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| Technology can help spread the Gospel |
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Technology can help spread the GospelI remember when I was a kid and my dad had just bought an Atari for my brother and me for Christmas. We were mesmerized by the fantastic graphics of the game Pong. It consisted of two one inch lines and a dot that went back and forth. My brother and I played that game for hours. That game was definitely humble beginnings compared to what video games are like today. The technological advances have been amazing to say the least.
High level technological advances have so permeated our culture that things like high speed Internet, cell phones, and I-Pods are seemingly as much a necessity as food and water. Kids as young as 5 years old can navigate a computer better than most adults. What's more, it is not uncommon for elementary aged kids to carry cell phones. This is not to mention the latest in TV technology that has made watching our favorite TV show a high definition experience on TV or online. Technology is here to stay.
The Church must ask itself how it will reach a technologically advanced society. We definitely have to speak the language of the people. Today that language is conveyed through technology. Technology such as Power Point, video clips, Web sites, blogs are just some that I am aware of but there will be more to come. In the last year and a half my church has made a concerted effort to use technology by introducing sermons with video clips, reinforcing sermon points with Power Point, and reaching out to the community with a Web site and two weekly blogs. We have decided to use technology as a means to convey the message of the gospel to reach as many as we can in the time we have.
The Church of the 21st Century must never change its message, but to be relevant may have to change its methods. Technologically speaking we may need to upgrade from an Atari to a Play Station 3 if we hope to be relevant. No one would consider hanging on to an Atari just because this is the way we have always played video games. How much more important are the people who need what Jesus Christ has to offer. We must seek to reach them by all means possible. Missionaries call this kind of endeavor contexualization. This is when people communicate the Gospel in ways that can be understood by the hearer. We must strive to be "all things to all men that we might reach some" -- just some food for thought.
This was an article that I wrote in my local newspaper. Below is the link.
http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1223826.html
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| I agree in principle, but I sometimes struggle with a consumer driven society. |
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Kathy |
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August 17, 2007 at 7:35pm |
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| Pastor Tim, you are so right! Our schools are realizing this, and our churches would be wise to get on board too. Technology can bring people into the church, and it can be used in amazing ways to reach people all over the world! |
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Dave,
I agree that it is difficult to determine sometimes how to minister effectively in our current society. I often have to ask myself when I am considering an evangelistic strategy," Am I evangelizing the world or is the world evangelizing me." |
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I am completely on board with you on what you said. I have said similar things over the years.
I have often in the past said to people "Make it so plain a child could understand". In today's culture we do have to change a lot of our methods if we will do this. |
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| Technology reaches many with the gospel! |
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Omigosh, I remember Pong! Wow, I've just dated myself man!
We just have to be careful not to get to the point where we no longer think God can regenerate a sinner w/o fancy technological gadgetry or spiffy graphics. Appealing to the lust of the eyes could distract from addressing the longings of the heart.
Interesting thoughts, Pastor Tim! ~mike |
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About four years ago I started taking Tae Kwon Do lessons and studying an obscure Korean sword art. I joined 6 different Internet forums, all associated with matial arts, and today I am still a frequent blogger (almost daily) on three of them. It has provided an open door for many discussions on spiritual matters among folks who would never be inclined to accept an invitation to come with me to church.
Please understand: I firmly believe that there is no substitute for personal relationships built within the local community of faith for disciple-building, growth in Christ, and 'walking out' our faith. However, the Internet has provided a means for rapid communication crossing international political and cultural boundaries and has made available a wealth of study resources and references to which people might not otherwise have access.
I work in retail. 'Product placement' is everything. If we truly want our views heard in the 'marketplace of ideas', then we better get our faith out there where people can see, hear, and read it. |
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Lora |
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August 17, 2007 at 9:45pm |
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I feel old...I remember Atari! And I really wanted it and my parents didn't get it..boohoo...but I did get a Nintendo when I was a teen (I guess that model would now be considered vintage!)
I really like this blog, Pastor Tim and I think you are absolutely right in what you wrote. |
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Sue |
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August 17, 2007 at 10:37pm |
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Another great post from Pastor Tim! Keep em coming! |
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Fredz |
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August 17, 2007 at 11:36pm |
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I do think it is vitally important to meet the world where they UNDERSTAND if we want to be salt and light to the world.
There are so much "competition" for the attention of youth. We need to stay relevant.
