As much as digital technology has become a part of our everyday life, the thoughtful reflections and conversations about the areas of spirituality and technology seems to be lagging and lacking. Technology develops so much faster than spiritual leaders can keep up with, just like laws too have a hard time keeping up.
That being the case, it was a special and rare occasion to have a breakout session at the Intersection Conference on faith and work. With 4 of us around a table, we had a cozy discussion about how some churches are using current technologies to facilitate ministry through the distribution of Christian content; we also raised questions and concerns about how we as followers of Christ should or should not use technology, not just using it as a means of communications but also thinking about what digital tools do to our humanity and souls.
We recorded the discussion so we can share that piece of content as a potential contribution to the public space of the web, in hopes others will build upon this to make more progress in understanding and discerning. (and, below the audio, books mentioned and others found later, are listed for your reference)
raw audio of our discussion
related books
The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch
From the Garden to the City: The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of Technology by John Dyer
The Social Church: A Theology of Digital Communication by Justin Wise
Networked Theology: Negotiating Faith in Digital Culture (Engaging Culture) by Heidi Campbell
other links
Second Nature – an online journal for critical thinking about technology and new media in light of the Christian tradition.
Blog: Network for New Media, Religion and Digital Culture Studies
Paper: Now the Bible is an App: Digital Media and Changing Patterns of Religious Authority