This past week in attending a Bible study, there was a handout given. When the handout was given I remarked, “why was Google Docs not used?” Do understand that all those who attend that bible study would have already given their emails to the group leader, and so it would just be a matter of sharing a document – or even building a form that all could work on and save within their unique profiles.

But, in doing so, I opened the can of worms that is sometimes perceived as a digital crutch. If you will being enough wrapped into the tool to get something done (remember a verse, recall notes, parse text, etc.) that when its removed that the user is essentially paralyzed.

A recent post on the Logos blog took a look at the idea of a digital crutch from the perspective of learning Greek and Hebrew. As anyone who has studied and learned a foreign (to them) language, you have to have more than a head knowledge of the language, but be associated enough with its contexts that you can correctly speak and apply the language and contextual concepts portrayed with it. Just being able to repeat an address, or being so dependent on an electronic index doesn’t help, but makes you appear to not respect the context for a form of association that isn’t always received as genuine.

Such is the issue that we have dealt with in all media since oral/auditory learning took a back seat to various types of media. And this isn’t completely a bad thing, media has done much to engage the cognitive abilities of people that traditional forms of oral/auditory learning just couldn’t jog just by itself. That being said, the key to learning has always been to associate as closely with the content as possible.

Bible applications are important in light of this. Not everyone has someone who is learned in languages, histories, etc. of Scripture that they can simply sit under them and gain enough to become a teacher to others (i.e., disciple). And yet, even with these applications, we run the risk of making them a crutch if all we do is rely on the search algorithms and database methodologies of the people who created this software. It vitally important that we embed into our beings the literal Scripture, and even contextual facts, so that to the best of God’s ability to work through us, we are not just giving people words, but embracing them with life.

So let this admonition to get in your text encourage you to not just read your Bible, study deeper into a passage, or even learn something new via your mobile/digital devices. But take the time to embed the word into your heart, mind, and soul so that you can speak forth wisdom that sounds like a concordance, but comes from the intimacy of time that you spent with the Author of the Text.

We talked about accountability software for those who deal with pornography on mobile devices, and this week there’s been an update with the addition of the X3 Watch’s software for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.

As an issue within the Body, especially on Sudays, its good to see mobile software be introduced that will assist with those who are undergoing counseling or would like to towards this area.

Unfortunately, this software is usable only on smartphone platforms, and platforms that are more prevalent in areas like the US. With virtual/literal accountably as such as need, it will be interesting to see how these services and programs can be extended to other devices (perhaps a mini-app/widget/daemon/etc.) which would send a log of visited sites via SMS based on the user’s IMEI and SIM.

Until that happens, cultivate a behavior of being open about your browsing habits if this is an issue. And embrace the efforts of groups such as Covenant Eyes and X³ Church and pray with them and others who are beacons of digital deliverance in this area.

Below is a Google Document Form for an informational survey regarding Digital Disciples and its activity in the Charlotte metro area. If you are local to this area, would you please take the time to fill it out – and do not hesitate to pass it along to others who are also local but may or may not know about Digital Disciples. Thanks in advance.

Digital Disciples Charlotte Information/Interest Survey (opens into a new browser window)

Depending on your choice of news, there’s a sense that we are innovative and not innovative enough when it comes to various computer technology applications. And that’s to be expected since there’s been such a boon in the abilities of devices, software, and the people and process around them.

Since obtaining an iPad, one of the areas that has been sparked again towards interest is this aspect of interfacing with content. Check out this TED video via AR Ideas.

Now, when we think about interfaces that take advantaged of connected spaces, this is a good example of what’s possible. How then do we look at the lens of biblical software, and how such an interface could be extended around it?

• First we need some kind of open API (like Logos’ Biblia API)
• Then we’d need to have it work with as many devices as possible (web frameworks, a browser like Layar perhaps)
• An ease at keeping track of all of this (iTunes and Google Dashboard offer takes on that solution)
• The hardware needs to be inexpensive (have you seen the prices of Nokia’s mobile’s lately, sheesh)

After that, it would be a matter of grabbing imagination and running forward.

