Gerardo Marti: The wi-fi church of the future (and present)
Churches have climbed on the digital bandwagon in the past decade. Computers and internet connections are no longer considered luxuries, and most churches have a web presence (or at least feel like they should have one).
Today, the pervasiveness of portable computing combined with the proliferation of creative “apps” provides yet another opportunity to expand the ministry of the church. The past two years have seen a rapid acceleration in the adoption of portable computing by the average person. This will inevitably prompt changes by church leaders.
One such innovation could be closer to us than we think.
I am impressed with the GPS capabilities expanding to cell phones, in particular Apple’s iPhone and Motorola’s new Droid powered by Google’s Android platform. A basic mantra among entrepreneurs is “Location, Location, Location,” and the importance of “location” is now being harnessed by the latest generation of smartphones. GPS embedded in these phones takes advantage of satellite technology so that your device always "knows" where you are. The Apple iPhone already has remarkable apps that take advantage of location specifics so that users can find local restaurants, movie theaters, and gas stations -- all based on where one happens to be at that moment.
We can't be too far from inventive congregational leaders creating applications that take advantage of the GPS in these devices. For example, congregations could allow users to discover church services and other congregational events. GPS devices could allow people to connect automatically with ministry offerings in regions by city, zip code, or mile-radius. I can imagine a day soon when I visit a city for a conference and can look up services and events (perhaps indexed by religious orientation) and see what is happening religiously in the area -- whether it starts in 12 minutes or in 2 days time.
This smartphone technology does not have to be tailored only for new visitors. New features can expand the liturgical experience for the faithful. Religious organizations could pre-program mobile phone events to begin as people arrive to services. Because of GPS capabilities, these can automatically begin when a person comes within "range" of the congregation.
Users could elect to connect to their congregations either by pre-set time (20 minutes before services or events) or by pre-set radius (within 1 mile of the meeting place) and have devotional music play as a "pre-event" or "pre-service" preparation. Prayers could be read aloud. Readings from scripture or church history could be included. Announcements could also be programmed to play for users either before or after events.
For study groups that require advance reading, these apps could remind members of their assignment and allow people to download the required reading right to their phones. Or the device could have selections read aloud to them using speech-to-text software as they are traveling.
All of these features could be hyperlinked for more information. They could also include a "forward link" so that people could invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers to participate. People who have moved away for work or school could also keep in touch with their church, especially if such services are complemented with downloadable video streams and continued interactive features like "comment" or "chat" extras.
Inventive programmers in specific congregations could do this right now if they had the motivation and encouragement from their pastors to do it. Perhaps the initiative of larger networks of denominations or parachurch support organizations could commission programmers to create these apps. Seminaries could design apps that extend and accentuate offerings to students and alumni as a way to extend their ministry.
However it happens, I guarantee that if such apps are created, they will be implemented by thousands of people overnight -- whether they are members of local churches or not.
In all of this, the point is to discover innovative ways to expand land-based local experience through online global connections.
In short, the wi-fi church of the future is just around the corner. The emerging electronic capacities of portable computing and the overwhelming presence of these devices in the consumer world will soon be co-opted by religious organizations.
It only remains for the first set of innovators to create the apps that take advantage of these capacities in religiously creative ways.
Gerardo Marti is L. Richardson King Assistant Professor of Sociology at Davidson College in Davidson, NC, and is author of "Hollywood Faith: Holiness, Prosperity, and Ambition in a Los Angeles Church" and "A Mosaic of Believers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church."
knee-jerk
Gerardo I'm surprised to say I have a certain knee-jerk reaction to church leaning on wireless technology as heavily as you suggest. But you're suggesting a wider disbursement of information about church to those outside more than the reworking of liturgy via technology. Plus if this could get control of the announcements in liturgy (the bane of every church service!) by getting them out of the way in advance I'd be all for it. But alas they'll probably grow back...
The app has been written and
The app has been written and is available FREE to any church that wants to use it. We have been using it for the last 6 weeks. Check out the Live Feature of YouVersion.Com
YouVersion
I was just about to post about YouVersion and looks like someone beat me to it. They are already on the cutting wave of such technologies. Put in your location and it'll show you the churches using it in the area and enable you to bookmark the scripture for the day and take notes via outlines on your PDA.
