Call me a bit of a non-conformist, but I really don’t so much want to wish you a merry Christmas as much as I just want to thank Jesus directly for gifting Himself to us. Upon enough thankful reflection, I’m sure you’d agree with the perspective. Or at least join in the praise 😉

I’m probably a lot less of an authority on the subject of choosing Bible software these days moreso than in times past because of the increasing (good) quality of offerings, and the very different paradigms of use that I’ve had. Where I’m very mobile, others might not be as much when it comes to choosing Bible software for.

I can only imagine what kind of difficulty that biblical schools can have here. On one side, you want to minimize support issues by using one or very few variations in software. But, much like choosing which Bible versions to read, you really want to teach people how to evaluate all so they can come to an educated opinion. There aren’t courses for choosing the right bible software though, so what are schools to do?

After reading Karyn’s views on the subject (at Boulders 2 Bits), I’m more convinced that there needs to be better data models with Bible software so that content and features can be easily shared between Bible softawre platforms. And I mean more than just the same Bible formats for the Bibles themselves, but similar usage flows for things like creating search filters, parsing languages, etc. If the companies can come together in this, then the idea of choosing the right Bible software moves more towards the effectiveness of the brand to give the best experience, not necessarly proprietory features. Because we don’t think about how to click links and save bookmarks when we use different web browsers, why should things be so different with Bible software that we have to choose (and get stuck after so long in one system or another).

When you choose your Bible software platform, think not just about what you can do now with it, but what things look like if you were to decide later that the platform no longer suits your needs.

In my opinion, this is a great companion piece to the burnt toast piece from a little while back. The pressure is on publishers and bible software developers to respond though – consumers will vote with their attention and wallets. Check out this snippet from K. Purcell’s piece:

…But the better Bible software engines do more to the book than they do to a dead tree edition. So it takes extra effort to make a Bible software copy of a book and it has added functionality. So why not make it cost more? Digits do not cost any money to reproduce after the original file has been produced. With a book, there is a cost witch every copy of that book that is sold. The cost is tied up in the actual paper and ink, the storage while the book is waiting to be sent to the customer or the store, and the cost of the sending. With an ebook you simple copy it to a new location…

Read the rest at KevinPurcell.com and watch those pennies.

One of the hardest points that I hear and am asked in conversastions (whether personal or MMM-related) is this idea of what’s relevant technology. Now, this question is usually coming from those who are either from an older generation, or from a time/area where there is a such thing as a primary news/information source. This endears the ubquious nature of mobile and web communications to be slightly misunderstood. And that’s ok. There are two sides to that perception, and part of that is why MMM exists – the intersection of faith and mobile (and web) technology looks differently to everyone.

But what does that intersection look like and how can we respond? One report talks about the issues relating to digital dependency, and where those aspects of dependency take place:

Seventy percent of respondents across 11 markets say they either could not live without the internet or would miss it a great deal if it wasn’t there, while 69% said the same for TV.

Whose digital love affair is the greatest? Ninety-two percent of Brits, 91% of Spaniards, 90% of Australians and 89% of both Dutch and American respondents rate the internet as completely necessary to their lives.

Is dependency an issue? Yes and no. You have to realize that information’s relevancy is different depending on what and whom you are talking to. Age, economies, accessiblity, etc. all matters differently. You have to acknowledge the doors that matter to your target group, and then allow them to respond back in kind.

Just because what you have is relevant though doesn’t matter that people will want it in the manner you prefer. TechCrunch highlighted this in their recent piece about real-time communitation and how that’s changing news reporting, whether TV, radio, and newspapers like it or not. Yes, we want the news from verifiable sources, but we also want the news when its news, not as leftovers after the fact.

Bringing this back to the Body, what we can do to maximize our use of mobile and web technology? Simple, don’t get stuck in the mindset that one-way always works (aka, there is no silver bullet). Be willing to experiment with alternate communication methods, and don’t be afraid to speak to people, getting from them feedback towards what would work best for them. Nothing is worse than a church passing out paper announcements every Sunday to realize that people aren’t reading them – but would have no problem reading them if they came to their email or mobile. Simple things like this need to not just be considered, but utilized.

