Synopsis

In his 2023 James Backhouse lecture, Jon Watts challenges Friends to consider how we can use modern communication tools such as the internet and social media to act and communicate in faith. During his studies at Guilford College, Jon was inspired by the courageous and sometimes outlandish ministries of early Friends such as George Fox, James Nayler, and Solomon Eccles. In response, Jon wrote and produced several albums of music. A video promoting one of these songs went “viral,” generating many lessons about what Quakerism might look like in the age of the internet. More recently, Jon has continued to explore innovative methods of ministry including founding the QuakerSpeak youtube channel, and Thee Quaker Project, a 21st century Quaker media organization.

Jon argues that the internet may offer Friends a space in which they can share their experiences of Quaker life with a broader, more global audience. Just as the printing press was essential to the evolution of the early Friends, the internet may enable contemporary Friends to share our experiences of Quaker faith and practice in a more effective and relevant way.