Connecting with the iGeneration

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Connecting withthe iGeneration
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Church on line since 1994

• CompuServe Online Forum
• Internet
• Web sites, incl. www.adventist.org
• Net rograms
• Distance learning
• Satellite broadcasts

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• The challenge not primarily being effective in
  creating workable systems and using
  state-of-the-art hardware ...
• but ... ensuring that the content of the message
  is presented in an attractive, compelling and
  persuasive way

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Computers for everyone

• Inter-dependence
• Integration
• Access to learning
• Information
• Instant communication

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Leonard Sweet Carpe Manana Is Your Church Ready
to Seize Tomorrow?, p. 35

• The Reformers started with the Bible as a
  book, but quickly saw technology of print could
  be used as a major delivery system for learning
  and faith development. The technology of the book
  altered Christian spirituality in momentous ways.
  Spirituality is shaped by technology The book
  revolutionized evangelism, liturgy, architecture,
  even pastor-parishioner relationship.

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Living with virtual reality

• Can one become a Christian through a message in a
  bottle?

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• The church finds itself as a bridge builder
  between the virtual reality offered by the
  online technology and the personal one-on-one
  contact, the human touch continues to be
  irreplaceable in effective communication

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Frances Gumley-Mason, BBC

• The riches of the internet can either be a
  treasure trove of validation or they can make the
  whole process a nonsense. Students use material
  which they neither respect nor understand. Im
  not looking for in-depth knowledge, but a nodding
  acquaintance would be good. The Internet can
  provide the most pernicious form of academic
  distraction detail without depth, and
  accessibility without familiarity.

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• The remote control syndrome ... the web pages
  can be axed when we get bored with the
  unsatisfying content we go elsewhere, making
  assumptions based on what we have seen

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• Connecting with the iGeneration taking the
  message to where it can be read, shared, and
  discussed
• Different from the traditional outreach efforts,
  the Internet (and related technologies)
• Provides a presence where today's generation
  interacts, shares stories, organizes, banks,
  retails, entertains ...

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• Providing an online presence acts as a catalyst
  to bring people together. It promotes the message
  of the church directly, through its Christian
  content, and indirectly, through support groups,
  discussions, and information on lifestyle,
  healthful living, and organized events, where
  both believers and non-believers can interact.

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Bridging the gap

• Similarity with an individual church community,
  except that religion is separated from a human
  dimensionreligion happens in a virtual reality.
• An online presence creates a global community
  where different cultures, worship styles, and
  belief structures meet.
• Same basic factors of communication, information,
  and outreach apply.

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• Nothing gathers a crowd like a crowd attractive
  online presence for the sharing of information
  and resource sharing between churches,
  humanitarian organizations, medical
  organizations, and all overarching branches of
  outreach efforts the church can bring attention
  to the church as a place of action, and
  motivation, expanding its notoriety perhaps to
  other media sectors as well.

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• Our online presence
• is the church's business card,
• its message,
• its portfolio of successes,
• its To Do list,
• its face to the world. Having a presence will
  demystify the church to many who know little
  about it.

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• Is our communication offer attractive?
• Is the delivery compelling?
• Are we better at talking to ourselves?
• Are we effective in our communication?
• Are we willing to watch and listen?
• Are we working together or maintaining excusivity
  of our way of mission?

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Lavinia Byrne, An ethic for the Internet, The
Tablet

• Bad people put bad material on the net bad
  people develop bad habits and search it in
  unsavory ways bad professions abuse it and the
  industry itself needs regulating. So let us start
  in our own hearts and homes. We bear some
  responsibility for the contents of the net
  because we are members of the society which it
  mirrors back to us.

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Going beyond

• If we are looking for a vision for the relevant
  use of new technologies and their contribution in
  Adventist mission, it would require us to create
  a presence that would offer an irresistible
  alternative in the marketplace of values,
  philosopies and lifestyles.

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Content values

• Focus on Christ
• Precision in Scriptures
• Roots in healthy tradition

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Dick Duerksen, a visionary

• ... a 21st century church without a web site is
  like a 19th century church without a camp meeting

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being successfully involved

• Consider the content that makes God irresistible
  
• Consider the content that shows how the church is
  a God-centered and God-driven fellowship,
• Establish a resource repository where one can
  acquire things that will help us find meaning and
  hope...and maybe get to know God,
• Discover access to human voices that will
  encourage me as my questions are answered, and
• Become a part of an ongoing conversation with
  believers and questioners where one can hear
  views, understand vulnerabilities and discover
  how one finds answers in God.

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• Gods commission for us is to reach our
  generations with Good News.
• New technologies offer an effective tool to make
  a connection

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• We haven't seen much yet!
• . . . its
  only a beginning

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