Show Notes: Smoking Cell Phones

In this episode I interview Read Mercer Schuchardt, professor of Media Ecology at Wheaton College, a good friend, brilliant mind, and publisher of metaphilm.com-- a site that doesn't review films, it interprets them. (I did an interpretation posted there a number of years ago on the film Magnolia for those who are interested.)

Read published an article in the journal Exploring Media Ecology called "How to Quit Smoking Using Nothing But Your Cell Phone." In it he observes the way in which cell phones are the new cigarette. We discuss what this means and how cell phones shape culture, faith, and the church in unexpected ways. I have a related entry about Read here.

For a free download of this episode visit LeadershipBuzz.com

Show Notes: Social Networking (part 3)

In this episode we explore how myspace is the new drinking for teens. We discuss the implications of this on faith formation.

Links:

IMing, Text Messaging, and Adolescent Social Network - A Study by the Department of Telecommunications of Indiana University. It shows more than anything else that myspace is lowering inhibition and bestowing a dangerous virtue of digital courage without accountability.

Show Notes: Social Networking (part 2)

Shane and Zach discuss how Myspace has emerged as new source of power for teens and how Adults are losing access to their world in unprecedented ways.

Links:

Generation Myspace by Candice Kelsey: For help to decode the new language of the teen universe.

Fall Speaking

Here are my upcoming speaking engagements for the fall. If your in the neighborhood let me know if you want to connect.

- September 24-29 Goshen, IN Goshen College
- October 21 San Diego, CA National Youth Workers Convention
- November 2-3 Philadelphia area “Navigating the Technological Storm"

Show Notes: Creative Worship

In this episode we discuss our favorite "Jesus-is-my-boyfriend" worship songs.

Links:
Jimmy Eat World studio photos. Our new podcast headquarters!

To subscribe visit LeadershipBuzz.com

Show Notes: Understanding Web Rage

You've heard of road rage, in this episode we introduce the emerging phenomenon of Web Rage. Perhaps you've witnessed, or participated in the remarkable decline of civil discourse in on-line forums and blogs-- even Christian ones. We discuss why this is happening, and what to do about it.

Links:
- Understanding Road Rage. This is the article I referenced by Read Mercer Schuchardt that shows us how the Internet gave rise to the sociological phenomenon of road rage.

To learn more or subscribe visit LeadershipBuzz.com

The Tech Effect

Last year I served on a panel discussion at the National Pastor's Convention about preaching in an image-based culture. Leadership Journal published this conversation in their most recent issue. It's available on-line here.

Faith Visuals Interview (part 2)

Part 2 of the of the interview I did with Faith Visuals on the influence of visual media in church is posted here. You can read part 1 here. Or if you prefer a different forum, Out of Ur just posted it as well.

"...Not Confused with Passivism"

We just got word that Kristin Ventola, a member of our church, made it safely into Israel. She will be there, along with 14 others, for two weeks as part of a Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) delegation. CPT is not a learning group, they are sent to global hot spots and trained for non-violent direct action in war torn areas. Motivated by the way of Jesus, they are willing to give their lives for justice and peace, but unwilling to take any lives.

When asked why she wants to go to a conflict zone? She writes:

Pacifism is not to be confused with passivism. Pacifism is an action taken to create peace through non-violence, civil disobedience and civil initiative. Too often individuals think pacifism is inaction, apathy, or only prayer. We must look to the examples of Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King Jr., the Berrigan Brothers & Archbishop Romero, among many others, in order to understand the depth of pacifism. As Gandhi said, “We need to be the change we want to see in the world.”

Last Sunday we had a service of prayer and sending for Kristin. I regard her as a prophet in our midst. Like all prophets, they agitate, disrupt, and offend our sensibilities. And like ancient Israel, our faithfulness as the people of God depends on our ability to welcome them.

Show Notes: The iGeneration

In this episode we discuss the rise of iPods, iPhones, Myspace, Myyahoo and everything else "i" and "my". The consequence? We are seeing a corresponding rise of narcissism in the emerging generation. We try to answer the question how do we form followers of Jesus in a self-focused culture?

