Ep 002: Making a Positive Impact on Social Media, w/ Doug Bursch
Jun 7, 2021
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Doug Bursch, author of Posting Peace, discusses the impact of social media on our relationships and how to promote positive dialogues online. Topics include authenticity, reconciliation, humor in literature, adapting to technology in ministry, and making a Christ-centered impact on social media.
Social media shapes interactions and self-perception.
Authenticity and positivity are crucial in online behavior.
Empathy and understanding are vital for reconciling online divides.
Deep dives
The Influence of Mediums on Communication
Different forms of mediums influence how we communicate and what we communicate, altering our interactions more than we realize. Social media, discussed in the podcast, plays a crucial role in shaping our messaging and relationships.
Online Behavior and Authenticity
The podcast conversation delves into the importance of online behavior, emphasizing authentic and honest interactions in the digital sphere. The guest's book, 'Posting Peace,' highlights the need for genuine self-expression and positive impact on social media.
Challenges of Online Communication and Reconciliation
The episode explores the challenges of online communication, focusing on the lack of empathy and misinterpretations that occur in social media interactions. It stresses the significance of understanding the impact of technology on human connection and the necessity of fostering reconciliation and understanding amidst online divides.
Promoting Positive Interactions Online
Encouraging positive interactions online is emphasized in the podcast, focusing on connecting based on love and respect rather than heated arguments. The importance of expressing love and respect, especially when disagreeing with someone, is highlighted, suggesting that personal conversations or private messaging may be more effective than public debates. The podcast introduces the concept of the 'Posting Peace Challenge,' where individuals are encouraged to engage in positive interactions online by expressing love, respect, and understanding, aimed at elevating the quality of online discussions.
Utilizing Social Media for Small Church Ministry
The podcast delves into the role of social media in small church ministry, emphasizing its potential to facilitate healthy conversations and community building. Contrary to focusing solely on technical aspects, the emphasis is on fostering a Christ-like and reconciling attitude in online interactions. By engaging with congregants and promoting inclusive discussions, pastors of smaller churches can create a welcoming online presence, providing a gateway to the church's values and fostering diverse opinions and respectful dialogue.
Karl Vaters interviews Doug Bursch about his new book, Posting Peace. It's all about how social media is impacting us so much that it even changes how we see ourselves and relate to each other.
But Doug also offers hope for how we can be peacemakers and reconcilers in our online behavior.
As the first interview of this podcast, Karl introduces the Lightning Round questions, with questions and answers that are both profound and a little bit of fun.