Saying this, I also have to add that I believe we still have to remind ourselves and our listeners of who God is and who we are. We are sinners, saved... He is holy, and the One who saved us!!!
To "compromise" the one for the other would be disasterous, but the challange is to use technology for reaching the world with the Gospel....
(Sorry about my spelling. I'm actually Afrikaans and my English vocab left me this morning!!!) |
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Pastor Tim Awesome post and I agree fully with you. :))))) The world gets bombarded with the internet, tv, movies,etc. 24/7 with the best in entertainment, Showcasings, Technology, etc. There is no way on this planet that we will be able to minister on a relevant basis to kids/adults using "Atari" technology - It is time that the Children of God step up to the plate and be relevant and unwaivering in the truth of Jesus Christ. Over the last couple of centuries the Truth has always stayed the same - It's the method that has always changed. We are in this world, but not not of it. We are definately allowed and we must use it's resources to reach the lost............HELLO how will the lost come to Jesus if we take away the bridge to get them there??????? |
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Mike, I agree one must be careful regarding technology. However, it is a very effective way to reach peope for the gospel. For instance the Reformation took place mainly because of the technological advancement of the printing press. The message of the Gospel was able to be disiminated to more people than ever before. Likewise, as the church utilizes the technological advancement of the internet, the Gospel can be disiminated like never before.
Video clips are another way to enhance a gospel message. It an serve as an introduction in order to grab the attention of the hearers allowing the Gospel not to fall uon deaf ears.
With that said, I believe technology can have a negative effect as well. For instance Christian television has been utilized negatively by some. In order to generate viewers, some teachers have decided to give the customer what they want - an entertainment oreinted approach. This has led to an entertainment mentality. |
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Sword, Laura, Sue, Fredz, Johan, thankyou for your comments.
Sword, great point about rapid communication.
Laura, I feel old too. Especially when I see what Play Station 3 has to offer. Atari is like comparing a Farrari to a Model T.
Sue, thank you for the kind comments. You're awesome!
Fredz, I agree that technology is a great way to reach the world.
Johan, we are definitely on the same page! |
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Deb |
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August 18, 2007 at 6:24am |
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| MyChurch is a great example of the way that technology can be used to one's advantage. There is the opportunity to reach more people. But like you said, it can be used negatively, i.e. the availability of pornography to everyone. |
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| You are exactly right Deb! |
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| I suppose it all starts with prayer. As lo tech as that is, but I suppose for his day, Paul writing his passionate letters in chains was hi tech. Yes I remember Atari, but I remain in denial about my age. |
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Dave,
In about two months I will be 39. I feel so old! |
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| Pastor you are right on about this! I know some people are not in agreement but as an educator I can truly tell you that we must be caught up with the times! Sometimes the church is so caught up in trying to get more members that we forget that what we really need to do is to present Jesus. Yes , we need to pray but we also need to be innovative so that we can reach everyone with the gift of salvation. A big thumbs up to your church for doing everything possible so that the WORD can be spread. It is not what men thinks of you that counts it is what GOD thinks of you that counts! God bless! |
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People will spend 1/3 of their lives in front of a computer monitor. We can make a difference in what they view when they are there.
The Devil is busy .......... extremely busy using the medium of technology to win sould over to him, and doing well at it. So why not defeat him at his own game, let us do the same using the Word of God over the air ways.
Telling them the Romans Road to Salvation, instead of letting the devil tell them how hard it is to get to heaven and how straight the road is to hell.
I see so many times on the net, "It is better to reign in hell than serve in heaven..." People get the idea that Serving Christ is like when a slave served his master. The word Serve in Greek is...
Αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης meaning to do a service for someone, Making an effort for someone or something ....the latter, "Making an effort for someone or something is to...serve.
We are to serve Christ here on earth and certainly we are to serve Him in heaven. Look what all He did for you and for me....Are you saved? If not, why not? |
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Thanks Rafi!
Martin Luther said, "Unless the gospel is preached with contemporary relevance is has not been preached."
