The Googlie: A Progressive, Faith-Based Perspective

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:07 am by Faithful Democrats

The Googlie: A Progressive, Faith-Based Perspective 2013-05-09T06:07:14-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Change isn’t incremental; it’s exponential.”

If this statement makes you think of Obama’s campaign slogan, I sure hope change is exponential! Actually, this statement comes from Leonard Sweet, a Methodist pastor, professor, and new media communicator. I heard him speak at a conference for faith-based communicators last week (I work for the media department at my job) and his talk was about strategies the church needs to use to effectively spread the Word.

Though his statement is actually about the speed at which our world changes technologically, it made me think of how necessary mass media in the faith-based progressive movement is. After all, that’s what evangelism is: Mass media. And when Congregationalist ministers chastised Wesley for inciting “emotive responses,” from his followers what media strategy did he use? Not the one where everyone shuffles into church, sits in uncomfortable pews and listens to a lecture from a stodgy old man with a cushy job.

Instead of using the “old media” of the day, John Wesley used “new media”: Circuit Riders. They traveled around the country, living short lives away from their families through harsh weather and with little pay in order to share with others the message of Jesus.

It was incredibly successful. Methodism spread faster than wildfire, and mainline denominations teetered on the brink (the same trend we see today).

That said, encroaching 2009 requires the progressive faith-based movement to continue to be ahead of the game in efforts to communicate a message of faith coincided with new kinds of values. We have been doing a better job lately, but a 2007 “Media Matters” study called “Left Behind” says that we are significantly trailing conservative evangelical Christians, where “the overwhelming presence in the news media of conservative voices leads the implication that a religious voice is a conservative voice.”

It’s our job to change that, people! Exponentially! Leonard Sweet calls tech-savvy people “googlies,” who, by their innovation, rapidly change the way the world works. Lucky for us, the Obama campaign has led the way. Now we can say no one will ever run a campaign the same.

Democratic “values voters” need to find new ways of communicating clearly and effectively why our values matter, so our faith will no longer be co-opted by the Right.

Featured Writers

Previous Post

October 26, 2008

The Silver Lining to the Storm Clouds: The Economic Crisis as Opportunity

Next Post

October 28, 2008 John Knows the Dream

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Jacob deceived his father Isaac by pretending to be Esau to receive the blessing.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE