Same Call, Different Methods
Who doesn’t like to receive a personal message from a loved one? Words of affirmation are high on my list of “love languages.” Whether peeking into my mailbox on my front porch or pulling out my phone to check my email or text messages, I am always on the hunt to get past all the junk mail to read something thoughtfully written just for me.
Imagine how people in the early church felt when news spread quickly that a letter had arrived for them, written by an apostle who knew them, loved them, taught them, and prayed for them. I can just imagine the happy tears and smiles that spread across the faces of Timothy, Phoebe, and Onesimus as they were mentioned by name. The encouragement that disciples of Jesus received as they heard words of encouragement and exhortation from their shepherds must have been deeply moving.
As time passed, the channels of communication changed. From handwritten letters carried by foot, boat, or beast to digital messages sent to us on our cell phones, tablets, and computers, the channels have changed, but what they accomplish is the same. While what is considered “modern” has changed, God’s people have always been eager to use whatever means necessary to communicate good news to the people God has called them to reach.
That is true of you, too. You are not thoughtlessly blasting out messages to the masses. You care deeply about the people you are trying to reach. You pray for them, weep for them, and sacrifice for them. You also learn new skills like good content strategy and new technology like AI so you can be more effective in helping them know Jesus and follow Him.
Do not be deceived. Technology is not evil. The church has used modern means of technology throughout history. Motivated by love for Jesus and love for people made in His image, keep using modern communication channels to share this good news. As you press “send,” pray that the love of Jesus will melt the hearts of those who receive it, their faces will be transformed as they realize this message is meant for them, and their lives will be changed for eternity as they set aside the passing things of this world to respond with their whole lives.
The vision of making Jesus and His mission accessible to anyone, anytime, anywhere is possible, by God’s grace, with digital strategies.
