While the electronic communication tools available today are very helpful in many ways, they should not be seen as a replacement for a face to face conversation. My concern is that this is exactly what is happening - especially amongst younger people. As a result, we are becoming isolated and I think, lonely. In the movie 'You've Got Mail', shopgirl and NY152 develop quite a friendship through email (I am not sure it really happens to this extent in reality), however the relationship only begins to really develop after they meet and slowly begin a friendship. Too often, I see a group of young people walking down the street together, not talking to each other at all, but rather they are each in a text message conversation with someone else!
My plea is don't forget that relationships are a matter of the heart, not electronic gadgetry. Our cell phones, computers and ipods are wonderful means of communication (I once called my father in Australia from the top of the Empire State building!); and they may well help us avoid the anxiety, the stammering, the sweating when we begin a conversation with someone for the first time, but these are a necessary part of 'stepping out' into life.
Of course, as a minister this is particularly important to me, I don't think this blog will ever replace the sermon. When a minister preaches the love of God from his or her heart to the congregation, they need to be face to face. After all, evangelism is a Christian having a one-on-one conversation with another person about how Jesus has enriched their life.
I am interested in hearing feedback on this, just respond to the blog message!
Pastor Greg
4 comments:
I love face to face conversations, but truthfully I am able to be 'myself' more through text or emailing. When someone is with me it seems they are more likely to judge what I say by how I am dressed, how I talk or where we are. If they read what I am saying on a blog there are few 'judge-able' items, so the spirit of the message gets across more often. At least thats how I feel.
Hi Greg,
I stumbled across your blog and couldn't resist being the first person to respond to your thoughts.
I think that there are definitely generational differences in the uptake of technology. I am the Dad of two daughters (17 & 21) who rely on mobile phone, email, myspace, etc. It is just part of their world view.
A week ago I was with my 17 year old daughter in a pharmacy waiting for a script and I was gently ribbing her about her reliance on her mobile. She looks up at me and quite sincerely said that she controlled her useage and could do without it ... for at least at hour.
Cheers from a fellow Australian,
Ian
Dear Ken
Thanks for the response, sorry I took so long to post it. To some degree I agree with you, however mostly you have proved my point. Relationships are supposed to involve the initial akwardness and yes, some 'judging', but this is what keeps them honest and real. Dealing with others response to us is the key to building relationships. Our responsibility is to choose our values carefully when it comes to others or relationships won't work anyway. But 'hiding' as it were by avoiding such situations actually makes me more uneasy, for example what if you are much bigger than me!
Dear Ian
Hi Oz!Are you there or here? Great comment, of course your daughter could have spent the time in some quality face to face conversation with her dad! She could talk to her friends later, they are up 24 7 anyway!
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