Greetings to all from the Religious Education Summer Institute
July 31st, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisThanks for all those who attended my Thursday and Friday sessions. We covered a lot of material and I very much appreciated all the interaction and discussion. You can email me at theo@goarch.org or follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tnicolakis.
Here’s a quick rundown for everyone:
Don’t forget to join the Department of Religious Education’s Orthodox Christian Educator’s Facebook Group here.
I added some pages on:
- Tips for parents buying cell phones for their kids
- The Pastoral letter that was sent out by all the SCOBA bishops to all Orthodox parishes in the United States to let everyone know that our Church has been actively involved.
- Two safety guides to be printed out at parishes for parishes:
- Child Safety Guide (legal size)
- Teen Safety Guide (legal size)
I’ve pulled up links to some older presentations and posts as promised here.
- Wired Safety–the largest and one of the best sites for online safety
- Internet 101 for those who are intimidated by all this technology
- Parenting Online booklet for helping parents guide their kids (PDF here)
- Keeping kids safe online (older article but good)
- Protecting kids on social web sites
In terms of some older presentations regarding technology and the challenges parents face I have multiple options:
- I have the original Apple Keynote version that you can download here(note that this file is HUGE and over 750 megs and includes all the videos). You need Apple Keynote, which is included in iWorks 2008 to open this file.
- I have a PDF version of the keynote presentation here in PDF format.:
- I also have a self-running version (though it’s not the full presentation I did at St. Vladimir’s) here in MP4 format.
Finally, if anyone is interested in the youth session I’ve done featuring Spiderman and Iron Man, you can email me. The presentation is over a gigabyte in size and it doesn’t make sense to post it. Plus, it’s not something that can just be run without someone understanding the theology behind some of the slides that don’t have explanatory points or just have a single bullet or two that need further explanation.
Tips for Parents Buying Cell Phones for Kids
July 31st, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisTips for Parents Buying Cell Phones for their Kids from the safety booklet published by the Religious Alliance Against Pornography that the Archdiocese contributed to:
1) Circumvent access to pornography at the cell phone store: You must be 18 years or older to purchase a cell phone. Make sure that if you purchase a cell phone for a child or minor in your household that you do not enable Internet access or access to content that is adult-oriented.
2) Check your cell phone bill: Review charges to your cell phone bill. Make sure that you are not being charged for packages or services you either do not need or did not sign up for. If you have a question about what services you have active on your phone(s), call your wireless carrier.
3) Get educated: Clergy should either call the Department of Internet Ministries with questions or research more information online at sites such asCNet’s Keeping Kids Safe Online, GetNetWise, ProtectKids, or SafeKids.com. Additionally, parishes should take an proactive role in conducting seminars for parents and GOYA members and even publishing Internet safety guides in their bulletins.
4) Talk about the issues: Talk about these issues with your children and even their friends’ parent. Even though you may be educated, parents of your child’s friends may not be; and they may have unknowingly given their children cell phones with access to pornography.
As the adoption of emerging technologies quickens, the challenges we confront as parents, clergy, and Christians will not only become greater, but they will also become more complex. For this reason, we must heed the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to comfort one another and edify one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). If we stay grounded in the message and teachings of Scripture, then we will be able to confront and overcome whatever challenges may come before us.
A great visit with the American Bible Society
July 23rd, 2009
Posted by: Theo Nicolakis
Archbishop Demetrios of America and American Bible Society President, Dr. Lamar Vest
Throughout history, we can always identify good teams. There is often great communication, mutual respect, talent, leadership, and more. Yesterday’s meeting at the Archdiocese with Dr. Lamar Vest, president of the American Bible Society has was one of those moments that you will always remember.
While the visit was formal, it was a genuine gathering of friends. Friends who have mutually supported each other and created wonderful bonds over many years. Dr. Vest was shocked when the Archbishop presented him with a check in the amount of $30,000 in deep appreciation for the tremendous support that the American Bible Society has given the Archdiocese over the years. Most people do not know that the American Bible Society underwrote the costs of the recently published Orthodox Military Bible.
