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“Shift happens.” This was the concluding comment in a video shown by Bill Huff during his presentation From Guttenberg to Google regarding technological changes and challenges in the proclamation of the Gospel. Huff, Vice President of Publishing at Augsburg Fortress, acquainted voting members with many technological advances in society and how Augsburg Fortress is utilizing them to help congregations grow in faith. “Technology holds promise but it is also a means of change, which can be scary,” Huff noted. To underscore his point, Huff showed a hilarious Norwegian video about one monk describing to another how to use a book, in the matter of latter day “tech support.” Viewers at the assembly laughed uproariously even while taking the Huff’s point. As he described the leap from Guttenberg – the inventor of the printing press in Luther’s time – Huff reminded the audience that 500 years ago paper was an advanced form of technology. Citing some amazing statistics, Huff indicated that Luther took full advantage of this technology in the process of reformation. To support his assertion, Huff explained how Augsburg Fortress is using new technology to provide resources for the church. Here We Stand is the new web-based Confirmation program, with a host of media available for teaching, including video, music, PowerPoint and other materials. Sundays and Seasons.com, web-based worship materials, and NewProclamation.com a web-based preaching preparation resource, were also described. Akaloo, Augsburg Fortress’ life-long faith formation materials have introduced a new form of presenting new materials called “webinars,” which are web-based seminars. “The metaphor at the heart of Google is web or network,” Huff said. That means “we don’t have to go it alone. This is a collaborative world” and you are partners which us. “The Reformation continues.” (portions of Huff's presentation will be made available, watch the homepage for details) |
