will face. Right now, that PSP is sugar to help him get by, what if it could be the medicine or nutrients instead?