I used it at a conference recently and enjoyed it greatly. I also use their bible app for my BlackBerry on a regular basis.
thanks - and we can do much more
I get it, Jason. I wrote this little piece because we need to take a step in the direction against reacting to new forms of technology to harnessing it for vision-driven ends. Our ministry and our mission needs it.
And thanks to others for pointing to YouVersion. Yes - I am aware of Bible-centered and religious devotion literature-centered apps. Wesley's journals, Thomas a Kempis's Imitation of Christ, Pilgrim's Progress, and Spurgeon's meditations are now available as apps. Yet I think we can do much, much more than re-package text to expand our ministries. For example, environmentalists are creating various forms of "green apps" that help people live greener lifestyles. Foodies are creating a host of gourmet and travel-related apps as well.
Taking these as examples -- seeing how they use the apps as a potential to serve and expand their community -- I believe there are other ways to make these devices catalytic for spiritual growth rather than merely alternative text-oriented devices. It will take a different mindset, one that sees not-yet-formed apps as extensions of daily living and planning, tools for memory and organization, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, new ways for building, participating, and expanding social communities.
When we recognize the potential for religious community, the Facebook app just might be a more powerful smartphone device than any text-based app for expanding the missional potential of the church.
app developers for millions of phones available
Another quick note - Leonard Sweet just tweeted that there are now over 75,0000 iPhone apps available for the 5.2 million iPhones sold fiscal 2009 3rd quarter, a 626% increase from year ago. A website www.iphoneappquotes.com allows anyone to find an "app developer" who will "contact you directly to discuss your project, and provide you with a free price quote." So, leaders don't need to have skills within their own congregations to get their own projects off the ground.
Look Again at YouVersion
Gerardo, take another look at the YouVersion app. Yes, it started as another Bible app, but they recently launched a new "Live" feature that incorporates much of what you talk about in this article. And, as you suggest, it is really only the beginning.
thanks, Steve
Thanks, Steve, for pushing me further on this. I'll look at it, and let's talk more when we meet up next week.
when everybody does this...?
What happens when many churches in a given area deliver information via iPhones,, etc.? Will the deluge of information coming in over an app be overwhelming?
All this leaves the poor out -- are we creating a more economically divided church with use of such apps?
I love technology and use all I can, but also think about the larger cultural ramifications of what we do and where it is all taking us.
smartphone growth strongest among less than median income
Our ministry calls us to remain attentive to the poor, and the concern for the technology gap is vital.
However, the overall trends show that cell phone usage is near universal in the United States. Over 90% of adults have a wireless or cell phone -- more than have landline service in their homes. Cell phones have become ubiquitous.
In addition, cell phones have a built-in obsolescence so that companies and consumers drive each other to adopt ever-more sophisticated devices so that lower income populations are finding these devices to be part of their preferred necessities.
Finally, a report on smartphone adoption described in Information Week October 2008 found that people earning less than the median household income account for the strongest growth rate among iPhone users:
"As an additional household budget item, a $200 device plus at least $70 per month for phone service seems a bit extravagant for those with lower disposable income," said Jen Wu, a senior analyst at ComScore, who wrote the report identifying the trend.
"However, one actually realizes cost savings when the device is used in lieu of multiple digital devices and services, transforming the iPhone from a luxury item to a practical communication and entertainment tool."
"These data indicate that lower-income mobile subscribers are increasingly turning to their mobile devices to access the Internet, e-mail, and their music collections," Mark Donovan, senior analyst at ComScore, said in a statement.
"Smartphones, and the iPhone in particular, are appealing to a new demographic and satisfying demand for a single device for communication and entertainment, even as consumers weather the economy by cutting back on gadgets."
http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/iphone/showArticle.jht...
Bottom line: if Americans, including the lower income population, have adopted these devices for communication and entertainment, our churches can strategically harness this trend to expand our ministries.
Fascinating
Gerardo - I tried to post a comment on Praxishabitus but it looks like you have the comment function disabled? Very Web 1.0! How about a little more Web 2.0 on there? lol
Anyway, wanted to let you know that I am following you pro-innovation posts closely and find them fascinating as always. I am planning to include this post as a highlighted box in the soc of religion textbook I'm working on with Keith Roberts. That's how cutting edge I am.
Nice work.
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