Online Mission and Ministry
A Theological And Practical Guide
A user-friendly guide to doing ministry and mission online for existing and new practitioners.
In stock
ISBN-13
9780281071517-grouped
From £10.99
Pam Smith worked in education, women's health and prison chaplaincy before being ordained in 2004. She has been actively involved in online Christian communities for ten years and is currently web pastor and priest in charge of i-church, the online community started by the Diocese of Oxford.
'A pioneer in her field, the Revd Pam Smith offers an excellent guide to the theological and practical concerns of online worship, fellowship and spiritual direction. From first-hand experience, she gives the reader both a theological rationale and practical wisdom for conducting online ministry. Examples of liturgy for "virtual" services, guidelines for creating safe online community and principles for online team ministry are all included in this helpful book. Highly recommended!'
'Pam Smith has an enthusiasm for sharing the gospel of God rather than worshipping technology. She challenges those who fear online ministry, both theologically and with practical advice, identifying opportunities and areas that need respectful thought. In order to meet people where they are - online - Pam emphasizes the need for resilience in our own Christian development, and highlights quality interactions over quantity. I recommend it to all who are interested in or involved in online mission and ministry.'
'If it is serious about ministry and mission the Church needs to be present in each culture's conversation spaces, listening with care, learning with humility and speaking in quiet confidence. In Online Mission and Ministry, Pam Smith makes a compelling case for living and sharing online the great story of Jesus. The author suggests that digital space may prove to be a particularly "thin place" in which the Christ is encountered through conversation, participation and community. Insightful, practical and inspiring!'
'As the bishop with the pastoral responsibility for i-church, it has been a great privilege to work with Pam Smith over the years. Her book is a wonderful distillation of the wisdom she has gleaned by being at the forefront of these developments and I warmly commend it to you.'
'Pam Smith has been at the forefront of the critical relationship between the Church and the internet and social media in the UK, and this book shows why. Read it if you want to think and do more about social media and mission and ministry.'
About
Clergy and churches are increasingly being encouraged to use the internet and social media to promote their ministries. But they may worry about some of the difficult pastoral and theological issues that can arise online.
'Virtual vicar' the Revd Pam Smith guides both new and experienced practitioners through setting up online ministries, and considers some of the questions that may arise, such as:
- Are relationships online as valid as those offline?
- Is it possible to participate in a 'virtual' communion service?
- How do you deal with 'trolls' in a Christian way?
- What is appropriate for a clergyperson to say on social media?
'Virtual vicar' the Revd Pam Smith guides both new and experienced practitioners through setting up online ministries, and considers some of the questions that may arise, such as:
- Are relationships online as valid as those offline?
- Is it possible to participate in a 'virtual' communion service?
- How do you deal with 'trolls' in a Christian way?
- What is appropriate for a clergyperson to say on social media?
Author
Pam Smith worked in education, women's health and prison chaplaincy before being ordained in 2004. She has been actively involved in online Christian communities for ten years and is currently web pastor and priest in charge of i-church, the online community started by the Diocese of Oxford.
Reviews
'A pioneer in her field, the Revd Pam Smith offers an excellent guide to the theological and practical concerns of online worship, fellowship and spiritual direction. From first-hand experience, she gives the reader both a theological rationale and practical wisdom for conducting online ministry. Examples of liturgy for "virtual" services, guidelines for creating safe online community and principles for online team ministry are all included in this helpful book. Highly recommended!'
'Pam Smith has an enthusiasm for sharing the gospel of God rather than worshipping technology. She challenges those who fear online ministry, both theologically and with practical advice, identifying opportunities and areas that need respectful thought. In order to meet people where they are - online - Pam emphasizes the need for resilience in our own Christian development, and highlights quality interactions over quantity. I recommend it to all who are interested in or involved in online mission and ministry.'
'If it is serious about ministry and mission the Church needs to be present in each culture's conversation spaces, listening with care, learning with humility and speaking in quiet confidence. In Online Mission and Ministry, Pam Smith makes a compelling case for living and sharing online the great story of Jesus. The author suggests that digital space may prove to be a particularly "thin place" in which the Christ is encountered through conversation, participation and community. Insightful, practical and inspiring!'
'As the bishop with the pastoral responsibility for i-church, it has been a great privilege to work with Pam Smith over the years. Her book is a wonderful distillation of the wisdom she has gleaned by being at the forefront of these developments and I warmly commend it to you.'
'Pam Smith has been at the forefront of the critical relationship between the Church and the internet and social media in the UK, and this book shows why. Read it if you want to think and do more about social media and mission and ministry.'
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'Virtual vicar' the Revd Pam Smith guides both new and experienced practitioners through setting up online ministries, and considers some of the questions that may arise, such as:
- Are relationships online as valid as those offline?
- Is it possible to participate in a 'virtual' communion service?
- How do you deal with 'trolls' in a Christian way?
- What is appropriate for a clergyperson to say on social media?