Several months ago, I had an epiphany. These are few and far between for me – so I paid close attention. I was studying ancient cultures in preparation for a weekend message when I made an interesting observation.
The vast majority of ancient cultures centered around a central city – Rome, Babylon, Athens, Jerusalem, etc… The vast majority of these cities were located at the intersection of trade routes or served as significant ports. It dawned on me that these crossroads between societies were the seats of influence, innovation and creativity. They were the places where new ideas and information were shared, where commerce was done and where cultures were exchanged. As new ways of travel became popular, cultural centers continued to emerge around rail networks, highways and airline hubs.
We currently stand at the dawn of a new era, where the crossroads of the world will once again be redefined. This time, however, the new crossroads lay on a digital horizon. The internet continues to emerge as the marketplace where the world gathers to share ideas, do business and exchange cultures.
It will be on the internet that Jesus’ ideas and perspectives will touch a new generation by helping to shape the emerging global conversation. That conversation in turn will reshape the way church is done. By that, I don’t mean to infer that new technology will change God or the core tenets of our faith. Rather, I believe these new technologies will change the way we relate to each other. In truth, they already are. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter expand our social networks and influence how we understand relationships.
Relationships are becoming less geographic and more centered around our passions and interests. Will we always have real world relationships with people who live near us that are the bedrock of our friendships? – I think we will, but increasingly these relationships will exist alongside a spectrum of other relationships we maintain with people around the world.
In this emerging world, how will this digital network of relationships reshape evangelism, Christian community, missions and even how we define church? These are changes that excite some of us, and frighten others. Whether we are hope-filled, concerned, or a bit of both, we need to realize this change is taking place and will re-organize the world.
As a committed Christian, I am choosing to embrace this change and to use it to help people get to know the most significant person in the world – Jesus. In the past, the Holy Spirit has used donkeys, boats, busses, planes, telephone lines and radio and TV waves to carry Jesus’ ideas and teachings around the world. I’m not worried about His ability to use the internet.
I hope that new technological mediums and applications will help me to be a better friend to the people of our church and to make new relationships with people who are open to God around the world. I am energized by the possibilities and I am confident in the inspiring nature of God.
Stacy Goebel posted on September 21, 2009
You know what else is interesting to me? User driven content. It’s less about one central source disseminating info; anyone can have an opinion and share it. It’s like intellectual Darwinism. Some ideas will win and others fade away. Just today I was reading an article about how we’re losing something with the decline of newspapers – objective news. It’s becoming opinion-based now. I wonder what that will mean for truth and facts… You can search out information that supports your opinions and tune out conflicting views. It will be interesting to see if we become more intellectually segregated as a result or if we will embrace diversity of thought… I think it all comes down to openness.
And for the record, I like openness. And I also like truth.
I’m looking forward to your blog! This is going to be fun!