Audio Download of Youthscape / St Mellitus College Lecture 2018

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The first annual lecture in February 2018 was titled ‘the stories in which we find ourselves’, and explored the growing impact of social media on our values, our relationships, our ideas about community and how we present ourselves to the world. It asked the profound question, if social media has changed the world, does the church need to change in response? Youthscape’s 16-19s Specialist Lahna Pottle explored the social reality of a constantly-connected life for young people today, and gave a whistle-stop tour of the social media world today. Jesuit theologian Dr John McDade then gave the main lecture, exploring how biblical/theological perspectives might help us understand the present moment, and why recent changes demand a ‘revolution in mission’. Youthscape's Martin Saunders then brought these two thoughts together to offer practical suggestions about the church’s response. It was grounded in the practical reality of working with young people everyday, recognising the challenges, the generational dissonance, and the gospel that we can bring to them. The response was inspiring with youth workers coming together to think theologically and pragmatically about how we engage with this "digital culture" and support and challenge this nation's young people.