Communicating the gospel in a digital age
•Download as PPTX, PDF•
2 likes•1,802 views
This document discusses communicating the gospel in a digital age. It notes that God is a communicating God and that digital spaces are now an important part of many people's lives. It emphasizes the need for Christians to have a thoughtful presence in digital spaces, living out their faith online as well as offline. The document raises questions about how biblical values can be reflected in digital interactions and encourages viewing digital spaces as opportunities rather than threats.
Recommended
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (20)
Similar to Communicating the gospel in a digital age
Similar to Communicating the gospel in a digital age (20)
More from Bex Lewis
More from Bex Lewis (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Communicating the gospel in a digital age
- 1. Communicating the Gospel: In a Digital Age Dr Bex Lewis Director, Digital Fingerprint YMC Easter School http://www.slideshare.net/drbexl/communicating-the-gospel- in-a-digital-age
- 2. Introducing Dr Bex Lewis Research Fellow in Social Media & Online Learning CODEC, St John’s College, Durham Director, Digital Fingerprint T: @drbexl F: /drbexl W: drbexl.co.uk
- 4. God is a communicating God: “In the beginning was the word, and the word was God…”. God is extravagant in communication – he is not a silent God who has to be tempted into communicating with people. Rev Prof David Wilkinson Image Credit: Durham University
- 5. If an alien visited… … and all they had to see was your Facebook page … or other ‘public’ profile … What would their perception of your life be? Image Credit: RGB Stock
- 7. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45 (New International Version)
- 8. I’m a passionate believer that we need to be ‘incarnational’ in the digital spaces, whether those are specifically ‘Christian’ spaces or not, but that we need to understand how to be ‘resident’ in those spaces, rather than merely ‘visiting’ to do a ‘bit of reaching out’. Bex Lewis, http://www.threadsuk.com/redeeming-culture-in-a-digital-age, May 2014
- 9. Prof Sonia Livingstone, Children and the Internet: Great Expectations and Challenging Realities. 2009, p26 Even though in practice, face-to- face communication can, of course, be angry, negligent, resistant, deceitful and inflexible, somehow it remains the ideal against which mediated communication is judged as flawed.
- 12. #DIGIdisciple •We all have something to contribute to the digital space: • Living 24/7 for God • Online/Offline, not Virtual/Real •Are we the same person, living by the same values in both ‘spaces’? Image Credit: The Worship Cloud http://bigbible.org.uk/
- 13. What Biblical values do we want to see in our (digital) world? Image Credit: iStockPhoto
- 14. Values?
- 15. What do the fruits of the spirit look like online? Image Credit: Kezi
- 16. Human Beings at machines, not “are machines” Image Source: Stockfresh
- 17. Who sees this? 1. God 2. Parents 3. ‘Kids’ 4. Newspaper 5. Enemy
- 18. Relevance? For many churchgoing is no longer the ‘cultural norm’. People don’t actively ignore the church: they don’t even think about it. Matthew 5:13-16 calls us to be salt and light in the world, and for thousands in the ‘digital age’, that world includes social networks such Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. With literally billions in the digital spaces, the online social spaces presented by churches need to be appealing, welcoming, and not look like they are just an afterthought: they are now effectively the ‘front door’ to your church for digital users, and you ignore those spaces at your peril. http://www.churchgrowthrd.org.uk/blog/churchgrowth/growing_churches_in_the_digital_ age
- 19. What do you associate with digital/social media?
- 20. http://i2.thejournal.co.uk/incoming/article6026679.ece/alternates/s615/clarke3main.jpg Celebrity
- 21. “The fluidity and transience of online environments poses challenges to traditional authority structures, roles, and tools. The result has been that the internet is framed both as a threat to certain established roles and hierarchies and as a tool of empowerment by others.” – Heidi Campbell 2012
- 22. Evangelism?
- 23. We are not selling something to the world that will make more people like us, believe in our story, join our churches. We are trying to be something in the world that invites connection and compassion, encourages comfort and healing for those in need, and challenges those in power to use that power in the service of justice and love (Drescher, 127)
- 24. Relax, enjoy your friends. Enjoy their company along with the company of Jesus. Point him out, freely, without fear or intimidation. You’re not responsible to sell him to them. You’re simply saying what you’ve seen. You're not the judge. You’re the witness. Carl Medearis, quoted Spring Harvest, 2013
- 25. Preaching?
