Date
5-16-2024
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)
Chair
Gary J Bredfeldt
Keywords
Disciple of Christ, Husband, Father, Pastor, Retired US Army Veteran
Disciplines
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Recommended Citation
Walton, Gary Bernard, "An Examination of the Perceived Impact of Social Networking on Discipleship in Yalobusha County, Mississippi" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5581.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5581
Abstract
Significant technological advancements in this new digital age and culture have increased digital and online technology. However, churches faced many challenges in integrating, creating, and transitioning new media platforms to develop a cooperative network society to train and equip disciples. Some research showed that many clergies vehemently opposed the use of digital platforms for discipleship, primarily because those leaders believed that digital discipleship platforms were insufficient in power to be transformative as compared to what would occur at a traditional church location (Campbell & Garner, 2016). This phenomenological research study aimed to understand better the perceived impact of social networking activities on discipleship in Yalobusha County, Mississippi. This study used a phenomenological approach to gather data from participating Christians in Yalobusha County, Mississippi. This study used an online questionnaire and video conference interviews such as Zoom © or Google Meet © to explore the perceived impact of social networking on discipleship activities in Yalobusha County, Mississippi. The theory that guided this study was Connectivism (Goldie, 2016). “Connectivism is the idea that learning takes place across networked learning communities, and information technologies are central to Connectivism, a theory of learning that emphasizes the importance of networked information resources throughout the processes of learning” Goldie (2016).
