1. Social Media and the Church
for URC West Midlands Synod
Dr Bex Lewis
Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing,
Manchester Metropolitan University
Director, Digital Fingerprint
Tweet @drbexl 120/06/17
http://bit.ly/URC_WM_Synod2
2. Does the church need
digital communication?
20/06/17 Tweet @drbexl 2
3. 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 …
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.
Tweet @drbexl 3
http://www.churchgrowthr
d.org.uk/blog/churchgrowt
h/growing_churches_in_th
e_digital_age
Image: Flickr
20/06/17
4. Dr Sara Batts (2013)
http://phdinprogress.wordpress.com
@drbexl
5. "If you want to build a presence in the social media
platform, then you need to be present."
- @unmarketing
@drbexl
7. How can the church be a leading light within our society, if we
are seen as irrelevant, refusing to engage with the latest
technology? Can we lead by example, and show that we are not
afraid to experiment, not afraid to fail? If we’re not in the digital
spaces, the latest ‘public square’, then we can’t offer an
‘example’ to influence the wider world. We need to be part of
people’s everyday conversations, and not just arriving when we
have a message to ‘sell’. Sharing our everyday lives, in which
stories of humour and vulnerability are particularly powerful,
allows us to connect – including with journalists, who find spaces
such as Twitter a useful hunting ground for stories, and to build
up trusted relationships with potential contributors to stories.
Lewis, B. (2017), ‘Social Media Fast for Lent? Not for Me!’, The Medianet, http://themedianet.org/social-media-fast-
lent-not/
20/06/17 Tweet @drbexl 7
8. "Emails, text messages, social
networks and chats can also
be fully human forms of
communication, … it is not
technology which determines
whether or not
communication is authentic,
but rather the human heart
and our capacity to use
wisely the means at our
disposal.”
13/05/17 Tweet @drbexl 8
http://uk.businessinsider.com/pope-
francis-the-internet-social-networks-
and-text-messages-are-a-gift-of-god-
2016-1
Pope Francis, Roman Catholic Church's
World Day of Communications, 2016
23. #DIGIDisciple
those who seek to live
out their Biblically-
informed Christian faith
in the digital space,
exploring both what it
means to be a disciple
in the digital age, and
also how the digital age
affects or alters
discipleship.
2010-2015
@drbexl
24. It’s something about the informality and
distance; the ability to pause and think, which
can be difficult in a conversation; and the way
discussions can pick up where they left off
several hours, days or weeks later.
Emma Major, BIGBible Post, 2012
@drbexl
25. Jesus often encountered
people individually. Social
media gives us the same
personal access to people.
This is an every-member
ministry, and it’s exciting
and inspiring.
Rev Pam Smith, author, Online Mission &
Ministry; Priest in Charge, iChurch
Tweet @drbexl 25
https://theconversation.com/
how-social-media-is-changing-
the-church-57405
20/06/17
28. 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’.
http://www.threadsuk.com/redeeming-culture-in-a-digital-age
Bex Lewis, May 2014
20/06/17 Tweet @drbexl 28
29. • I can't separate my faith from my
actions, including those in public life.
If people of faith are in public life faith
is there too. @JennRiddlestone
• How can you separate faith from your
public life? Is private faith true faith?
@loulou_uberkirk
• If being a Christian is loving God and
loving others, even if I don't announce
why I'm doing something, my faith is
unavoidably in *public.* @Hstanley_
Tweet @drbexl 2920/06/17
31. 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.
20/06/17 Tweet @drbexl 31
32. [If we are…] means by which God
communicates and reveals himself
through his Spirit, then our blog
posts, status updates, tweets,
artistic images, and online
comments should be products of a
life transformed by Christ and
indwelled by his Spirit. As restored
image bearers, our online presence
and activity should image the Triune
God.
Byers, A.
Theomedia
(2013, 196)
20/06/17 Tweet @drbexl 32
36. Dr Bex Lewis
@drbexl
@vahva
“.. People find it easy and more
comfortable to ask questions about
faith in a private space online… people
on social media are directly
contactable in a way that has not
previously been so easy; paradoxically
there is a distance offered by the
online environment akin to the screen
in the confessional box” (p18)
20/06/17
39. What do you stand FOR?
20/06/17 Tweet @drbexl 39
40. “Technology should not dictate our
values or our methods. Rather, we
must use technology out of our
convictions and values.”
