Loading
Overview
Premise
While Swedenborgian theological writings are readily available, and great strides in translation have been made, they still exist in many different formats and interpretations that take time to sift through and process for practical delivery to modern audiences. The Just-in-Time Swedenborg repository synthesizes this body of knowledge into concise, popularly-worded theological writings, called “learning modules.” The learning modules are multi-layered and carefully referenced to help Swedenborgian professionals and students accomplish a multitude of ministry, teaching, and study tasks. Written to suit contemporary contexts, the learning modules are intended to make Swedenborgian theology understandable to a wider universe of 21st century spiritual seekers, that is, beyond the traditional Swedenborgian communities and scholars. The desirability to redefine Swedenborgian theology in popular terms is based on the following assumptions:
- The world is increasingly moving toward religious and secular pluralism. Also called "post-Christian era," a wave of new religious attitudes is prompting main-stream churches to rethink their doctrines and denominational approaches.
- Swedenborg's writings are well-suited for this plurality. However, to appeal to modern spiritual seekers, recognition of recent theologies (process, liberation, feminist, etc.) and inclusion of interfaith and gender-friendly language are required.
- Automated tools are time- and resource-saving. As the Swedenborgian church continues to embrace growth using Internet-based applications, automation is mandatory to efficiently display large amounts of content on a website.
Concept
The idea behind Just-in-Time Swedenborg is a concept called “just-in-time-learning,” as a complement to “just-in-case-learning.” The latter follows the traditional education approach of “learn everything now,” just in case it is needed sometime in the future. While core knowledge is required for proper understanding of a subject, details are often forgotten when they are needed, making it necessary to "re-search" information, often when there is little time to do so. "Just-in-time-learning” is what we do when we use a dictionary or a handbook: we learn what we need when we need it. Just-in-Time Swedenborg is built on this learning principle with the added advantage that the information is also how we need it, that is, in ready-to-use format. As such, it serves:
- Ministers as a resource for writing sermons and other pastoral literature
- Educators for creating classroom and online teaching materials
- Seminarians as a study aid
- Webmasters as source of content for church websites
Just-in-Time Swedenborg is intended to be a stand-alone application for the above users that may eventually be linked to the denominational website swedenborg.org and serve as its automated content engine.
Working Model
This working model of Just-in-Time Swedenborg suggests the look and feel of the future application. The model displays a representative section of the content, categorized according to familiar Swedenborgian theological subjects and sub-themes. It demonstrates how components of the learning module may be called up separately or in one document, complete with embedded links to related modules or information. And while this working model contains only a fraction of the content it will house in the future, its purpose is to simulate the features and benefits of the future application well enough to make educated development decisions, saving time and money down the road.
Development Phases
The Just-in-time Swedenborg working model featured here represents Phase I of the project. Once completed, it will be made available to selected users for evaluative testing, employing criteria such as utility, user-friendliness, and specific user value. The purpose of the evaluation is to identify improvements and changes necessary to move the project forward. If acceptance testing supports the continued development of the project, Phase II of the project will begin with resource planning and blueprinting of the actual repository, which will include features such as a relational database and edit interface. Content creation and refinement of the editorial process will proceed in accordance with available resources.
Benefits
The potential benefits of the Just-In-Time Swedenborg repository are summarized as follows:
- Popular Appeal: In this age of superabundant media options, people are looking for quick ways to absorb knowledge. “Sound bites” dominate. Far from being superficial bits of information, good sound bites (in form of print/audio/video, etc.) are sophisticated compressions of complex ideas and concepts that people can grasp easily.
- Timeliness/Cost Efficiency: Because the learning modules are self-contained and written in user-friendly language, they can be plugged into a multitude of applications in relatively short time, reducing duplication of effort and the need to produce content from disparate sources.
- Accuracy: Because the accuracy and theological integrity of the learning modules are built-in due to editorial controls, users can confidently use them without need for further verification.
- Consistency: The writers/editors of the modules will strive for consistency in formulating Swedenborgian concepts without limiting the creative expression of individual users.
In accordance with the Iungerich Fund specifications, access to Just-in-Time Swedenborg will be free of charge to the afore-mentioned Swedenborgian professionals and students. Although as a secondary consideration, Just-in-Time Swedenborg has the potential to yield revenue through subscription to interested third parties.
Supervised Ministry
I am Dagmar Bollinger, the author and project manager of Just-in-Time Swedenborg. I am also an M.Div. student on the ordination track with the Swedenborgian church. This project constitutes the major part of a one-year supervised ministry (field education) at Earlham School of Religion. Chris Laitner, immediate past president and chair of the Iungerich Fund, is the Project Liaison, providing planning and implementation guidance for the project. George Dole serves as Theological Reflection Supervisor, offering encouragement and theological scrutiny.
I expect that the understanding and knowledge gained from the Just-in-Time Swedenborg experience will prove valuable for developing my Vision of Ministry, entitled Tools for Inner Fitness™, which involves spiritual leadership and coaching programs for secular environments, particularly the workplace. Although adapted for pluralistic audiences, these programs will have a solid footing in Swedenborgian theology. Thus, the objectives for Just-in-Time Swedenborg are perfectly compatible with my future plans of working in the field of spiritual formation and life coaching.