May we spread God's Word through the avenue of technology! |
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| I definately agree with the technology end of it. as long as we hold firm to values and principles. I'm a little fearful of trying to compete for peoples attention in a noisy world. |
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Kathy |
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August 18, 2007 at 3:14pm |
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| Brother Jack, I read your profile page, and you are a child of God! That puts all of us on the same page. We are all interested in sharing Christ with the world, and I don't think any of us are advocating that technology is the way to do that, but it is a way which has possibilities that no other has. No need to divide ourselves on details. There are probably no two people who totally agree on every issue, but if our lives belong to Jesus, we are on the same page! God bless you, brother. |
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| Ummmmmmmmmmm great thought as well as observation. |
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| I totally agree brother great thoughts. |
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| Thanks Pastor Dave. Good luck at Liberty this fall. |
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Cindy |
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August 18, 2007 at 6:30pm |
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| Good word Pastor Tim!! |
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Eric |
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August 20, 2007 at 7:21am |
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Tim wrote, "In the last year and a half my church has made a concerted effort to use technology by introducing sermons with video clips, reinforcing sermon points with Power Point, and reaching out to the community with a Web site and two weekly blogs. We have decided to use technology as a means to convey the message of the gospel to reach as many as we can in the time we have."
What's important to realize, as I'm positive you do, is that all of these wizbangs are meaningless without the gospel of grace at their heart. I'm reminded of Boice's book, "Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace?" Light and laser shows in the church will not attract future Christians. Humorous jokes won't either. But the Gospel will. As you said, Tim, if the Gospel is preached and then transmitted via podcasts, God will work through that.
Great post! |
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Cindy |
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August 20, 2007 at 7:57am |
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Great point, Eric. Just as God warned Ezekiel in the first part of his book, not to worry what the people say or do because they are rebellious....his job was simply to speak God's Words to the people and let God Himself control the outcome. He also told him to go where the captives were....isn't it awesome that thru technology such as this blog we can reach a multitude of "captives" and speak the Word of God?! I think so!
2:6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house. 2:7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious. Ezekiel 2:6-7 ASV3:11 And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.
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OJW |
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August 20, 2007 at 9:43am |
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| Great post Pastor Tim... however I do disagree with you regards to your choice of ping pong and not asteriods... :o) Man all those big colorful rocks that my little space ship was in charge of destroying to save earth... oh, excuse me I got caught for a minute in the 80's... What really amazes me when I meet people that refuse to allow the church to grow in technology.... but when I visit their homes it's normally state of the art... My question to those people... When friends and family come over as guest to your respective homes... do you set them in front of your 12 inch black and white TV screen...calling "Jr" between commercial breaks to turn the channels (with pliers)...and readjust the antenna... What??? Of course not, If our homes are state of the art...then God's house should be as well... Sorry so wordy... |
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Thanks, OJW. As I look back on it, How were we able to spend hours playing those games?
I agree with your analogy regarding technology. I remember when the overhead projector came out and was being used in the church. This created quite a controversy. There were those who would rather sing out of the hymn book and there were those who wanted to sing from the overhead.
Elmer Towns tells s story of a time when hre was speaking at a church and someone came to him and asked if he was a book man (hymnaL) or a wall man (overhead projector). I prefer to be a wall man. LOL |
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GOOD THOUGHTS, WHAT I REMEMBER IS THAT GOD MAKES ALL THINGS LIKE THE TECHNOLOGY, IT IS SATAN THAT DISTORTS & TURNS WHAT GOD MADE TO EVIL.I was just on MY CHURCH.COM & FOUND THIS. I
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU WITH HEALTH TO YOUR SPIRIT,SOUL & BODY |
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Mother Carol,
Thank you and may God bless you as well. |
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When men started to fly, people said, "If God intended men to fly He would have given them wings." Well, that's what He DID...He gave them brains to think up ways to fly. That's practically the same thing as giving them wings...and He's placed us in the world to take DOMINION of it...and use it to glorify Him. So, since we are creatures of the 21st century instead of a less technologically advanced century, WHATEVER WE DO...whether we eat, drink, watch movies, make movies or show movie clips in church to illustrate a point, we must DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD...trying to give no offense to those who partially have the truth, to the totally clueless, or to those who have the truth (some understanding it more than others). We must seek to please men IN ALL THINGS (technologically being up to date), not seeking our own profit, but the profit of the many, THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED!!!!! (paraphrase of I Cor.10:31-33) Sorry for "shouting" but I get so excited about the possibilities open before us I want to shout GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! Personally, I'm praying that the Lord will let me be involved in making an animated movie to teach HIStory through music history and of course, include a tie-in to the gospel to use in an invitation afterward. This could happen at the hands-on Music History Museum I'm planning to open. We'll have as much technology in it as possible! And live actor/musician/evangelists to hang out in each of the "era rooms" you'll enter which will be decorated to make you think you have stepped into a time warp. But meanwhile, our church is going to make a dramatized music video out of a song our minister of music Kenn Mann has written...that is unusually BLESSED by the Spirit of God to touch hearts...and give it to the local churches in our county to use as a tool to encourage each one of the 800 Christians per square mile to reach out to four non-Christians (32,000 per square mile) and if God blesses, the whole county could be evangelized in one year! Will you pray for us? Lord willing, we'll be able to share it with other counties and states! And put it on the internet and You Tube. This is a small example of what can be done! The church needs to be making movies! DVDs! Books on Tape! And have the gospel presented in as many attractive ways as we can think up! Bait the bare hook with tasty bites or throw the net and catch the fish. He that wins souls is wise. Be fishers of men.
