Everyday Sabbath

"how do i order my life well in a hyper-mediated digital world? decades ago, neil postman proposed the role of 'loving-resistance fighter.' today, patton and woods invite us into the 'how' of loving resistance-in-practice through an ancient and now-alien principle--sabbath--that provides a restful, working path of life that's in the digital world but not of it."

--calvin l. troup, president, geneva college

"a brilliant and thoroughly delightful work--engaging, yet not frothy. the fruit of years interacting with college and university students, this book nicely bridges current chasms between academia, technology, and smartphone-driven pop culture, providing a prophetic critique of today's techno-digital culture from the biblical perspective of sabbath. the authors teach sabbath through tracing paths of sacred intentionality, interiority, and identity. most of us affirm sabbath once a week; here is sound guidance for everyday sabbath, twenty-four seven."

--howard a. snyder, professor of the history and theology of mission, asbury theological seminary (retired), international representative, manchester wesley research centre, and author, the problem of wineskins and salvation means creation healed

"as a pandemic rages we have all been forced to communicate and relate through social media. 'you're muted' is a common refrain that is both commercial and wearisome. how do we balance the good and bad of our increasingly socially mediated days? certainly, it's a delicate dance that needs insight, caution, and encouragement. i can't think of two better guides than paul patton and robert woods or a more timely book."

--tim muehlhoff, professor of communication, biola university, and codirector of the winsome conviction project

"everyday sabbath is a much-needed and a most relevant digital media literacy resource for spiritual formation. an invaluable tool, it affirms the gift of media and technology while directing us to pathways of spirituality of resistance to passive consumption of digital media. complete with how-to techniques for cultivating everyday spirituality in incremental moments, the book is a timely wake-up call to live into one's timeless vocation: love of god and care for the neighbor."

--glory e. dharmaraj, president, world association for christian communication-north america

"as a former president of the world association for christian communication (wacc), i know it's hard to learn to slurp a discerning sip from the firehose of social media. love it or hate it, pop culture is where our world creates meaning in common. patton and woods propose a mindful dance with media and technology, offering a practical roadmap to help your group navigate these fecund but sometimes murky waters."

--dennis a. smith, presbyterian church (usa), regional liaiso...

Paul D. Patton is Professor Emeritus of Communication and Media at Spring Arbor University in Michigan. He is also an ordained minister and trained counselor. He was on the pastoral staff at Trinity Church in Metro Detroit from 1978-1993, where he founded Trinity House Theater, an experiment in the integration of Christian faith and the theater arts. He is the author of over thirty produced stage plays, radio plays, and performance essays.

Robert H. Woods, Jr. is the Executive Director for the Christianity and Communication Studies Network (www.theccsn.com). He has taught in Christian higher education for more than twenty years. He is the editor or author of over a dozen books. He resides in Washington state with his wife, Rebekah.