If sharing Christ is a matter of communicating information, then Christians are in a lot of trouble.
It still boggles my mind that pastors can spend 30+ hours preparing for to articulate a half hour message each week.
I’m positive that no one wants to die simply knowing a lot of stuff, yet so many of us (Christians in particular) seem to often live as if we do. * Note the amount of money and time we spend on conferences, books, and other information acquiring vehicles.
Chris Anderson argues in his latest book “Free” that the future of business is free with the costs of a vast array of products rapidly declining to zero. In particular he cites how “information wants to be free”. You can get the book free here.
And information is free today. At least any insight that involves connecting to the Living God. The gospel ‘message’ is a google search away from just about anyone in the west. Whether they care to know is a whole different story.
I think what people desire today is formation, not information. Information is the easier option to deliver and receive. It can also easily deceive us into thinking we’re accumulating building-blocks to a stronger faith and life, when we’re not.
Information is a piece of the puzzle, but we’re doing ourselves, and others, a disservice when we’re fire-hosing data.
I often read the Scriptures scriptures and wonder if the people in ancient times had some other type of DNA allowing them to simply hear and believe, or discover and act. Or, maybe those we could respond the same today as well, if we weren’t so inundated with information.
What would your faith gathering look like if it didn’t center around the transmission of information?
* And speaking of free congratulations to Ryan on the thesis theme giveaway!
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Virtual relationships…
by Lon on December 15, 2007
There are so many more people around the world who read my blog than people I connect with regularly in person.
I’m guessing part of this is because if you’re in my regular circles, well, we can catch up just about anytime we want in person. Another part might be due to the anonymity of the internet and how you can peek into someone’s life without them ever knowing about it. And then there’s those of you who’ve contributed to the thousand plus comments here.
Either way, I’m thankful for those of you who might actually think I have something of value to say or share. I’m amazed by the number of you who subscribe to the SolarCrash feed because as much as I’ve tried to narrow the scope of the blogging, you really never know what you’re going to get. So thanks for sticking around.
I’ve also especially appreciate the interaction. The networking has been fantastic, and your comments have been both encouraging and insightful.
I’ll be removing the plugoo instant chat widget I have on the sidebar (just so it doesn’t become a let down when I’m not around), but it’s awesome how with technology today I’ve been able to interact with so many church planters, leaders, and strangers around the world. Just yesterday I chatted with a teen who had been a cutter and was wondering what god had to do with life at all.
You can continue connecting with me further via comments, the contact page, or even via facebook if you’re into that sort of thing.
So again, thank you for reading, thank you for sticking around, thank you for commenting, thank you for clicking the ads, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day, and although the relationships might primarily be virtual, thank you for the friendships. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead together.
My name is Lon, and I thank God for blogs.
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