Parenting in an Electronic Age
Ever instant message your kids from the basement to ask them about dinner? Ever been bothered by a song on the radio and find out your kids know all the words? Ever watched a Hannah Montana episode for the third time because you can’t find the remote? This workshop is a discussion about parenting and raising Christian kids in this world, led by youth ministry professor, Kevin Wilder.
Finding Depth in a Busy, Shallow Age with reflections from The Shack by William Young
Join spiritual directors Gene and Mary Herr for a participatory workshop on place of choice in discipleship. You will receive tools for reflection, prayer, and servant hood.
Electronic Media as a Spiritual Power: Conversing with Walter Wink and the New Testament
The social world is composed of powers the New Testament refers to as one of the sources of evil. Electronic media is one of those powers, created good by God but fallen and out of place. Reflect with Bible professor Marion Bontrager on how the fallen powers can be redeemed or restored to their rightful servant place.
Forming Faith with Facebook
Delve into the world of Facebook with youth pastors Derek Yoder and Peter Eberly. Explore the Facebook world …what it is, how it is used, and how it can transcend relationships with others by integrating faith and life.
Using Secular Media in Worship
Secular music, movie clips, and even the Internet can be used in worship in a variety of ways. They can help us understand the world around us and even reveal how God is speaking in our world outside the church. At their best these media help make the gospel relevant in our world. At their worst, they detract from the gospel message and the experience of worship. This workshop will explore the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities, and dangers when using secular media during a worship service. Led by Director of Pastoral Ministries David Greiser and Pastor John Murray.
Playing the piano: A historical perspective on how Mennonites live with new media
Ever wonder how our past plays into our spiritual choices today? Swiss and South German Mennonites inherited an aversion to mechanical devices in worship during the turbulence of the Reformation in Zurich. Opposition to instrumental music in worship was an much a factor in the founding of the Anabaptist movement as were believers’ baptism, voluntary membership, rejection of the sword, and separation of church and state. It’s a strand of our spiritual DNA. Using music as an example we will consider how we have made peace with new media and what has been the result. Led by professor and historian John Sharp.
Preaching in an Electronic Age
How can the spoken word ring true in an age of virtual reality? How can we recapture the story in a world of film and fantasy? How do you preach differently to people who view reality differently than they did fifteen years ago? Join two proclaimers of the word, Michele Hershberger and Jim Ostlund, as they discuss strategies for a new kind of preaching.
Addiction to the Media: how to use electronic media without it using you
Learn about the nature of addictions and addictive behavior in general and some basic strategies for breaking addictions. Then join in a discussion on how the theory can apply to the electronic media. Led by Jeffrey Roth, LMSW AAPS, therapist from Prairie View.
Seven Things Every Pastor Should Know About Technology
This workshop looks at how your church can use electronic communication and social networking tools, your church’s web presence, how technology can help or hurt your worship, purchasing equipment and media resources, “technophobia” and “techno-lust,” and using PPT or other worship software. Led by Gary Oyer, director of Media Services at Hesston College.
Community Discernment and Accountability: a Conversation with the Beachy Amish
If the electronic media is a “power,” with the potential to be a rival god, then its use is a matter for the community. Join Beachy Amish leaders as they discuss how they work at community discernment and accountability around this issue.