FaithTech’s 2021 Writing Contest
Tags: Contests And Giveaways, Writing Challenge, Faith and Life, Technology, Article Writing Contest

FaithTech’s 2021 Writing Contest

Explore the Uncharted Territory of Faith and Technology FaithTech Follow Jun 22 · 5 min read

Photo by Alessandro Erbetta

What does God have to do with facial recognition, social media, or smart speakers? From printed books to glowing screens, from bread and wine to virtual reality, we want your help exploring the uncharted territory of faith and technology. What are you exploring and discovering?

Share your insights with more people through FaithTech’s Writing Contest. We know you’re thinking deeply about it. We hope these prizes give you that extra push you need!

Prizes

This year’s contest winners will WIN . . .

Your article published by FaithTech Institute A $25 Amazon gift card A year-long digital subscription to MIT Technology Review or WIRED magazine FaithTech’s Full Stack of Reading, including…

Three people will win. Ten runners-up will be published and win a yearlong WIRED subscription.

What if my submission isn’t a winner or runner-up? Good question! We might still publish it! All submissions will be considered for publication on FaithTech Institute. In submitting your piece, you agree to have your article considered by FaithTech’s editors for future publication.

Photo by RF._.studio

What to Include

Winning entries will creatively bridge the gap between faith and technology. That’s FaithTech’s mission. For readers of your essay, your writing should include…

Good research and honest observations

Connections to platforms, systems, or devices many people know

Creative writing and an easy-to-follow structure

Analysis informed by biblical or theological concepts

Arguments that showcase a clear Christian point of view

Actionable takeaways that help readers answer “So what?”

Read 2020’s Winners to see what great essays look like!

You and Your Audience

Photo by Mikechie Esparagoza

You are a thoughtful writer who can write for a popular audience. You bring both analysis and imagination to your life of faith and your work with technology.

Your audience includes Christians working in technology at all levels, leaders in Christian organizations, and users who are wrestling with technology’s influence in their lives.

What to Write About

Below are five aspects of life impacted by technology that you can write on! We’ve offered sample questions to spark your imagination. As long as your essay fits a theme, feel free to explore a question you’re passionate about!

Also, check out 2020’s Winners for more inspiration!

1. Community & Relationships

How is Zoom affecting church communities? Work cultures? Families?

Emojis help and hurt minority populations. How should the church address such technological effects?

What happens to nations when government leaders interact primarily through social media?

If social media has affected government protests and national elections, then how is it shaping church denominations?

How does text messaging shape what friends do and don’t share with each other, both in-person and apart?

How do job-related interactions change when you use Zoom versus in-person?

How is social media affecting what we want in our relationships?

2. Spiritual Habits

What habits have you developed using your smartphone, and how do they help and hinder your spiritual practices?

How has social media altered your thought patterns and how you think about your faith?

How might listening to an audio Bible shape your relationship to God differently than reading a print Bible?

How have on-demand voice assistants like Alexa and Siri changed your efforts at memorizing Scripture?

3. Ethics

Can Christians use self-driving cars if they prevent accidents, save lives, and decide which kinds of people should die in a crash?

How should Christians think about ultrasound technology as it relates to prenatal complications?

What responsibility do Christians have to identify and address algorithmic bias in policing and legal proceedings?

What values are embedded in Artificial Intelligence, and how do they align with Christian virtues?

4. Ministry

If churches use facial recognition, how might that impact pastoral care?

What new technology is serving God’s Kingdom, and what benefits and risks does it present?

Where have you experienced or witnessed technology being used in ministry that encountered some unexpected outcomes — positive or negative — as a result?

When has a platform, system, or device impeded the purposes of ministry, how did you recognize it, and what did you do to fix it?

5. Theology

How is transhumanism changing how we define the image of God in each person?

Why has church live-streaming challenged Communion beliefs and practices in churches?

In what ways could the Internet help us better understand the Trinity?

How does Christianity’s vision of the future compare with technology’s vision of the future?

Photo by Christin Hume

Submissions: When, How, and What

Please send each entry as a separate email.

DEADLINE: Email to adam@faithtech.com by August 31, 2021. Your subject line: “FaithTech Writing Contest — [First and Last Name]” Format each essay separately as a typed, single-spaced document. Name your document this way: Last name First name — Title Send your essay as a link or an attachment. Include your full name and a short bio in the email (50–75 words). Provide the total word count of your essay. Tell us which theme you chose.

The Details

All submissions should be between 700–1800 words, must honor FaithTech’s core values, and should be tailored to FaithTech’s mission: Bridging the gap between faith and technology.

Bridging the gap between faith and technology. You may submit more than one entry for consideration. We may publish more than one submission per person, but only one submission per person will be among the winners and runners up.

We may publish more than one submission per person, but only one submission per person will be among the winners and runners up. We can’t accept late submissions for the contest , but we will still consider them for publication!

, but we will still consider them for publication! All content should be original and not published elsewhere, unless you host a personal blog with fewer than 50 readers. Please let us know in your email if this is the case.

A typed single-spaced document. Indented paragraphs.

Check spelling and grammar. Cite or link to any outside sources.

Your essay will be edited by FaithTech’s editors prior to publication and titles may be changed.

More questions? Ask adam@faithtech.com.

Submit Your Essay Here!

Email each essay by itself to adam@faithtech.com. Please use the subject line: “FaithTech Writing Contest — [Your First and Last Name]”

Spread the Word!

Promote this contest on your social media or blog! Use the graphic below or contact adam@faithtech.com for more info.