The Digital Age: A Challenge for Christian Discipleship #ECSM2014Bex Lewis
In the twenty-first century churchgoing is no longer the ‘cultural norm’ for many in the UK. People don’t actively ignore the church: they don’t even think about it. For churches, websites and social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest have now effectively become the ‘front door’ to billions of digital users. As Sara Batts research has shown us, many churches are finally starting to get that the online landscape is important, but still need convincing that something more radical is needed than a new website, as opportunities have arisen to embrace a more social ministry, where to ‘love your neighbour’ may include those from anywhere in the world.
The ‘digital age’ brings the opportunity for a wider range of voices to contribute to conversations: many online will engage with ‘church’ through their friends rather than formal Christian organisations. In 2010 ‘The BIGBible Project’ emerged to encourage those at all levels of theChristian sector to engage with digital culture, and to consider what this means for Christian communication practices, in a culture in which messages are both ephemerally ‘in the now’, and perpetually available.
Technologies have changed what is possible, and for many churches over the last few hundred years a model of passive, presentation-piece services has been adopted, heightened even more by a broadcast mode of media that we all got used to with the TV and the radio. Social media, however, offers much more space for questioning, and for congregations to actively engage with sermons through tweeting along, checking something on their online Bibles or Google, sharing photos of church activities, or being encouraged to continue discussions hyper-locally throughout the week through a Facebook group.
The BIGBible Project emphasises that disciples live at all times for God, whenever and wherever, and therefore all Christians need to take seriously their presence both online and offline. This paper will draw from over 2,000 contributions made to the The BIGBible blog, where over 120 Christians from across the ecumenical spectrum have contributed thoughts as to how discipleship is affected (and can affect, particularly behaviours) in the digital age and the digital spaces.
The Relevance of the Paper: According to the 2011 census, Christianity is the major religion in the UK. As a sector it offers an interesting case study of how longstanding faith groups are dealing with the challenges presented by the digital age, institutionally and individually.
Discipleship and Journeying in a Digital Age for #GB14 Worship SessionBex Lewis
30 minute worship session, Treehouse, 9am Saturday 23rd August.
A disciple is one who seeks to follow Jesus, grow in faith, and model Christian living. We reflect upon how discipleship has been affected by ‘a digital age’: has the medium and/or the message changed? We reflect on how it has offered space to journey together, to share our stories, and to encourage one another.
A 90 minute (interfaith) session on social media "please leave them fired up to use it" prepared for Coexist, to be held at St George's Centre, Windsor Castle.
The Digital Age: A Challenge for Christian Discipleship #ECSM2014Bex Lewis
In the twenty-first century churchgoing is no longer the ‘cultural norm’ for many in the UK. People don’t actively ignore the church: they don’t even think about it. For churches, websites and social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest have now effectively become the ‘front door’ to billions of digital users. As Sara Batts research has shown us, many churches are finally starting to get that the online landscape is important, but still need convincing that something more radical is needed than a new website, as opportunities have arisen to embrace a more social ministry, where to ‘love your neighbour’ may include those from anywhere in the world.
The ‘digital age’ brings the opportunity for a wider range of voices to contribute to conversations: many online will engage with ‘church’ through their friends rather than formal Christian organisations. In 2010 ‘The BIGBible Project’ emerged to encourage those at all levels of theChristian sector to engage with digital culture, and to consider what this means for Christian communication practices, in a culture in which messages are both ephemerally ‘in the now’, and perpetually available.
Technologies have changed what is possible, and for many churches over the last few hundred years a model of passive, presentation-piece services has been adopted, heightened even more by a broadcast mode of media that we all got used to with the TV and the radio. Social media, however, offers much more space for questioning, and for congregations to actively engage with sermons through tweeting along, checking something on their online Bibles or Google, sharing photos of church activities, or being encouraged to continue discussions hyper-locally throughout the week through a Facebook group.
The BIGBible Project emphasises that disciples live at all times for God, whenever and wherever, and therefore all Christians need to take seriously their presence both online and offline. This paper will draw from over 2,000 contributions made to the The BIGBible blog, where over 120 Christians from across the ecumenical spectrum have contributed thoughts as to how discipleship is affected (and can affect, particularly behaviours) in the digital age and the digital spaces.
The Relevance of the Paper: According to the 2011 census, Christianity is the major religion in the UK. As a sector it offers an interesting case study of how longstanding faith groups are dealing with the challenges presented by the digital age, institutionally and individually.
Discipleship and Journeying in a Digital Age for #GB14 Worship SessionBex Lewis
30 minute worship session, Treehouse, 9am Saturday 23rd August.
