Everyday Sabbath

“How do I order my life well in a hyper-mediated digital world? Decades ago, Neil Postman proposed the role of ‘loving-resistance fighter.’ Today, Patton and Woods invite us into the ‘how’ of loving resistance-in-practice through an ancient and now-alien principle—Sabbath—that provides a restful, working path of life that’s in the digital world but not of it.”


—Calvin L. Troup, President, Geneva College





“A brilliant and thoroughly delightful work—engaging, yet not frothy. The fruit of years interacting with college and university students, this book nicely bridges current chasms between academia, technology, and smartphone-driven pop culture, providing a prophetic critique of today’s techno-digital culture from the biblical perspective of Sabbath. The authors teach Sabbath through tracing paths of sacred intentionality, interiority, and identity. Most of us affirm Sabbath once a week; here is sound guidance for everyday Sabbath, twenty-four seven.”


—Howard A. Snyder, Professor of the History and Theology of Mission, Asbury Theological Seminary (retired), International Representative, Manchester Wesley Research Centre, and author, The Problem of Wineskins and Salvation Means Creation Healed





“As a pandemic rages we have all been forced to communicate and relate through social media. ‘You’re muted’ is a common refrain that is both commercial and wearisome. How do we balance the good and bad of our increasingly socially mediated days? Certainly, it’s a delicate dance that needs insight, caution, and encouragement. I can’t think of two better guides than Paul Patton and Robert Woods or a more timely book.”


—Tim Muehlhoff, Professor of Communication, Biola University, and codirector of the Winsome Conviction Project





“Everyday Sabbath is a much-needed and a most relevant digital media literacy resource for spiritual formation. An invaluable tool, it affirms the gift of media and technology while directing us to pathways of spirituality of resistance to passive consumption of digital media. Complete with how-to techniques for cultivating everyday spirituality in incremental moments, the book is a timely wake-up call to live into one’s timeless vocation: love of God and care for the neighbor.”


—Glory E. Dharmaraj, President, World Association for Christian Communication-North America





“As a former president of the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), I know it’s hard to learn to slurp a discerning sip from the firehose of social media. Love it or hate it, pop culture is where our world creates meaning in common. Patton and Woods propose a mindful dance with media and technology, offering a practical roadmap to help your group navigate these fecund but sometimes murky waters.”


—Dennis A. Smith, Presbyterian Church (USA), Regional Liaison, South America (retired)





“I am profoundly thankful for Everyday Sabbath. With a deep sense of love and concern for their readers, Patton and Woods offer wise and practical advice on how to engage with media, technology, and culture in ways that are pleasing to God. Let us reclaim the three sacreds—intentionality, interiority, and identity—and put our digital world in its proper place.”


—Diane M. Badzinski, Chair and Professor of Communication, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Undergraduate Studies, Colorado Christian University





“Patton and Woods uncover fresh spiritual disciplines focused on intentionality, interiority, and identity and use them to counter today’s cultural anxieties—anxieties exacerbated by our media use. Shaped by Scripture, their cultural dance metaphor leaps with energy and lands solidly on the ground with practical applications in every chapter.”


—Annalee Ward, Director, Wendt Character Initiative, University of Dubuque





“When it comes to the media, should we be telling people to get out of a burning building or to get onto the dance floor so we can teach them how to dance? Clearly, Patton and Woods have chosen the route of dance instructors—and they are skillful in their task. Thoughtfully and practically, they lead readers toward a more sacred curiosity, and a more Sabbath-based involvement with the media. I was inspired!”


—Gregory Spencer, Professor of Communication Studies, Westmont College, and author of Awakening the Quieter Virtues and Reframing the Soul





“Recognizing technology and popular culture as value-laden for both good and bad, Everyday Sabbath provides readers with a well-grounded faith-based guide to spiritual and practical responses to digital popular culture, leading from sacred intentionality, to sacred interiority, and sacred identity.”


