Rewired : Youth Ministry in an Age of IM and Myspace

by Kendall, Peggy

• ISBN13: 9780817015138
• ISBN10: 0817015132
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-09-28
• Publisher: Judson Pr

Summary

Do you know where your church's teens hang out? Chances are that they're hanging out virtual style. MySpace and IM have redefined how the typical teenager spends time with friends. And these technologies have important implications for today's youth leader. In this valuable resource from communication professor Peggy Kendall, find the answers to key questions: How do these technologies affect relationships and communication? What are the pros and cons of using this technologies in youth ministry? What practical skills are needed to integrate these technologies in ministry? Included in the book are: A summary of current research in reader-friendly terms, Real-life insights from teens who use IM and MySpace on a regular basis, Feedback and insight from youth pastors who use IM and MySpace in their ministry, Specific tips on IM and MySpace use. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Peggy Kendall is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Bethel University. She holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, an M.A. in Secondary Education, and a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Minnesota. Her experiences as a youth volunteer, former school teacher and parent of two teenage children have taught her a great deal about today's communication technology.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Introduction	p. xi
Virtual Technology
Instant Messaging: The New Virtual Coffee Shop	p. 2
Instant Messaging Basics	p. 4
Where's the Hangout?	p. 9
What Do Teens Think?	p. 14
Who's Hanging Out?	p. 18
Social Networking: The New Weekend Party	p. 22
MySpace Basics	p. 25
How Do I Make Friends?	p. 29
I'm Here, So Now What Do I Do?	p. 30
Why Party?	p. 34
Virtual Challenges
Underlying Impact: Relationships, Community, and Faith	p. 42
Virtual Relationships: Ideals, Intimacy, and Disconnect	p. 44
Virtual Community: Shedding Responsibility	p. 50
Virtual Faith: Reconnecting the Ties That Bind	p. 55
Social Networking Pitfalls: Garbage, Disconnect, and Privacy	p. 60
Jewels among the Garbage	p. 62
The Reality Disconnect	p. 66
Is It Public or Private?	p. 69
Instant Messaging Pitfalls: Bare Bones, Boundaries, and Silliness	p. 73
Bare Bones Text	p. 74
Mischievous Misuse	p. 78
Brittle Boundaries	p. 79
Virtual Opportunities
Benefits of Online Ministry: Connections, Gateways, and Openness	p. 88
Virtual Connection	p. 89
Virtual Gateway	p. 93
Virtual Availability	p. 96
Postscript YouTube: Entertainment Made to Order	p. 103
YouTube Users: Who Are They?	p. 104
YouTube Uses: What Are They Doing?	p. 104
YouTube Challenges: What Are the Problems?	p. 108
YouTube Opportunities: Finding the Teaching Moments	p. 109
Conclusion	p. 113
Appendixes	p. 117
Instant Message Abbreviations	p. 117
Online Glossary	p. 118
Social Networking Sites	p. 120
Helpful Online Links	p. 121
Suggested Reading	p. 122
Endnotes	p. 125
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