I am taking a summer workshop on using technology in the parish setting for religious education and more. “The goal of our training is to become digital disciples.”
Now I ask myself, do I want to become a digital disciple? There was a brief in-person orientation and now we will interact using Facebook, Twitter, our class blog, and Wiki space. We are also going to use a website called Digital Catechesis which looks interesting.
As far as social media, I am out there on Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest, but I have not dipped into Twitter, mainly because of my phone. I do not have a smartphone. I don’t even have a texting phone; just a plain phone that slides open. So now I have a twitter account and don’t know what to do with it. You can follow me if you’d like: I’m @notlukewarm316. I’ll try to be interesting.
At my previous job I was looking into Google+ as way to communicate with ministry groups without having to bring them to the parish hall for a meeting. It looks like some of that will be done in this workshop as well. I am always interested in ways to reach people literally where they are.
Back to my question, Do I want to be a digital disciple?, I’d say I already am and now I have an opportunity to learn how to use some of this technology specifically for educational purposes. Now I use it mainly to voice my opinions and thoughts or to pass on information. Though I would like our parish Facebook page and blog to be interactive, it is not. As an extrovert, interaction is very important to me. I like being with people, but reading and responding to posts and comments on various sites is also enjoyable.
We are part of the New Evangelization and as such we cannot be afraid of what is new but learn to use it and in doing so create “communities for Christ.”
How can we use new technology to create those communities and encourage more interaction among those we serve? Let’s discuss!
Copyright © 2013, Deanna Bartalini
Deanna Bartalini
Deanna G. Bartalini, is a Catholic writer, speaker, and educator. She serves on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center. Deanna loves teaching about Catholicism and how it fits into our daily lives. She writes at DeannaBartalini.com, serves as the editor of the NewEvangelizers.com blog, and is a contributor there as well as at AmazingCatechists.com. Deanna contributed to A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion published by Ave Maris Press. She is the author of “Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control” published by Our Sunday Visitor. Deanna is available to lead retreats and speak at catechist and ministry events.
One response to “Digital Discipleship Boot Camp”
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This is such a cool concept! Thanks for sharing it!