Comments on: Flickering Pixels – Group Blogging Project – Chapter 4

By: andydarnell

andydarnell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:27:58 +0000

I'm reminded each week about the place that we've taken our traditional Southern Baptist Church… Although we're not Six Flags over Jesus, the over 50s remind me week after week that we're singing and playing music that isn't their way to worship.

The 33 year old in me wants the visual, emotion, experiential… I think that will make the most impact on the culture that is visiting our church, but they're met with 1980s and maybe 1990s "church."

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:01:51 +0000

It's so easy for me to just send an email, text, Tweet etc. And feel like I have connected with people. Even with my wife, which is crazy. I can just hide and feel like I have done my part. This is a good reminder that taking things off line takes time and effort, but moves toward realionship in a more intimate, phisical and engaging way.

By: Paul Steinbrueck

Paul Steinbrueck — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:14:11 +0000

"It's all about balance."

Exactly. IMO, for too long Christians denied the emotional and the experiential. Yet it would be a huge mistake to totally throw out reason, logic, linear thought, and objective truth.

We have a God that is rational and emotional, logical and experiential, who expresses Himself through the written word and vivid imagery. He created us in His image. To whatever extent we can, we ought to embrace all of who God is and all of who He has created us to be.

By: stephenbateman

stephenbateman — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:07:26 +0000

Rational and linear thought forces the thinker to be focused. I think it's important to remember that there are positives to our writing system, technology, and whatever other medium, not just drawbacks. It's all about balance.

Our technology allows me (and you) to meet people from all over the world. I'll never be in a room with them, but I still get to hear their views and thoughts…That certainly doesn't replace deep relational connection, but in balance, can greatly supplement it!

By: Flickering Pixels | Solar Crash

Flickering Pixels | Solar Crash — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:32:44 +0000

[...] reviews of the book on ChurchCrunch. You can see my more in-depth reflections on chapter four here. Share this post with [...]

By: Paul Steinbrueck

Paul Steinbrueck — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:28:57 +0000

The points made in this chapter about the rise in prominence of linear, rational thought because of the the written word are really interesting to me. I think the rise in multimedia in the last few decades is changing all that. I think those of us who are under the age of 40 don't realize how dramatic the change has been.

Think about people who are over 50 and churches that are dominated by people over 50… They are so focused on text and reason. They still use hymnals, text-only Sunday bulletins, and if they have a website at all it is entirely text containing the facts. Many don't think worship should be emotional. Their relationship with God is about obedience and discipline.

Contrast that with those who are under 40 and are focused images, media, emotion, and the experiential. We want our relationship with God to be one of passionate love for God and others. It's no wonder we have moved from the modern era to the post-modern.

By: lon

lon — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:05:03 +0000

agreed… especially on the linear thing – everything seems so precise and well thought out, I think we get use to it, and freak out when we come in real contact with people and things aren't as sleek and clean.

By: lon

lon — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:02:55 +0000

good one… i feel like i'm missing out already.

By: Adam_S

Adam_S — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:53:14 +0000

I remember reading an article about the most recent shuttle disaster. (Or maybe it was the mars prob, I don't remember.) But in the official report, there was some time devoted to the water cooler problem. As NASA grew and contracted a lot of its work out (in the name of efficiency) there was less water cooler time for people from varying parts of the project. So people think only about their part and not as much about the whole. When you have time to talk and interact problems get solved that we didn't even know were problems because there is conversation across disciplines and throughout the organization. Obviously, there are some limits to that, but quite often efficiency is giving up the long term for the short term.

By: Josh Wagner

Josh Wagner — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:32:27 +0000

I think at some point people will revolt over no physical contact. We need true community (as in flesh and blood in the same room with you). If you remove physical contact, the soul is diminished, and at some point people will realize this. Hopefully sooner than later…