Extend the Conversation
Medium makes it easy to share and enrich the conversation on the changing contours of American Christianity. Here’s how.
From the Editors
October 29, 2014 | When we started The Narthex way back in, uh, July, we had this idea that there was a need for a rich, robust conversation about how Christianity is changing in America and what that means for congregations, denominations, and individual Christians as well as for religion in American life more generally. There’s no shortage of news about the degree and speed with which Christianity is declining numerically and perhaps spiritually. And there’s always lots of coverage of controversies that emerge from Christian communities. We certainly don’t shy away from those lines of conversation.
But, we also think there’s more to say, more to explore, and more perspectives to consider beyond fairly narrow circles of journalists, academics, and Church insiders who regularly report, reflect upon, criticize, and comment on American Christianity. We’re fans of much of all that, but we know there are other voices worth listening to—your voices.
That’s a big part of why we decided to create The Narthex on Medium rather than as a stand-alone website. The Medium platform, besides being drop-dead gorgeous in terms of design, makes connection and conversation easy. Well, at least it does once you get the lay of the land down a bit. So, here’s a few ways you can help to extend and enrich the conversation on the changing contours of American Christianity at The Narthex.
1. Follow The Narthex—Click the “Follow” button on the front cover of the magazine. That way you’ll get updates when new stories are published. And, you’ll help us to grow as a valued contributor on Medium, which invites more people from outside our social networks into the conversation. It’s like a pyramid scheme, but a good one. One with Jesus on the top.
2. Comment on articles as you’re reading. Rather than having scrolling comments at the end of an article, readers can make notes as they’re reading. The editors approve comments for publication. We’re inclined to do that unless there’s something obscene or hateful in the comment.
3. Recommend articles you like to other Medium readers. Recommending articles let’s others know they’re worth a read. It also moves pieces from The Narthex into greater circulation on the platform. Because Medium isn’t a religious site, we have the opportunity to be in conversation with a more diverse population of potential conversation partners.
4. Write a response. Medium is a “long form” platform—it’s designed to facilitate conversation that extend beyond the shorter posts you find on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. If you’re moved by one of our articles to say more—to add information we didn’t include, to nuance the discussion with insight from your experience—you can write and publish your own story in response. You are Gutenberg.
5. Follow The Narthex on Facebook and Twitter, and join the conversation there, too.
6. Pitch us a story. We’re starting slowly this year (not least because both co-editors are finishing books), cultivating what we think are a remarkable group of engaging conversation-starting writers. In the new year, we’ll be looking for more contributors who have a keen eye for the subtleties of how Christian communities, Christian practice, Christian engagement with other religions or non-religious people and groups, and so on is changing in across the American religious landscape. If you’ve got an idea, email us at narthexnews@gmail.com.
Cover image: Ingrid Taylar, “I have tried in my way to be free,” 2014. CC 2.0 license.
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