SUSTAINED
WORLD MISSION IN A NETWORKED AGE
Modern
communications technology has greatly boosted our capacity for
effective cooperation in Christian mission and global church life, in
the following areas:
connectivity
– connecting Christian workers, members of Christian
communities and other interest groups, denominations, para-church
organizations, for outreach, follow-up, purchasing goods and
services and administration; enables diverse users to meet on common
ground, using technology that hundreds of millions in the modern
world regard as “standard”
division
of labour – cooperative consultation and development of
mutually useful materials, across continents
removal
of isolation/elimination of distance – enhanced social
networking (eg through emails, Facebook, MySpace, UTube, Skype and
wikis) in all places where telephones (including mobile phones) can
be reached and enhanced through broadband Internet facilities)
replication
– able to connect with many recipients at once/send
messages/receive global feedback; on a huge scale that costs almost
nothing
accountability/reporting/budgeting/close
contact and support, with relative transparency
platforms
for financial support, fast (and low cost) banking transactions;
electronic giving at churches; other cashless activities
access
to practical support and ideas, eg easily established/maintained
websites to park/disseminate information, mines of information
education
and training, including through distance learning, global
classrooms, chat rooms, forums, cheap video-conferencing
input
from both directions, not just West to East, North to South
(traditional missions target areas/strategies), but both ways
economic
efficiencies, instant global reach without the high costs (and loss
of productivity) associated with travel and other traditional means
of communication and shipping
capacity
to share vision, events, photographs/videos (eg ministry, worship
services/styles) across continents and cultures
capacity
to bring together people in times of need/crisis, eg to share prayer
needs, build interest/information coalitions quickly
24/7
support – time zones are broken down; people can connect
simultaneously; or support networks in very different time zones can
undertake complementary activities in alternating operating hours
penetration
of conventional barriers to the spread of the Gospel, eg customs,
censorship of Bibles, recordings and other Christian materials
enhancement
of English language skills (predominantly by users whose first
language is not English) leading to greater networking, information
flow, mutual growth
facilitation
of open communication – global conversations, visibility for
peer monitoring
proclamation
of the Gospel; teaching, sharing in every nation
increased
visibility of the universal church – every nation, ethnic
group
Christian
workers are enabled to function in/across “virtual”
locations
Bible
translation is made easier; multi-linguistic; faster input/liaison
with informants, development of new translations
However,
IT networking is not an unalloyed product. It is a supplement, not a
substitute. The following barriers/issues need to be taken into
account
email
is not a shortcut, a replacement of the need to “go”
into the world, and reach real people
personal
relationship networking and exposure are the only trusted medium in
many societies; electronic networks are no substitute for genuine
fellowship/support
the
most effective “strategizing” is still undertaken
personally
much
of global mission continues to need “hands on”
approaches
virtual
communication is often not “real”
security
issues continue to exist in many countries (eg Muslim societies,
totalitarian regimes), where the activities of indigenous Christians
are officially regarded as suspect and scrutinized
the
Internet is used for massive misinformation, exaggeration, fraud,
unethical pull factors, misunderstandings, assumptions that
sometimes involve Christian ministries
loss
of quality control occurs in relation to content accuracy/cultural
relevance/appropriateness, training results (plagiarism is rife),
outreach methods (spraying the message inauthentically) and
garnering/analysis of feedback
enables
cults to proliferate and network churches to mislead in reporting;
that said, it potentially makes “discovery” easier
continues
to leave out the 1 billion + “poorest of the poor” who
do not have ready, reliable or affordable access to the
communication tools
can
result in the “wrong” people being seen as in
leadership; they are visible because they are IT savvy and well
connected/networked
many
potential users are suspicious of what governments/individuals
can/will do with personal information that enters cyber space and
decline to embrace the available technologies
other
users feel intimated by the sizes of social networks involving many
millions of members and believe blogs and the complexities of
navigating available information is a waste of time, or of limited
value
users
are frequently mass targeted by adult-oriented advertisements or
search results that optimize adult themes, especially pornography
(even when they are not seeking such content); many parents feel the
Internet should not be the sources of their children’s
education and values
with
estimates of trillions of messages criss-crossing cyberspace every
day, and a vast number of web sites (especially in English), even in
the Christian domain, optimizing IT needs to be targeted to be of
much practical effect.
The
networked age is a current reality; it is already with us, to stay.
(Future users will regard today’s tools as primitive.) It is
bigger than any of us. It has enormous capacities and some
drawbacks. The challenge for the Body of Christ is to use the
facility well, to maximize its offer for the greatest possible
outcomes.