A network society, social media, migration and mission

Cornelius J.P (Nelus) Niemandt

doi:10.7832/41-1-19

Cornelius J.P (Nelus) Niemandt

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7832/41-1-19

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Abstract

Human mobility and migration are closely associated with and reciprocally influenced by globalisation. Add the relentless connectivity facilitated by the proliferation of mobile communication and the emergence of social media to this mixture, and an emerging new ‘glocal’ culture is evident. People are not only migrating to new localities and territories, but simultaneously into a new culture. We are witnessing the greatest mass migration in the history of humanity – from the real to the virtual world. It is a shift from shared space to shared interest. The metaphor of a river in flood has been used to describe the fact that migrant communities are a point of convergence of some of the biggest challenges facing the church and society at large: globalisation, hyperdiversity, interconnectedness, a Google culture and postmodern tribalism. Culture flows like a river and the church functions as a bridge connecting humans striving to make sense of life and Scripture as well as the tradition transmitted over the centuries. Some of the missional challenges will be to incarnate the gospel in this emerging culture. This study was positioned at the convergence of two important processes – the rise of the network society (especially social media) and migration. It took up two of the challenges posed at Edinburgh 2010, namely to “fruitfully” integrate the role of media in modern society into overall missiological thinking, and to think about the “call for a structural reform of the church” to grapple with the challenges of migration. The network society represents a profound social transformation. New technologies deliver connectedness in the palms of our hands and social media serve as an expression of the passion for connection, community and knowing others and being known by others. This research is a theoretical and missiological reflection on the role and importance of social media such as Facebook in migrant communities. It investigated issues such as: • contextualisation and inculturation in a Google culture; • the foundational role of relationships in a network society and migrant culture; • the ability of social media to facilitate connection to the multiple cultural and

Highlights

We are the first generation to live in a new world, a global cosmopolitan society, shaped by globalisation
Niemandt society as well as in migrant culture makes this dialogical approach to contextualisation and inculturation even more relevant
Migrant communities find themselves in the midst of the convergence of at least three significant present-day processes: (1) the rise of the network society, enhanced by digital social networks, (2) globalisation and (3) global migration

Summary

Introduction

We are the first generation to live in a new world, a global cosmopolitan society, shaped by globalisation. Sweet states that relationships have become the most valuable and important form of cultural capital in our globalised world: “The social-networking generation is sold out to relationships” (Sweet 2011:loc.811812). The importance of dialogue and especially diapraxis as a way to contextualise the gospel in the convergence of Google culture and migrant communities has been noted, as well as the potential of social networks to create and enhance community and an appreciation for the “other”. With its focus on creating community and ability to assist people to share life, pain and joy, present a wonderful opportunity to extend hospitality It can connect strangers and serve as an entry point to make face-to-face interaction possible. The results of the case study might serve as a valuable tool and as a source of information and reflection on the use of social media to be able to interpret the theoretical and missiological reflections presented above

Background on the respondents

Findings

Conclusion