—Paul A. Soukup, SJ, Professor, Communication Department, Santa Clara University





“In encouraging the faithful to reimagine the practice of Sabbath, this book—wisely—doesn’t ignore popular culture or pretend that Christians are immune to the influences of a larger society. Instead, Patton and Woods provide a path for Christians to live with intentionality in their relationship to both media and culture, becoming careful consumers of messaging while also developing spiritual practices that help mindful readers deepen their communion with God.”


—Jonathan M. Bowman, Professor of Communication Studies, University of San Diego





“In an age of distraction and disorientation, Patton and Woods offer timely guidance on how to resume the dance. Anyone wanting to reclaim healthy, holy habits from the domineering influences of media will appreciate this book.”


—Dennis Cali, Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences, University of Texas at Tyler





“While this book will equip you to dance in the light and avoid mindless dancing in the dark with pop culture, the benefits move far beyond those. Patton and Woods give you a plan to imitate the mind of Christ so you can experience everyday Sabbath—a life energized with renewed purpose—seeing every moment as an opportunity for serious and joy-filled play and Sabbath rest. There are only a few books I read every year, this is now one of them. I am confident you will do the same.”


—Clint Rothell, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Northeastern Junior College, and Statewide Discipline Chair of Philosophy, Colorado Community College System





“Everyday Sabbath provides a clear, accessible, and memorable look at how we can live as Christians in a media world. This book is an insightful, eye-opening, and much-needed study on what it means to be authentically and biblically literate in a technological society. If you follow the journey with these authors, your life will be transformed, and you will grow closer to the One who created you.”


—Geri E. Forsberg, Western Washington University, and author of Critical Thinking in an Image World, and Faculty Fellow with Faculty Commons





“Everyday Sabbath claims to be about the impact of media on our lives and how we can push back against its unhealthy impacts. But the book is about much more. Through insightful, biblically based teaching, personal reflection questions, and group discussion exercises, readers gain an extensive toolbox for spiritual growth. Everyday Sabbath emphasizes living like Christ, not according to the whims of those who post emotionally destructive missives. By entering the dance with Jesus, rather than harmful social media and technology, readers will be equipped to transform their personal lives and ensure the future of a stronger Christian witness. I highly recommend you dance along with Patton and Woods.”


—Ken Waters, Professor of Journalism, Pepperdine University





“Patton and Woods offer a series of reflective and practical comebacks to a culture obsessed with lethal efficiency and infinite entertainment. Reflective and pragmatic, the authors stretch the imagination and teach the soul to sidestep the shallow culture of entertainment and efficiency and launch out into deeper waters. Patton and Woods give us a directed meditation on the poisons of efficiency and distraction that have become the definition of our culture, and they offer a grounded response to those toxins.”


—Mark Williams, Professor of Rhetoric, California State University, Sacramento





“This is a must-read if you are seeking to mindfully use technology. As an interpersonal communication scholar, people tell me that technology is getting in the way of relationships. This book provides scriptural and spiritual rationale for taking control of your media use to have more time each day for relationships, spiritual growth, and personal discernment. This book aims to help you develop Christlike habits with technology, and with its scriptural references, personal reflection questions, and practical tips, it delivers!”


—Renee Bourdeaux, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, Northwest University, and author of Communicating Love in Relationships





“If you are searching for an effective resource that can help you develop a deeper love and knowledge of God and fits perfectly in any small group whether in a church, a youth group, dorm-floor discussion group, or just a sacred conversation among friends, you have found it in this book. It is a resource that is easy to access and filled with ready-made questions that will help foster transformative discussions in person or by distance, as we seek to draw closer to God, so that we may become better reflections of his love to a hurting world.”