A last note about relevancy and mobile/web: I’m very well acquainted about the fears people have about being too connected (this story illustrates probably the scariest reality for many); but the truth is that this will continue. People will connect and share – not even realizing personal, communial, or national issues involved. People want to continue the intimacy of humanity with one another. And despite those fears, this tech is moving on. Relevancy at the intersection means that we don’t jump in the way, but we provide the signs towards wisdom and understanding so that others follow right-standing, not just shiny-tweeting.

In the past months, I’ve been asked so many questions about mobile that I’ve simply wished and prayed for the time and resources to craft something like what Morgan Stanleyhas published in their release of The Mobile Internet Report.

This is an extremely long document – one, at the time of writing, I’ve not read and is still downloading to my mobile. However, to all of those persons who’ve asked questions about what mobile is and why should they care – especially use in the good ole USA – this is the report to read – or at least browse through.

If you are a technology, thought, or opinion leader in your ministry/organization, you need to read this report and the supporting materials. From simply a data/analytics point of view, there’s not much else available for free like this.

As for me, I’m off to go read. I’ve got data to get updated and data models to better understand.

Another very cool connection via the Visual Story Network Summit in September was with the folks at Boost.TV.

Boost.TV is one part an evangeltical outreach, but another part a demonstration of a polished and visual approach to opening conversations with I’m anxious to see how they integrate mobile into the mix, because that’s going to be where the turbos kick in (ok, bad pun). Check out the promo and then the Boost.TV website for more information and some excellent programming:

In some respects, I should apologize for recycling this title from the last post. But I won’t because its the same words, but a totally different approach – social networks.

Many people enjoy the idea of being on or using social networks as part of their outreach components. And this isn’t a bad thing as social networks have taken storm worldwide as virtual meeting places for all types of people within all types of social circles. The problem becomes when people in the Body, start facing the social network more than they are facing God thru Christ Jesus.

For instance, there are over 300 million people on Facebook – that’s more than the total population of the United States. Of those 300 million active users, there are a number of groups, walls, and fans of all kinds. Many ministries are using Facebook as engagement platforms for their endeavors – such as Digital Disciples. The thing is, its only an engagement – the relationship has to go forth after that so that the network remains within the social times.

As believers, we have to constantly check ourselves within the use of these social networks towards making sure that we aren’t just engaging people within these spaces, but that we are literally facing the commission as it was given to us. We don’t just engage with people, but we also find a ways to get both them and us to face the Book so that the work of Christ has a place to take root. If you will, be Jesus with skin on to people, don’t just pass them a business card with His name and address on it.

Its easy to fall into this while going out and about online. But I want to encourage you to not be lax in this aspect of your calling. And when you do make those discipleship relationships, treat those persons with the same grace and gentleness that you were given. You never know when it would come back to you, abounding in pages and pages of grace.

For those looking for a great source of information pertaining to mobile evangelism tools, trends, and websites, be sure to checkout the Mobile Evangelism Wiki.

Suffice to say, there’s a lot of information there, and a lot of information that’s not yet there. If you have contributions, be sure to get in Dave and Ed to be sure that you can get in there and contribute to this very solid resource.

Just a note that the Carnival of the Mobilists #203 is now up. This week I’m hosting over at my personal website (the one being driven by a web server on my phone). Always fun to push the limit and spread the wealth of knowledge and insights in mobile. Hope you enjoy.

Just a headsup in case you missed it on Twitter. The December Meeting for Digital Disciples (Charlotte) will be Monday, December 14th @ 7pm @ Dilworth Coffeehouse in the Ballentyne area of Charlotte. We are looking forward to a good meeting, and a lot of sharing towards how you’ve been using technology within your ministry endeavors over the past months.

There’s also a tentitive second meeting (let’s call it a short recap) on Saturday, December 19th. No location has been assigned for that one as we are still trying to get feedback from those who’d be able to make one. Let us know via here at MMM, via Twitter (using the hashtag #digitaldisciples or #ddclt), or via Facebook.

Thanks again for all of you who have come out, or want to come out. Hope to see you next week at one of the two times.

Breaking News: Get a reminder update via text/SMS for these upcoming meetings by going to http://www.textchurch.com/DDCLT and signing up there. Please be sure to read all of the terms of service before signing up for this service.