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Compassion or Convenience?
There’s a tragic trend taking place in our day that has greatly affected the mission and ministry of the church. And I must say, it is not in a good way. I’m talking about technology. I submit to you, that through the advance of technology in the church, the result has been that the church has lost more and more of its impact on society. The sad part of it is, most do not see it that way. I guarantee you, that if asked, that most of the people in our churches today, would argue that the advancement of technology has had just the opposite effect, in that it has increased the churches impact on the world. They would argue that through the internet, we are now able to reach millions and millions more than we ever could before. They would argue that through all the various new forms of media we have at our disposal, like email, mobile phones, text messaging, facebook and so on, that we are able to communicate and reach out to so many more people than ever before. And you know what, on the surface, that does appear to be true. Matter of fact, when you look at it purely from the technical side, of just how easy it is to reach so many people with just a click of a mouse, it would seem frivolous to argue otherwise. With a few short clicks of a mouse, I can send a message to hundreds or thousands of people in just seconds. By typing a few simple keys on my phone, I can send a text message to someone, instantly. We live in a day, that nearly everyone we know carries a personal cell phone, and literally can be reached, anytime, anywhere. That’s just a few examples, but when you consider all the advances in technology in our day, to argue that they are hurting the church today, to say that they have greatly lessened the impact of the church on the world…would seem to be a preposterous statement. Opponents would argue, “Look how many more people we can reach out to today, look how many more lives we can touch with the message using the internet…” They would argue that it is ludicrous to say that technology has hurt or diminished the impact of the church on the world. But rather, they’d argue the exact opposite, and declare just how much greater impact it has helped the church make…
Well, where you stand in this argument, all comes down to what you consider ministry to be. It all comes down to how you define what it means to “reach out to people,” what it means to “touch the lives” of those around us. Now days, the most common form of communication is quickly becoming “text messaging,” and “emails,” notifications through “facebook.” People often use these means to express sympathy, to ask how things are going, to express love and prayers to friends and loved ones.
And all of that is great I guess…I mean, there’s nothing inherently wrong or evil about any of it. But here’s the problem. Through all those “contacts” and “communications”…there’s one thing missing…and that is, “Personal Contact.” To receive an email or text message asking how things are going…does not even come close to hearing the loving, caring voice of a human on the other end of the line. I’ve heard from time to time from friends and family by text message and emails…but guess what, with some of them, It’s been several months since I’ve heard their voice or seen their face. (And some live within ¼ mile or less!) The point is this…NO PERSONAL CONTACT. This new age of technology, this new means of communication…has resulted in no actual communication. Now we speak through typed words, not actual words. Now instead of spending “face time” talking together, we spend time talking through our keyboards on “facebook.”
If you will but take a few moments and honestly consider what I’m saying, you will have to agree, that we have all but lost, the personal ministry aspect of loving and caring for others. We do most of it now, by text message and internet…in the convenience and comforts of our own home. We don’t have to leave the house to express our quote “love” for others. We can do it now from the comforts of our recliner, or do it from the convenience of our phones, all without interrupting our busy, busy lives. Now days, we can go to a ball game, and still quote “Reach out” and “minister” to others. All you have to do is “text” the individual during “time outs.” It’s all so convenient now…
That’s why I titled this… “Compassion…or…Convenience?” I’m afraid, that what many are considering to be a show of concern and care…is actually more convenience, than compassion. It may ease our “conscience” in that we feel we have reached out, and talked to someone suffering…in reality, we haven’t. You see, compassion requires an act, it requires doing something, it requires our time and effort to relieve the suffering of others. It requires a personal touch, a hug, a soft comforting voice… Something we’ve all but lost in our day…replaced by emails, text messages, and other convenient forms of communication. Think about it…when we communicate by these forms of communication, we never really communicate (personal level.) Now instead of hearing a voice and seeing a face…we stare at our phones, or our laptops…and read the words…
Compassion or Convenience? Throughout the scripture we read where it says, “Jesus was moved with compassion on the people…” and every time, He did something to help relieve their pain and suffering. There was a personal involvement between Him and the victim. You see, we’ve lost sight of the PERSONAL contact, and replaced it with the PERONAL laptop or PERSONAL phone.
When was the last time, you sacrificed your time and comforts and convenience…to go and personally minister to someone who’s hurting? |
