Around 150 people attended the Adventist Church’s first Digital Discipleship Conference over the July 15–17 weekend.
Hosted by the Adventist Church in Greater Sydney, the conference featured international speakers, interactive workshops and great networking opportunities for Adventist “creatives” and those who are passionate about using technology to share the gospel.
Attendees came from all levels of the Church and from all around Australia, sharing ideas for new ways of reaching out to support and witness to their communities.
The theme of the conference, "What's in your hand?" (Exodus 4:2), challenged attendees to use what is most often in their hands to reach others.
“My church sponsored me to come and learn about social media,” said Roven Clark, a retired missionary from Galston church. “As it is, I like sharing Jesus and the love of God, and I wanted to improve my digital skills to do so. With social media, I learned how to be more intentional. You have to engage with people. I’m going to do what I can digitally for Him.”
In her workshop Morag Patton, from the YesHeis app ministry, impressed on attendees the need to engage with any responses they get back from the messages they share.
During the weekend attendees were encouraged to rethink what is possible and collaborate and come up with new ways and ideas to share Jesus.
“In our Church, all too often communications has been viewed as an ancillary service. As a result, we have yet to fully realise its power for evangelism, especially in the digital space”, so Rachel Aitken, Organizer of the event.
“We often see local church communications as being confined to bulletins and a church website, but what if God is waiting for the photographers, videographers, graphic designers, bloggers, social media mavens and digital marketing experts to use their talents for ministry as much as He is the worship leaders?”, asked Aitken.
For Rachel Aitken, the idea of a Digital Discepleship started having lots of light-bulb moments about how God could use digital marketing, social media, online platforms and content creators, distributors and engagers for ministry.
“Most importantly, I began to see how the digital space provides a place where church members are once again inspired to be disciples of Jesus who make disciples.”
All creatives and those interested or curious about the digital space are invited to get involved.
There are lots of opportunities to engage in between conferences. If you are interested, please send your email to digitaldisciples@adventist.org.au
There you can join the mailing list and keep the conversation going!