Maybe its something like Minority Report where a special glove or set of glasses opens up the connectivity to the text that you are looking at at YouVersion. Or, possibility its a who/where search for associated content – kind of like your personal or community version of Amazon’s Recommendations – that allows you to not just collaborate, but purchase in an authenticated manner the license to read and use that content.

As I type this, my mobile is on the other side of the room, playing music. I’m using a Bluetooth remote to control the music, and to note when emails and text messages are coming in. I have in front of me a Strong Concordance and a print Bible – if those two printed pieces of work could integrate with what my mobile is doing, it wouldn’t just open up the world for me to learn, but also for those who’d benefit from what they share to me and what I share with them.

In thinking about user interfaces and the experiences that we want to foster, these are some of the possibilities. And some of this will come to pass soon (see the video). What we do with the level of interaction and power will be really interesting.

Of the conversations that get engaged with around connecting with people about MMM, one of the areas is that of making Biblical content available to people in areas where a internet or broadband infrastructure is not as stable or prevalent. In these cases, its recommended to resort to the simple and addressable means of sharing content – by hand and audio.

A notable effort in this area has been with the Bihar Bible Stories project. With this project, the Bible has been translated into eight (8) indigenous languages (to the Indian region) and made available in two types of downloads: MP4 (cellular) and near-CD quality audio files. Now, because the infrastructure to these groups isn’t always suitable to downloading over a cellular or even laptop connection, what ends up happening is that persons who do get access to the files download the Bible(s) to their mobile device’s memory card, and then pass the memory card – or the mobile – to another person for them to copy the files, and then pass the Bible to one another.

We talked once before about making available a Bible you can hear, and this is one of many initiatives that are in play to make available the Scriptures and Christ-affirming content in areas where the environment doesn’t make it easy to share.

What are some other methods you’ve seen the Bible and biblical content being shared where there was no access to the Internet, or even traditional media streams such as TV and radio? Do you see other opportunities for mobile to lend a hand in sharing the faith or education in it?

It is a deliberate thing that reflections on the iPhone 4 announcement have taken a while to come together. While there is always some appreciation towards a new device and what it can mean for mobile from a technology-adoption standpoint, its always important to filter thoughts about the implications of mobile appropriately.

To be blunt, there’s nothing drastically new with this iPhone, and at the same time, there are some notables. The most spoken about features will be the battery life (if the iPad is an indication, should be outstanding to all but BlackBerry users) and the very high-resolution screen (at 326 dots-per-inch for a 3.5in screen, its better than anything out with a backlight, and will make paper look bad too). The other features are in or have been within other mobiles for a good amount of time. Apple’s attention to the user experience though will continue to set the iPhone as a (mental) bar for users, developers, and manufacturers alike.

All of this is ok. Yet, doesn’t really say why this reflection piece has taken so long to pen.

The announcement of the high-definition camera should start to change perceptions towards what’s possible from a mobile device. Yes, its not one of those professional grade approaches to recording and disseminating video, but its another call to a paradigm shift. That shift is simply that your IT resources (people, intellectual capacities, and strategies) would be better utilized training people to use this tool for the community’s benefit.

For example, instead of just having one team record a gathering, invite others to do so (use governance and appropriate direction in terms of bounds) and post the compiled footage on your community website. Use the capacities not just on the device, but within your IT teams to create avenues for the technical education programs that school districts are increasingly being asked to cut.

Then there’s the video calling feature – FaceTime. Now, let’s get this out there – this is not new. Its been done in several regions for a long time, and with varying degrees of success. This is of course announced with the Apple touch so there’s got to be something new right? No, not really. The calls are over Wi-Fi only at this point, which means that unless you are on a Wi-Fi train or plane, you will be sitting still in doing one of these calls. Other services such as Fring, Palringo, and Skype have this ability and over cellular connections as well as Wi-Fi. The debates of whether video calling is good or not will go on for sometime, but let’s concentrate on one specific implication of it – accountability.

Moreover, if they brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And he he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

That’s from Matthew 18:15-17. Notice the loophole that someone could take with video calling instead of an interpersonal interaction?

