To register, email churchoffice@oakgrovecob.org. Zoom call-in information will be emailed to all registered participants the week of the first session
Our world is dominated by the 24 hour news cycle, polarizing social media posts that spread both incorrect information and fake news (along with cat videos), and partisan pundits offering their version of this moment’s events with the volume cranked to 11. The desire to be reasonably informed is quickly derailed as even our own unrecognized bias contributes to frustration and strained relationships.
The impact of social media on our culture has significantly changed the ways we gather information and value truth. For Christians who worship the One who is “the way, the truth, and the life” the stakes are even higher. How is the church to be “salt” and “light” when our streams of information are so polluted?
Oak Grove Church of the Brethren is offering two Zoom conversations to help navigate these times. Our meetings will investigate topics like:
• how social media is designed to satisfy our need to be affirmed.
• how search engine algorithms are customized to each individual user.
• spotting fake news, biased posts, and conspiracy theory.
• how cable, social-media, and the 24 hour news cycle has impacted the media industry.
Our sessions will be led by three persons whose professional experience is directly connected to these topics:
Dr. Rachel Bowman-Abdi (October 22 session) is professor of Rhetoric and Writing at UNC-Greensboro. Her courses have included Rhetoric and Decision-Making; Rhetoric and Education; Truth, Lies, and Literature; What Use is Literature? and Business and Professional Writing. Her PhD, from UNCG, focused on the rhetoric of the individual in society with a dissertation on the rhetoric used to train recruits in the United States Marine Corps. Her undergraduate degree, in English and Music, is from Eastern Mennonite University.
Jim Shaver (October 29 session) is a retired media executive, with experience in both print and broadcast media. Jim’s interests and career has focused on the ways media can be utilized to tell the stories of the local community, as well as training young reporters and broadcasters the skills necessary to serve the community with excellence.
Mike Stevens (October 29 session) is Director of Communications for the City of Salem, VA, where his primary responsibilities include serving as a liaison between local government and citizens of Salem. Prior to serving in this position, Mike was the Sports Director at WDBJ-7 in Roanoke, VA for 23 years, and was recently elected to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.