mission - archive
digital ministry
interview: bishop of guildford
Bob Fyffe, General Secretary of CTBI, interviewed the Rt Revd Christopher Hill, the former Bishop of Guildford, about how the Church can use digital technologies.
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Watch shorter excerpts from the interview:
1. How did the Bishop's involvement with digital media start?
While Bishop Christopher Hill says he is still in the quill pen era, his concern with the mission of the Church prompted him to explore networking digitally, initially through involvement with Anglicans in Second Life.
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2. What is the nature of online community - is it real community?
What is the theology of community? Bishop Christopher Hill argues that for community face-to-face communication isn't essential.
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3. Is digital engagement just a supplement to real community?
Is it possible to have a virtual community where people have never met each other before and have no intention of meeting each other?
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4. For some, digital engagement is a lifeline to the Church.
For people in particular circumstances, such as those who are housebound or living in isolated locations, online engagement can be a way of ‘hanging on' to Church.
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5. Can the power of God touch people online?
God's power can reach people however they are linked digitally says Bishop Christopher Hill.
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6. What are other churches doing?
Bishop Christopher Hill says there is a varied response from the churches to engaging digitally but detects an openness to explore the possibilities.
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7. What is the difference between networks and networking?
Young people don't make the distinction between networking online and the network they're in, says Bishop Christopher Hill. They may spend more time meeting online than face-to-face, but for them it's a real network.
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8. Can the Church contribute to morals and ethics online?
The Church can contribute to the ethical integrity of online engagement, says Bishop Christopher Hill, to help prevent people getting carried away with what they can do with technology.
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9. Can sacraments, such as Holy Communion, be shared online?
Bishop Christopher Hill argues that while there is no absolute substitute for baptism in water, God can use other physical means of his spiritual grace such as a computer screen.
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Please let us have your comments on how to engage in mission and ministry in the digital age