Three stories in the news this week brought home again that the world is experiencing change unlike anything past generations have experienced.

1. 1Gbps Wi-Fi coming to a billion devices by 2015

2. What the experts think about the viability of an Internet kill switch

3. Christian broadcaster gets the Canadian boot

Again we see that communication technologies are a driving force of change. Technological change brings social and cultural change. And not all change is good.

You will find plenty to think about in these posts.

Rate of change

There has always been change in the world. The difference now, is that the rate of change is speeding up.

Physician-futurist Richard Swenson explains that progress is biblically normative yet born into a fallen world. “Functionally, it works by giving us more and more of everything faster and faster,” he says.

The change today is explosive and wildly disruptive. The mathematics incomprehensible. Changes that used to take a hundred years to occur, with only word of mouth and slow travel, now with the Internet may only take a few years.

What’s next?

It hardly seems possible, but the pace of change is going to go even faster. So buckle up, hang on tight, and get ready for the ride of your life.

In the Digital Age, contending for the faith will include contending with change. Recognizing these four things can be a help to keeping our feet on solid ground and our focus on aiming for God’s best.

I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude 3

First, there is no change with God. “I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6) The Internet is not unlocking any mysteries of life for an unchanging, unchangeable God. We can trust a Father who never goes back on His Word.

Second, there is purpose to every change on earth. “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ (Isaiah 46:10) If we are to understand what God is doing through change, we will need to seek Him daily for clarity, guidance and strength.

Third, massive global change brings a sense of urgency. ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.’ (Ezekiel 33:11) There is no way to know for sure if we are living in one of those momentous times of great significance to the advancement of God’s kingdom. However, we do know that there are unprecedented opportunities for using technology and media to spread the gospel. Christian communicators should aggressively pursue every tool while the doors are open.

Fourth, painful changes and setbacks shouldn’t discourage us. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) Disappointments will occur. Doors will close.Through prayer and worship and a persevering faith, there are no obstacles that cannot be overcome.

Stay fixed on God’s eternal vision in this ever-changing temporal world. And as you do the work to which God has called you, be strong and take courage in these words of Jesus; “Remember, I am with you always, even to the very end of the age.”

Question: What are some other ways individuals and organizations can contend with accelerating technological change?

It’s no longer quietly whispered.  Christian media experts are openly predicting that an explosion of Christian content online, changes in media consumption habits, and the fast development of communication technology will end the era of listening to preaching and teaching of the gospel on radio.  That day may come … but not yet. Radio is still an effective platform for delivering the gospel.

So it has been from the beginning. The origin and history of radio is intertwined with the story of using the technology to preach the Word.

THE GROWTH OF THE PLATFORM

From the invention of radio to the present day, there seems to have been Divine guidance in the medium’s rise to prominence as a tool for ministry.

Physicist James Clerk Maxwell, who discovered radio waves in 1865, was a Christian. Guglielmo Marconi, known as the father of radio, thought his work in science to be a part of God’s will.

In 1921, just a few months after becoming the world’s first radio station, KDKA (Pittsburgh, PA) aired the first religious radio program…a sermon from the evening service at Calvary Episcopal Church. A short time later, Paul Rader, Charles Fuller, Donald Grey Barnhouse and other pioneering pastors and evangelists ventured into the new medium with innovative strategies.

Today, the platform consists of about 2400 radio stations broadcasting Christian programming in the United States.  When combined with television, the total audience reach is 75 million.

According to Craig Parshall (senior vice president of the National Religious Broadcasters), “About 40 percent of people who regularly listen, do so specifically so they can listen to teaching, preaching and talk formats.”

Granted, studies have shown a decrease in the overall audience size of Christian radio in the last few years (offset in part by population growth). But, there is still no other Christian media platform in existence today that daily impacts as many people for Christ as religious broadcasting.  Under God’s guiding hand, Christian radio has grown into the largest platform for proclaiming the gospel the world has ever known.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLATFORM

In 2005, The Barna Group reported that a greater percentage of adults were getting their religious information from Christian media – radio and television predominantly – than from monthly church attendance.  The headline of an article about the report said it all, “More People Use Christian Media Than Attend Church.”

Millions of American’s are still turning to some of America’s most trusted Christian communicators, exclusively for their spiritual information. Radio station personnel, in turn, steer these audiences – better prepared for effective service – into local church fellowships.

The local audience for Christian radio consists of individuals from all walks of life and religious backgrounds. The radio station and its gospel programming are common ground. Listeners will often connect, support and fellowship with one another at special events. They link arms at times to work together in ministry and mission, making their communities a better place to live.

THE FUTURE OF THE PLATFORM

It’s true. There’s an ever increasing amount of excellent Christian media accessible online. Online distribution channels and relational networks are growing. The audience for new media ministry endeavors is expanding locally and globally, among Christians and non-Christians alike.

