Churches have had a long history of adopting new media to communicate their message whether it was plays, the printing press, or contemporary film. New technology offers resources that impact preaching by integrating multimedia in worship, expanding outreach through streaming services and podcasts, and providing live feedback through tools such as Twitter/chat. The life of religious communities is also impacted by new communication technologies that blur the boundaries of local and remote participation and challenge traditional ideas of koinonia (fellowship).
This year's annual conference at the Center for the Study of Information and Religion at Kent State University (June 5, 2015) will explore the impact of new tech on religious organizations. I will be speaking about the potential legal, ethical, and theological implications of the tech we bring into the church. Join our conversation; this is a whole new world to explore!