Digital Discipleship-as-Evangelism Issues

[Phil Miglioratti]

Digital Evangelism Issues

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Mobile Phone Ministry – unique distance-learning course starting: places still available Posted: 16 Sep 2013 05:00 AM PDT [Please Share] The Mobile Ministry Training Course is a newly expanded, 6-week online course available to help introduce any Christian to ministry opportunities using mobile devices (phones and tablets). It has a worldwide relevance: whether you live or work in a Majority World country or the West, this is for you. Missions, churches, outreach ministries – why not choose a key person to learn these opportunities and bring the lessons and insights back into your team? Course starts 17 September: there is still time to sign up. Indeed, late applications (by a few days) are still possible too. Opportunity: In late 2011, the number of people living on earth passed seven billion, while mobile phone subscriptions may have surpassed seven billion by the end of 2012. By 2015, the majority of all Internet access will be through mobile devices. The mobile device presents a unique, two-way communication channel that represents the most important digital technology available for kingdom advancement! Benefits Be at the front edge of a fresh move of God’s Spirit in adopting appropriate uses of mobile technology in a ministry context. Have fun learning what innovative Jesus-followers are doingaround the world. Meet like-minded believers around the world. Be a catalyst to help other understand the implications of the mobile revolution as it relates to the kingdom of God. Course Description: Each week contains both theoretical and practical elements. The only requirement for students is an Internet connection, computer, and a mobile phone (smart-phone or feature phone). The course covers the following subjects. Week 1: An Overview of Mobile Ministry.Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to have a general understanding of Mobile Ministry, and its place in and potential for the Great Commission. Week 2: Evangelism and Discipleship using mobile platforms. Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to apply Mobile Ministry to issues of evangelism and discipleship Week 3: The use of social media to share the gospel and communicate truth. Objective: By the end of this lesson you will be able to understand and evaluate a social media strategy for their mobile platform of choice. Week 4: Mobile ministry in remote and low-bandwidth areas. Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to know how to use mobile devices for ministry in low-bandwidth situations and how to prepare some basic materials for them. Week 5: The use of mobile video and audio for mobile phones. Objective: By the end of this lesson you should be able to know how to prepare basic audio and video resources for mobile devices. Week 6: The basic principles of mobile website design. Objective: By the end of this week you should be able to understand the need for mobile-friendly websites and be aware of some of the basic design principles and the pragmatics of building a mobile-friendly website. Course Cost: $35.  Scholarships are available upon request.  Send an explanation email to John Edmiston at [e-mail]. Next Course: September 17 – October 28. Responsibilities: Each week you will: Study various readings, web links and videos, please note the videos are optional for those who have the time and the bandwidth to watch them (about 1.5 hrs per week) Participate in an online forum where they will answer a brief but important question and will also get to interact with the other students on this course (about 1 hour per week). Research about Mobile Ministry using the Mobile Ministry Search Engine and other tools to investigate a topic (about 1 hour per week). Develop and articulate a Mobile Ministry Project Plan using the information you have gathered from all the other activities (about 30 minutes per week). You will be able to take this course at your own pace, though being part of a small group or “cohort” is strongly advised to help with both motivation and ideas. Requirements: Basic mobile and computer knowledge (Internet browsing, etc) Positive attitude A willingness to share your learning in a collaborative environment. A passion to learn and apply lessons to life and ministry Good “nettiquette” Website: This is an entirely online course which is located athttps://www.cybermissions.org/moodle/ Course Text: Mobile Ministry Made Easy Faculty: The course coordinator will be John Edmiston, CEO of Cybermissions with various lecturers from the Mobile Ministry Forum acting as training facilitators. Affiliation: This course is affiliated with the Mobile Ministry Forum which is an interdenominational gathering of Christian ministries interested in using mobile platforms to share the gospel – see www.mobileminstryforum.org More resources The Mobile Ministry Forum offers a strategic consultation in Florida 9-11 December. Should your ministry send a representative? Learn with more than 100 other mobile ministry innovators how to reach the next generation for Christ via mobile device strategies. The consultation includes TED-style presentations, discussions, ministry field reports, workshops and networking time. Cost: The registration fee is $230 (includes meals). Early registration is available for $200 through September 25. Housing: Limited on-site housing is available for $35/night on a first-come, first-served basis. Ministry Booths: A limited number of promotional booths are available. Other digital ministry conferences: iMinistry, Dallas, October | COICOM in Paraguay 23-26 September | Call2All missions/media conference, Mexico 5-8 November 2013 | Indigitous plan three digital ministry conferences: Canada & Panama (November), Ethiopia (May 2014) | Reaching Japanese for Christ distance learning classes | Christian New Media Conference, London, 9 November 2013 | Next YWAM School of Cartoning and Animation for Missions starts March 2014 in Taiwan. Check our recent posts about mobile phone ministry opportunities. Watch MobileAdvance.org’s video introduction to the many opportunities for mobile ministry in the Majority World: Watch on Vimeo Mobile Ministry Introduction …incredible opportunities for mobile phones in Majority World