To the Praise of His Glory, Connie Radomski |
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| Connie, I totally agree. It is imperative that the Church utilizes the technological advances that have been made to reach people with the Gospel. |
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Pastor Tim, I am always harping on the need for using the latest technology in our churches. I"ve been doing this since the web went GUI in 95. However, I take slight issue with the following, (or I think I might take issue with it)
You say, "We definitely have to speak the language of the people. Today that language is conveyed through technology." I think I agree with the second part but not necessarily the first. What do you mean we definitely have to speak the language of the people? I think one of the major problems is too much accomodation with the world, e.g. seeker friendly, etc. Yes, we should speak English but what form of English, the lowest possible? Also, what about definition of terms? Do we say, gay or homosexual? Also, it seems to me that a major problem is so few even get around to preaching God's Word today and this is basically the only way salvatin comes. Now, you might not be saying any of that. The way I'd rather see it worded is that we must use every available technology (and be on the cutting edge) to spread the gospel in the form of scripture. We KNOW that God's word will not return void. |
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Thanks Recon for the opportunity to make a clarification. I am certainly not advoating the seeker driven approach, nor am I advocating that we become more like the world. When I say we speak the language of the people I mean is that the Church is commanded to communicate the Gospel in understandable terms appropriate to the audience.
I firmly believe that Biblical truth is absolute and cannot be compromised in any way. There are, however, various legitimate ways in which these same truths can be expressed and applied in different cultures. These expressions and applications must be consistent with principles of Biblical interpretation. Since we live in a technologically driven society, let's speak the language of the people by utlizing technology to communicate the absolute truth of the Gospel. |
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| Thankyou for clarification. |
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I agree to a point. I fear in this day and age we lose the clear message of:
Jesus is the answer.
Should we use what methods and tools we have to draw people in, sure. In the end Jesus changes lives, it is the Spirit of Jesus in our lives that changes us from the inside out. As long as these tools don't become the focus, but instead get people in the door so they can experience not great technology, but love and grace because the Spirit of Jesus is present in the believers of the church and they are being obedient in showing that love and grace to those around them.
Ben |
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Ben,
Thank you for the comments. I share your concern. Technology should only be a tool to present Christ. These advances do not ultimately cause people to come to Christ - that happens by the work of the Spirit coupled with God's Word.
Technology can, however, remove the hinderances from someone to come to Christ. For instance, a video as a sermon starter can spark the attention of someone in the audience causing them to want to listen to the sermon because now they see it as being possibly relevant to their lives. It's during the sermon, when the Word of God is preached that ultimately does the converting. The video may remove the thought of someone in the audience who assumes that the sermon is not going to be relevant. |
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Pastor Tim,
Honestly I can't remember the last time I saw someone come to believe in Jesus in a church service. Although alter calls are becoming more popular again, it seems most people these days come to know our Lord through one on one interactions. As much as it is great to have a video to make someone feel like the sermon is relevant, people still need to read the Bible to recongize the changing power it still has today in peoples lives. People like to feel good and to be entertained. That doesn't mean they are coming to Christ. It could mean they are only coming to feel good and to be entertained. The need people have is still the same as it was two thousand years ago and only Jesus fills it. Often people need to feel not so good, perhaps their lives are falling apart before they are in a place to accept their need for Jesus.
I don't want church (the service) to be more entertaining, I want the church (the people) to love and show grace to those around them.
