Techno-touch

The communications technology taken for granted today was unimaginable for most of us twenty years ago. I remember vividly my first cell phone -- a huge handset that looked like something from SWAT team gear. Now, of course, there are tiny phones,iPhones, flip phones, smartphones, videophones, etc. I regularly participate in staff meetings with colleagues from many places via videoconference at my desk. Last night I was in a conference call with 25 people, some from the UK, Australia, and such scattered States as Alaska, Colorado, California, New York, Texas and Tennessee. It's not unusual to go to a website and download a podcast or video presentation, so that the "expert" is at our beck and call.

Numbers of churches use texting, email, phone messaging to keep in touch with congregation members, sharing information, joys and prayer concerns. Some folks are finding that their internet social networks like Facebook and Twitter provide opportunities for low-key but thought-provoking faith discussions. Our concept of "relationship" is changing in light of the new technological realities. People today literally can have a worldwide reach. There are significant implications for our faith-sharing for this techno-touch age. Those Christians who explore these new media are finding fresh meaning in the gospel mandate to go into all the world and make disciples.