Today I begin my final semester of seminary. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Well, I mean I have multiple feelings going on. I’m taking some cool courses this semester, so I’m excited about that. Job hunting is a bit stressful. Trying to get my calendar in order is proving to be exceedingly [...]
Here are my top book picks for the year 2012: -The Definate-ish Guide for Using Social Media in the Church, Bruce Reyes-Chow Bruce Reyes-Chow’s new-ish book is a great read and resource for both social media novices and sages. It’s easy to read, easy to find specific things you’re looking for, and connects many dots [...]
Advent is weird in higher education. Good weird but still weird. Advent officially begins when we are in the last swings of class and start prepping for finals but officially ends after we have left for the semester. So the question is, when does Advent/Christmas begin for college and all higher ed students? At my [...]
Yesterday the committee overseeing my ordination process certified me ready to receive a call. Now I can start writing the long resume form my denomination uses for everyone looking for ministry jobs, and basically I can start formally looking for jobs really soon. I know about the realities of finding ministry jobs in the current [...]
5. Social media is not for everyone or for everything. Individuals and communities need to know what they’re going for and what medium or social media platform will be best for that. If you are looking to streamline communication between staff people, Twitter is not the place to do that. Google Docs might be a [...]
4. You can’t control everything, but you can be part of the conversation. At the social media discussion at PC(USA)’s General Assembly one lady was concerned that someone outside of the church was posting about a random mission trip not associated with the church or their denomination. Recently a youth group leader told me with [...]
On Saturday the Spirit moved in what to many people is a strange way–over the internet. After PC(USA)’s General Assembly last week many people felt disheartened and frustrated. There were three big issues although two of them feel very connected, and you can find full information about them in other places. For a quick summary [...]
Last week at PC(USA)’s General Assembly I was on a panel about social media and the church. I listed five tips or themes that were emphasized in this post and promised to write a little more about each of them. So, tip #1: Be yourself; be authentic. Social media amplifies our Spider Senses. I am [...]
Yesterday I had the opportunity to participate in a social media discussion at the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s General Assembly that is meeting this week. Myself, Jordan Whitt with PC(USA) Special Offerings, Ryan Kemp-Pappan, and Andy James were on the panel. The big thing I would like to emphasis that was talked about yesterday is that [...]
Did you ever sing that song? “I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus all around the world, yes, we’re the church together!” I learned that song while working with a children’s ministry at a Disciples of Christ church in Missouri. It was one of the [...]