Dyer (2011: 5)
@drbexl
42. 24/7 Values?
What do you stand FOR?
• 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
20/06/17 Tweet @drbexl 42
43. Methodist Church Guidelines
• The principles applied to this are:
• Be credible. Be accurate, fair, thorough and transparent.
• Be consistent. Encourage constructive criticism and deliberation.
• Be cordial, honest and professional at all times. Be responsive.
When you gain insight, share it where appropriate.
• Be integrated. Wherever possible, align online participation with
other communications.
• Be a good representative of the Methodist Church. Remember that
you are an ambassador for Christ, the Church and your part of it.
Disclose your position as a member or officer of the Church,
making it clear when speaking personally. Let Galatians 5:22-26
guide your behaviour.
• Be respectful: respect confidentiality. Respect the views of others
even where you disagree.
20/06/17
http://www.methodist.org.uk/ministers-and-office-
holders/technology-and-church/social-media-guidelines
Tweet @drbexl 43
44. Social Media or Society?
Dr Bex Lewis
@drbexl
“If we don’t like what social
media is presenting us
[with], we should look at
society instead, not just the
tool they communicate
with.”
Caroline Criado-Perez, 2013
Source: http://www.interhacktives.com/2013/12/04/5th-hackney-debate-social-media-blessing-curse/
50. What can YOU do?
• Current church use?
• Define personas?
• Potential church use?
• Underlying values?
• Potential sermon topics?
20/06/17 Tweet @drbexl 50
51. Saint Teresa of Avila (adapted by
Meredith Gould, 2010)
20/06/17
http://churchsocmed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/chris
t-has-no-online-presence-but-yours.html
Tweet @drbexl 51
Christ Has No Online Presence but Yours
Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours,
Yours are the tweets through which love touches this
world,
Yours are the posts through which the Gospel is shared,
Yours are the updates through which hope is revealed.
Christ has no online presence but yours,
No blog, no Facebook page but yours.
In 2010, when I started looking at faith and the digital, it was seen as quite a weird thing to do, with people questioning ‘why do we need to do that?’
By 2013, when I wrote this piece for CofE Church Growth blog, the question changed for many to ‘we understand that we need to do it, but how do we do it’? With a lot of concerns about the extra workload this might bring for the vicar, the need to ‘get it right’, people needed a lot of convincing.. As this article says “For many…”
I would probably play around with the final sentence for this bit ... Social media is RELATIONAL so whereas a website might be the ‘front door’ – the church members are where the REAL POWER of these medium of communication is ... And they are more like side doors/windows, etc.
The accompanying question that always seemed to work within my ‘Social Media for the Scared’ courses (run for various flavours of churches, faith organisations, etc.) is – with billions of people using these tools every day – can we afford not to be online – what are people seeing otherwise?
For the young in particular, this is their everyday experience of life – if we are the door with ‘you can’t come in with that’, it’s offputting… although there’s also the counter-argument that it’s a space to ‘breath’ and disconnect from social (without the other peer pressure) – definitely something to talk about in sermons, youth groups, etc.
Does expose to different ideas ..
Image: https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/131/375646158_b2755ca5bf_b.jpg
As Batts research (2013) 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… and overall there’s still a fairly negative view of what is required for an online presence…
Those in the Christian sector, including churches, have been slow to recognize the value of online spaces, largely through relationships with church members, rather than the church itself.
QUOTE
Needs a particular understanding about ‘networks of networks’, about encouraging those WITHIN the church – church provides material that people want to share, or encourages members to share with each other… (beware the volunteerism culture – keen one does the work, then leaves = needs more holistic approach)
Previous research I’ve done for e-learning = on encouraging academics to participate– indicates that the tech-savvy need to take the lead….
Seeking to demystify the digital environment, with an emphasis upon it not as a ‘virtual’ space, but as a ‘real’ space that needed to be understood on its own terms (not wild west, not virtual) – real people, with real relationships interacting … maybe in a different way to before, but still human interactions.
