(Based on John 21:3-6, The Message)
Christian leaders continue to leverage legacy media platforms to reach people with the gospel.
The old can be foundational for new ideas and technologies. During turbulent change, however, some of us decide to keep doing what we’re comfortable with.
Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.”
Fellow workers are inspired to stay on board because of the leader’s experience, intuition and action.
The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.” They went out and got in the boat.
Something changed dramatically when the Internet arrived. Successful strategies of the past no longer guarantee future success.
They caught nothing that night.
There are many theories about why traditional media platforms might not be able to reach as many people today as before. Everyone is working hard, trying to figure out what is happening. All are trying to determine the best way to reach and engage the “Net Generation” that has been surrounded by digital media since birth.
This epic shift has leaders so busy trying to determine where we need to go, and how to get there, that we sometimes miss what is right in front of us.
When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.
Jesus understands the frenzied era we’re living in, our struggles, our weaknesses. He is patient with our insufficiencies.
Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?”
Being honest, sincere and pure before God is always our best response in a time of uncertainty or failure. We don’t have all the answers and it’s OK to say so. Things may not be going as well as we would like. We need God’s help.
They answered, “No.”
“What we mean Lord, is this. There are still billions of people to be reached. Our tools include technology and media. We have our legacy platforms. We’re learning how to use the new technologies. Show us how to bring these worlds together.”
He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and you’ll get some.”
This response from Jesus has four implications for Christian communicators.
I will lead them down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
1. We are not constructing personal monuments. We are building new platforms for the gospel. As such, I believe God will show us how to integrate the old with the new, and where to point the resulting new channels and networks to reach the people He wants us to reach.
2. No matter how tired we are, how many different approaches we’ve tried, how late the hour, we must keep trying. Ask for God’s guidance. A generation hangs in the balance.
3. God may direct individual leaders to certain assignments, but He intends for us to cast our net(works) in unity with others. More fish will be caught more quickly. It’s as simple as that.
4. The primary point of any Christian technology and media endeavor is the Lordship of Christ. We must be obedient to Him for any of our platforms to be successful in a way that brings Him glory.
They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in.