The Church and New Media

In the past decade, communication has changed drastically.  Email and cell phone usage has skyrocketed, while new means of connecting have emerged.  The Internet has given us blogs (like this one), social media (Facebook, Twitter), video chat (Skype), and countless other avenues.  Combine this with texting and smartphones, and there are more applications to be explored.

How should the church view this communications revolution?  Union Theological Seminary has created the New Media Project, headed by Verity Jones (former editor of DisciplesWorld magazine), to explore these issues theologically.  After a few months, Jones offers this article about what they've learned so far and what they are continuing to study.

Personally, I think that many of these forms of communication offer congregations and the broader church important opportunities to connect across time and distance in relatively inexpensive ways.  With practice, these communications can help to make communities stronger.  (Unlike some others, though, I have reservations about the prospect of religious communities that are exclusively online.  I think there is an important part of our faith that is lived out when we are physically together.)

"From Chaos to Blessing to Mission"

What do we face in 2012?  Some people, looking at the Mayan calendar, are awaiting the end of the world.  Others, looking at the political calendar, see a huge argument about the future brewing in the upcoming presidential election.  Still others look at their personal calendars, with upcoming weddings and graduations, and stacks of bills to pay by certain dates each month.

If we are honest, we know that many people are worried about this upcoming year.  There's talk of gas prices about to skyrocket, continued uncertainty about financial markets and real estate values, and anxiety about finding new jobs or even just holding on to the ones we already have.

Jesus never struggled to pay a mortgage, lived through a presidential campaign, or much cared about the Mayan calendar.  So it may be easy to think that our faith has little to say about the times in which we live and the fears that keep us up at night.

Rev. Sharon Watkins, the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has recently published a letter to the church about facing the upcoming year with hope and purpose.  Against the backdrop of disaster and anxiety, she finds meaning in the story of Christ's baptism.  Drawing on a long heritage of Scripture in which water represents chaos, she argues that through our baptisms we follow Christ into the chaos of the world, but like him we emerge with a divine blessing and a call to reach out to others.

As Sharon writes,

Jesus goes through the watery chaos, comes out again to receive a blessing from God and heads into his ministry.

The good news still involves that same progression – from chaos to blessing to mission.

In troubled times, it is easy to become discouraged.  It is also easy to only focus on our own well-being, leaving other people to fend for themselves.  Let us be reminded that this is not God's way -- it is not the teaching of the Gospel.  Instead, we are to face the troubles and allow God to use us as a gracious blessing to others in times like these.

Prayer for Mission in Turkey

This week we offer prayer for our missionaries serving in Turkey, Ken and Betty Frank.  They serve on the American Board, which supports medical and education outreach in Turkey, and also work with an organization that serves the needs of Turkey's large migrant and refugee population -- a need that may grow this year due to increasing unrest and violence in neighboring Syria.

You can read more about their ministry here, including the story of one young man who has benefited from a scholarship provided in part by Global Ministries.

There are Christian missionaries serving around the world on our behalf in 70 countries. Each week, Global Missions highlights one of these missions and asks the church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Coming Up on Sunday, January 22

This week, we celebrate Laity Sunday.  The Worship Committee, led by this year's chair Vicki Congrove, have put together a service led by a number of people in the congregation, including meditations on faith by three members -- Bill Gray, Todd Hembree, and Tommy Rebecchi.  This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our shared ministry.

This Sunday is also a part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  I hope that you will join with me and many others in the church in recognizing our hope that all may yet be one.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Yesterday the wider church began the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  This annual observance, strongly supported by the World Council of Churches and many Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox communions, encourages Christians to pray that our divisions may be overcome and we may be all in one in Christ.  This prayer for unity is similar to a prayer Jesus himself prayed for his followers, which is recorded in John 17.

This year's theme for the eight days of prayer is "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (explored by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).  The World Council of Churches has produced a lengthy brochure with materials for celebrating the Week of Christian Unity, including daily readings, reflections, and prayers.  [These may be found on pages 17-26 of the brochure.]  These daily offerings remind us of the ways that we are changed through our faith in Christ.

I recommend that you take this as a reminder to pray for healing within the church.  Too often we are defined by our differences and our disagreements, rather than being united through Christ's love.  More than we should, we let petty arguments prevent us from joining hands in prayer and service, and we refuse to accept and cherish Christ's gift, through grace, that sinners may join together in his name and, contrary to the injustice and inequality of the world, become fully brothers and sisters.

January 15 Worship: "Quo Vadimus: Is This a Wedding or a Funeral?"

I really enjoyed our worship on Sunday.  It certainly felt like the Holy Spirit was alive and moving throughout our gathering together.  Personally, I left feeling inspired and hopeful.

During the sermon, I continued our series "Quo Vadimus (Where Are We Going?)", raising the issue of the attitude we bring to our life of faith individually and to the church.  While there are reasons for concern, the larger issue is how we approach our faith: are we embarrassed or excited?  Is life in our congregation more like a wedding celebration or a depressing funeral?  Personally, I think we have many reasons for hope and excitement, which I touched on in the sermon.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you would like to listen to it again, or if you would like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

Prayer for Mission in Venezuela

This week we offer prayer for Carmelo Alvarez, who serves as a missionary to Venezuela.  His ministry involves working with an ecumenical Protestant group and is highlighted by American mission groups to the area, particularly an annual one with medical volunteers.

You can read more about a recent celebration in this ministry here.

There are Christian missionaries serving around the world on our behalf in 70 countries. Each week, Global Missions highlights one of these missions and asks the church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.