Connecting with Christ in Today's Culture

The Mission of our Conference is “to provide leadership, connection, and resources for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” The question is: When we make the connection and provide the resources, are we prepared to actually form the disciples? 

 Last week several leaders from Western Pennsylvania heard about an interesting opportunity and dilemma facing one of our pastors. He is is actively engaging potential disciples through the Internet. video streaming, texting, YouTube, Twitter, and other new media to create a growing faith community. But these people don't necessarily show up in person at the church. This pastor is providing leadership in a 21st Century culture. He is connecting with people who are searching for meaning and hope in their lives. And he is trying to meet that need with preaching, teaching, and interaction that offers the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
This is good stuff – really good stuff! But it invites the question I posed earlier: What do we do when people connect with us by way of this technology? What happens when they express interest in ”joining” the church? How do we minister to them when we may never see their faces? How far do we go to “accommodate” our established methods in a radically modern and often-times uncomfortable new world?
 
These are some critical questions that need to be discussed and debated. One of those questions is what brought us together last week for discussion and discernment.
 
As I sat listening to the creative conversation,  I thought about how another pioneer provided leadership, made connections, and offered resources to people who were desperate for hope and meaning in a fast-changing world. He was told that his methods were not compatible with the norms established by the church. He was alienated from that establishment when he chose to follow his fire-injected heart, rather than the lukewarm leadership around him. He didn't use the Internet, but he did employ innovative means, some that were very uncomfortable for him, to reach new people in new ways. And, as a result, the Gospel was heard, the invitation was acted upon, and the cause of Christ through the church grew.
 
If John Wesley could explore those boundaries and deal with the reality that taking the gospel to the modern world evokes feelings of turmoil and uncertainty, why can’t we?
 
I am grateful to have a 21st Century “John” in our midst who isn’t afraid to lead us boldly into this new world of ministry.
 
The Journey Continues, . . .

By: Bishop Thomas Bickerton On 7/2/2009