- 26. Global? “I look upon the world as my parish.” John Wesley http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jwesleysitting.JPG
- 30. Is Using an iPad in preaching unholy? • …If I am a true priest, I can be so with a telephone in my hand, with a Bible in the other and I can be so with a newspaper under my arm, because it isn’t these instruments that speak alone, but our faith which is made of flesh and which speaks to the flesh; that is why my flesh will be the true synthesis. • http://www.hprweb.com/2012/07/enter-the-digital- continent-of-preaching/ • Digital Preparation Tools: • http://www.benreed.net/index.php/2012/09/05/dig ital-sermon-prep/
- 31. Sermon (vs.) Blogging? I loved working up a sermon in the lead up to giving it. Researching, looking at what others had to say on the topic, piecing together thoughts, looking for illustrations and examples (tangents) and then practicing giving it and making the last minute tweaks and additions in the day before Sunday arrived. https://youtu.be/8j-Iy8fP0Ek http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/08/22/car-salesmen-preachers-and-the-art- of-persuasion/
- 32. The Big Questions •Why •Where •When •What •Who •To achieve what? •How do the digital tools help achieve this?
- 34. With digital technology we need to cultivate an attitude of respect, rather than of risk-avoidance. The digital is a part of our everyday lives, and it’s not going to go away. There are huge opportunities available for those who have learnt how to be critical, constructive, and confident inhabitants of the digital environment.
- 35. BBC: Be Smart “We’re doing this because all the research tells us that children and young people respond best to their peers. Whether they’re under pressure to take part in a dangerous prank, or to victimise someone, or whether they’re an online bully themselves, stories told by other young people are most likely to resonate and to help them cope, or change their behaviour.” Andrew Tomlinson, Executive Producer, Media Literacy, BBC Learning http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/f1f50247- 4902-4998-bf58-3e2d3c007587
Editor's Notes
- 3 groups. Hour each. There will be between 20-25 students in each group. Our normal approach to such carousel/workshop style teaching is for the speaker to use the hour available by presenting for about 30-40 minutes, leaving 20-30 minutes for questions/ discussion, though if you prefer to present in a more “conversational” style and field questions as you go along, that’s equally fine. With regard to what you might do, being a ”Research Fellow in Social Media and Online Learning” with responsibility for developing a network of "digidisciples" through the BIGBible Project, we hope you might be able to combine this with the findings of your book Raising Children in a Digital Age: Enjoying the Best, Avoiding the Worst to tailor some thoughts around the idea of communicating the gospel with children/ young people and the place of social media within that. Equally we hope you will communicate your passion about helping people to be and have a positive presence in the digital environment as part of this.
- Hello, who I am, etc… introduce yourselves (tweet style?)
- Could have introduced myself in a different way … who knows what this is, and how much can you tell about me from these 160 characters? V passionate about encouraging people to be/have a positive presence/experience online.
- We are created by a God who rejoices in our 2-way communication with him… we are called also to be extravagant communicators…sharing what we have… Image taken from Durham University website.
- DISCUSS That classic line - we may be the only Bible that some people ever see … What do your priorities appear to be? Does God seem to have a place in your life? Demonstrate life as it is, rather than how you wish it would be… WHAT DO WE COMMUNICATE? Do we have to be relentlessly positive (balancing demonstration transformational, whilst using wisdom about what you share with people… )? How do we also share some of the difficulties of life – be real, allow people to connect with us [some of best sermons I’ve ever heard are people telling me are how they’ve dealt with difficult times… demonstrated that they are still pursuing the answers… ]… sentences end in a question rather than in a full stop? http://www.rgbstock.com/photo/2dQMJYj/We+Are+Not+Alone
- For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. We have to think about what we stand for … what will come from the overflow of what we believe … What values define you? Core values for me are authenticity/integrity: come to know yourself, what gifts and passions God has given you, and look to live those out authentically & with integrity in whatever spaces you are. You were made to be unique, so be unique – live life with passion. The Christian life is supposed to be transformational – how do we move on from: The reason why some Christians are so constipated, miserable, judgmental, misogynistic, religious and up tight is that they were like that before they became Christians! Roger Ellis Essence: The Manifesto of Jesus 2012? What are we filling our lives with – those things that will be at the top of our minds, and therefore the most likely to be the first to come out?
- My recent piece … Now look at a few thoughts from others in a similar vein re whether faith has space in public sphere… of which digital I see as a really importance one… that space where billions live …
- What do we think about this as a quote … and also how much do we value written communication? discuss
- Online/offline = REAL – not the same, but real! Looking for consistent values (e.g. what do fruits of the spirit look like online?) The online = part of our everyday life = to be placed before God!