That trust did not come lightly.
Indeed, if we can look back at the partnership that has created the Orthodox web builder program, Bibles to offer relief for the victims of the devastating fires in Greece, the Children’s Bible Reader in English and Spanish, the launch of the Orthodox Marketplace online store, and so many more endeavors, there has been a solid track record of a wonderful team that works well together.
I think it’s important to acknowledge His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, Dr. Lamar Vest, Jerry Dimitriou, Dr. Dickerson, Bob Briggs, Nick Garbidakis, Tom Durakis, Lea Velis, Chris Thyberg, John Greco, Phil Towner, Bob Hodgson, John Cruz, John Mark Mitchell, Rev. Thom May, Jennifer Hamel, Henry Kay, Brian Sherry, and so many more who have been such great team members over the years. Indeed, there are so many others–from Michalis Chatzigiannis, the president of the Greek Bible Society to Fr. Bill Bartz and all the military Chaplains–this is such a great example of a team that works.
Greek Orthodox and ABS staff with Archbishop Demetrios and Dr. Lamar Vest
Of course, isn’t this what our Lord wants of us? Christ himself called the Apostles his friends, and it was they who carried on the mission and ministry of the Gospel after his death and resurrection. It is such a wonderful blessing that it is once again the message of the Gospel that has bound together such diverse talents and persons from so many walks of life.
Leaving “friendprints”: The fingerprints of your social network
July 23rd, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisSocial networks have seemingly conquered day-to-day interaction for so many Americans. The Pew Internet and American Life Project has chronicled the meteoric rise in the use of social networking sites and what’s amazed me is how much information people are so willingly posting on these sites. For whatever reason, we must seem to think that “private” really is “private” and that no one can see what information we’ve posted. Moreover, I don’t think that we think through potential consequences. Let me give you an example.
What I personally have always found peculiar (no offense to anyone!) is all the games, quizzes, and other similar sorts of things on Facebook. Finally, one day, someone asked me to join a cause or sent me a name day icon through Facebook. When I saw the warning that by accepting this application, I could be exposing my personal information to the application I stopped right there. Something about that exposure never seemed right to me.
Well, fast forward to this great article on “Leaving Friendprints” published from the Wharton School at UPenn.
Lance Hoffman from George Washington University correctly said that by giving away basic information such as your name and birthdate and your list of friends, we’re exposing far more than we know. And when these “applications” have access to all that, it’s a potential recipe for identity theft and more.
I won’t belabor the points as I think the article touches them, but simply put I personally think that social networks are introducing a new socialization. We are simply becoming accustomed to giving away information about ourselves—our names, addresses, where we are, what we like, etc. In fact, it seems as though if we do not do these sorts of things we are somehow limiting our or inhibiting the opportunity for social touch points within our networks. Like Pavlov’s dog, the more we reveal, the more likely we are to be rewarded with acknowledgements and positive stimuli via our social network.
Now, why don’t we add to all this the GPS and location-aware features of the new iPhones and mobile devices. It’s Twitter on steroids: where I am, what I’m doing, with whom, and then able to share it. We’re entering a world where we are going to be carrying and connected to our social networks all the time, in every place.
So, the question I raise is: “Do social networks not only reduce our sensitivity to privacy, but do they also increase our desire to receive social stimuli and positive reenforcement?”
I think the answer is, “Yes” to both.
I’m not sure that’s necessarily a good or bad thing. What I am sure of, however, is that no matter how much or how little we willingly or unwillingly give out we are certainly going to see more and more issues of privacy compromised, identities stolen, and identities forged. As companies can also mine data from what you post, your likes, your interests, and those within your network, we are likely to see more and more potential for consumer profiling done with tremendous ease.
I love technology; I love what you can do with technology; I think technology is a great enabler. However, I’m not necessarily comfortable with all the ways in which technology is being socialized and enculturated. I’m not sure I really like leaving my “friendprints” all over the place.
