Episode 144: Should ministers be trained for the digital age? (Todd Brenneman and Tommie Lee Washington)

Once upon a time, a Church of Christ minister could be effective with some education in Bible and training in preaching.

But is that enough in the "digital world" of the 21st century?

Dr. Todd Brenneman and Tommie Lee Washington, professors at Faulkner University, make the case that it's past time for Church of Christ ministers to add excellence in media and technology to their ministry repertoire.

In this episode, we talk about how the "digital citizens" of the 21st century expect to encounter and interact with ideas...including the gospel. Among the things that come up in this discussion:

• Designing church materials using tools like Canva
• Reaching more people through new media and streaming platforms
• Using cutting edge animation software to produce teaching content
• Producing lessons and sermons using AI

The New Testament is full of examples of ancient Christian teachers using the innovations of their time to communicate the gospel. So is it so far-fetched to imagine that Christian teachers today will do the same?

But is there any point at which using technological innovation to preach and teach the gospel is going too far? What are the dangers?

Link to the Faulkner University Bachelor of Biblical Studies with a digital ministry track

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