Links:
- Candice Kellsey's book, "Generation Myspace" that Shane referenced in the cast.

To learn more or subscribe visit LeadershipBuzz.com

Episode #25: Tony Jones Interview (part 4)

This episode is part 4 of a 5 part interview I did with Tony Jones, author of many great books, my good friend, and the Mayor of Emergent Village. In this episode we explore the shape of emerging theology on the other side of its adolescence. To learn more about Tony check out his blog. (15 minutes)


To learn more or subscribe visit wiredparish.com

Move Over iPhone...

Sent to me via email by my good friend Read Mercer Schuchardt, publisher of Metaphilm.com I will be interviewing Read in an upcoming cast.

Apple Computers announced today that it has developed a computer chip that can store and play music in women's breast implants.

The iBoob will cost between $499 and $599. This is considered to be a major breakthrough, because women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.

Thanks to Apple, everyone is now happy.

Episode #20: Electronic Education (Part 2)

In this sample we respond to a listeners email question. He wonders what the future of seminary education is in the electronic age. (19 minutes)


To learn more or subscribe visit wiredparish.com

Episode #2: The Medium is the Message

In this sample from the archive we explore a key theme of my book-- The Medium is the Message. I hope this famous aphorism of Marshall McLuhan will rudder our thinking through a liquid culture. (17 minutes)


To learn more or subscribe visit LeadershipBuzz.com

Back from San Jose

I just returned from the biennial Mennonite Church USA Convention held in San Jose, CA. I had the honor and privilege of speaking to nearly 2000 Mennonites. It was incredible to worship with them and have a chance to share my gratitude for their heritage and contribution to the church. It was stunning and inspiring to see Asian, African, Hispanic, and Anglo Mennonites all worshiping together.

It has been a very long time since I've been swept up emotionally in worship. I was overcome there. The presence of God was palpable, due in large part to the immigrant communities who come from persecuted and oppressed regions of the Global South. I learned about their experience of faith. A faith forged under extreme conditions leading to a powerful and passionate encounter with Jesus-- and it was contagious. All I can say is thank you.

Faith Visuals Interview

I did an interview about the power of images and multimedia with Faith Visuals here.

Episode #10: Iconic Faith (part 2)

This sample is the second part of four we did on the shaping effects of iconic culture on faith. (16 minutes)


To learn more or subscribe visit LeadershipBuzz.com

Hidden Power Excerpt

Leadership Journal published an excerpt from my book in their most recent issue regarding the role of lament in worship. It is now available on-line here.

Show Notes: Nonviolent Conflict

In this episode Shane shares some helpful insights on how to embrace and resolve conflict nonviolently.

Links:

1. Agreeing and Disagreeing In Love a Mennonite covenant for conflict in the church used in Shane's book and referenced in the cast.

2. The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is a phenomenal resource for training people in mediation skills. They are also an excellent resource for church leaders who are looking for outside help in mediation. They have consultants that can mediate anything from inter-staff conflict all the way to full scale congregational interventions. Their website is not very impressive, but their skills are. If pastors are looking for training for themselves, Shane highly recommends the “Mediation Skills Training” course. Click on that link and you can find where and when these are held.

3. "Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Create Your Life, Your Relationships, and Your World in Harmony with Your Values"-- Marshall B. Rosenberg. This is a book that Zach is currently reading and has found extremely helpful for practicing nonviolence in relationships.

Show Notes: The Tribe of Individuals (Part 2)

Shane and Zach continue to discuss the paradox of the "tribe of individuals" that we find ourselves in today. Shane highlights a few ways in which we can begin to overcome the challenges paradox brings to followers of Jesus today.

Links:
1. Golden Sun Peace Ministries - This is a link to a ministry of Trinity Mennonite Church that Shane discussed as an example of "Cohousing" in an intentional community. Click on the link to learn more.