What got you thinking about writing the book – what was the inspiration? (Catholic Tech Talk)

A few things led me to write this book. First was the realization that we are currently in the most revolutionary communication shift since the printing press. New media has profoundly changed the way we relate and share information today. Second, I saw many individual Catholics and organizations who were already taking advantage of new media and doing some pretty impressive things. Third, as a whole, I thought the Church was doing a pretty poor job of using these tools. Technologically we’re behind Protestant communities by about 2-3 years and compared to the secular world we’re lagging by a good half-decade.

The goal of The Church and New Media, therefore, is to show how new media can help carry out the Church’s mission in the modern world. It teaches how individuals, parishes, and dioceses can use new media to spread the faith, form the faithful, build community, and promote justice.

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In your opinion, what’s the biggest obstacle to the Church becoming more media-savvy?

Fear. Time and again, when I’ve asked Communication Directors and parish representatives why they don’t use new media, their answers essentially boil down to fear.

There are many reasons that Catholics are afraid–fear of the unknown, fear of liability, fear of opening up conversations to possible detraction. But this is why I think Blessed John Paul II was a new media prophet. One of his favorite encouragements to the Church was “Do not be afraid!” In fact, in his document The Rapid Development, he explicitly says “Do not be afraid of new technologies!”

This is the voice of courage the Church needs to have echoing in her ears. The courage of Christ should trump the fear of the unknown. For even the winds of new technology obey his command.

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Last week, Matthew Warner wrote a provocative piece about the Church losing control of ‘The Message’. As more and more Catholics create New Media, do you think the Church risks losing control of “The Message”.

I don’t agree with saying “the Church” is losing control of the Message. The Church can never lose control of the Message–it’s bound to her and is native to her DNA. What I think Matt meant, though, is that “Church officials” are losing control of the message.

Assuming that’s what he meant when he said “the Church”, I thought his article was brilliant and agree with both of his points: the Church is losing control of the Message, and that is a good thing. If you look at instances of explosive growth throughout Church history you’ll discover that these movements occurred when the Gospel was unleashed and allowed to spread virally.

The Gospel is like sand. When you try to control, grasp, or hoard it, it seeps through your hands and you lose it. When you try to control the conversation, the movement, or the spread instead of submitting to the Holy Spirit, you quench its power.

I don’t mean to say that bishops and priests should lose their authority. In fact I think their authority should be respected more by Catholics. What I mean is that they should maintain the borders around the world’s online playground but should let their flock run free within. Church officials should lay the ground-rules for charitable conversation but should become facilitators instead of pontificators.

FULL STORY

Interview with Brandon Vogt, author of “Church and New Media” (Catholic Tech Talk)

BOOK REVIEW

Review of The Church and New Media: Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops Who Tweet

PHOTO CREDIT

Book cover from The Thin Veil