For the last decade or so, I’ve been introduced to lots of wonderful people who have started websites and groups devoted to the space of technology and faith. Unfortunately, it’s really, really hard to create a sustainable model, and many of the groups haven’t been long lived. Thankfully, there is at least one organization that is doing really well and continues to grow and expand.
FaithTech.com was started by James Kelley, who has been a church worker and a tech entrepreneur, and I’ve been so encouraged to see how he’s been able to connect church leaders and those working in the tech industry, in his home base of Waterloo and other cities around North America. If you’re near one these cities (and even if you’re not), I highly recommend you connect with FaithTech.
Recently, we talked about trying to map the various issues and needs around technology and faith, including everything from theology, practical how tos, parenting guides, faith at work, ethics, church and media, future, and other concerns. As we talked, we kept coming up with lists of 4-5 different ways of categorizing things, sometimes focusing on groups of people (tech workers, parents, pastors) or major issues (AI, addiction, etc.), and sometimes merging these to think about academic study vs. popular needs.
In the end, I put together a visualization that attempts to get everything on one page, allowing theology and Christian thought to permeate both the main spheres of our life (home, work, church) as well as the major issues of the day (wellness, creativity, and futurism).
I’m sure James and his team will expand and refine this, but I’d love your feedback if have anything to add or that we’re missing major areas of concern.
Also, if you’re in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area and interested in starting a branch of FaithTech, drop me a line.
I’ve been meeting with folks from FaithTech Chicago recently. They’ve been a great help in catalyzing an idea of mine. I’m in the DFW area (you and I met for lunch a while back). Let’s talk about bringing this to our city.
You are certainly familiar with Bible software, John, and I suppose that comes under your blue “Academics” circle, but Bible software is certainly changing the way many people approach and regard “Bible.” You may want to check Glenn Weaver’s new blog, “Bible Software and Interpretation,” where he is trying to think about these things. (Glenn was with the BibleWorks team.)
https://glennweaver.home.blog/
Yes, James and the FaithTech folks have begun a wonderful movement (starting near my alma mater in Waterloo). I wrote a little about my first encounter with them here: http://www.christiancourier.ca/columns-op-ed/entry/faith-and-tech-combine-in-waterloo