Nothing is quite so inevitable or constant as change. Nothing is quite so important or treasured as tradition.
Technology can be both friend and foe. What I learn that is new, I often learn from my seven-year-old niece, Emma, or my 13-year-old nephew, Josh. They know how to produce video clips on demand on my iPhone, how to upload pictures and video to the Internet, how to Skype friends and family so that those far away can be both seen and heard by the whole group at family events.
We now have the blessing of being connected 24/7 to information and resources. This offers tremendous opportunities for us to share ideas and stay connected!
Please write and tell me how you are using technology for good in your life ministry. We’ll look to feature your stories and ideas in future LifeDate issues as well as on the LFL website! My e-mail address is ltrinche@lutheransforlife.org.
My life verse is Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Why am I including this verse in my article? Our opponents use technology to spread the wrong message. We must embrace the technology at hand for good!
As we look to engaging and mentoring youth in the For Life arena, it is important to provide tools which are available in today’s connected world as well as to continue to produce time-tested materials for print.
In the future, along with what we already offer, you will find more short video clips available “on-demand” on our website and on our YouTube channel and more audio podcasts of presentations. On-line training, local resource links, a ministry idea exchange Forum, and frequently asked questions links are just a handful of ideas in the works to add to the resources we will continue to provide through CPH (www.cph.org).
Understanding that change can be scary, I echo the words of my pastor back home. To not respect tradition yet not embrace change creates barriers to sharing the Gospel. For those who are lost, we must embrace any and all ways that we can reach them to be Gospel-motivated voices for Life.
To not work together, regardless of the media methodology, allows Satan a foothold where we would focus on our differences of delivery preference rather than the message we must collectively speak.