The Social Church: A Theology of Digital Communication
Overview
Did you know you can read online reviews of your church?
How often have you talked about "reaching people where they are"—and realized that much of the time, they are on the Internet?
We've been living in a digital world for quite a while now. Justin Wise speaks about social media as this generation's printing press—a revolutionary technology that can spread the gospel farther and faster than we can imagine.
It's time to take what we know (and admit what we don't know) and learn together how to move forward as the church. Are you ready to think theologically about this digital age and reach people in a new way?
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Surfaces questions about church and social media
- Helps churches to fill the void between "know-how" and "do-now"
- Explores how a church can develop a digital communications strategy
Section I: The Why of Social Media
- Heretics Needed: Apply Within
- Calculated Rule-Breaking
- Cave Walls, Martians, and the History of Communication
Section II: The Embedded Values of a New Media Culture
- Signs of the Times
- Value 1: Looking for a Mouse
- Value 2: It's Mine and It's about Me
- Value 3: The Fading Line between Online and Offline
- Value 4: Life Amplification
- The Medium Is the Message (and the Message Doesn't Change)
Section III: To Whom Shall We Go?
- Pyramids Aren't just in Egypt
- Washing Feet
- Navigating the Generational Digital Divide
- Chipping Away the Layers
- 88 MPH
Top Highlights
“As we’ll see, we’re facing one of the largest shifts in human communication in the history of the world. This is not hyperbole. Social media has caused literally every societal building block to adapt. Social media is a small, tip-of-the-iceberg, visible manifestation of the change we’re facing: the gatekeepers are gone.” (Page 13)
“Listen, faith institutions don’t get traction with their social media presence because no one in their community believes they care.’12 When you simply blast people with information and don’t invite them into a true, mutual conversation, it’s painfully obvious.” (Page 79)
“Becoming a social church means we need leaders who are willing to serve as heretics. Not theological heretics, mind you. I mean to say we need men and women who are willing to challenge long-standing and widely beloved methods of communicating the gospel message. People who are willing to bring some sacred cows to the barbecue and butcher them in front of everyone.” (Page 24)
“Church in the digital age necessarily requires heretics. The challenges and opportunities afforded by the advent of social media need to be addressed by men and women who see things differently, who aren’t afraid to break rules. People who can embrace the ‘squishiness’ and tension of the moment, and act.” (Page 26)
“This is the setting for a profound act of self-disclosure by Jesus: he reveals to the woman who he truly is. Many times throughout the gospels, Jesus purposefully shrouds his messianic identity. But in John 4:26, Jesus tells the woman at the well plainly, ‘I am the Messiah!’11 In the gospel of John, this is the first time he’s ever spoken about himself in such a way. He doesn’t share first with his people or his disciples, but a lowly Samaritan—and a woman, no less! St. John is making a big-time point here. He’s saying, ‘Pay attention to this. It’s really important.’ The technical term is the ‘Law of First Mention,’ but basically it’s a Scripture writer’s way of bolding, underlining, and italicizing something, all at the same time.” (Page 78)
Justin Wise connects the power of social media with the potential for life-changing ministry in a completely fresh, easy-to-understand, and relevant way. His energy and wisdom bleed through the pages. He gets it. He totally gets it and now you can too. The Social Church is a must-read for all Christian leaders called to serve in this time and space.
Tami Heim, president and CEO of Christian Leadership Alliance, coauthor of @stickyJesus: How to Live Out Your Faith Online
Justin is a knowledgeable and accomplished practitioner of social media strategy and tactics as well as a practiced speaker on the subject. He consistently creates and publishes useful content that goes beyond mere thoughts and opinions to include the tools he uses for success and the tactics and techniques for others to become successful.
Chris Giovagnoni, Social Media Marketing Program Manager, Compassion International
Justin has handled social media for both our SCORRE and Platform conferences in the last year and we couldn't be more pleased. He understands the power of social media and the benefits that come when it's used correctly. Most importantly, he accomplished our goal: people who weren't at the event felt like they were and were encouraged to sign up for the next one.
Michael Hyatt, New York Times bestselling author, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers
- Title: The Social Church: A Theology of Digital Communication
- Author: Justin Wise
- Publisher: Moody
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 192
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Communication › Religious aspects--Christianity; Digital communications; Telecommunication; Digital media › Religious aspects--Christianity; Social media
- ISBNs: 9780802487469, 0802487467
- Resource ID: LLS:9780802487469
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:42:27Z