Its not the tool that’s the issue either, its the behavior (maturity) of the persons involved. If someone has an issue, and chooses not to address it to a person directly, even with being able to see them versus just getting the text/audio of the person, will matters be resolved? That’s not to say that its always possible to resolve life’s situations in-person, but as usual, technology as it is given does speak to ways that we can miss out on the subtle and needed aspects of interpersonal relationships.

The other side of that is that one can use video calling (at least in terms of Apple’s FaceTime) to other Apple iPhone device users to keep in contact with one another over distances, saving on international rates and possibly even as a means to extend missional relationships once the physical presence time is no more.

And so, there are some of the reflections of the new iPhone 4 and what it looks like at this intersection. It’s not the total of opinions, and won’t be the last here or elsewhere. But, in light of what’s possible with a $199-$399 device (after contract) that has a ton of media attention, we shouldn’t just take the marketing terms and call it good. We should take into account the possibilities and accept that just because we can do it, doesn’t make it the best course of action (according to Galatians 6:1-10, this is our opportunity to do things just a bit different).

There are several ways to think and talk about mobile. And normally speaking, what’s relevant to one group may not be as rerevant to another. In respect to mobile in ministry, these distinctions often bring up engaging discussions, and sometimes even, unappreciation to the depth that is mobile.

The Outreach Perspective
For example, there’s one type of perspective to mobile that I’ll simply call an outreach-mentality. Here, the use of mobile technology is filtered through the lens of pushing information out to audiences in innovative, fast, and engaging ways. Within this view, we see those people who are media creators who are looking for ways to get their content into the hands of others.

The Needs Perspective
With this view we see mobile defined as the technology that is enabling people and communities to meet some kind of felt need (community development, education, etc.). This viewpoint to mobile can be the most divisive because defining need rarely reaches equally across regions, but has specific contact points of relevance and purpose depending on the group’s needs.

The Additional Screen Perspective
There’s also the viewpoint that mobile is seen as an additonal screen. This viewpoint takes more of a root and use in cultures where mobile competes with other technologies for attention and wallets. It is within this view that mobile is seen more as a push-communications media than its seen as an enabler, and at the same time, its noted for its ability to be relevant at that point because the communication is so targeted.

Many Views, One Served
These are just a few of the noted perspectives that’s seen throughout content that comes through MMM. Interestingly enough, each audience served (the three noted aren’t MMM-specific audiences) wants to better understand and manage mobile, but not within all the potential viewpoints.

Some time ago, it was noted that the benefit of gifts is noticed best when each person with that gift recognizes theirs, and recognizes the gifts of others. In mobile, its vitally important that if you are going to take advantage of its abilities, that you not just understand it within your perspective, but also understand it within the counter-perspectives… doing this, you can avoid the short-sightedness that causes use and innovation, and therefore unity, to falter.

Got some good feedback yesterday and that’s leading to a few changes, and some pushing of life faster than before.

First of all, I changed the link on the sidebar to the previous posts to point to the category page. Given the number of posts, this will help out in terms of finding specific content. Unfortunately, with the URL change, search indices have the old pointers to those pages in play.

There is the MMM Years 1-5 application available in the Nokia Ovi Store. Future plans thug are for an app to make it easier for you to search for content from MMM via your mobile, versus wrapping the entire thing in an app.

Still looking for your contributions. Whether post thoughts, case studies, or white papers, if you have done work in IT and missions/education, then do share. That content, and your fellowship because of it, is a part of the story that this site is built around.

Keep the feedback coming. It’s humbling yes, but totally appreciated.

The other side of yesterday’s post came to a head today in the mist of meeting with someone who is quite the vetran within the IT ministry area. Specifically in regards to one of the goals of MMM to tell the stories about what is happening in mobile ministry, and then to relate that to the training and consulting needs that many ministries need in this day and age.

The Stories Are Yours to Tell
Even though MMM is one of a few sites that focuses on mobiles in minstry, the stories about whats happening and what will happen as mobile evolves globally come from your experiences. That’s not to say that there isn’t sufficient experience here – there isn’t enough experience anywhere to tell the story of mobile – but there is a structure here towards giving people who need a voice, the place to share those stories (case studies, posts, reviews, etc.) that are all very important aspects to the intersection of mobile and faith.

