Resources for Religious Groups
Digital Religion Publications, an imprint of the Network for New Media, Religion and Digital Culture Studies run by Dr. Heidi Campbell, announces the publication of a series of eBooks. The goal of these eBooks is to capture and present current research on pressing issues related to religion and culture, publish them in a timely manner, and make them available for FREE. These books are aimed at a broad audience including religious leaders, communities, and researchers seeking to interpret their work for the public. These resources have helped hundreds of religious thought leaders and groups navigate through best practices and the potential implications of making decisions through evaluative measures.
Revisiting the Distanced Church
PDF Version
FREE
This provides a follow- up conversation with key contributors from The Distanced Church, on what their ministry looks like one year into the pandemic. Revisiting the Distanced Church offers not only a "then and now" perspective on how pastors and scholars see the evolving relationship between the church and digital media. It also looks into the long term implications of these technology choices on the church, Together the eBook reflect on the present-future of digital ministry and areas in need of further theological reflection due to these changes. [Read More]
The Distanced Church: Reflections on Doing Church Online
PDF Version
FREE
In March/April 2020 most churches around the world have been forced to close their doors due to the need for social distancing and local lock-downs in order to fight off the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The result was traditional churches had to make an unplanned and swift transition towards technologically-driven forms of gathering... [Read More]
Digital Ecclesiology: What if the Future of the Church is Digital
PDF Version
FREE
Digital Ecclesiology: A Global Conversation explores theological issues and challenges churches have been faced with due to social distancing and required social-cultural adaptations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This book follows on from the eBook "The Distanced Church", which explored religious leaders and scholar responses to the forced move into doing church online during the pandemic... [READ MORE]
Religion in Quarantine: The Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World
PDF Version
FREE
Religion in Quarantine, recently named Outstanding Book in 2020 by the Spiritual Communication Division of the National Communication Association, is an eBook collection of essays written by religious studies faculty and graduates students from Texas A&M University. Coming from a variety of religious traditions--including Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism--each essay considers what future of religion might look like in light of the changes facilitated by the current COVID-19 pandemic and the potential challenges this may raise for religious communities... [READ MORE]
Overview Report of Key Findings From The Distanced Church: Reflections on Doing Church Online
PDF Version
FREE
This two page research report summarizes the key findings from The Distanced Church: Reflections on Doing Church Online, and eBook published by the Network for New Media, Religion and Digital Culture Studies. It highlights common observations shared by researchers and pastors in essays featured in the collection reflecting on how churches are responding to changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[READ MORE]
What Should Post-Pandemic Religion Look Like?
10 trends religious groups need to understand to survive in the next decade
PDF Version
FREE
This eBook offers ten lessons from the pandemic experience that we believe religious leaders need to seriously consider in order to cultivate resilience in their work and ministry. We draw these specifically from ideas shared in a series of three eBooks that Dr. Heidi Campbell compiled in 2020 on how religious communities and their worship were being shaped by technology and the conditions of the pandemic.[READ MORE]
Research Summaries and Lessons on Doing Religion and Church Online
FREE
The following is a synopsis of ten research articles written by Professor Heidi Campbell over the past two decades addressing important Issues of how religious communities use the internet, and the ways churches are impacted by their use and experimentation. [READ MORE]
Social Distancing in a World of Memes
PDF Version
FREE
This eBook presents the finding from a creative research study conducted between March-July 2020 on the theme of social distancing during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The book explores the messages internet memes that circulated widely online, communicated about the practice of social distancing... [Read More]
Summarizing Heidi A Campbell’s Research on Religion and Church Online
FREE
This paper provides a concise summary of Heidi A Campbell's research on religious community online and doing church on the internet. [READ HERE]
🎙️ Recommended
Disruptive Dialogues on the Future of Religion
Podcast
FREE
Join Dr. Heidi Campbell and Troy Shepherd as they interview guests and talk about religion in today's world. This is a place for innovative thinkers and a starting point for critical conversations in the church. [LISTEN HERE]
