With each advancement in technology, we get a better understanding of the power of integrated media systems for sharing the gospel.
HTML5 video and tablet devices are two technologies that I believe spell a bright future for spreading the love of Jesus across the face of the planet.
Next generation of technologies
For more than a decade, Flash has enabled the richest content to be created and deployed on the web by reaching beyond what browsers could do.
However, HTML5 is now universally supported on major mobile devices, in some cases exclusively.
According to Adobe “this makes HTML5 the best solution for creating and deploying content in the browser across mobile platforms.”
Every new Apple mobile device and every new Mac — along with the latest version of Apple’s Safari web browser — supports web standards including HTML5. “Google believes in the growing importance and evolution of HTML5 to enable distribution across multiple devices and browsers,” says Rany Ng, group product manager at Google.
Christian content distribution networks that deploy HTML5 in their playback systems will be able to embed video on the web without having to use proprietary software from a third party. It will allow them to create highly customized user experiences. As a result their church partners will enjoy a broader reach and higher ministry impact for their gospel-focused video content.
Viewers using HTML5 players will be able to easily edit and create short clips of long-form programming right in their browser for sharing across social networks.
Next generation of devices
Tablets, led by the iPad, have defined an entirely new category of mobile devices. Here’s the really cool part. They are great devices for watching video.
Leading media companies are expanding plans to bring streaming video apps to the iPad. Apps provide flexibility for a variety of technologies, Internet-based VOD, and live streaming. They also allow direct contact with customers.
In a widespread analysis of the mobility market, Yankee Group predicts that in 2012 mobile consumers will embrace tablets, mobile content, mobile video and personal cloud services at unprecedented levels. The level of content available to tablet owners will increase exponentially in the next twelve months.
Christian media companies and publishers can develop apps for tablets to bring live streaming content, sermons, testimonies and gospel stories of all types directly to viewers.
Next generation of Christian media
Your procession has come into view, O God–the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary.
Psalm 68:24
Widely distributed video ministry has endless possibilities for touching lives.
Thousands of churches and media organizations can now cost effectively use video as a way to establish ministry and Christian business platforms both geographically and demographically.
Video can extend the visual proclamation of the gospel from local churches into distant locations. It allows viewers to see the speaker’s facial expressions and non-verbals that communicate a variety of spirit-led emotions, an important element of invoking a response to the Word.
Most importantly, video touches younger generations, children … and just about everyone.
The challenge of the road ahead is to cooperatively find ways to understand, navigate, and participate in the online video explosion for the gospel. Two game-changing technologies are at hand to lead the way.
Things could get real exciting, real fast for start-ups willing, with God’s help, to stake out the territory for kingdom purposes.