As the then Pope, Benedict, said that “The digital…” – not understanding this space is not really any longer an option, and as social media entrepreneur @unmarketing emphasises – to build a presence online, one needs to be present – one can’t post and run!
for Lent, typically because people feel that they are ‘addicted’ (further research needed – most people = bad habits), or that they are ‘wasting too much time’ (again, contested, why does every drop of economic value need to be wrung out of every activity?)
Previously: 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’. http://www.threadsuk.com/redeeming-culture-in-a-digital-age
Bex Lewis, May 2014
"Social networks can facilitate relationships and promote the good of society, but they can also lead to further polarization and division between individuals and groups,” Modern communications were "a gift of God which involves a great responsibility.”
Remembering that GOD IS A COMMUNICATING GOD – he wants us to use the tools of communication that are relevant and appropriate – understanding them enough to USE THEM WELL and to QUESTION what we are using.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-takes-twitter-by-storm-in-the-first-papal-selfie-8792660.html
These are two of the most powerful men in Christian circles … both actively engaging online. Justin Welby was originally ABCJustin, then wanted to become a ‘person’ rather than a ‘role’, although still needs care with ‘role’ .. Whatever position you are in.
Don’t’ forget the SOCIAL in social media … about engaging rather than broadcasting (FOR MOST) thought argument for e.g. just not possible…
Justin has previously apologised in tweets for not being able to engage personally with everyone … citing that he wouldn’t get the rest of his work complete, but that he appreciates all those who contact him (makes sense – going online doesn’t mean have to throw away ‘time wisdom’).
The Pope doesn’t even make a pretence, as “he” simply follows himself in 8 different languages… but has become a bit notorious for ‘poking’ at Trump at the moment…
Is evidence that CofE is doing a lot at the top – FB convos, CofE twitter, Periscope experiment, hashtags, etc.
So, I want to know what you use, how you think you use it, etc… I’ve found a few things, but TBH, not that easy …
Let’s look at some of the URC content I could find online (bear in mind those social links are sharing options, not links to digital content) – but nice clean, etc.
This seemed to be the main
Use as opportunity to explain difference between pages/groups & 3 diff types of groups. Small is fine, if you’re clear on the purpose…
The churches natural style fits the pattern of the social media world - that of participation and creativity rather than a broadcast hierarchical structure, although many churches have grown used to a model of passive, presentation-piece services over the past couple of hundred years (as illustrated here – pews fixed in place, etc.), heightened even more by a broadcast mode of media that all have got used to with the TV and the radio.
Probably feels like this to many… how can we make it more interactive we often ask (because it is the first thing that comes to mind) … but let’s not forget housegroups, etc… but there is more that can be done.
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 throughout the week through a Facebook group.
Members of the congregation physically present can engage with sermons through tweeting along, checking something on their online Bibles or Google, sharing photos of church activities, or reflecting upon the sermon with live blogging (something that many have done for years in paper journals).
Moreover, digital communication allows for communication with those we cannot speak to already. It allows us to break out of the same old voices feeding into our worship. Guest speakers can be invited from all over the world (using tools such as Skype); the housebound can be invited to both enjoy and participate in church services (using tools such as live streaming). People can request and be offered prayer, whenever and wherever it is needed, notices can be texted out, offerings given through digital banking, and share the fullness of discipleship living through all kinds of media.
People are no longer limited to their geographical or ‘Sunday’ lives, which allow churches to practice whole-life community, actively engaging with what is going on in the world, to listen and to respond with what is going on in local, national and international communities in ways that are meaningful to those who are listening.
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.
Think also – learning to write material that ‘competes’ with millions of other blogs … learn to write in a more enticing style (still an assumption that people are “interested”, all we have to do is provide the information?
Project draws on voices from the pew, the pulpit and the academy - #Digidisciple(s) have written on a huge range of topics, including tweeting in church (controversial), legal and ethical questions, reviews of the latest scholarship, demonstrating graceful communication, thinking before tweeting, the importance of listening, undertaken a digital pilgrimage, relationship development online, authenticity, drawing upon best practice in the secular world, the use of language, attitude, and wellbeing – including taking digital time out. Overall, the group explores how digital practices and values (e.g. social, always-on, immediate, responsive, iterative, accountable, avatar use) contribute to contemporary discipleship and how discipleship values (e.g. authenticity, integrity, discernment) shape the digital environments that are engaged with.