—Tom Carmody, Professor of Communication Studies, Vanguard University





“Just the book we need right now. Everyday Sabbath provides the thinking Christian with practical tools to navigate the vast ocean of technology and media in which we are immersed. In addition to offering creative exercises to help readers reflect on their media use, Patton and Woods provoke contemplation of existential questions beginning with a rich discussion of one’s ultimate calling. Readers are carefully steered into habits that contribute to mindful monitoring of their media use as they are urged to move deeper into sacred practices that lead to daily periods of Sabbath. The authors advocate stewarding the stirrings of the soul, a refreshing reminder of becoming more sensitive to life’s inspirational encounters, even—and especially—on social media. A bonus is the authors’ offering of a Pop Culture Shema to inspire and haunt us in discerning what is at stake in our mass-mediated choices.”


—Terri Lynn Cornwell, Commissioned Pastor, Presbyterian Church (USA)





“This is a book that is desperately needed for these times. In a very real way, social media, technology, and streaming content threaten to enslave us and rob us of the joy of daily living. Far from advocating mere abstinence, Everyday Sabbath offers enormously practical and insightful guidance on how to navigate and make better (and wiser) our pop culture habits.”


—Paul A. Creasman, Chair and Professor, Department of Communication, Arizona Christian University





“Patton and Woods tap into ancient wisdom and the eternal relevance of Scripture to brilliantly light a path forward through this contemporary conundrum. Spiritual shepherds and those desiring a deeper spirituality will find a humble and helpful guide in the pages of this book. So, step away from technology, take a Sabbath rest with this book, and then step right back into our digital culture to see God at work. Better yet, why not do that with others in a small group from your church? The authors have provided questions at the end of each chapter for a group of people to wrestle with together.”


—Dave Dawson, Campus and Leadership Development Director, Bethel Church, Richland, Washington





“Patton and Woods have built careers as experts examining the intersection of modern media and popular culture. Everyday Sabbath is a keystone of that life’s work at a time when the need for mindful and sacred interaction with media and technology (rather than being manipulated by them) is greater than ever before. Their notions of sacred intentionality, sacred interiority, and sacred identity provide a space for readers of faith to mindfully understand and use pop culture and modern communications technology to flourish and fulfill the purpose for which they were created. With their cultivation, Patton and Woods offer a pathway for faithfully entering rest in God’s presence and becoming people involved in the work of redemption every day.”


—Denise Edwards-Neff, Interim Dean and Professor of Communication, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Azusa Pacific University





“Drs. Patton and Woods provide timely counsel and advice for their readers in calling for the practice of Christian Shema: the act of intentionally listening for and therefore hearing truth from God, considering its claims and requirements, then making personal application to live within God’s will and influence. This discipline stands in stark contrast to the lack of intentional hearing and living practiced, unintentionally, by the majority of twenty-first-century peoples. Everyday Sabbath calls Christians to take ownership of their own lives, influences, and choices, rather than allowing pop culture to influence and shape their thinking and actions.”


—Brent Ellis, President, Spring Arbor University





“This is the book we’ve been waiting for! I’ve read numerous thoughtful works on media literacy from various perspectives—including Christian—and each one had something important to contribute to the conversation. Everyday Sabbath, however, gets to the heart of our interaction with pop culture and media technology. Patton and Woods share their inspired ideas in ways that are both scholarly and practical—deep and accessible. This book takes the reader on a self-reflective journey toward not only a better relationship with pop culture but a deeper relationship with God and our fellow humans. Everyday Sabbath is essential reading for anyone wanting to make the most of their high calling as a Christian in our mediated culture. We need this book, and I’m excited to share it with my colleagues and students.”


—Lynelle Ellis, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Media Ministry, Walla Walla University





“Patton and Woods have produced a thickly reasoned approach to surviving, even growing and prospering, in the swill of social media which, more often than we care to admit, keeps us off the dance floor pondering our place in the mediated world. Everyday Sabbath ranges from Augustine to Kierkegaard, Ignatius to The Simpsons, never losing sight of the key questions: Where is our ground-of-being? How do we fit in? This book should be on every teen’s list, and up through the grands.”


