Theology after Google Conference


Posted below is the announcement of what should prove to be a very interesting conference. Philip Clayton, whose book Transforming Christian Theology: For Church and Society is the focus of an ongoing "theoblogging effort" and a call to engage the public theologically in a new way, is the host.  I've been invited to participate -- a long with a number of other theologians and bloggers -- and if you're interested in this conversation about the future of the church and theology, you might check it out. 

The announcement is from the Transforming Theology website -- just so you know!

**********************************************
Date:
March 10, 2010 - March 12, 2010
 Theology After Google:
We invite you to join us March 10-12, 2010 in Claremont, Calif., for a first-of-its-kind national conference, “Theology After Google.” Thanks to a generous grant from the Ford Foundation, we are able to keep registration costs low. Moreover, the three applicants with the best applications forms will win a free flight to Claremont and free registration for the entire conference (see “theologian application,” below).
Who is coming?
Why “theology after Google”?
Progressive Christian theologians have some vitally important things to say, things that both the church and society desperately need to hear. The trouble is, we tend to deliver our message using technologies that date back to Gutenberg: books, academic articles, sermons, and so forth. We aren't making effective use of the new technologies, social media, and social networking. When it comes to effective communication of message, the Religious Right is running circles around us.
Hence the urgent need for a conference to empower pastors, laypeople, and the up-and-coming theologians of the next generation to do “theology after Google,theology for a Google-shaped world. Thanks to the Ford funding, we’ve been able to assemble a stellar team of cultural creatives and experts in the new modes of communication. We are also inviting a selection of senior theologians, and well as some of the younger theologians (call them “theobloggers”) whose use of the new media (blogging, podcasts, YouTube posts) is already earning them large followings and high levels of influence. For two and a half days, in workshops and in hands-on sessions, in lectures and over drinks, these leading figures will be at your disposal to teach you everything they know.

Schedule and Costs:
"Theology After Google" (TAG) will kick off with drinks and dinner on Wednesday, March 10, and will end with a closing celebration on Friday evening, March 12th. Inexpensive rooms are available at the nearby Hotel Claremont.
Registration Options
$99               Three-day registration (includes opening-night reception)
$149               Gold Star Registration — includes regular reception, plus lunches with the speakers, plus post-program “Theo-Pub” nights for follow-up discussion with speakers and participants.
Note: After February 10, registration goes to $129 ($179 for the Gold Star).
Additional Options
$15              Theo-Pub ticket for one night
$10              Per-day registration for students enrolled at CST and CGU (does not include opening-night reception or the “Theo-Pub”)


TAG Registration



Recommended hotel:
Hotel Claremont - 840 S. Indian Hill Blvd, Claremont, CA  91711
Call (909) 621-4831 or email reservations@myhotelclaremont.com to reserve a room. Mention the Theology After Google conference for a reduced rate of $69/night plus tax.

Course on Theology After Google
A course on "Theology After Google" is being offered by Philip Clayton at Claremont School of Theology in the Spring 2010 semester on Tuesdays at 1pm.  Read the course description and find out how to register as an audit student or as a transfer credit student.
If you wish to be considered for the free airline ticket, room and board, please fill out the application below. Otherwise please check back shortly; the link for full registration and payment will soon be up here.
Authors of the best three registration applications will receive a free airline ticket from anywhere in the U.S., hotel, free registration and meals for the conference.
The “Theology After Google” conference is not just about techniques — however important these may be. It will also serve as a top-level forum in which the next generation of American theologians begin to think together about the implications of these new modes of communication. Marshall McLuhan's famous "the medium is the message" may not have been completely on the mark; still, what we say is affected by how we say it. During the conference we are challenging pastors, laypersons, and theologians to reflect with the speakers about what it means to do theology after Google. How are the new media changing the nature of human existence and human social connections? How are they transforming human conceptions of God, Jesus, and Christianity? And what will (and should) the church become as a result? If these discussions are as successful as we hope, the conference will eventually produce a high-impact book.

Comments

Simon Cozens said…
Only the "next generation of American theologians"? Bah. Sounds like it would've been fun...

(And I would have started right there, with the whole point that the post-Google world of global communication empowers theologians from the majority world, not just the traditional centers of Christianity. Or are we not in that world yet?)
Robert Cornwall said…
Simon,

The point is well taken! Actually, I think, in the long run, the global nature of the web might draw into the conversation voices from outside the Northern and Western Hemispheres!

Of course, you'll also notice, that as of yet, most of the presenters are male and white (me being first among them). So, the conversation on theology does need to broaden.
Anonymous said…
From the conference announcement: "We aren't making effective use of the new technologies, social media, and social networking. When it comes to effective communication of message, the Religious Right is running circles around us."