Since 2011, The BIGBible Project has created a network of #DIGIDisciples who contribute to a blog questioning what it means to be a Christian in the digital age and in the digital environment. As Elizabeth Dresher would point out, the churches natural style fits the pattern of the social media world – that of participation and creativity rather than a broadcast hierarchical structure. #DIGIDisciples look to see what digital technologies allow us to do differently, as well as how they may impact our behaviours online. #DIGIDisciples subscribe to the belief that our spiritual lives are 24/7, and that we need to take seriously our Christian presence both online and offline, questioning whether we are we the same person, living by the same values in both environments, modeling Christlike behaviour. Voices are from across the ecumenical spectrum, and at all levels of online expertise (or none) have participated.
The conference paper will draw from the rich collection of over 2,500 #digidisciple posts to demonstrate the potential that the digital has offered churches, whilst also highlighting some of the issues that have been raised.
Online, with relationships/trust developed – people are prepared to ask questions - Emma Major said in 2012, where a friend said to her: “Christianity seems safer online; I can ask the questions without having to look stupid for asking them.” Emma noted that [quote] – as it takes away the formality that many associate with church.
Rev Prof Maggi Dawn noted at the inaugural ‘Christians in New Media Conference’ (2010) that it can take some time for online users to grow comfortable in their ‘voices’, something that Rev Robb Sutherland (2013) describes as becoming comfortable in a ‘digital skin’ that was consistent with his physical presence.
In 2016 I wrote a piece for ‘The Conversation’ (academic research presented journalistically, had over 30k views), looking at the way that we have become used to ‘broadcast Christianity’ – where all our lessons come top-down via preaching from trained priests, whilst social media is re-enabling a relational model that allows many ordinary Christians to have one-to-one conversations about their faith with non-believers, whilst developing their own disciplieship with and through others.
In chatting with Pam Smith (the first online minister with iChurch, book author), we noted that this provides a much more realistic picture of the church as a collection of followers of Jesus rather than a large organisation which makes pronouncements is then judged by its organisational failures…. We are back to more ‘individualised’ and ‘participative’ discipleship and ministry .. Exciting times... Altghough of course challenging in our current culture with a necessary emphasis on safeguarding.
The importance of the PERSONAL…
Often say that yes, need an institutional presence = not necessarily the minister’s job to do this, but to create an atmosphere where digital feels normal, where it’s a topic of sermons, etc. and where there is thought given to encouraging people to use, share, participate, and LIVE their lives online of faith…
Couple of Bible verses to think about what we project… this one has been a powerful one for me – taking our “everyday, ordinary life” [READ OUT] … day in/day out, in which digital aspects are a core part…
If we see it as irrelevant, then those that use it will think that we find them irrelevant … including young people..
It’s important to genuinely want to be in connection with people .. Not just there to ‘evangelise’ – the same as in pretty much any other social space…
Back at Spring Harvest in 2014, I was asked to speak about ‘Faith in the Public Square’, and posted something along the lines of this tweet “now we’re living…”, and got a huge range of responses, so I’m going to share a selection here, as we think about what it means to live with faith in the world, especially in the particularly public world which much of social media is (although there’s a growing number of people using more private forms of online sharing!)....
Some people think that digital media means that you can create multiple versions of yourself, and in some games, etc. you can, but if you’re on social networks, it’s hard to maintain lines of separation, which means that you need to be ‘true to you’ … and if a faith is a part of that – then it’s likely to find it’s way into your online profiles – these 3 sayings sum that up well...
What I find particularly important about this is the notion, summed up here by Elizabeth Drescher, that “we are not selling something”… but BE SOMETHING... Reiterating somewhat what I said earlier (probably influenced by the number of times I share this)
We need to be ourselves, living our lives, sharing our lives ‘authentically’ (however overused that word is) ... the fun bits, the difficult bits, fighting for the (e.g. social justice) causes that we believe in...
One of my former colleagues hopes that this is true in some ways – we are the face of the God online … we need to think about what that means for a whole church, but also how we provide an atmosphere in which people feel confident to do this in their everyday interactions – online/offline … how do they know they have solid teaching, how do they know that they are encouraged to be ‘in the world’ (if not of it), how do we help them think about what this means for their everyday lives!
