I’ve been doing a lot of stuff for METUP-UK this month, slept a lot, and played with ‘Colour By Numbers’ so not read a great deal – these 4 short texts worth a read though:
Youth Ministry Online: Using Social Media Platforms by Tim Gough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another short text, worth a read. Tim has years of experience working with youth, online and offline,a and has plenty of good thoughts for ‘regular times’ and also our current pandemic times, where everything is just that bit more challenging.
Youth Ministry in a Digital Age: Understanding and Reaching a Generation of Digital Natives by Liz Dumain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you’ve ever read any of my work, you’ll know that I’m not keen on the notion of digital natives, but it was a much bigger ‘thing’ when this book was written. Lots of thinking about how to engage well with young people in a fast-changing world, but returning to the roots of what are we trying to achieve – good theological thinking in this short book.
Hybrid Church: Blending Online and Offline Community by Peter Phillips
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Short, simple book, covering a lot of (immediate) ground as to what hybrid/blended church looked like pre-COVID19, and the many changes that have been made by ministers this year. Drawing upon the expertise of ministers actively involved in finding ways to minister through the pandemic, it’ll make you think about some of the bigger questions, AND some practical tips you could use in your own church.
Reimagining the Spiritual Disciplines for a Digital Age by Sara Schumacher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another short text – Grove are great for introductions to some quite big topics. Draws a lot on Turkle, etc so coming from the more ‘problematic’ side of digital, rather than the more optimistic (whilst realistic) side that I would come from … but it does make us think about how and where we spend our time, and whether that is improving our spiritual lives (some people will find mobile phones will help, some that it will hinder, we each need to think individually).