Beyond the Intersection
After we’ve talked about it, and before we talk again about it, being at any intersection induces a response. If you want to take the analogy of a stoplight: you come to the intersection, and given the color on the indicator, you make an action. In regards to MMM, we started with things in a red/yellow area. There was not much to talk about because there were many questions and few applications. Hence the first five years of posts.

Today, the color is most definitely green (with some yellow points too). Green means that we aren’t just asking what happens at the intersection, but giving people the links to the people and resources that assist them in best applying those lessons.

This can look like training, consulting, and purchase assistance, speaking engagements, case studies, and even as far as face-to-face meetings. Whatever it would take to translate the usefulness of the mobile arena to your ministry, MMM seeks to get as close to being useful as possible.

Identifying the Gaps
And that’s where the fun lies. There are gaps. Information is (once again) difficult to find here. There’s a solatary voice who is also part of a small group of hands keeping things moving forward. And there are the general spiritual and psychological challenges of doing this for a living. It’s not hard, and the challenges are a daily reminder to the intensity of such a story.

And that’s why this story has to enable your story. Maybe you are a missionary who has insight towards technology use – and are looking for a means of getting that information out. Or, you see that there’s information out there, but not as focused as you’d like it to be. Before you create something new, till the ground here and see if there are common grounds we can till together. As a book that I”m reading so nicely put it – getting inline with God’s purpose will put you in the lanes of others who also have been purposed by God for a similar work (such is part of the validation of a call to ministry work).

Is MMM niche, low on budget, and high on administration tasks? Sure is. But, that’s the story that’s part of how content and life is hewn together at this intersection. Its designed to engage and enable the story of this faith through a mobile lens. And with 4 billion+ people with a mobile lens, that makes for a lot of interesting takes on what works, and what’s next.

Won’t you pray for and join with us? I’d hope so. Because this is a magazine, and your voice, as well as ears and eyes, are welcome.

Pulling back from the normal slate of content and content topics, there’s a need to be a bit transparent towards MMM and that aspect of managing expectations.

What is MMM
Simply put, Mobile Ministry Magazine (MMM) is a blog/magazine which seeks to ask and explore life at the intersection of faith and mobile technology. Like any magazine worth reading, its the point of MMM not to peddle advertising space, but to initiate the conversation towards what happens when our use of mobile and web technology intersects with the Christian faith.

The concepts and stories here pull together perspectives and points from many areas of life and society in order to show those intersections, and challenge us to move past them.

How is MMM Supported
Training, consulting, and speaking. In the initial five (5) years of MMM, it was a part-time endeavor, supported out of pocket and by the generosity of several persons (domain space, post submissions, etc.). Of course, that’s not the case now, and therefore MMM has pushed past the point of just being that flat magazine, to a point of enablement through training, consulting, and speaking.

But, not ads. Sorry to disappoint those looking for them, but advertisements aren’t going to be used here for the foreseeable future. They detract from the story, and as a monetization model, aren’t very consistent. Better to keep walking this ground sharing the strategies behind the stories, and leave the magazine as a place to detail those stories.

Magazines Are About Stories
Because magazines are about stories, your voice(s) are needed. Whether that’s something as simple as a link to content which might be valuable, or the submission of a post/white paper towards an implemented strategy, these voices are needed. After all, if we are going to move past the intersection of faith and mobile tech, might as well set the course with those who are doing work in this area.

Do you have a story or content to submit, hold tight, a new content submission form and some rules around that content is coming.

But, Is It A Magazine?
Sure MMM is. But, its not staying close to a traditional definition.

Taking chances with site designs that promote deeper reading, content availability streams such as RSS, RSS by SMS, etc. will constantly keep this place pushing up against that edge of what is and isn’t a magazine. And at the same time, its mobile – the point isn’t to just get immersed into content, but to provoke actions that empower because of it.

But, that’s part of the point. MMM doesn’t follow a model, it is a model in progress. And that story, just as much of the story of what we do with faith and technology is part of what we detail here.