Following - Paperback

by Jason Byassee (Author), Andria Irwin (Author)

"[An] insightful exploration of Christian discipleship in the digital age."--Publishers Weekly

This book offers theological perspectives on the challenges of discipleship in a digital age, showing how new technologies and the rise of social media affect the way we interact with each other, ourselves, and the world. Written by a Gen X digital immigrant and a Millennial digital native, the book explores a faithful response to today's technology as we celebrate our embodied roles as followers of Christ in a disembodied time.

Back Jacket

Pastoring for Life: Theological Wisdom for Ministering Well

This book offers theological perspectives on the challenges of discipleship in a digital age, revealing how new technologies and the rise of social media affect the way we interact with each other, ourselves, and the world.

"This book embodies the Jesus way to see and be in the digital environment. It is essential reading both for those who are disciples of Jesus and for those who want to know what twenty-first-century discipleship can be."
--David Wilkinson, St. John's College, Durham University

"Byassee and Irwin speak into the space between digital utopians and digital skeptics, modeling biblically grounded, theologically informed wrestling with how the church and Christians live out our mission and vocations amid the current technological revolution."
--Deanna A. Thompson, Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community, St. Olaf College

"[An] insightful exploration of Christian discipleship in the digital age. . . . Christians who are skeptical about technology would do well to pick this up."
--Publishers Weekly

"Both in its form (a dialogue between a pastor from one generation and a theologian from another) and in its content (rich reflections on authentic Christian community in the digital age) this book models how the church can speak into our world."
--John Dyer, Dallas Theological Seminary; author of From the Garden to the City: The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of Technology

"This is a much-needed book right now. Technology is as hazardous to a life of discipleship as its fiercest critics contend. And yet, Byassee and Irwin argue, it is also a realm of human existence that is not going away soon and into which God's people have been called to shine the light of the gospel. The authors ask key questions and provide helpful strategies for navigating this perilous terrain."
--Eric O. Jacobsen, lead pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Tacoma, Washington

"Following envisions a journey with others toward an uncertain destination. Byassee and Irwin cast theological light for our feet in this awkward but exciting expedition of faith in our digital culture."
--Andrew Byers, Ridley Hall, Cambridge; author of TheoMedia: The Media of God in the Digital Age

Author Biography

Jason Byassee (PhD, Duke University) is the inaugural Butler Chair in Homiletics and Biblical Hermeneutics at Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Andria Irwin (MDiv, Vancouver School of Theology) is the minister of United Online, a church plant initiative of the United Church of Canada.