—Mark Fackler, Professor Emeritus, Department of Communication, Calvin University





“Everyday Sabbath argues that we are preoccupied and enchanted by finite tools of our own making and these tools, in turn, distract us from the infinite existence we are made to express. Our culture and the church love these new media devices, yet these devices, if not appropriately understood and used, may diminish our lives. This book is a call for reclaiming the redemptive life God intends for us to live by becoming aware of our attachments to technology—attachments that often distract us from experiencing and sharing in the presence of God. This work calls us to take the time to lay our technological encumbrances aside and rest in the embrace of our Maker and the grace he provides. In so doing, we reorient our lives and rediscover the image of God within each of us. This is a practical and useful book which is timely, informed, and readable.”


—Ben Fraser, Westminster Canterbury Fellow for Religious Studies and Lifelong Learning, Virginia Wesleyan University





“This highly readable and timely volume guides readers through a mindful assessment of (typically) unreflective social media practices, bringing Christian thinkers over the ages from St. Augustine to C. S. Lewis into conversation with contemporary communication scholars. Integrating theory and theological reflection, popular culture references and established research findings, the authors urge us to embrace sacred intentionality, interiority, and identity through a series of practical steps, reminding us that our self-worth is found not in the number of ‘likes’ and followers we have, but in our inestimable value in the eyes of a loving Creator. Outstanding!”


—Janie M. H. Fritz, Professor, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Duquesne University, and former president, Religious Communication Association





“How do you navigate a world of addicting social media, untrustworthy news feeds, and polarized online opinions? With guides like Patton and Woods. In this creative book, they remind us that we are ultimately in control of our interactions with an ever-increasing digital world. They provide a practical perspective on how we might engage pop culture in ways that are rooted in biblical principles. It will encourage and challenge every Christian with a smartphone.”


—Garrett Gerhart, Communications Director, Life Bible Fellowship Church, Upland, California





“Patton and Woods’s rediscovery of the full meaning of Sabbath could not come at a more important time for our media-entranced world today. Their expert knowledge of the mediated environment coupled with a frank and humble assessment of their own journeys toward Christian mindfulness will inspire any serious reader to join in the sacred dance.”


—Andrew J. Harris, Associate Professor of Communication, Cedarville University





“Patton and Woods have done a great service to Christians young and old by reinscribing the neglected principle and practice of Sabbath right in the midst of our frenetic, hyper-mediated milieu. With the master metaphor of dancing, this book emulates the pattern modeled by Christ, the Lord of the Dance, who engaged human culture in a way that lovingly transformed it rather than slavishly conforming to it. Adapting a famous maxim about communication, Patton and Woods assert that we cannot not dance with pop culture. Thus, instead of prescribing do’s and don’ts of media consumption, this self-described conversation-starter for the thinking Christian commends wisdom for mindful engagement with social media and pop culture. To escape the trap of dancing in a trance amid the curiosities, idolatries, and hierarchies that surround us, they commend practices for nurturing sacred intentionality, sacred interiority, and sacred identity. Accessible, personal, and at times poetic, Patton and Woods’s writing interweaves exhortations from Scripture, insights from classic texts, findings from current research, and observations from personal experience into a timely guide to leading the dance.”


—John B. Hatch, Professor and Chair of Communication Studies, Eastern University





“For anyone feeling lopsided in the balance of pop culture and Christian living, this is a must-read. Patton and Woods guide readers through an ever-relevant process of restoring Sabbath rhythms. This honest self-inventory will uncover habits that keep you from sacred living. It will mark the beginning of your journey to reclaim life’s most valuable resource—time.”


—Vanessa Hartsell, Founder and Executive Director of Ignite Life





“Everyday Sabbath is about human flourishing. Patton and Woods invite us and equip us in a technology-dominated culture to live intentionally, mindfully, redemptively, and in intensely practical, life-giving ways. Everyday Sabbath offers us organizing principles (holy habits) around which our lives can lead with biblical wisdom, intentionality, interiority, and identity as we grapple for what will shape us the most in our dance with modern technologies. I can’t think of a better book than Everyday Sabbath to lead us on the dance floor.”


