Adopt a puppy or dog and walk to a dog park or on a beach or wherever. Dogs are magnificent company and you will meet other dog walkers. I promise instant rapport between the people holding the leash.
As a former youth minister - thank you for writing on this and putting the pressure on pastors specifically to take this seriously. Churches need to take media/digital literacy as seriously as they do marriage and financial discipleship.
What will become of us when the screen goes blank, when the sound of human voice cedes to a mechanical voice with no heart, no passion, no love. The tools that we use should become an extension of who we are. NOT WHO WE ARE. The personal, human connection matters because of the person that matters in that connection. I find the electronic, computer interaction can extend our connections. But not deepen them if we have not made the connection as humans first.
Yep…this semi-retired Pastor (as if there is actually such a thing) finds himself spending too much time on Substack! I spend too much time on my iPad in this retired but still serving life of mine. My wife is on even more than I am! This is serious!
Total swing and miss on my part. Thought about your great post, forwarded it to my colleague Dr. Beth Robinson who is writing a textbook for counselors; and the "miss" part was when I responded, as another person to whom I subscribe asks, to summarize in three words.
My addition to your list from my own life experience of true friends who do this: Someone who brings chocolate during the low times, and sits with me on the ash heap. (Did I partially redeem myself? How about this-- all my people, as they say in Tennessee, are from Tennessee.)
Ah. But WHICH Tennessee? There are three.
Of course. West Tennessee: Crockett County for both parents, husband from Carroll County. Blessed memory, all.
Thanks! Greetings from the State of Franklin. ;-)
So.... anyplace I can read about how you went from being a Baptist PK to Lutheran to Orthodoxy? Very interested.
Go to tmatt.net. Click the freelance tab. Look around. ;-)
Oh, and it’s SBC to Anglican to Orthodox
Ok! Thank you.
Adopt a puppy or dog and walk to a dog park or on a beach or wherever. Dogs are magnificent company and you will meet other dog walkers. I promise instant rapport between the people holding the leash.
As a former youth minister - thank you for writing on this and putting the pressure on pastors specifically to take this seriously. Churches need to take media/digital literacy as seriously as they do marriage and financial discipleship.
The evidence is that if you don’t take screen culture issues seriously, you’ll end up with way fewer marriages and, yes, children.
What will become of us when the screen goes blank, when the sound of human voice cedes to a mechanical voice with no heart, no passion, no love. The tools that we use should become an extension of who we are. NOT WHO WE ARE. The personal, human connection matters because of the person that matters in that connection. I find the electronic, computer interaction can extend our connections. But not deepen them if we have not made the connection as humans first.
Yep…this semi-retired Pastor (as if there is actually such a thing) finds himself spending too much time on Substack! I spend too much time on my iPad in this retired but still serving life of mine. My wife is on even more than I am! This is serious!
Only crowded loneliness.
Interesting. What do you mean? Sort of busy work friendships with your thumbs?
OK, I'll ask this: What would you add to the list of "real friend" cues at the end?
Total swing and miss on my part. Thought about your great post, forwarded it to my colleague Dr. Beth Robinson who is writing a textbook for counselors; and the "miss" part was when I responded, as another person to whom I subscribe asks, to summarize in three words.
My addition to your list from my own life experience of true friends who do this: Someone who brings chocolate during the low times, and sits with me on the ash heap. (Did I partially redeem myself? How about this-- all my people, as they say in Tennessee, are from Tennessee.)