Charting a course in a context of chaos, part 3
We've been riffing off a familar portion of Scripture, First Chronicles 12:32 - where David's generals and troops have been assembling in Hebron - within striking distance of Jerusalem. The charism, consistency and wisdom of the leader (all gifts from God, btw) is drawing in other leaders and drawing out the best in them. Among David's "dream team" are the chiefs from Issachar, "who know the times, and know what to do." In part one, we learned that these 200 generals were knowledgeable in astronomy, skilled in political affairs, and had ability to plot a course of action, based upon the wisdom gained from intimacy with the Holy One, resulting in knowledge, borne out of womb of understanding. In part two, we drilled down into the key words, learning that the men of Issachar had exegeted the culture, and devised God-sized plans, accurately discerning the strategy and timing - what to do, how to do it, and when to launch.
So, what are these times that we are in? Once upon a time, in the 1990's culture reinvented itself once every six months; with the exponential growth of technology, the interval between cultural shifts is reducing daily. Most people are simply swept up in these changes, like an undertow. Understanding of the times can help us keep afloat and chart a course to move the Church forward.
We live in a post-Christian, post-modern, post-denominational, post-Constantinian, post-Web society. Let's look at these funky phrases in more detail:
Post-Christian: The growth of Islam in the world, and the growing adaptation of sharia law in the United States are but two indicators that other worldviews are in competition with the Christian worldview.
1- Islamic worldview: although it embraces Gospel and Torah, rejects Jesus as Messiah, the atonement, and resurrection of Jesus. In its extreme view purports violence and domination.
2-Marxist worldview: Rejects capitalism, free markets, private property and embraces a government-controlled economy. This is a paternalistic, protective worlview that assumes that humans cannot act independently, responding instead as a herd.
3-New Age worldview: Religion of self; enlightenment can be achieved by placing self on the throne of knowledge. Includes occult practices, some Native American practice, Eastern religions and Wicca.
Christianity is no longer the default faith in America (see http://tinyurl.com/ybehdfp for details.)
Post-modern: Deconstructing of truth, ultimate or absolute truth does not exist - experience is all that counts, and truth is relativistic, personal, and confirmed by consensus.
Post-denominational: Mainline denominations become irrelevant as they move away from the urban centers, decline in 75-year pathway as they fail to serve and uplift the poor. Individuals don't make a big deal over doctrinal issues; the name of the church sign matters little - they focus on how ministries meet personal and family felt needs. According to George Barna, two out of every three believers in Jesus can be categorized as "casual Christians", espousing faith in moderation. People migrate between faith communities to meet felt needs.
Post-Constantinian: Government is no longer supportive of religion, sectarian beliefs are diluted with civic religion.
Post-Web: The traditional way of web-surfing is giving way to linking to social networking sites, like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. According to BizReport, Facebook is growing 125% year after year and has 300 million active users. SN sites are the new communities.
Society no longer considers the Church able to address ultimate need. News anchors are more trusted today than pastors. BUT the rogue waves of our current economic crisis will create doors of opportunity for the Church to rebound. We are positioned to find the "redemptive gifts" of the city and join in creative civic engagement. We are called to "seek the peace of the city where I caused you to be carried away captive. And pray to the Lord for it, for in its peace, you will find peace." (Jer. 29:7)
The beauty of the post-modern, post-Web society is that truth of agreed upon by group consensus:
1- Wikipedia: Whoever heard of a group encyclopedia? Well there always was, but not with 100+million potential contributors? I am old enough to remember the Encyclopedia Brittanica salesmen, carrying enormous cases of thick volumes, armed with shoe-in-door rapid-fire sales pitches. Now, point-and-click, and encyclopedic knowledge is before your eyes - and you can add to it instantly!
2-Change.org: You can set up a website for your non-profit cause, fully equipped with social networking, blogging, uploads to You Tube, all with a secure shopping cart.
3- Facebook: Mentioned earlier, you can post a Cause page to communicate your convictions, gather people into communities, and gain momentum for social change in moments. Social networking is not a passing fad or a bandwagon -
If we rely on the Lord's intelligence, He will give us creative strategies, and witty inventions to engage in mighty exploits to be true to the timeless truths of the Gospel while keeping fluid with respect to presentation and engagement. If what Marshall McLuhan said is still true, that "the medium is the message," then New Media opens new doors of opportunity.
We have been entrusted with great causes: salvation for lost people, and the healing of the world. We are a people crying out for passion to meet opportunity - with knowledge of culture, strategy and timing - we can lift Jesus higher, and draw all people to Him.
Labels: change, creative social engagement, New Media, The Leadership Summit 2009

