Are we an Etch A Sketch church in
an iPad World?
I am grateful for the creative and
energetic ways folks have engaged this question, both online and in person.
Every person who responded so far has done so with a “Yes.” Some form of lament or critique has accompanied some of those yeses. Other folks have expressed at least some
affirmation for an Etch A Sketch church. Everyone has agreed, however, that to
simply be an Etch A Sketch church in an iPad world does not make room for the
fullness of the gospel to be known and lived in our current North American
context.
Here are some of the fascinating
contrasts, insights, and metaphoric reflections that have emerged so far from
this conversation:
Etch A Sketch Church
relates primarily to itself and its own inner
system
limited capacity to communicate and amuse
nostalgic
one function
reductive
incarnational
focused attention
iPad World
intimately and mutually connected to diverse and
far-flung “others”
wide-ranging and ever-expanding ability to
communicate and amuse
future-focused
multi-functional
expansive
digital/virtual
easily distracted
What do you think? Do these
insights ring true with you in the context of your local mission center or
congregation? And, if we are, indeed, an Etch A Sketch church in an iPad world,
what
does this mean for the ways
we live together as the body of Christ and how we engage the world? Etch A Sketch Church, Part Three will
begin to explore this in concrete and practical ways. In the meantime, the
conversation will continue in person and online as we seek, together, to be
faithful servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Please add your
perspective to the mix!
(Thanks to the following folks, who responded via
Facebook, Twitter or this blog and whose insights are
incorporated above: Lisa Dahill, Karol Gafkjen, John Hickey, Larry Isbell, Dan
Kreutzer, Steve Stewart, Rebecca Suchomel, Christine Wulff.)
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