A disciple is one who seeks to follow Jesus, grow in faith, and model Christian living. We reflect upon how discipleship has been affected by ‘a digital age’: has the medium and/or the message changed? We reflect on how it has offered space to journey together, to share our stories, and to encourage one another.
A 90 minute (interfaith) session on social media "please leave them fired up to use it" prepared for Coexist, to be held at St George's Centre, Windsor Castle.
Social Media, Peer Surveillance and Spiritual FormationBex Lewis
A session prepared for AHRC workshop on Religion and Surveillance. Taken a lot of prep, and still feel it needs more. Got me thinking about a lot of things in further layers than in the past ... let's see how it goes! I typically use more slides than minutes so...
Slide deck from presentation given to the Christian Campers & Conference Centers Association, Carolinas/Virginias Sectional meeting on March 10, 2010 at Camp Caraway, North Carolina.
The social media world is not flat. There are new lands beyond the continent of Facebook. The New world has riches, romance, opportunities, fame, and some say the secrets to eternal youth. Buy also beware! There are rumors of Medussas whose siren song will lure you in to her lair so that you will crash upon the rocks, serpents called worms that will entangle your ship and control your course, viruses that will make you and your crew sea sick, trojan ships that will approach you with free goods that hold spies that will live among you, pirate ships that will steal your goods and ask you to join in their skullduggery by trading in illegal goods, and Cyclops who will train their evil eye on you to suck out your soul and rob your privacy.
But as entrepid explorers you must put aside your fears and push out into the unknown. Forewarned is forearmed! Seek your destiny!
In the below slides I have summarised which are to me the main ideas (philosophies) being put forward by Luciano Floridi in his book “The 4th Revolution – How the infosphere is reshaping human reality”. A book putting the informational transition into perspective and containing a wealth of information, a must read.
This presentation is designed to answer three questions.
1) What is a PLN/PLC?
2) Why should every educator have one?
and 3) How does someone create a PLN?
Podcasting - For Archdiocese of San Antonio Media Literacy CourseAngela Santana
Created for Catholic school educators and staff of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas. Part of the Daughters of St. Paul's Media Literacy Certification Course, 2010.
My keynote from the AIS NSW ICT Integration Conference 2009: eConsumers or eProducers? (http://bit.ly/1ri5ka).
Details and contact for slide notes at http://www.acidlabs.org/2009/09/29/only-connect/.
Social Media Masterclass for London WitnessBex Lewis
A full-day course working with London Witness ( http://www.london.anglican.org/articles/london-witness-confidently-communicating-god-in-london/) - seeking to confidently communicate God in London.
#MediaLit15 (https://www.dur.ac.uk/codec/about/events/medialit/), a session designed to give those in/about to go into ministry some thinking points and practical tips on the digital in ministry.
Restoring Confidence in the Gospel: Restoring confidence in the truths we bel...Bex Lewis
For http://www.creonline.co.uk/visitors/news/cre-international-womens-conference-restoring-your-confidence/ event held by Woman Alive at the Christian Resources Exhibition
Social Media, Peer Surveillance and Spiritual FormationBex Lewis
A session prepared for AHRC workshop on Religion and Surveillance. Taken a lot of prep, and still feel it needs more. Got me thinking about a lot of things in further layers than in the past ... let's see how it goes! I typically use more slides than minutes so...
Slide deck from presentation given to the Christian Campers & Conference Centers Association, Carolinas/Virginias Sectional meeting on March 10, 2010 at Camp Caraway, North Carolina.
The social media world is not flat. There are new lands beyond the continent of Facebook. The New world has riches, romance, opportunities, fame, and some say the secrets to eternal youth. Buy also beware! There are rumors of Medussas whose siren song will lure you in to her lair so that you will crash upon the rocks, serpents called worms that will entangle your ship and control your course, viruses that will make you and your crew sea sick, trojan ships that will approach you with free goods that hold spies that will live among you, pirate ships that will steal your goods and ask you to join in their skullduggery by trading in illegal goods, and Cyclops who will train their evil eye on you to suck out your soul and rob your privacy.
But as entrepid explorers you must put aside your fears and push out into the unknown. Forewarned is forearmed! Seek your destiny!
In the below slides I have summarised which are to me the main ideas (philosophies) being put forward by Luciano Floridi in his book “The 4th Revolution – How the infosphere is reshaping human reality”. A book putting the informational transition into perspective and containing a wealth of information, a must read.
This presentation is designed to answer three questions.
1) What is a PLN/PLC?
2) Why should every educator have one?
and 3) How does someone create a PLN?
Podcasting - For Archdiocese of San Antonio Media Literacy CourseAngela Santana
Created for Catholic school educators and staff of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas. Part of the Daughters of St. Paul's Media Literacy Certification Course, 2010.
