Author Archives: barstep

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About barstep

Founding Director of Restore (York), retired Digital Storyteller, cyclist, runner, walker, journalist, photographer, grandfather, Christian, and tech head esp. Apple stuff

Church Service with live twitter/text messaging – #smlb

barstep Really enjoyed the service at St Michael Le Belfrey tonight. I felt that the congregation was really trusted to make a contribution. #smlb

via twitter.com

Last night our church encouraged live tweets and texts during the service and selected messages were displayed on screens for the congregation to read.
We were encouraged to send in things we felt were important, songs that could be sung and things we felt God was saying to the church. It created a very exciting and refreshing service.
We still had scripture readings, preaching, prayer and music. But the live input from the large congregation gave a new dimension to the event.
There is usually some lively Twitter traffic during a Sunday Evening Congregation using the hashtag #smlb. Last evening we used the same hashtag but in the knowledge that the messages might be publicly displayed.
After the service one of the churchwardens said it was like live radio rather than the usual prerecorded programme. Another likened it to a radio phone in.
You can see all the messages by searching on the hashtag. I hope we do it again.

Making the media the (wrong) message | Ekklesia

Marginalisation? I think not. Negotiating the wider media environment is certainly a challenge for those who are used to controlling ‘god slots’, but it is much more worthwhile than talking to yourself.

As for media concerns, there are plenty – the role of corporate owners, the lack of reporting of development issues beyond emergencies, the gap between new media haves and have-nots, and so on. This is where faith groups, alongside others, have an opportunity to raise concerns and offer alternatives in a constructive (and non self-interested) way.

via ekklesia.co.uk

A fair summary of how Christians should approach the representation of Christianity and the church in the media, with a pertinent challenge at the end.
Prompted by the Synod debate about alleged marginalisation of religion by the BBC.

BBC – The Virtual Revolution – Home

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via bbc.co.uk

As a certified nerd, geek, tech head and social networking addict, I loved the first programme in this series. Aleks Krotoski was a much better presenter than she was on the Guardian’s Tech Weekly. Completing her doctoral thesis has obviously given her a new confidence.
So if you missed Dr Aleks, catch up on iPlayer and then follow the rest of this big budget documentary as it traces the impact of the web on our lives.