Mobile Ministry Magazine (MMM)

It is considered standard fare when meeting someone in my travels to be asked for a business card. And most times, I’ve taken that request with such disdain. I mean really, we’ve got mobile phones – just ask me for my mobile number and SMS me your contact information because you’ve got that saved (and spelled right, with a photo) on your mobile. But, I had to go the route of business cards when pushing to do MMM as a full-time endeavor. And wouldn’t you know, it is the QR code on my business card that instigates the most conversation.

For those that aren’t aware, a QR code is a 2-dimensional bar code that contains embedded information. This can be as simple as a line of text, or more complex like a URL, an SMS command, or even a virtual business card (vCard). So, when I give someone my card, I’m asked about it, what does it do, how do they “activate it,” etc. I end up getting into this conversation about MMM and the implications of technology, and people usually leave with my information, a new app, and an awareness of how close we are to a world that merges print and digital nearly perfectly.

Now, I can do that with a business card, is there any reason my bulletin announcements, welcome packet, or even missional tracts couldn’t be done in a similar manner? It isn’t like the technology is untested – Google has even gone as far as doing NFC and QR stickers for business on Google Local.

If I were looking to engage someone in a conversation towards what my ministry does, or how my church has impressed the Gospel on their community, a business card-sized paper (or even Moo card), plus an image of my community and a QR code which points to our site, calendar, contact person, etc. could be pretty powerful. And I’d not even feel bad about people just leaving the paper laying around – QR codes are like bar codes that shop for an audience. Who wouldn’t want that obvious conversation?

Additional Readings on Mobile Barcodes
Here are a few other reports and resources about QR codes/mobile barcodes and their use.

• Digital Evangelism Blog: Why Churches and Social Groups Should Use QR Codes
• MSearchGroove: Mobile Barcode Growth Opportunities
• PSFK: Report on the Future of Mobile Tagging
• Create your own QR Code with Kaywa, Google, AppSpot, Mobile Barcodes, and several other services
• Read QR Codes with apps from Kaywa, Nokia, inigma, and several others – search the app store on your device and try them out – you don’t need a smartphone to read a QR code.

For previous articles we’ve done on the subject of QR Codes see our archived section and the ‘QR Code’ tag category.

Disclaimer: This article was submitted to the Center for Church Communication to be possibly included in a potential piece on upcoming mobile tech trends in late 2010. It was also submitted to MSearchGroove in response to a call for insights and case studies looking at current uses of QR Codes in Jan 2011.