—Gail Johnsen, Pastor of Spiritual Formation, Faith Tri-Cities, Pasco, Washington





“Some books raise questions and some books provide answers. Everyday Sabbath not only does both but does so boldly and provocatively on a topic that is enlightening, while also crippling people of all ages. Written around the metaphor of how people of faith choose to dance with pop culture, Everyday Sabbath does not reprimand the Christian consumer of pop culture but provides a balanced perspective on navigating (or dancing) with it. Using the framework of sacred intentionality, sacred interiority, and sacred identity, Patton and Woods ask genuine (and piercing) questions such as, how is your pop culture engagement specifically informed by your ultimate calling? The authors then provide concrete answers that do not condemn pop culture but allow the reader to ask, who is leading whom in their pop culture dance? Everyday Sabbath is a must-read for every person of faith wrestling with understanding how to monitor and moderate their dance with pop culture.”


—Kevin T. Jones, Professor of Communication Studies, George Fox University





“Patton and Woods have given the church an excellent book to help believers of all ages assess, reflect, and then act upon how they use media and technology. One of the most significant ideas for me coming out of the book is that of Sabbath as resistance. Before I read this book, I merely thought of Sabbath as a biblical concept that encouraged Christians to dedicate one day a week to rest and reflect upon the goodness of God, and why Chik-Fil-A was never open after church on Sundays. Now I see the Sabbath idea as a daily rest and a pattern of resistance to the cultural swampland bombarding me. The authors ground their ideas in substantial scholarly research in theology and communication and then do a fantastic job of intertwining them to make a powerful argument in every chapter. I loved that they did not just focus on theological ideas or communication arguments for or against media and technology. Instead, they showed how each of these areas help to inform and elucidate our understanding of media and technology and how we use them. Each chapter also has activities and questions that allow the reader to reflect and act upon each chapter’s ideas and concepts. Thus, I could see this book as a useful addition for academic classes or small group study in a church focusing on media, technology, and its impact on our lives.”


—John Katsion, Associate Professor, School of Communication and Mass Media, Northwest Missouri State University





“Patton and Woods thoughtfully discuss our spiritual dilemma in the age of technology in Everyday Sabbath. The constant nature of the everyday tools at our fingertips has caused us to slip in our ability to rest and meditate worshipfully. Everyday Sabbath is not just another work hammering away at the inevitable ills of social media and technology; instead, it is an invitation for spiritual reflection and sacred intentionality. Patton and Woods’s work truly speaks, not just to readers, but, more significantly, for readers and how they might be more mindful of the spiritual dance we have with media and technology.”


—Brandon Knight, Assistant Professor of Communication, William Carey University





“Patton and Woods artfully offer a redemptive perspective on meaningful engagement with our media-saturated world. Their thought-provoking insights and practical applications serve as a salve for the frenetic pace of our always-on popular culture by inviting readers to reenvision their relationship with media as part of a sacred dance infused with meaning rather than a mindless trance of self-gratification. The message in this book is both profoundly relevant to our time and rich with timeless truths.”


—Alyse Lehrke, Assistant Professor, Department of Business and Leadership, Eastern Mennonite University





“Patton and Woods offer a modern-day primer on how to be in the world but not of the world. Perfect for a college classroom, a small group, or a personal time of reflection, their text is biblically principled and thoughtfully woven with wisdom from scholars and ancients. In addition, the personal reflection questions and discussion starters beckon us to consider and alter our daily dance with media and technology. Ultimately, Patton and Woods encourage us to be present each day.”


—Wendy Liddell, President, Great Northern University





“Patton and Woods have opened a conversation that demands an honest response from people of faith. On the one hand, we often deplore the influence of social media upon the young while we simultaneously rely on it ourselves for everything from sermon prep to sports, and all easily justified. A great read with sobering reflection.”


—Mark McCormick, Pastor, Mayflower Congregational Church, Lansing, Michigan





“How can a serious Christian handle the ubiquitous presence and pull of social media and technology that swallows us whole? In Everyday Sabbath, Patton and Woods offer a concrete vision for how to balance the constant, confusing deluge of popular culture with the need for focused discipleship. The authors shape an approach that includes Sabbath-keeping and discernment in each chapter with practical recommendations and discussions. With its accessible writing, this book is ideal for college students, small groups, and individuals. I will definitely require this timely book for my students.”


