The Best and Worst of Times

It is one of the worst times to be a Christian in all of history.  We have more media fighting for our attention than ever before.  Sin sells, and we are living in a capitalist country (at least for a little while longer).  We can now lust after an image on our T.V. screen or computer monitor without ever getting off the couch. I think my point is clear.

However, it is also one of the best times to be a Christian in all of history.  We have so many resources and training tools at our disposal.  I can listen to sermons from hundreds of pastors via iTunes or Zune Marketplace (Yes, I am one of the six people who has a Zune).  I can download the sessions from the best conferences without paying to attend.  I can read thousands of free books in Google reader.  I can do my Greek word studies using Re:Greek.  I have access to all of the written material from almost two thousand years of Christian leaders. Christians have never been as clearly without excuse for not growing in knowledge and their understanding of the Bible.

The question of best or worst depends on us.  How do we choose to use our current capabilities?  Do we choose to allow media to be a stumbling block?  Or, do we reclaim these capabilities for the spread of the Gospel and the edification of Christians?  Media is a powerful tool.  Satan and the unregenerate masses are definitely going to use this tool for their purposes.  Christians also need to harness this powerful tool; in fact, Christians should be on the cutting edge of media use.  One thing I appreciate about Mars Hill Church and The Resurgence is their ability to use this tool effectively for the glory of Jesus.

Has your church made media an ally or an enemy?  Does your church have available podcasts, videos, written material, online networks, blogs, etc.? Do you take advantage of the available resources on the interweb?

Obviously, if you are reading this post, then you take advantage of some resources.  Actually, if you are reading this blog, then you should probably find some better resources.  

Personally, I frequently visit many blogs and listen to about 10-12 podcasts each week.  Just one quick example of what kind of edification you may stumble upon by reading, writing, and listening - I have been listening to The Gospel Conference audio from Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA (Francis Chan's church).  Here are some notes from Jeff Vanderstelt's second session:

• We've got limited time to be about the mission God has put us here for.
• God calls us to rearrange our lives to be on mission with a purpose.
• Wherever God has put you is your mission field.
  
• If you’re living outside your mission field, then move.
  
• Why would you shop, eat meals, or go to parks outside your mission field?
  
• Your neighborhood or apartment complex is your mission field.  There can be some overflow to your job or gym or whatever, put your place of residence is primary.
  
• We need to live, now in America, according to same principles as foreign missionaries.
  
• Just trying to reach people as you go on your way is only doing missions/evangelism reactively; trying to reach people on your own is reactive missions; we need to be proactive by rearranging our lives and joining with others to reach a neighborhood, school, people, or area.
  
• It is the church’s job to train its members to be on mission.
  
• The culture we are in naturally segments our life and there is little integration of our life, but being on mission means rearranging the pieces as necessary to build your life around that mission that Jesus has called you to.
  

Also, here are some notes from David Fairchild's first session:

• The best way to defeat despair and depression is to be thankful.
  
• Most of our own despair and apathy is because we are not thankful enough.
  
• We are malcontents, despite the fact that Christ died to for us.
  
• Pride is not how good or bad you think about yourself; pride is how much you think about yourself.
  
• If you are wallowing in despair and focusing on yourself, then it may be a pride problem.