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Embracing Technology in Youth Ministry: A Study of Youth Pastors' Practices and Perspectives

This study explores the intersection of youth ministry and technology, focusing on the insights of 52 youth pastors primarily responsible for middle and high school students. With an average age of 31 and 8 years in ministry, the pastors share their experiences in utilizing technology, contrasting Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 approaches. The findings highlight innovative methods and strategies in engaging youth through digital platforms and social networking, ultimately suggesting a new approach for effective ministry in the modern age.

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Embracing Technology in Youth Ministry: A Study of Youth Pastors' Practices and Perspectives

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  1. Teaching & Social Networking

  2. Youth Ministry & Technology Study 52 youth pastors 90% in charge of middle school & high school Average age: 31 Average years in ministry: 8
  3. Use of Technology
  4. Use of Technology
  5. Use of Technology
  6. Use of Technology

  7. Web 1.0 vs. Web 2.0

  8. A New Approach Web 1.0 Web 2.0 Fluid Multi-media Interactive Consumer-producers Static Not easily updated Text-based One-way Created by experts
  9. Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0 My website Traditional newspapers & search engines A leader-centered Bible study Powerpoint Staff-created Program-centered Center for Parent/Youth Understanding Flickr, Youtube, Blogs An interactive Bible study Videos Student collaborated Social interaction/ relationship centered
  10. EPIC Experiential Participatory Image-based Communal John S Miller

  11. Websites

    42% of youth pastors are dissatisfied with their website 60% are not able to update the website at least once a week
  12. Content Analysis
  13. Websites According to youth pastors: What works well: Forms, information sharing, and calendar Things they would like to change: No one uses it The person who updates it The overall look (more interactive, more pictures, less ‘80’s, separate from the main site)
  14. Websites Examples: Web 1.0: GracePoint Web 2.0: First Baptist Church of Geneva Huron Hills 1st Baptist Church of Manistee Woodcrest
  15. Websites What students say… What makes a good website? Easy to navigate (tabs clearly defined) Clear contact information (pictures help) Pictures (not stock photos) What are signs of a bad website? Spelling errors No links (not even Facebook) Over stimulating (flash taking forever to load) No context (needs a “who are we” statement—not just pictures) Weird ministry names (no info like “6-8th grades) Incorrect contact information (youthpastor@gmail.com)
  16. Websites What do you think? What do you use your website for? What works? Is it worth it?

  17. Text Messaging

  18. Text Messaging 81% of surveyed youth pastors felt comfortable with the technology 63% regularly initiate texts with students 65% have students who regularly text them 75% feel it is an excellent ministry tool Most text just a small group of students
  19. Text Messaging Good things: Openness of students Students ask good questions Students volunteer more information Coordinating & advertising Sense of contact Prayer requests Birthdays Bible passages Good luck in a athletic event Any other ideas?
  20. Text Messaging Challenges Miscommunication Boundaries Shallow Too much stuff! Students text during school Advice about texting Get a text-savvy phone Talk to parents (make sure student has text plan) Let youth make 1st contact Don’t overdo it Keep hard conversations f2f
  21. Technology Ideas Facebook Personal page vs. group page Photo sharing Easy access Learning what is going on with kids Good conversations Blogs Have students & volunteers sign up Needs to be kept up—2-3 per week
  22. Technology Ideas Hi-tech connections E-mail works with parents (not students) Have the chat turned on during work Use software for mass text messages Student produced podcasts “Bad visuals are worse than no visuals” Webstarts.com animoto.com Zamzar.com (reformat youtube videos) Nooma, Youtube videos Videos made together Video game parties

  23. Technology

    “Technology can burn and waste valuable time. Keep it simple and use it sparingly. Kids don't need flashiness; they need an adult who models Christ! If they do not have this, all the cool technology is just more noise in a noisy world.”
  24. Discussion What does Ministry 2.0 look like in your group? What have you found works well? What frustrations do you have with technology? What are some of the tensions with using technology in ministry?
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