Putting faith in technology: can religion go digital?
In a world increasingly turning to digital methods to connect, religious organizations are conscious of not being left behind.
In a discussion on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Radio, Paul Miller, CEO and Founder, Digital Workplace Group and author of The Digital Workplace – How Technology is Liberating Work discussed how religion can learn from the corporate world to develop community connection.
Churches and religious organizations are now using podcasts, Twitter, Facebook and live-streaming to connect with existing communities and also reach out to new audiences.
Reverend Simon Whitley (@pastorwhitley) from the Elim Church, Coventry is an example of someone actively engaging with social media to open up his church to a wider audience.
“We know that the world has changed and grown into a world where people are connected not just face to face but on the internet. We are trying to harness new technologies, like Facebook, Twitter and podcasts, in the best way possible to help us connect to people.”
Despite the undoubted benefits of engaging digital tools to connect, Paul highlighted the need to be aware not just of the quantity, but also the quality of connection.
“Every organization, corporate, charity and even religious groups needs to ‘think digital’. New social technologies enhance the physical experience of community – but we must always ask, what is the real quality of our new connected society?”
To listen to the discussion on BBC Radio iPlayer go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00z97vy (48 mins)
Read Paul Miller’s digital workplace blog
Categorised in: Digital workplace