Ben |
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First, I would like to say that I struggle with how technology is to be used. The last thing I want to do is substiute entertainment for NT worship.
I understand that for some video clips are not an option, and I undertsand and respect the people who embrace this position.
For me the purpose of using video clips is not to entertain, it is to engage. I have seen a two minute clip can gain the attenion of the hearers.
Even if no one is saved at the altar, if someone listens to the message the Word of God, a seed has been planted. My contention is that the Word of God is not being replaced.
The greater concern I have is watering down sermons. I am of the belief that we need to get back to expository preaching and teaching.
Finally, I believe in speaking a language that makes sense to the culture. Michael Slaughter contends that more households have a television than indoor plumbing. It only makes sense to utilizize technology.
PS I appreciate your commitment in not wanting the Church become like the world. |
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Pastor Tim and readers, A growing number of Christians in the US and around the world are organizing themselves into networks to explore and share what is going on in evangelism and outreach through technology. No one thinks it is the only way to do it, but we see huge responses already to online opportunities to learn about Jesus and faith. You might like to know about these multi-organizational networks, all of which are exploring technology and evangelism and doing a great job of it: 1. Internet Evangelism Coalition (IEC) - See its site (http://www.webevangelism.com/) and its upcoming US national conference Sept 19-22, 2007 (http://www.internetministryconference.org/). The Focus of the IEC is internet evangelism in English for mostly North Americans - a huge audience. 2. Global Christian Internet Alliance (GCIA) - The GCIA (http://www.christianitytoday.com/international/) is a long-running alliance of major international language Christian web portal ministries that gather to share information and help each other. 3. Global Use of Internet and Digital Evangelism Network (GUIDE Network) - The GUIDE Network is newly formed to bring together practitioners of evangelism who are using internet and mobile phone (and other digital) platforms to reach out to people. Right now we are aware of over 1300 evangelistic websites in over 857 languages - growing all the time. For info contact dhackett (at) visionsynergy (dot) net. 4. Mobile Evangelism Wiki (MobilEV Wiki) - The MobilEV Wiki (http://snipr.com/mobilev) is an attempt to flesh out the various ways Christians are already using the mobile phone platform for Christian discipleship and outreach, especially in non-English languages. It's a wiki, so readers can contribute new sources they might know about. I would welcome communicating with anyone interested in use of websites, mobile phone, and other digital technologies for reaching out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dave Hackett
dhackett (at) visionsynergy (dot) net |
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Dave,
Thank you for your post. The information is awesome! |
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Pastor Tim,
Thank you so much for your very "well said" article on technology in the church. I find myself giving almost the exact same explanation to would be clients every day. My husband and I are full time youth pastors and have been for six years now. In the last two years, i have started my own business - Creative Juice Graphic Design - which runs on the mission of your very article. As a young minister I saw a lack of technology and relevance in the church in that way and strived to achieve it. The more I strived to achieve that for our ministry, I gained a passion to do that for others. Thus, we started creative juice. With all that said, thank you so much for having a fresh, straight perspective, that while Jesus is and always will be the reason, we have to use whatever means possible to spread the Gospel.
Kate Wardwell
Artist and Owner - Creative Juice Graphic Design
www.creativejuicegraphicdesign.com
www.myspace.com/creativejuicegraphics |
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I personally feel you are right on target, Pastor Tim. A great example of your sentiment IMHO is that of Greg Laurie. He has NEVER comprised the message of the gospel & yet he ACTIVELY seeks ways to reach the lost via the TECHNOLOGY that the Lord has put at his fingertips. 3:23 Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the Lord and not to men;
If we keep this verse in mind as we work with technology, we should be able to keep our perspective focused on HIM for HE is the audience to Whom we should be serving anyway!
Keep up the good fight of faith there, Pastor Tim!
Marian
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Jimbo |
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August 30, 2007 at 12:53am |
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I have nothing against technology (computers, video, Internet, wireless) as I use it everyday for Kingdom purposes. But since the beginning of this summer, I have been learning that the most effective Kingdom-building tools in the world are simple, free and biblical, such as prayer walking, fasting, being filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph.5:18), doing outreach God's way (Luke 10) and keeping our eyes on the Master (Heb.12:1-2).
