Faith Formation 4.0: Introducing an Ecology of Faith in a Digital Age looks at how Christian efforts to be storykeepers, story-sharers, and story-makers have evolved and integrated new media over four eras of human communications:
- 1.0 Jesus tells stories – oral traditions
- 2.0 Paul writes letters to build and guide the church; iconographers write images to inspire God’s people – written era
- 3.0 Reformers call for change and seek to put Bibles in every home and Televangelists use radio and television to
spread the Good News – the print and electronic mass media age
- 4.0 Digital evangelists integrate digital media and social networking – the digital age
Successful efforts to invite and welcome new members (evangelization) as well as share Christian wisdom and practices (faith formation) depends not only on knowing the Christian message of God’s enduring love, but also how to use today’s tools appropriately. This book weaves theological, educational, and social media wisdom to guide faithful people and church leaders in their 21st century contexts. Each chapter includes Scriptural references, illustrative stories, and questions for further information.
Table of Contents
Introduction
- Commissioned as Disciples
Crazy Christians
The Great Commission
Story-Keeping, Story-Sharing, Story-Making
Further Reflection
- Conversion and Discipleship
A Circle of Conversion
A Cycle of Discipleship
Participating in a Cycle of Discipleship
Further Reflection
- Faith Formation and Human Communication
20th Century Christian Education Formation
Four Eras of Human Communication
Further Reflection
- Faith Formation 1.0 – 4.0
1.0 Oral Communication
2.0 Written Communication
3.0 Mass-Mediated Communication
4.0 Interactive Media
Further Reflection
- Contexts Matter
Ecological Understanding
Seeking Equilibrium
Balance Belief and Practice
Further Reflection
- An Ecology of Faith
The Ecology is Broken
The Ecology of Faith
The Significance of the Ecology
Further Reflection
- Message, Method, then Media
Developing a Plan
Message
Method
Media
Implementation and Evaluation
Further Reflection
- Following the Way in the Digital Age
Called to Be Like Philip
Resource Sharing
Distributed Leadership
Reaching the Dream
Further Reflection
- Glossary
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