SEEING THE ORGANISATION HELPING INDIVIDUALS TO BE PERSONAL MISSIONERS IN THEIR SPACE – TALK ABOUT SOCIAL as something ‘normal’, the everyday issues, the everyday possibilities – listen to the concerns that people have…
Social media is also helping to open up and humanise the church. The distance and anonymity created between people when they communicate online can help shed inhibitions in a way that is often blamed for abusive behaviour. But it can also encourage people to become comfortable enough to ask questions about faith, especially via private messaging. The humorous nature of many social media posts can also act as a starting point for more serious discussions about religion.
It’s been shown that vulnerable or humourous posts engage users the most (with likes, shares, comments, etc.), and it is important that these come from a place of ‘your story’ – e.g. Sharing Bible verses without context feels like ‘street preaching’, whilst explaining how this is important, that you don’t understand it all, etc. Comes more from a place of ‘authentically’ living the life... Or, as a friend said, growing a ‘digital skin’...
Can I just say ... typically this does not include those posts that say if you type Amen this person may recover … those are effectively chain letters, and inappropriate!
The average person gets distracted in eight seconds, though a mere 2.8 seconds is enough to distract some people.
81 percent of people only skim the content they read online. (Usability expert Jakob Nielsen has written that the average user reads at most 20 to 28 percent of words during an average visit.)
People form a first impression in a mere 50 milliseconds.
An estimated 84 percent of communications will be visual by 2018.
An estimated 79 percent of internet traffic will be video content by 2018.
Posts that include images produce 650 percent higher engagement than text-only posts.
People are 85 percent more likely to buy a product after viewing a product video.
Posts with videos attract 3X more links than text-only posts.
Tumblr's active user base has grown by 120 percent.
Pinterest's active user base has grown by 111 percent.
Instagram's active user base has grown by 64 percent.
https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/visual-content-marketing-16-eye-popping-statistics-you-need-to-know.html
Often these pics are of random children, illegal to use, and used by scammers to collect details ... And clearly Jesus is not waiting until 1 million likes before he will heal or otherwise ... Same as if you have more faith, etc.
One that saw recently …
https://www.facebook.com/PatheosProgressiveChristian/photos/a.325327084169297.68940.181539958548011/1341259062576089/?type=3&theater
On some occasions, online is better … Bryony wrote her dissertation whilst undertaking ordination training, and it’s been published this year (should be on the bookstall) – her questionnaire response highlighted than nearly 50% of direct evangelistic responses came via private messaging…. More comfortable in your own home, can walk away, etc. Allows space for vulnerability ...
If we’re equipping our members, then we need to think about how we are equipping them spiritually … how are we helping them in their discipleship so that – as we said at the beginning – we/they are ‘the only face of God they might ever see’..
A Bible verse re-written for the digital age! Importance of encouragement… and remember that most relationships are built on a range of activities, including redundant topics, and random – e.g. at the weekend was part of a Facebook Eurovision party … able to join in the fun when didn’t have capacity to leave the house/have anyone round! Started with around 20 people, by end of evening = over 50 (also kept it off our timelines)
http://bigbible.org.uk/2012/09/wisdom-from-the-bible-on-building-a-digiparadise-by-vahva/
It’s so easy to get bogged down in theological debates … how can we part of the world’s wider conversations, but bringing our Christian worldview to it … how can we help young people to prepare for 1 Peter 3:16 http://biblehub.com/1_peter/3-15.htm “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”
Often say that yes, need an institutional presence = not necessarily the minister’s job to do this, but to create an atmosphere where digital feels normal, where it’s a topic of sermons, etc. and where there is thought given to encouraging people to use, share, participate, and LIVE their lives online of faith…
Echoed by Dyer (2011: 25) offers caution for modern day disciples: [quote]
Digital technology is addressed more within a framework of affordances and constraints (following Gibson, 1977): what does each new development in technology make possible, what does it limit, and what choices are therefore available?
How far are we living ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” and what does that look like online – a space where it’s incredibly easy to share things without checking, in a fast atmosphere, competing to be first, and for likes … how can we be something different – how can we ensure that earth is crammed with a bit of heaven (whether that’s salt and light or...)
Not a fan of standing AGAINST where possible? So what can we be for… how does the digital change the shape of WHAT IS POSSIBLE?