I am inspired by those in Asia and Africa who, sticking to these basics while enduring many times more hostility and adversity than we ever experienced, are witnessing the harvest of tens of thousands into the Kingdom, not through technology or mass crusades by powerful evangelists, but by everyday people imaging and following Christ!
Let's do as a mentor of mine says: Keep It Simple, Saints! |
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Pastor Tim,
I really love your post. As a pastor myself, I am finding it challenging to get the people that I minister to move forward. I believe "the Word" and it never changes. Yet there are some who think that God is dated. Well He isn't, He is a very "present" God. Our message must also be present.
In my circle, computers are left to the young people, and that's a problem for me. We ought not be afraid of technology, rather learn it and then use it for God's Glory. Yes, I too remember the Atari..... it was so much fun..... but look at me now! My husband and I do a daily e-telecast Monday-Friday, as well as podcasting. It has been an experience.
This is my first day on this site, already I'm loving it. I would love if you all could check out my site or profile and offer some feedback.
God Bless |
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Pastor Ken and Aminita,
I really enjoyed your blog site. It is evident that you both have a real heart for the Lord and a great handle on current technology that modernity has to offer.
After looking at your site it seems that you have a play Station 3 while I am still playing with a Play Station 2.
I was wondering how the e-cast works. I would be very interested.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim |
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Mary |
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August 30, 2007 at 6:17am |
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Pastor Tim,
You are so right! I am part of a new church plant in the Cleveland, OH, area called Momentum Christian Church. Technology is at the core of everything we do. In fact, our mission statement graphic is basically our mission statement on an iPod! However, even though we use funny videos (some we've put on YouTube), skits, artists and rock music, it is all centered around that mission statement of Loving God, Loving People and Serving the World...Repeat/Continuous Play.
In fact, a college student from Wyoming wrote us through our MySpace page that he was having trouble finding a church near him that he connected with. He listens to our Podcasts every week. Now of course he does need to find a community to worship with localy, that is part of God's plan and message. But while he is searching, this student is able to hear God's word through our Podcasts.
Check us out at www"dot"momentumchurch"dot"com.
Mary
Momentum Christian Church
Database Guru/MySpace Team
(Volunteer) |
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Mary, It sounds like you attend a church that is missional in nature, desiring to reach the post modern harvest for Jesus Christ via technology. That is awesome.
Momentum church will be able to reach people that most other churches would not be able to reach. You are definitely a PS3 Church!
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Let's think for a moment... let us come & reason together ok?
What was the "technology" of JESUS' day?? IOW, what did Jesus find at HIS fingertips to use to illustrate His points? When He was with fishermen, with what did He use to illustrate His biblical truths? When He was with farmers, with what did He use? When He was with shepherds, with what did He use? He used FISH & FISHING NETS; BAGS of SEED & the LAND; & SHEEP; respectively. He didn't try to use temple implements that perhaps only the "churched/synagogued" people of His day would have deemed as the only "holy & acceptable" biblical illustrators did He? To the contrary. He used whatever "technology" was available at His Hands. And as a result, if you will, to the fishermen, He was, as Paul later discovered in how to win the lost (to become all things to all people...), the "Fisherman of all fishermen", the "Farmer of all farmers", & the "Shepherd of all Shepherds" or as He referred to Himself the "Great Shepherd"....the "Lord of all Lords" & the "King of all kings". No matter what the title, He desired to RELATE to people of ALL walks of life, even if He needed to use their "vernacular" & "technology" to do so.
Now don't get me wrong, I FIRMLY believe if you "have not love" behind whatever use of "technology" you choose to use, you will become no better than a "clanging symbol in the wilderness." And that love NEEDS to be shown with the HUMAN TOUCH as well (we're "God with skin on"). And NOTHING...NO THING... no technology, will EVER replace it either. The technology is just a "tool" (the "fishing net", the "seed", the "the shepherd's staff") to use to reach the lost with. If we SOLELY rely on the tools, then we are doomed no matter if we try to use mere words or the latest technology to reach the lost.
Marian
PS Makes me wonder what would have happened if Billy Graham chose not to use the latest technology of his day, the radio, & then later the "newest" technology to come on the scene, television, & now the Internet with his website.... Does the Billy Graham Association (& Greg Laurie for that matter) rely SOLELY on all those venues of technology? NO! They rely on getting new believers plugged into a LOCAL body of believers.
Speaking of which, once in that local body of believers, we ne | |
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