The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture
9 Comments Published by Jake on Monday, July 10, 2006 at Monday, July 10, 2006.
Our next Atlanta Emergent Cohort will be held on Tuesday, July 25 from 8-10pm at Rock Bottom Brewery in Buckhead. This month we will be discussing Shane Hipps' book, The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture: How Media Shapes Faith, The Gospel, and Church.Hipps offers an illuminating analysis of the myriad ways that electronic mediums influence the ways we understand ourselves in the world, process information, and relate to others. His work is based off of the sociological musings of Marshall McLuhan, a man of profound influence on communications theory during the mid-60s to mid-70s. Hipps coaxes church leaders to develop a critical appropriation of media technologies following a lucid socio-historical explanation of the ways media have altered Western societies.
Hipps brings into conversation the work of two philosophers of culture: McLuhan and megachurch pastor, Rick Warren. Hipps quotes Warren as saying, "Our message must never change, but the way we deliver that message must be constantly updated to reach each new generation." In other words, Warren bifurcates the message we are trying to convey with the means used to convey said message. As Warren's interlocutor, McLuhan avers, "The medium is the message." Hence, for McLuhan, the message and mediums used to communicate are inextricable. In a world that is being inundated with new forms of technology everyday, this conversation is certainly apropos as we explore what it means to be faithful communicators of the gospel in our postmodern world.
So, have a go with Hipps' book and bring your questions, insights, rants and stories as we explore this pertinent topic in light of the church that is emerging in 21st Century culture.
[UPDATE: In case you don't have time to read the whole book before our cohort meeting, Shane Hipps has recently posted an excerpt from his book and another post here on the Out of Ur blog. The comments that follow his posts are quite interesting. Check it out if you have a chance.]
Ordination Service
1 Comments Published by Troy Bronsink on Sunday, July 09, 2006 at Sunday, July 09, 2006.
Folks from the Altanta Emergent Cohort
are invited to Troy's Ordination Service,
Sunday July 23 at 5pm
at Georgia Avenue Church in Grant Park.
For more info email Troy at troybronsink@msn.com
are invited to Troy's Ordination Service,
Sunday July 23 at 5pm
at Georgia Avenue Church in Grant Park.
For more info email Troy at troybronsink@msn.com