So, it does raise the question. In a world where every ministry platform has audio, video and text, could the audience for terrestrial broadcast only diminish to the point that Christian radio’s business model is undermined?  A case could be made for that scenario. Is it inevitable? The outcome hasn’t been decided.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Over the next few years, Christian broadcasters have a historic opportunity to be among the leaders in shaping a new future for Christian communication.

It will mean a change in thinking about methods for broadcasting and ministry. It will mean becoming more intentional about collaborating with the local church to find new ways of creating and delivering Christian content to the world. Like the early days of broadcasting, it will mean taking action steps of faith that involve risk, uncertainty, even danger. It will require audacious faith and a total dependency on God.

Can Christian broadcasters, in concert with local churches, create a new and stronger platform for the gospel to reach a perishing world? The answer to that question and others like it will determine the the future of radio’s continued effectiveness for the gospel.

With bold leadership, joining together with new allies, and God’s guiding hand, the single most important chapter in the story of Christian radio is still to be written.

Dancing is one of the oldest human activities.And there is certainly nothing new about people communicating with each other. Social media and social dance are alike in other ways. Here are four:

• Personal relationships and interaction are integral.

• Participants congregate around shared experiences.

• It takes time to become competent.

• There are leaders and followers.

There is one glaring difference though. Everyone could dance, but doesn’t. Put me in this group.

It simply doesn’t matter what the benefits of dancing are, we’re just not going to put in the time and effort. Slow dancing with my bride or a wedding waltz, the occasional exceptions.

On the other hand, being online is quickly becoming indispensable to communication, to business, to ministry and many areas of life. 66% of online Americans use social networking sites and the number is rapidly growing. 43% visit multiple times each day, according to Experian Simmons stats.

It’s OK to just watch people dance. I find flamenco very entertaining. There’s nothing lost by sitting it out. Staying on the sidelines as the online social gathering gains momentum may turn out to be a colossal miss.

This is THE Big Dance, friends.

Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
2 Corinthians 2:14

Why would we want to miss out on bringing the gospel to the largest social gathering of people the world has ever seen?

So you think you can’t dance? Yes, “We” can. You won’t be alone. No one will notice, at least for now, what skills we have or don’t have. We’re all learning, with God’s help, how to move online together.

Social Media is like dancing, awkward at first but after some practice, your dance moves will become as natural as walking.

Let Jesus take the lead!

Question: What other similarities can you think of between social media and social dance?

As we enter the fourth decade of the Digital Revolution, the vast opportunities for technology to help advance the kingdom are beginning to take hold.

I am encouraged by two trends. One is related to world evangelization. The other to how the implementation of New Media is being fit into the picture.

Each was put under a national spotlight recently in Orlando, FL.

Missions & Media

The first positive trend is a renewed focus and passion for the Great Commission.

At their annual meeting June 16-17, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted the recommendations of its Great Commission Resurgence Task Force.

The result was a decision to become more aggressive in presenting the gospel to underserved and unreached people in North America and around the world. ”We are a Great Commission people,” said Ronnie Floyd, Chairman of the task force.

It’s exciting to see God’s renewing energy at work in America’s largest Protestant denomination. This will be an example to denominations, churches, pastors and Christians everywhere for years to come.

The second trend that excites me is the new focus of national Christian organizations on how to think biblically about New Media and how to use it for advancing the kingdom.

While technology wasn’t featured at the SBC event, as if by design, one day later, it was the focus of the Pre-conference for Ligonier Ministries’ National Conference.

In his talk “The Brave New World Of New Media,” Ed Stetzer said,

For Christians…to not use [New Media] for the agenda that God has for such tools is problematic at best and irresponsible at worst.

The great challenge

There has always been hyperbole associated with the Digital Revolution. But it is no exaggeration to say that technology has been woven into every aspect of our lives.

That is not going to change. It’s roots will grow deeper.

What can and must change is for Christian leaders to come together to prayerfully consider how to respond “to the most fundamental shift in terms of human relatedness since the development of written language and the development of the printing press,” as one speaker put it in Orlando.

• To determine how to bring the Internet and all emerging technologies under the Lordship of Christ.
• To determine how to effectively integrate the most appropriate technologies with existing efforts to reach this and future generations with the gospel. Until the whole world hears.

That is a great challenge facing the church in this time.

God is in the distance closing business

The distance between where the church is in its mission today [the people that remain unreached / least reached by the Gospel], and where it wants to be [all people reached] … 2.74 billion people.

The distance between the two recent conversations in Orlando — one about the possibilities for completing the Great Commission, and one about the possibilities for using New Media to carry out God’s agenda … 8 miles.

Metaphorically speaking for the church at large, my prayer is that by this time next year the 8 mile distance is closed. The vision is to see the two discussions brought together, putting New Media and innovative technology initiatives on the front lines of reaching the unreached.