We’ll come back to some of this in part 2..
Solid rules, been referencing them for years, as they are about behaviour, not about the technology (as we’ll find most things are)
Bath & Wells…
Don't rush in
Remember tweets are transient yet permanent
Be a good ambassador for the Church
Don't hide behind anonymity
Be aware of public/private life boundaries
Maintain a professional distance
Stay within the law
Respect confidentiality
Be mindful of your own security
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25848873
Importance of not seeing ‘online’ as ‘virtual’ – then people seem to think different rules apply, but it’s a part of our whole lives/society, and should be treated as such… remembering ALWAYS that there is a human being on the other side of the screen (disinhibition)
Within this, want to think how we stand as role models… and encourage everyone to think about what they share... Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should! One friend uses the acronym ‘HALT’ – if you’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired, step away from the keyboard/pad and deal with that issue first ... And/or .. Learn how to use the private spaces such as PMs/DMs/Groups, rather than public messaging
Understand the pressures that they are under – FOMO, value of friendship tied to speed of response, the pressure to accept friendship with anyone they already know offline, etc., ubiquity of smartphones, fact that despite age 13 being the ‘appropriate age’ for pretty much every social media platform (US legislation) most younger are on one or more...
Another bit from book chapter: To any concerned with any of these possible addictions, whether digital, gaming or porn we would emphasise the importance of conversation, and a consideration of the bigger picture. These particular addictions don’t occur in a social vacuum, the fact that pornography and violent games are considered forms of entertainment are problematic and need to be addressed by wider conversations regarding cultural change. Internet filtering is often presented as a solution, particularly to pornography, but these don’t tend to deal with the root problem, and there are many workaround solutions. Accountability options can be more productive, whilst Johann Hari’s TED talk encourages us to look at how we can reconnect people with society, so that people fell less driven to addictive practices.
Often say that yes, need an institutional presence = not necessarily the minister’s job to do this, but to create an atmosphere where digital feels normal, where it’s a topic of sermons, etc. and where there is thought given to encouraging people to use, share, participate, and LIVE their lives online of faith…
Think about recent experiences with Pokemon Go – last summer’s big mobile gaming hit (and still a steady number of dedicated users, with Pokemon adapting elements of the game!)… I wrote about my experience, was picked up by Radio 4 & London School of Economics… (links at top) – for once CofE seemed to be ahead of the game – ready to talk on the day of release … lots of ‘sneering’ from some = also not helpful - always inspired by Martin Saunders piece re not sneering at Trump etc as alienates even more…
Good tips in the blog post referenced at the top – and a real joy in being part of something people enjoying, invitational rather than overtly evangelistic – e.g. child asking questions in graveyard … see it as A BRIDGE within relationships, rather than a tool! SEE THE LINKS
Critical issues of our world – politics/business – making things worth for children/young people – want an approach to faith that is committed and passionate – not on system of belief, but way of life/way of love… a mission to join God in the healing of the world…
“Linda added: ‘This sort of activity won’t bring a whole lot of people into church on a Sunday, it’s about building relationship with a section of the community previously unreached. There is an underlying message that this church is not stuffy and stand-offish, in fact, they’re up for a bit of fun. Pokémon mornings are held in the main church sanctuary and if someone asks anything about church (usually parents) the church members will try to answer. There has been an unexpected spin-off too. A handful of people from the community have started to drop-in for a coffee and a chat…strengthening the church family and building new relationships.
‘Pokémon at Bramhall URC is raising questions for me as co-ordinator for fresh expressions of church. No-one can call these Saturday morning gatherings a new form of ‘church’, however, it is current church in action, acting in loving service. Is this what we mean by mission? I think it is mission - at an early stage. This is no-strings-attached hospitality to people we don’t know.”
Let’s engage with wisdom online.. This site will help...
Emphasise here, that essentially what I’m looking at is encouraging people to ‘be themselves’ online, to know what they stand for and live out that life….
Able to help others not to fall for scams, etc.
Join in discussion – I set this up as a book list, though it needs some feedback on the books (TIME!) …
DISCUSS: Options – these were some suggestions that come out of what I have, happy for people to get into groups – or we can move onto Q&A, etc. *Timing