Eyes of Faith
July 14th, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisWords can’t express what’s transpired over the past two to three weeks. Needless to say, it’s been physically and spiritually taxing. Bluntly, I’m exhausted. I’m sure many—if not all—can relate to such periods in life.
Very few know the long hours we put in at the Archdiocese–especially in Internet Ministries. For the most part (and I’m not saying this is a good thing) we’re always connected because of what our responsibilities are.
One of the things that I’m constantly connected to is the Orthodox Military Bible (or to be more precise, New Testament and Psalms) and the web site. For the past two years, I was part of a small team with Fr. Bill Bartz that put this project together with my colleagues Nick Garbidakis, Tom Durakis, Lea Velis-Drivas, Chris Thyberg and Bob Briggs among others. We’ve been collecting data about those requesting copies of the Military Bible for the past two months or so since we formally launched it.
While I can’t share the results fully, I can simply say that I’m humbled by the responses. To hear things such as “When I was in the service, we didn’t have ‘Orthodox’ as an option on our dog tags” or “I’m going to use this Bible to read along with my son who is deployed” to emails and snippets of stories that talk about how this Bible has brought strength, encouragement and pride to so many.
While this project took nearly two years to complete and I did it largely on my own personal time late at night, during weekends, during my vacations, and in addition to all my other work responsibilities, the “impact stories” that are coming through has made all that sacrifice worth it.
I’ve become so accustomed to looking at “numbers” on the web like we had 250,000 unique visitors during this period or 1,000,000 visitors for the year so far that you can potentially lose focus of the lives that are being touched and transformed. I’m so glad I had the benefit of over ten years of active youth ministry and several more years of teaching Church/Sunday school. Those transforming experiences have always grounded me to remember how it’s not the numbers that matter, but that people’s lives are being connected to Christ.
Yes, it’s important to have benchmarks. Yes, it’s important to measure progress. However, if all we do is “measure” by numbers, and we don’t take time to find out the story and face behind the number, we won’t get any idea about the kind of real transformation that God is working in the lives of people.
May HE continue to give us the strength, guidance, and courage to continue exercising what He has called us to in this vital ministry.
Importance of the web for Parishes
July 14th, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisFor the past nine months, the Internet Ministries department has been working on a complete overhaul of an Orthodox jurisdiction’s web site and technology infrastructure. Over 1,000 man hours later the site is ready for launch. Many simply don’t understand or appreciate the time, planning, energy, and attention to detail to put together a cohesive presence and system.
When I was building the web site for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s first official visit to the USA back in 1997 we took advantage of not just cutting edge technologies but assembled things in creative and unique ways. The media especially were appreciative of the material provided and how we put it all together.
Fast forward 12 years later you have Facebook, Twittter, Flickr, YouTube. It’s not simply posting content on those sites that makes it good. Indeed, posting a video to YouTube doesn’t make it viral!
What I’ve appreciated about this project is working with people who understand one simple thing: it’s all about Christ–nothing less.
If you’re not focused on that with your web site or whatever you do, then something is missing. I feel so very blessed to have the opportunity to focus technology on Christ and work with a great team in Internet Ministeies that understands that.
While people will never, ever fully understand or truly appreciate what we, as a team do, as long as we have the ability to breathe Christ into everything we do, then that is enough and it’s worth it.
As I am preparing for this morning’s presentation (very sleep deprived, and rambling) I can look back at all we’ve been called to do. Whether it is building things for His All Holiness, the Pope’s visit, for the Archdiocese–those are incredible honors and experiences I would not trade for anything It’s not the name drops that matter. If the focus is not on Christ it is all in vain. And today, after nine months of work I feel blessed yet again and again to offer time and talent to just that: projects that focus on Christ.
Kids’ Time Online Surges
July 8th, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisOne doesn’t need a Nielson report to know that kids are spending more and more time online–63% more time than five years ago! This summary of the Nielsen report shows that kids are increasingly using the Internet more and more.
