Netcasters is a short yet deep read (12 chapters, about 175 pages). In it, The author (Craig von Buseck, @churchwatch) dives into the question of “why” it’s important to consider digital spaces as applicable for missional, teaching, and discipleship activities. He then describes some of the activities happening online such as EveryStudent.com and Internet Evangelism Day. He then goes into some practical steps that computer savvy and not-so-savvy ministers and lay persons can take towards casting their net online. The content focuses more on social networking and pull-marketing-like methods in order to find, reach, and enable online ministry – though mobile and SMS is mentioned in passing.

Normally, I don’t have much a problem going into reading a book. I can usually get around everything from opinions to facts and simply enjoy the read. With Netcasters, the challenge was a lot different than I was accustomed to in respect to reading. Not only was I reading a subject that I have proficiency in, but I was reading a lot of the same information that I have posted here. It very much felt at times as if I was reading my own writings – and to anyone who knows that feeling of listening to your own voice, you can only take that so long before you need to put your ears into a different place.

That said, I came away from Netcasters feeling that this is still a timely read and useful resource for ministers who might otherwise be feeling overwhelmed with the pace and utilization of Internet technologies in faith, as well as general social contexts. von Buseck’s assessment of the potential for technology to play a part in ministry engagements is in one part still coming to pass, and in other respects is playing out exactly as he and others have foreseen. The challenge, as he notes several times in the last chapter taking about the crossroads of technology and faith, is that we don’t get discouraged as to what we have or don’t have, but just set ourselves towards this digital mission field and start/continue plowing forward.

Netcasters can be considered an old book in respect to writings on technology (published in 2010). When faith is added, there aren’t many solid materials in the faith-technology intersection and therefore this book finds itself as a solid resource guide for those looking to wrap their hearts and minds around the intersection of faith and technology, and what’s possible in this space. I would recommend this to any one with an inkling that digital spaces are ripe for ministry. But, not to stop at simply reading this, take some of the lessons and either join an existing effort or cast a net of your own to further ministry effectiveness in this space.

Netcasters: Using the Internet to Make Fishers of Men
Author: Craig von Buseck
© 2010, B&H Publishing Group
Print and eBook versions available via Amaon, CBN, B&N Publishing, and more