The New World

I have been struggling redefining terms lately. I am convinced that the world of media will look completely different than it does now at some point in the near future. Newspapers, TV Stations, "stars", record labels, and various other antiquated technologies will either disappear or take on a new place in culture.

I believe that. But I am struggling with the words to describe it and I am struggling with getting my head around what it is going to look like. And worse yet, I am struggling with how it applies to the church and to my life personally.

I was catching up on some reading today and came across a couple of posts that have got me thinking. Normally I’d just link them, but these are quotable.

From Johnny Baker:

i remember a term from one of len sweet’s books - categorical imperialism - i.e. imposing the categories from one world/media into a new one rather than understanding that new media change everything. i’m also thinking about this marshal macluhan quote :

official culture still strives to force the new media to do the work of the old media. but the horseless carriage did not do the work of the horse; it abolished the horse and did what the horse could never do

He is referencing another post about putting sermons on YouTube. I love the comparison to the horseless carriage not replacing the horse, but changing the world and our expectations of it.

The other is from Craig Groeschel about breaking the rules:

Jesus broke some rules. When the Pharisees misinterpreted the meaning of the Sabbath, Jesus broke their rules and healed anyway. When people told him to stay away from lepers, Jesus broke the rules and touched them. When warned to avoid prostitutes and sinners, Jesus accepted and loved them.

Martin Luther broke the rules when he questioned the church leaders with his 95 Thesis. Again he broke the rules when he translated the Bible into the German language and fought to get the Scriptures in the hands of the lay people.

George Whitfield and John Wesley broke the rules when they took the gospel message outside the church buildings into the open air (something considered heresy at the time).

Maybe it’s time to break some rules.

I keep thinking about "new media" in one of two ways. Either a complete revolution to the old media and/or a good supplement to the way we do church. But what if, like the horseless carriage, "new media" revolutionizes not just the media it is replacing, but everything? What if it leaves the world with a whole new set of expectations? What if, like the old circuit riding preachers, "new media" changes the face of what is and isn’t acceptable in our methods of reaching the lost?

This certainly leaves me with a lot more to think about. What do you think?

And BTW…definitely go back and read the post that got Johnny started and the comments under each of them.

Tags: new media, blog, podcasting, sermon, ministry