In my opinion, there are some logical reasons for this increase including:
1) Entertainment. You can get more and more audio and video content than ever before
2) Social networks. That’s where friends are. Anyone doing youth ministry sees the major impact social networks are having on kids. Kids need to be connected to interact
3) Mobile connectivity. The iPhone, and all the new mobile devices with WiFi, TXT, and Internet access are enabling more connectivity in more places at more times during the day
I see this trend continuing and the results of the report don’t really surprise me. Now, for those of us involved in ministry, that’s a two-edge sword. We now have a growing audience of the demographic we want to reach, however, there are more opportunities for them to “tune out” the message of the Gospel and if we have them in a venue of relational ministry, there’s more opportunity for distraction.
Pornography once again targeting wireless market
July 8th, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisOnce again, another article is talking about the pornography industry’s jump to wireless/mobile devices. It makes sense, as the article points out, that as higher-bandwidth networks are deployed and devices are better able to take advantage of those speed boosts that demand is increasing.
This comes on the heels of a Bloomberg article a few days ago that showed that faster networks and unlimited Internet access is putting a strain on provider networks as users are downloading pornography and movies.
Both articles are an interesting read as from my involvement with the Religious Alliance Against Pornography, these are the very trends that we were seeing and projecting years ago.
Are younger people leaving Facebook?
July 8th, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisAn article on CNet reports statistics from iStrategyLabs that from January to July 2009 the number of Facebook members over 55 grew 513.7% and that there were 16.5% fewer high school users and 21.7% fewer college users.
While the CNet article talks about the question, “are younger people leaving Facebook” I think the real key here is that Facebook is becoming more and more culturally entrenched and that momentum is picking up for the older Internet demographic. I recall stats last year that indicated a four-fold spike in users in their 30s and 40s joining Facebook. Moreover in the past year I have seen more and more desktop and photo applications with Facebook tie ins. Once you see Apple adopting a third party application directly into one of their products (like Flickr and YouTube) you can pretty much bet that those applications have gained critical mass.
So, for everyone out there who thought that Facebook was a fad or that they could ignore it, this stat is a serious wakeup call: Facebook is here to stay and it’s penetration is increasing.
Initial reflections on Pope Benedict’s Encylical
July 7th, 2009
Posted by: Theo NicolakisI took a quick read through Pope Benedict’s encyclical. A major theme of the encyclical is an authentic love of one’s neighbor in truth and not out of mere sentimentality.
In the encyclical His Holiness Benedict XVI talks about what the Church has always held about technology: that it is not an immoral nor moral agent but, in his words “ambivilent”. I very much appreciated how he extolled the developmental process. It is not just the product but rather the process and intent that is just as valuable. The process, product, and progress are part of the human being’s natural desire to be more–to go, in a sense, from being to becoming. Now, technology cannot do this. Let’s be clear: Technology is not a utopian agent. Technology does not save.
One can look at the conflict even in the Sci-Fi genre on this topic. You have the Star Trek angle on the one hand and the Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi channel version) on the other (yes I am over simplifying but that’s ok for this illustration).
On the one hand you have this grand intergalactic society enabled by technology. Once the human race reaches a certain technological level (warp drive) it can then be included in the larger federation of planets. The Vulcans are the agents who then make contact with humanity.
On the other hand, with Battlestar, Terminator and others, you have the human race almost wiped out by it’s technology and needs to be liberated from it–to start over–at the end of the Battlestar series.
So, as technologists, what are we creating? What is our intent? What is our process? Why are we engaging in this creative act? The answers to these questions my seem simple at the surface; but the encyclical challenges us to look deeper and ask ourselves if we ate contributing to social injustice, poverty, and othery types of social and ethical injustices.
From my work with the Religious Alliance Against Pornography and as a technologist and theologian I have seen so many examples of these intended and unintended consequences.
So where does that leave us? Well in the sci-fi genre you continually have the theme of what it means to be authentically human. The way I read it, the Pope is saying that we cannot be authentically human apart from the love of God (who is himself love cf. 1John) and that the love we have must be based in truth–THE Truth.
Technology is not a substitute for truth nor is it the truth in and of itself. Rather love in Truth is a transforming agent and power that makes us truly human.