Recently in Forum2008 Category

Despite our traditional perceptions of church and organized religion, progressive early adoption is at the heart of Adventist history. Our denominational founders and early pioneers utilized unheard of methods and pursued lofty goals in the face of skeptical criticism. Moreover, we are a testament to their success.

One could say that the innovative tenacity of our forefathers is the heritage that we maintain today. We challenge ourselves to use present-day technology in the most efficient manner to share the Gospel with the world and promote unity, growth and quality of life in the lives we touch.

Streams of Light:
The Progressive, Expansive Vision of Historic Adventism
At GIEN 2008, Pastor Julius Nam gave a few examples of important individuals in early Adventism. Called by their peers as creative, progressive visionaries, these people exemplify modern-day buzzwords like "startup" and "bootstrapping." Due to some audio issues, we'll pick up about five minutes in, just as Nam is explaining the vision of James and Ellen White:

It's great to hear news from around the world about the work of those involved in internet evangelism. Today we have word of your generosity as well as new initiatives that request your attention and support.

Your Support of the Chinese Union Mission
We have a forum tradition of identifying a specific cause that requires support and contributing to it. At GIEN 2008 Denver, US$4,071 was raised for the mission of reaching the mainland Chinese population with the Message through online video and other initiatives. From John Ash III of Adventist Chinese Hope Channel, upon notification of the contribution:

Thank you for the good news.
As we gear up to establish a production site in China itself, this money will come in very useful.
As I mentioned to Nancy, we will keep you posted on the project, and try to have a video report ready for showing at next year's GIEN. Thank you for your support.

Indeed we thank you for your generosity and ask your continued support of world initiatives, that the Work might be finished.

Adventist University of Bahia Online Sabbath School
About a week ago I received an email from Brazil:

My name is Daniel Mota, working for the Adventist University of Bahia as in charge of the University Website. Here at our University we always have the Sabbath school lesson discussions on the Internet live every friday at 21 hours, Brasilian time, in Portuguese. click this link: http://www.adventista.edu.br/conectadosavideira/

For more information you can still contact us on this mail.

Feel free to use this resource as it is useful to you, and be sure to contact Daniel if you see ways in which this ministry can be enhanced or expanded.

A lot of people have been asking about content from GIEN Denver. If the demand is any indication of the overall level of appreciation for our 2008 forum, we're humbled and deeply honored. Over 100 attendees and participants from around the world shared their expertise, collaborated with each other and encouraged us to push denominational involvement in technology to the next level. We look forward to Forum 2009 Montego Bay, where we expect to see the results of this year's event.

Paul Kim: What's Real About the Virtual?
Perhaps the standard for GIEN Forum 2008 was set by our keynote speaker Paul Kim, who gave us the buzzwords of the conference: "Digital Native" and "Digital Immigrant."



Other sources of content
We're not the only ones who gathered footage and took notes. Already others have made up for our delayed offerings. Alexander Carpenter kept a running commentary of the event at the Spectrum blog and, just recently, has posted an entry that reveals Delwin Finch's notes (as well as some of my "behind-the-scenes" footage). We're happy to showcase all notes, comments and opinions (complementary or critical) so leave links to your notes in the comments for everyone to view.

Also: if you have photos and video you'd like to share but don't have a blog, consider joining our new facebook page. It's a step forward from the group that has been there since Forum 2007 London, giving us a little more distinction as an actual organization.

Thanks again for your support. We're going to release content regularly, so add us to your bookmarks!

Part one: Click Here

With GIEN Forum 2008 beginning this week, it would be nice to remember what we discussed--and what we missed--in London last June. Here are a couple video clips of the closing discussions last year.

Be ready to ask new questions and share latest developments this year in Denver. See you on the 9th!

With GIEN Forum 2008 beginning this week, it would be nice to remember what we discussed--and what we missed--in London last June. Here are a couple video clips of the closing discussions last year.

Be ready to ask new questions and share latest developments this year in Denver. See you on the 9th!

GIEN 2008 - 5th annual international forum

Date - July 9 to 13, 2008

Place - Denver, Colorado - Red Lion Hotel

Theme: "In the Spirit of the Internet"

1. The Spirit of Collaboration (issues of unity, convergence...)
2. The Spirit of Outreach (content issues for witness)
   
3. The Spirit of the Age (understanding of the medium & new developments)
4. The Spirit of Adventist Content Creator

Mark Finley Invitation Letter (PDF)

REVISED Program Schedule (updated June 26, 2008)

NEW! netAward information

Register Online

Nairobi, Kenya (regional event in East Africa)

Date - August 14 to 17, 2008

GIEN 2009 - 6th annual international forum

Date - May 13 to 17, 2009.

Place - Montego Bay, Jamaica