The following is a bunch of resources from my REDEEMING SOCIAL MEDIA Professional Development Seminar from NYMC 2013. It was a fruitful 3 hours with stimulating discussion and a resolve to think this stuff through theologically. I began the seminar by disagreeing with my underlying premise from a similar workshop at NYMC 2011 (see some of those resources here). Previously my foundational principle was that “all technology is neutral, what matters is that we avoid the harmful and unleash it for good”. I still believe we should avoid the harmful and unleash it for good, however I don’t think all technology is neutral. I shared with people my journey in changed thinking. One of the books mentioned below was pivotal in my thinking shift. Keep reading to find out more!
DOWNLOAD MY KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
FEATURED BLOG SERIES
REDEEMING SOCIAL MEDIA // GUEST SERIES
I really enjoyed reading the 5 guest posts encouraging Christians to think intentionally about how they use social media.
- NATHAN CAMPBELL – church planter within the Presbyterian church of Brisbane
- STEVE KRYGER – Executive Pastor at an Anglican church in Sydney
- STEVE FOGG – Is the Communications Pastor at Crossway Baptist in Melbourne
- STU HARRIS – works for the yesHEis.com based in Queensland
- NATHAN W. BINGHAM – an Aussie working as the Internet Outreach Manager for Ligioner Ministries in the USA.
THE DIGITAL SKATEPARK // GET YOUR MINISTRY ONLINE
Check out the principles for getting your ministry online. This 10-part blog series was part of my presentation and is also the basis of a chapter in a forthcoming youth ministry book. See the first post in the series or check out the tag to filter the posts.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
FROM THE GARDEN TO THE CITY: THE REDEEMING AND CORRUPTING POWER OF TECHNOLOGY by John Dyer // I read this book not long after NYMC 2011. It took a long time because I was reading it on the Kindle App on my tablet device and easily distracted by all the other apps at my disposal! Anyway, to cut a long story short – this book is brilliant. It shifted my approach to thinking about these issues and is sharp in its theological approach. Highly recommended. BUY IT: KINDLE // AMAZON // BOOK DEPOSITORY.
WILL YOU BE MY FACEBOOK FRIEND? SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE GOSPEL by Tim Chester // This book was only $3 – it’s short and simple to read. I found it compelling and convicting as I considered my relationship with social media. Really good application with the gospel. BUY IT: KINDLE // AMAZON.
THE DIGITAL INVASION: HOW TECHNOLOGY IS SHAPING YOU AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS by Dr Arch Hart and Dr Sylvia Hart Frejd // Arch Hart is a well-known and loved Christian psychologist. In this book he teams up with his daughter and covers similar topics as the above two books. However, this book has some really practical steps for parents. BUY IT: KINDLE // AMAZON // BOOK DEPOSITORY.
(Disclosure: the above book links are affiliate links, that means if you click and buy I get about 5 cents commission!)
CYBER PARENTING by Simone and James Boswell // I haven’t read this new book yet because it wasn’t available electronically! But I plan on ordering a physical copy and plundering it ahead of a parents seminar I am running. Youthworks put out great books, so trusting that this one will be too! BUY IT: YOUTHWORKS.
USEFUL LINKS FOR PARENTS AND YOUTH LEADERS
- www.cybersmart.gov.au // An Australian government site that is a good place to stop for info on cyberbullying and strategies for how to respond.
- www.covenanteyes.com // Excellent service for Internet accountability. I’ve also subscribed to their newsletter and appreciate being kept up-to-date with the latest stats,
- www.xxxchurch.com // XXX Church have been involved in some really important work in helping those who struggle with internet pornography. Lots of great resources as well.
If you have any questions, comments or resources to share please leave a comment below.
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