When I consider the distance closing synergy that God can bring from a Spirit-filled church, purposefully united in using New Media to proclaim the gospel, the finish line to the Great Commission is truly in sight.

Question: What trends do you see for the use of the Internet and technology for evangelism and gut-level personal ministry?

It was a headline with all the right stuff. Need for Online Missionaries Rises as Web Outreach Booms.

A passion for the Great Commission.

The sizzle of global media.

An urgent need.

The article was a call to make believers aware of the astounding number of people searching for God online, 80 to 90 percent outside the U.S.

Through the power of Internet technology, search-engine optimization techniques, and chiefly, the working of the Holy Spirit, online spiritual seekers are flocking to the ‘electronic’ front door of the church in unprecedented numbers.

Who will answer the call?

25 reasons to help you consider getting involved in online missions

1. Two million people are going online every day to seek help with spiritual issues like loneliness, addictions, suicide, abuse, divorce, hopelessness. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)

2. God has created a network to reach these searching hearts that are saying, “Please tell me about Jesus.” The Apostle Paul said, “By all possible means (the Internet) I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22)

3. Technology has made it possible to travel anywhere in the world without ever leaving home, even to the 64 countries, or about one-third of all nations, with “high or very high restrictions on religion.” (2009 Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life) “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

4. You have a love for the lost and have always wanted to become more active in personal evangelism.

5. You don’t have to leave your job, take a vacation, go to seminary or raise thousands of dollars to share the Bible, pray, or conduct personal ministry with real people.

6. Any Christian using the Internet can do it — students, teachers, stay at home moms, pastors, business executives, farmers, doctors, soldiers.

7. Training is not difficult and can be done online from home on your own schedule.

8. You don’t have to know who is open to the gospel. Discipleship websites such as LookToJesus and iChristianLife.com and mobile sites share the basics of Christian growth, in multiple languages and then these new believers and seekers come to you ready to take the next step or with questions.

9. The ministry is personal and can go “very deep,” as evidenced by these actual responses:

• “How can I know that God loves us?” M., Philippines
• “I need Jesus so desperately. Indian hemp has taken over my life and I don’t know what to do. I believe it is only God that can rescue me from this bondage. I hope to hear some advice from you.” E., Nigeria

10. You don’t have to be quick on your feet or an expert in evangelism. You will have access to outstanding resources to help you respond like 226,018 Bible Questions Answered! and Search the Bible.

11. You will guide new believers into doing online Bible studies individually or encourage them to join a weekly online small group Bible study. When possible you will get them connected to other Christians and local churches.

12. You will have the privilege of praying for those who are struggling and others who haven’t yet learned how to pray.

13. In your lifetime you would never be able to physically impact the amount of people you can reach online. (submitted by Amanda Sims from LifeChurch.tv)

14. You will join a community of workers doing online ministry from all over the U.S. and world…exchange online evangelism techniques, share stories of God at work and pray for one another.

15. You will be encouraged by personal testimonies from fellow online workers:

• “We see bits and pieces of struggles that people are going through and then think, “Wow this is who God is entrusting to me.” It has really helped me to see a bigger picture in life and do more in other ministries also.” Fred
• “I really feel so blessed to have this tool every day. What could I do that’s more important than this? And I do it while eating raspberries in the comfort of my kitchen while a load of laundry is drying. Amazing, so amazing.” Margaret

16. It’s a way to balance out recreational uses of technology with redemptive ones.

17. It’s safe! No one sees your e-mail address and no one can send you spam. It only takes a few minutes a day to respond to an email inquiry.

18. It’s one of the most cost effective evangelism approaches ever developed. It will enable you to help churches that have been forced to reduce giving to missions and missionaries due to the current economic crisis. (See the Barna Group report.)

19. You will deepen your own understanding of foundational truths and strengthen your confidence for talking about your faith with others.

20. The world is increasingly online and you believe the future of ministry must include some form of digital missions to stay relevant.

21. You could be the catalyst for getting an online missions program started in your church.

22. Your pulse quickens at the idea of partnering with media ministries using cutting-edge technology to share the gospel worldwide through video, text, and mobile phones, in multiple languages.

23. It concerns you to know that if Christians aren’t online to answer the questions of spiritual seekers and to tell them about Jesus, they are vulnerable to false teachings and other destructive forces.

24. The digital “Roman road” has been built and will soon connect everyone on earth, making it conceivable that you are in the generation that will complete the Great Commission.

25. The Matthew 28 mandate, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,” doesn’t leave anyone out.

All nations must certainly include the nations and people that can be reached online.

Internet evangelism doesn’t replace other methods of sharing the gospel. But, let me assure you of four things as you pray and consider online missions. (1) If you have a heart for the Lord and use the Internet, you can be an online missionary. (2) You will touch real lives. (3) The Spirit will help you respond. (4) God will bless you.

Question: How are you using the Internet for ministry?