Mark D. Roberts presentation at pre-conference #nwlc10

2. How do I exercise my stewardship of
technology in a worshiping
community?

3. As a steward of technology . . .

4. Think!
• attentively
• prayerfully
• corporately
• biblically
• critically
• spiritually
• consistently
• broadly
• Christianly

5. As a steward of technology . . . .

6. Ask Questions

7. Theological Questions
• What does it mean to be human?
Genesis 1:26-28
• What is the purpose of Christian community
Ephesians 1:12; 3:10
• What are signs of a healthy Christian community?
John 17:11; 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11, 26;
Ephesians 4:1-3, 11-16; Philippians 2:1-11;
Colossians 3:12-17
• What is the nature and purpose of worship?
Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 1:12
• Could the Holy Spirit use technology to build up the
body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 12:4-11

8. Psychological Questions
An experiment . . .

9. Laity Lodge: Where It Happens!

10. Laity Lodge: Where It Happens!

11. The Atlantic, July/Aug 2008

12. Nicholas Carr
The Shallows:
What the
Internet is
Doing to Our
Brains

13. “Technology and the Challenge of Self-
Discipline” by Laurence Thomas
“In human history, there has been no
greater challenge to self-discipline on the
part of human beings than the
extraordinary technology to which human
beings have accessed. . . . The
explanation . . . is that technology permits
of considerable anonymity; the other is
that technology is considerably portable.”

14. Technology and Brain Development
• Seventeen windows and the
unfocused (unfocusable?) high
school brain.
• Six-year-old girls at a slumber party.

15. Relational Questions
How does
technology
impact our
relationships .
. . really?

16. Recent Articles

17. Recent Articles
“‘Technology overload’ can ruin relationships:
expert” (Reuters, 1/23/2008)

18. Recent Articles
“‘Technology overload’ can ruin relationships:
expert” (Reuters, 1/23/2008)
“Technology Forges Relationships for Life” (CBS News,
10/23/2008)

19. Recent Articles
“‘Technology overload’ can ruin relationships:
expert” (Reuters, 1/23/2008)
“Technology Forges Relationships for Life” (CBS News,
10/23/2008)
“Is Technology Taking Its Toll on Our
Relationships?” (ABC News, 3/2010)

20. Recent Articles
“‘Technology overload’ can ruin relationships:
expert” (Reuters, 1/23/2008)
“Technology Forges Relationships for Life” (CBS News,
10/23/2008)
“Is Technology Taking Its Toll on Our
Relationships?” (ABC News, 3/2010)
“The Effect of Technology on Relationships: The Risk of
Internet Addiction” (Psychology Today, 6/8/2010)

21. Recent Articles
“‘Technology overload’ can ruin relationships:
expert” (Reuters, 1/23/2008)
“Technology Forges Relationships for Life” (CBS News,
10/23/2008)
“Is Technology Taking Its Toll on Our
Relationships?” (ABC News, 3/2010)
“The Effect of Technology on Relationships: The Risk of
Internet Addiction” (Psychology Today, 6/8/2010)
“Friends, Friendship, and Technology: An Ominous
Sign” (Laurence Thomas, 8/18/2009)

22. Recent Articles
“‘Technology overload’ can ruin relationships:
expert” (Reuters, 1/23/2008)
“Technology Forges Relationships for Life” (CBS News,
10/23/2008)
“Is Technology Taking Its Toll on Our
Relationships?” (ABC News, 3/2010)
“The Effect of Technology on Relationships: The Risk of
Internet Addiction” (Psychology Today, 6/8/2010)
“Friends, Friendship, and Technology: An Ominous
Sign” (Laurence Thomas, 8/18/2009)
“Does iPad Have the Magic to Bring People
Together?” (USA Today, 6/7/2010)

23. Cell Phones and Relationships
Do they help?
Do they hurt?
Or both?

24. Telephone Interruptus:
A Plea for a Busy Signal

25. What might be the impact of
texting, tweeting, surfing in
worship services?

26. Unintended
Consequences

27. Possibilities
• Worship response
• Sharing life
• Intercessory prayer
• Teaching
• Spiritual gifts
• Connection over distance
• Sharing creative expressions
• Shared learning/teaching
• Mission involvement
• Devotions

28. TheHighCalling.org

29. As a steward of technology . . .

30. Pray!

31. Closing Thoughts
Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we
will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that
is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and
held together by every supporting ligament, grows
and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word
or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.
1Th. 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not
treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything.
Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

32. As a steward of technology . . .