Collide Magazine

A Flat Church for a Flat World

Jeff Parker - Originally posted Tuesday, April 1, 2008 -

The world is flat. This was essentially accepted as fact in Old Testament times. It was the prevailing sentiment before Columbus set sail in 1492.  Supposedly we’ve wised up since then, yet Thomas Friedman, author of the popular business book The World Is Flat, claims the earth should be considered flat once again.  

The premise of the book is that the international playing field is being leveled. Friedman points out the advent of the personal computer, the Internet, and global outsourcing of jobs as three forces that allow any country to have a significant impact on the global economy. The resources needed to compete on a worldwide scale have been reduced, making each country and company a potential international player. Even individuals can create a name for themselves more easily. New journalists are created overnight via compelling blogs and self-published books. Videographers take their shot at fame daily on YouTube. Ultimately, The World Is Flat is a worthy read for anyone interested in world economics.  

It’s also a worthy read for those in the Church. The implications for the church of a flatter world are extensive and important to consider. As a leader in a local congregation, you owe it to your parishioners, your family, and yourself to be aware of a revolution that is well under way. After all, some of the same technologies that Friedman recognizes as influencing world economics also are impacting the Church and its future.

It’s Never Been Easier to Go to the Ends of the Earth
As followers of Christ, we have entitled the command to go to the ends of the earth as the Great Commission and have placed much emphasis on this call to action.

In the past, carrying the Gospel to all four corners was dependent upon being physically present. Now, with technology in the hands of billions of people across the globe, we have a chance and a responsibility to reach more people, and it can be done more cost-effectively than ever.

Blogs, podcasts, video streaming, websites, and devotional emails are just a few means that churches can use to efficiently and effectively reach their congregations, local communities, and global audiences. Websites that invite doubts and questions about topics of faith from those seeking Christ should be in high demand. The need to address these doubts and questions is extensive and important. And who better to create these resources than churches?

The irony of all this is that even though we can go to the ends of the earth more easily, we also are able to reach out to our local area in new, more relevant ways. Individuals too intimidated to initiate contact with a nearby church can hear Bible study or sermon messages via podcasts, or entire church services via video streaming. Those scared to ask a difficult question in front of a watching crowd can post anonymous questions on a blog before taking further, more personal steps.

Simply put, recent technological advances have minimized constraints on the Church to reach out in spite of limited financial resources, time, or safety concerns.

One caveat: None of this is to suggest that missionaries are no longer a need. In fact, blogs, podcasts, church websites, music, and videos can and should become a key resource for missionaries “in the field.”

One challenge: The ability to keep it personal will be of high importance. All this technology does not replace the need for us to continue developing relationships. We must figure out ways to be creative with how we employ technology so that we can still personally engage with a variety of audiences.

Bubbles are Bursting
Good luck trying to shelter yourself, your church, and your family from different worldviews in a flat world. In reality, we should embrace the opportunity to be exposed to different religions because our faith, the Bible, and our God should stand up under any amount of scrutiny.

Some of us will always fear the world and what it offers, and thus attempt to build walls that prevent us from interacting with the world. Remember, we were called to be in the world, just not of it. We can try to act like “The Blasphemy Challenge” does not exist on YouTube. We can ignore the surging Atheism movement led by Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins (among others). We can try to avoid reading and learning about Mormonism, Islam, or any other “movement,” but no one wins with this approach. We contradict what our Savior commands when we do not endeavor to discuss our faith in Christ with those of differing beliefs. We miss the chance to strengthen our faith and to receive the joy that comes from critically examining our heritage and seeing it hold up. Also, if our children never see us consider the difficult questions they are bound to encounter, then they are more susceptible to having their faith toppled in a moment of insecurity.

My suggestion is to burst your bubble, slacken your Bible belt and tear down your walls. For all the negatives that exist if we don’t, there are equally reciprocal positives that occur, when we let our guard down. In doing so, we must become better prepared to discuss our faith in a gentle and reverent manner. We must become better listeners. We must become more vigilant in seeking out, and creating time for, those interested in exploring Jesus.

Go anywhere on the Internet and you can interact with those of differing belief systems. And you may be surprised to find they are not all as radical as mainstream media would make them out to be, nor are they as cynical and sad as our parents or our pastor might suggest.

One caveat: This is not for every believer at every moment. Those who seriously struggle with their faith or are currently experiencing many doubts should address those matters first with their biblical community. Any new vantage point or belief structure can seem appealing when one is isolated from other believers and faced with great uncertainty.

One challenge: Get online today and expose yourself to different viewpoints. If you are looking for a starting point, get involved with a local community message board or visit www.otmatheist.com.

Power to the Laypeople
There are minimal barriers to entry for laypeople to make a global mark. Computers and Internet access broaden our reach. Time, money, and physical presence are no longer required to start a new ministry or to change lives in other continents.

For example, blogs can create the feel that you are part of an ongoing conversation even though current participants of a particular thread may be five time zones away. An online message, image, or video can continue to share a message long after it has been posted.

Thus, the power no longer resides primarily with the biggest churches, the richest people, or the most eloquent pastors. The tools needed to extend your reach and improve your effectiveness in sharing the gospel are widely available, not to mention relatively cheap.

The priesthood of all believers is now without excuse. We each have a chance to play a role in the global Church and see our efforts multiplied in ways only God can imagine.

One caveat: We must always be grounded in Scripture. Our best guesses or preferred beliefs must take a backseat to the authority of the Bible. We stand to be even more confusing to a watching world if we move from a handful of prominent denominations to millions of rogue individuals.

One challenge: Not everyone is gifted to write a blog or host a podcast. Your gifts are still your gifts. The challenge for you is to determine where your gifts fit in with new technology.

Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity Win
Blogs, podcasts, social networks, and new media have all seen a rise in popularity in the last few years. Like never before, the Church must be willing to adapt. This isn’t about changing the message, but rather remaining flexible with how we share God’s offerings and our stories of life change.

Today it may mean shooting a video podcast or connecting with people of all faiths on a website. Tomorrow it could mean something altogether new and unfamiliar. What has become evident is that the Church can no longer afford to lag a full generation behind with technology. We should use every tool at our disposal—no matter how often those tools change—in order to declare our unchanging, uncompromising message.

As a church, we must think of ways to stay flexible and adaptable to our local area. Each church has a chance to regularly respond to the hurts and struggles of the local community. We can often disappear in times of greatest need. Armed with today’s tools, a lack of response reflects the state of our hearts, not our wherewithal.

Creatively, we must improve. It’s that simple. Our God is a creative God, and as a whole we misrepresent this trait. If we do not consider new approaches to delivering God’s truths, we risk becoming stale and irrelevant.

One caveat: The potential for technology to distract from the message should always be a concern. The gospel is the gospel is the gospel. Taking advantage of current technology is just the means. It is important to be relevant in how we relate to the world around us but not at the expense of detracting or subtracting from the message.

One challenge: Think ahead. Over the last 100 years, it seems the Church has fallen into a reactionary, mimicking mode. We wait far too long to use current resources to make an impact, and then we still often settle for just copying a slogan or an idea. At one point in time, followers of Christ led the charge in movements arising in the arts, including literature, music, and painting. We would be well served to return to those days.

What Will You Do?
The landscape of the world is rapidly changing. Tools are currently at our disposal that were not available even three years ago. Inevitably, slicker resources will be coming soon and we need to become fluent with those as well. With this new paradigm, other religions and belief systems will take advantage of any outlet possible. The question is: Will we? The ends of the earth are at your fingertips. Don’t let them slip through.


Jeff Parker is the Contributing Editor of COLLIDE.