- As the church has previously sought to understand overseas cultures, for the purposes of both discipleship and mission, so now it seeks to engage with digital culture – a space where many spend a considerable amount of time daily. (previous) Pope Benedict XVI put it this way (2013): [quote] The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 9:22-23) was mission-centric, respecting and adapting to the culture in which he found himself, rather than imposing himself upon it.
- Reality of online spaces, etc. Kind of things I mix up, how we might challenge what seems to be ‘normal’ behaviour online, etc… Do we have to be slaves to the machine? Do we speak up publically on issues of social justice, etc.? Do we share our faith online, and how do we make that appear natural, authentic, transparent and honouring of those who might read it… Split identities or does it force a more cohesive whole?
- Something to think about … “what Biblical values do we want to see in our (digital) world?” (digital in brackets, as it’s part of our whole world…) … Authentic – be a consistent ‘you’ Transparent – be honest, where’s the source? Self-aware – note your ‘tone of voice’ Integrity – own your own content Self-control – be aware of consequences Patience – hold the trigger finger before send Non-manipulative – ‘love Jesus’ = send this! No! Kindness – encourage others
- … what do the fruits of the spirit look like online – what does it mean to be patient & self-control … do we need to hold back from posting that thought at the moment we think it? EXERCISE
- Importance of online/offline Always remember that there is a human being at the other end of the keyboard - each uniquely created by God… and as is noted by many communicators is not what you’ve said, but what others have ‘heard’ … not everyone receives the message that you send in the same way .. And one message definitely doesn’t fit all… we’re in the world of what is described as “the long tail”, where rather than being able to send out a mass message, we have to have more concern with individuals (which I always hope we as Christians do anyway, but…. ) – Google searches for ‘niches’ (small keywords/multiple entry points, etc.)
- Think before you post … does this truly represent what you want the business to say, and if you are doing this personally, how might this reflect (well/negatively) on the business // HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired).
- How might it change what you are engaging with? Embedded? Fast? Networks/Relationships? Interactivity? Speed? Ephemeral? Constant? Challenge to authority? Endorsement of power?
- Online/offline activities… and the use of a ‘celebrity’ as well as ‘the common people’ (Durham Cathedral) http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/visit/what-to-visit/durham-cathedral-lego-build
- You’re the witness, so how does this become a natural overflow of what we’re doing? Is there transformation in your life? #Sermon sharing – Twitter regular (difference re chosen shared/effort required to keep track), and Facebook (authentic -
- Who is our neighbour? Who are we seeking to reach – an appreciation of audience is KEY!
- Tweeting in church, watching Christian TV + other?
- Experts, and others … this was a quick iPad produced video for a sermon, in which 4 people asked to give their immediate thoughts.
- Richard Littledale – experimenting with using FB, etc. to collect ideas, and after the sermon to keep the conversation going… from own congregation, but social media also makes it easier to collaboratively develop sermon material (e.g. if are ‘sermon banks’ … does it save time on sermon prep, giving time for other aspects of engagement, etc.). Have heard of others who encourage sermon preparation in social spaces – e.g. cafes … some are transferring this to the digital café? Not just 'better sermons' but increased engagement, richer insights into lives. Importance of challenge to ideas, authority, in-session, before/after – but it’s not entertainment (nor does social media have to be entertainment = think buzzfeed = more serious stories). CODEC research re preaching, Upworthy = re serious topics/length…. But is it encouraging people to change their behaviour/change contemporary culture (or is that not what preaching is ever for?) Think also – learning to write material that ‘competes’ with millions of other blogs … learn to write in a more enticing style?
- Now, these may surprise you, as you may expect that I come in, tools first, and say “let’s do it all digitally”, but as it has been for many years, and will be for many more – we should start with the PROBLEM(S) that need solving, and then look at how the digital fits into the mix… not necexssarily going to tackle all these questions in order, but all important!
- In my book – seeking to make people confident inhabitants of the digital environment, so people can be themselves in that space as much as anywhere else, although we still have to fill ourselves up with helpful content – e.g. online Bible studies, grace-filled conversations, etc. Communicating with children? - Wary about the notion of digital natives … but thinking about what might be offputting for children, and what might draw them in .. . The ‘myth’ of the digital native .. They are not so very different – still human beings – are not beyond our reach, just need some time to understand (avoid technological determinism re ‘the machine forces them (us) to behave in particular ways…. Advertising, consumerism, the digital divide – where do kids turn to for advice (their friends) – start to think how to make yourself more of a confidante.
- Do we need special games – or just be aware of culture, and the importance of it to all ages …