—Elizabeth W. McLaughlin, Professor of Communication, Bethel University, Indiana, and author of Women’s Voices of Duty and Destiny





“Everyday Sabbath offers a distinctively hopeful and practical guide for faithful media practices rooted in the deep wisdom of the Christian tradition from the biblical prophets to St. Augustine to C. S. Lewis. Unlike numerous religious approaches to popular culture that focus on either the form or content of media products, Patton and Woods examine the habits and experiences by which people engage with media culture. They show how disciples of Jesus may fulfill their calling to serve their neighbors and share the gospel through mindful use of and deliberate appointments with today’s media platforms, while practicing Sabbath resistance to the digital trances induced by our attention-demanding devices. The authors are not naive about the extraordinary power of the communication technologies that envelope our lives in the twenty-first century. With eyes wide open to the deeply corrupting potential of popular culture, Patton and Woods offer a primer for holy habits by which our media consumption may be transformed into a craft of Christian service.”


—Gerald J. Mast, Professor of Communication, Bluffton University





“Everyday Sabbath is a timely contribution to orthopraxy in Christian education. Patton and Woods heed the Apostle Paul’s exhortation—to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:5)—and apply it to our contemporary media deluge. The authors’ three-sacreds heuristic calls us to reorient our identity in Christ. Critically, they do not suggest the all-too-common binary approach: avoidance of, or resignation to, a digital landscape haunted by unholy ghosts. Instead, they proffer a gospel way: Spirit-led engagement with a sin-stained world that needs Christian witness. This book will help many to rethink their viewing and sharing habits—to obey in resolution, not yield in resignation—and remind us that the Holy Ghost is greater than he who is in the machine.”


—A. Chase Mitchell, Assistant Professor of Media and Communication, East Tennessee State University





“At a time when the pervasive influence of social media technology is at the forefront of our collective national consciousness, Patton and Woods boldly address the proverbial elephant in the room, that little voice of warning that whispers in our collective ears: are social media controlling me, or am I controlling them? Together they ask the hard questions of self-examination and provide sound biblical wisdom and insight that help us learn to lead in our dance with pop culture while walking in the light and lordship of Jesus Christ.”


—William L. Mullen, Professor and Chair, Communication Studies Department, Shorter University





“Patton and Woods’s efforts have resulted in a book that is bold and clearly passionate about spiritual formation, discernment, and media in the larger world. Yet it is also incredibly careful and well-grounded in a mature and deep understanding of both Christianity and media. There are two additional strengths to this book beyond the unique capabilities and perspectives of the authors. First, their treatment of the timely and timeless. They are spot on in their articulation of the current challenges of media consumption but frame those struggles with insights and struggles from earlier generations. The result is a clear case for this struggle to Sabbath as an intrinsic part of the human condition and spiritual formation in a way that is somehow more helpful and hopeful across these cross-generational connections. Second, the application steps are simple yet powerful and are at times scary in the best sense of the term. The reader can anticipate insights, confrontation with self, and growth that may prove rightfully uncomfortable. But such is any journey worth taking. This text seems ideal as a catalyst for Bible studies or book circles for teens through adults. It is also perfect as a supplemental but required text in a variety of common courses. Interpersonal communication courses would explore these themes as they affect family, groups, and even romantic and platonic dyads. Media studies courses would be deepened by the consistent call to get to the ‘so what’ of how to respond to the larger theorizing about media and society. Finally, and this excites me the most, a freshman seminar with this as the anchor text seems vital for success in college. The issues and activities raised in this book provide readers with a toolkit for examining the single most important challenge in our personal and spiritual formation today: stewarding our engagement with media.”


—Richard K. Olsen, Chair, Department of Communication Studies, University of North Carolina-Wilmington