Faith and Technology Grand Rapids, MI

Faith and Tech Grand Rapids exists to create a local community where we can discuss how our how our faith informs our work as technologists, and how our work is a place of growth and action for our faith.

We believe that our work is a place where our values and faith are demonstrated everyday, in everything that we do.  This group is an inclusive, hospitable place where we can wrestle with the big issues of ethics that seem to be absent from so much of the tech space as we go fast and break things in the quest for the novel and the innovative.

This group was started in 2021 through a collaboration of Derek Schuurman, co-author of A Christian Field Guide for to Technology for Engineers and Designers, Paul Leidig, Chair of the school of Computer Science at GVSU and Jim VanderMey, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Vervint (formerly OST).    Jim and Paul attend Grace Bible Church together, which hosts our events.  Jim and Derek met in 2016 at a conference in New York at Redeemer Presbyterian Church titled, The Wonder and Fear of Technology, and have shared their insights about faith and tech in the workplace.  The three of them believed that by bringing together the best of the academy, business and theology we could create a rich space for dialogue and growth.

“Nothing matters but the kingdom, but because of the kingdom everything matters.”   — Gordon Spykman

Four Great Mandates of the Bible:

Creation and Cultural Mandate in Genesis 1:28 supported by Psalm 8

“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Mandate for Justice in Micah 6:8

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”

Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus gives The Great Commandment

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus states The Great Commission

Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”

So we balance the work in the world and stewardship of creation with the mandate for justice and mercy along with the Great Command of Loving the Lord God first, and loving our neighbor and doing so in a way that draws people to Jesus, as we seek to make disciples and encourage followers to grow in Christ.