These sentences imply that the Religious Right is doing a much better job of using so-called new technologies than mainline groups. I'm not sure this is true. I haven't actually seen evidence of this, though perhaps I'm just too sheltered.

Have you seen evidence that the Religious Right (if that is still a viable term for the most influential conservative faith movements in our country) is doing an effective job at using new technologies?

And if they really are running circles around us, why?
Robert Cornwall said…
Well, its possible that there is a bit of hyperbole in the announcement, but it does seem as if -- Obama's election excluded -- that the conservative groups (especially religious ones) have been more engaged with technology. That may have something to do with the fact that most mega-churches are conservative and they seem to be very media savvy.

Perhaps we're just older?

But, I think part of the reason is a reticence to put the message out there, perhaps fearing that a medium such as this doesn't allow for the nuances that progressive faith entails.

Anyway, I'm intrigued by what this conference might offer.
Anonymous said…
This is the value of the internet-

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Cheers to peace- David Mc
The Missions Director

Dear Sir or Madam,

Sub: Mission 2010/ Sports Evangelism Volunteer Opportunities:

Calvary Greetings from Africa Youth Ministries. I am writing this mail to invite your Church/Ministry to partner with us in our Sports Evangelism and Mission 2010 program. We have various short & long term volunteer opportunities in the above mentioned programs mainly in areas of Boys & Girls Soccer, Volleyball and basket ball, netball, tennis, table tennis etc. For further information on these programs, intending volunteers can visit the program links below:-

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Sports Photo Gallery http://www.aymu.org/gallery/Gallery.html

Those interested in volunteering with us can apply online on our website at http://www.aymu.org/volform.html or send in your CV to volunteers@aymu.org

Online Secure Donations can be made to our sports projects our Global Giving project page www.globalgiving.org/3756 option (Tackling AIDS Through Sport) You can also make a material donation of sports equipments e.g. soccer balls, basket & volleyballs, soccer uniforms, running shoes, sheen guards, socks, soccer shoes, volleyball and basketball uniforms etc. Likewise we badly need Bibles and tracts for this program and they can be mailed to the address below. You can learn more about all our Sports For Social Change programs at our main website sports link www.aymu.org Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours,



Albert KUNIHIRA

CEO/Peace & AIDS Activist

Africa Youth Ministries

AG. Director Living Hope Health Care

P.O. BOX 20029, Kampala-Uganda

Plot 647 Kireka Kamuli Hill Road

P: +256-776-200002/3/4/753-200002/793-200002

F: +256-414-287151

E: albert@aymu.org or admin@aymu.org or lhhc@aymu.org

I: www.aymu.org

"Before you can think of printing this mail, think about the environment"

Africa Youth Ministries is a registered Charity in Uganda No 5914/6068
The Missions Director

Dear Sir or Madam,

Sub: Mission 2010/ Sports Evangelism Volunteer Opportunities:

Calvary Greetings from Africa Youth Ministries. I am writing this mail to invite your Church/Ministry to partner with us in our Sports Evangelism and Mission 2010 program. We have various short & long term volunteer opportunities in the above mentioned programs mainly in areas of Boys & Girls Soccer, Volleyball and basket ball, netball, tennis, table tennis etc. For further information on these programs, intending volunteers can visit the program links below:-

Sports Evangelism & Mission 2010 http://www.aymu.org/sport%20evan/index.html

Sports Photo Gallery http://www.aymu.org/gallery/Gallery.html

Those interested in volunteering with us can apply online on our website at http://www.aymu.org/volform.html or send in your CV to volunteers@aymu.org

Online Secure Donations can be made to our sports projects our Global Giving project page www.globalgiving.org/3756 option (Tackling AIDS Through Sport) You can also make a material donation of sports equipments e.g. soccer balls, basket & volleyballs, soccer uniforms, running shoes, sheen guards, socks, soccer shoes, volleyball and basketball uniforms etc. Likewise we badly need Bibles and tracts for this program and they can be mailed to the address below. You can learn more about all our Sports For Social Change programs at our main website sports link www.aymu.org Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours,



Albert KUNIHIRA

CEO/Peace & AIDS Activist

Africa Youth Ministries

AG. Director Living Hope Health Care

P.O. BOX 20029, Kampala-Uganda

Plot 647 Kireka Kamuli Hill Road

P: +256-776-200002/3/4/753-200002/793-200002

F: +256-414-287151

E: albert@aymu.org or admin@aymu.org or lhhc@aymu.org

I: www.aymu.org

"Before you can think of printing this mail, think about the environment"

Africa Youth Ministries is a registered Charity in Uganda No 5914/6068

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