A lot has changed in the past 10 years since the advent of the smartphone. Much good has come with this technology as well as many problems. As Father John Culkin once said, “We shape our tools and then our tools shape us.” For good and for ill we have been shaped by this new technology. As parents you know firsthand the joys & struggles that come with owning a smartphone and the challenges of helping your kids have good boundaries around handling these constantly connected devices. And if we’re honest, many of the bad habits we see in our kid’s use of smartphones mirror our own bad habits. You might say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! (…Get it?? Apple??) So, recognizing that the smartphone in itself is not evil and that it has opened up great opportunities to impact us positively (thanks, Google Maps and YouVersion Bible!), how do we counteract some of the negative effects? While some days I wish my phone would self-destruct, the truth is what I really need most are opportunities to disengage from the digital world and be fully present with the Lord and with those around me. Ten years ago on the packing list for Fall Retreat we asked students not to bring radios, cd players and video games. Even then we wanted to discourage students from bringing anything to camp that might distract them and isolate them from others. Now with the rapid advance of technology their smartphone can accomplish all of those distractions and more in one small, easily smuggled device! Because I firmly believe that disconnecting or pausing from technology is a healthy way to encourage us to grow deeper in relationship with others and to listen to the Lord, I am asking for students not to bring their cell phones to Fall Retreat. I know this can sometimes feel like a battle, but it’s one that is worth engaging. I can tell you from years of experience that even if they put up a fight, most students are grateful for the reprieve from the constant demands of their phones. We will be asking students to turn in their phones at Fall Retreat check in, so please help us out by talking with your kids beforehand and having them leave their phones at home. How do I reach my child in case of an emergency? There is a dedicated land line up at camp that can be called in case of emergencies 970-586-7777. Leaders will have their phones with them, but there is virtually no service up at camp. You can, however feel free to check in with one of the leaders on Sunday to check on our timing. There is so much more that could be said about this topic and much that has been written about it. Below is a link to one short but thoughtful article on thinking about technology through a Christian lens. As always I'd love to hear your thoughts and would be happy to talk with you! Pastor Chris Technology & the Christian Life by Dr. C.J. Williams - I especially appreciate the questions he poses at the end of the article.
1 Comment
Holly
11/9/2017 02:36:35 pm
Thanks for this note! I agree with you 100% and am grateful for the time at retreats that gives my son an opportunity to have the time to "unplug". Many blessings to you and the youth leaders!
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