My keynote from the AIS NSW ICT Integration Conference 2009: eConsumers or eProducers? (http://bit.ly/1ri5ka).
Details and contact for slide notes at http://www.acidlabs.org/2009/09/29/only-connect/.
Social Media Masterclass for London WitnessBex Lewis
A full-day course working with London Witness ( http://www.london.anglican.org/articles/london-witness-confidently-communicating-god-in-london/) - seeking to confidently communicate God in London.
#MediaLit15 (https://www.dur.ac.uk/codec/about/events/medialit/), a session designed to give those in/about to go into ministry some thinking points and practical tips on the digital in ministry.
Restoring Confidence in the Gospel: Restoring confidence in the truths we bel...Bex Lewis
For http://www.creonline.co.uk/visitors/news/cre-international-womens-conference-restoring-your-confidence/ event held by Woman Alive at the Christian Resources Exhibition
Teaching session for DNA, focusing upon evangelism in a digital age - what does it look mean, look like, when our faith is authentically lived and shared.
IPM placing the christian church in a digital ageBex Lewis
See abstract for this conference paper, to be given 8th September 2017: http://drbexl.co.uk/2017/08/18/edit-conference-abstract-inclusive-placemaking-placing-christian-church-digital-age/
Premier Digital: Online Church as Real Community Bex Lewis
Slides prepared for Premier Digital Webinar on 7th October 2020: https://drbexl.co.uk/event/webinar-digital-church-webinar-online-church-as-real-community/
Mini Pecha Kucha: Public Engagement Activity Bex Lewis
A mini-pecha kucha (10 slides that auto-move forward after 20 seconds) prepared for #ERA1819, second of three workshops, summarising what we've been up to since the last workshop.
'Left to their own devices' for #PremDac17Bex Lewis
40 minutes on "What is the impact of children having their own devices, and how do we manage this?" at #PremDac17
See more: https://www.premierdigital.info/conference
A session with the diocesan youth workers to consider the digital and the questions that that raises for them in their work - giving young people the best choices, aiding their work, and protecting themselves and their charges.
Raising Children in a Digital Age - Cavendish SchoolBex Lewis
Evening event to be held 16th May, at Cavendish School, West Didsbury. http://drbexl.co.uk/event/manchester-raising-children-digital-age-cavendish-school/
Designed to introduce a group of ordinands to the potentials and the pitfalls of social media in ministry - huge topic - 1.5 hours ... let's get that debate going!
For Manchester Diocese ordinands
Experiencing God in a Digital Age (Children/Young People)Bex Lewis
A 20 minute thought-provoking session on encouraging children/young people to experience God online, and how it might impact their wider lives so they are encouraged to be wholehearted for God.
For https://theconversationuk.org/ 24/02/17
How can digital and social media be used by youth leaders?Bex Lewis
Prepared for a Skype presentation, considering how digital and social media can be used by youth leaders (within churches).
Join the online session: https://lukewhyte.mykajabi.com/p/summit
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLD
Evangelism in a Digital Age (CODEC Digital Theology Seminar)
1.
Evangelism in a Digital Age
Dr Bex Lewis, Research Fellow in Social Media and Online Learning, CODEC, Durham University;
Director, Digital Fingerprint
Assigned Creative Commons Licence 4.0 non-
commercial
http://www.slideshare.net/drbexl
/evangelism-in-a-digital-age-
codec-digital-theology-seminar
For: https://www.dur.ac.uk/codec/
3. Rev Prof DavidWilkinson
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.
Image Credit: Durham University
6. Embedded Practice?
As indicated in my book, Raising Children in a Digital Age, although
children aren’t ‘digital natives’ who are ‘fundamentally different
from us’, they have grown up in a time when the digital is an
embedded part of their everyday life.
Most politicians are clearly not using social media in an embedded
way, but as a digital marketing tool, and this is seen as inauthentic.
We need to look at the underlying culture and assess whether
traits such as collaboration, innovation, transparency, and
openness belong solely to the younger generation. Reports such as
the Ipsos MORI Who is Generation Next? have indicated what the
concerns of the younger generation are, and what they might
expect from their politicians.
Young people want to know that they are being listened to, that
their voices count, and that they are not being patronised.
https://www.dur.ac.uk/generalelection.2015/news/?itemno=24588
10. Darren Hill,TheWorship Cloud
All these great Bible verses
arrive on my feed without any
context, background or
explanation. As believers we
are fine with this, we of
course know the context to
any text that appears online…
don’t we? But what about
everyone else?
http://bigbible.org.uk/2012/11/posts-
promises-and-perennial-issues-darrenrhill-
digidisciple/
Image Credit: Darren Hill
11. Brennan Manning
The greatest single cause of
atheism in the world today is
Christians who acknowledge Jesus
with their lips and walk out the
door and deny him by their life
style. That is what an unbelieving
world simply finds unbelievable.
13. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
But in your hearts revere Christ as
Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to
give the reason for the hope that you
have. But do this with gentleness and
respect
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se
arch=1+Peter+3%3A15&version=NIV
14. Carl Medearis
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.
The ‘digital age’ is wider than social media, e.g. thinking about how Bibles can be got into countries where they are banned on SD cards, etc, but within this short session we are going to look at evangelism as it relates to SOCIAL media.
Often when am working with groups who are fearful of getting involved, focus is upon words such as “digital”, “technology”, “toolkit”, “media” etc. but if we change the focus to “social” then we are back in more familiar territory.. Into the notion of being ‘in relationship’, using ‘communication’….
And as Prof David Wilkinson would say - we are created by a God who rejoices in our 2-way communication with him… so note that we are called also to be extravagant communicators… - for much of what I do, it’s about commonality, finding a starting point and then getting to know each other. These have always been the essential building blocks of any relationship (and for want of a better term, relationship evangelism), in which there is a strong focus on LISTENING and ENGAGING, rather than “pushing stuff out”…
Whilst we’re thinking about what social (new/digital) media is, let’s also think about what evangelism is (at it’s simplest level).
In a world where it’s OK to be a Mac evangelist, but not a Christian evangelist… seen militant supporters for/against Apple, and also for evangelism, and this is not a new thing!
https://www.wordnik.com/words/evangelism
What is possibly different is that we need to understand “the culture” that we are engaging with… and when I say “the culture” – we have to remember that “digital culture” is comprised of a range of systems, including email, websites, different social media platforms – each with different etiquette (like Australasia has several v different cultures within it)…
Today is the general election for the UK, and last week I wrote a piece for the university on how political parties are not really getting the hang of social media, because they are not embedded users – they are still using it as a broadcast tool, top-down, and for the purposes of propaganda, rather than to truly engage with the electorate.
This was partly drawn from my experience of discussing how churches can reach out – and many are using digital technology/social media in similar ways – and that churches are organisations would probably do better to concentrate their efforts on ensuring that the content that their congregations want to share is easy to find/accessible, so that the congregation members (of whatever age), who are the ‘networks of networks’ can share that content…
Sites that do this kind of thing include Jesus Daily, with over 26m likes on Facebook, with this kind of image that they hope people will share (and over 250 had in less than 45 mins), but also ones that I find more problematic, e.g. “If you love Jesus like/share/type Amen”, which I find rather “chain-letter-ish”, but if that part of a general discomfort with overt evangelism in general?
https://www.facebook.com/JesusDaily/photos/a.70986532354.76361.70630972354/10155982522327355/?type=1&theater
Another site that seeks to provide content for people to use is YesHeIs.com (and yes, there are other sites), which seeks to provide videos, etc. that users can share with their friends. We see here the most popular draws upon the ‘celebrity’ factor – despite the oft shared idea that social media has flattened “voices” and that all can have a voice – old power structures continue to exist, and those that have power offline, typically have power online (possible online, but not the utopia we were first presented with) ….
BUT these only really have power when used with a personal story. People are interested in their friends, and want to know why x is being shared – e.g. I typically tweet or Facebook through or after sermons, but usually just things that really stand out – and therefore are connected to something that is meaningful to me, which makes sense to friends…
… this was where bigbible came from in 2010. BigRead (not a great deal of digital literacy within the church, though question has changed over past 2 years), designed by Christians for Christians (voices pew, pulpit and academy – currently less from academy), to encourage thinking about engagement online (a theology of relationship evangelism?)
It’s possible at a simple level to e.g. share Bible verses in our FB/Twitter feed, but without personalised context as to why something is meaningful to me, does it make any sense as communication (of course we could do it for ourselves, but there’s a limit to how many times we might do that!)…
Student who just had Bible verses in their feed – lacked personality, but also complete lack of faith-based content, what does that say about who we are?
Lifestyle = includes online!
Important in our thinking on this is the notion that we are talking about ‘online/offline’, not ‘virtual’real’ … relationships online have a different nature, but they are as valid and real as offline relationships, and for many the edges are entirely blurred as conversations online in between face-to-face meets change the nature of offline conversations (sometimes allowing for deeper conversations in either space)…
Disinhibition – seen as problematic (bullying), but also leaves space open for conversation, including ‘seekers’ who know that particular users are Christians – may ask questions …
An old verse still stands true here … be prepared to give an answer, when ASKED (rather than throwing out), with GENTLENESS and RESPECT … we can’t DICTATE what other’s say online, but we can think about our own interactions…
So – what do you think? What does it make you think about engaging online, how we share our faith, how we make Jesus real to people?