Drumming out the news

Aboriginal cultures through history understood mass communication. Through the language of drums, they could relay critical news village to village, across wide distances. "Danger coming," "Come join our celebration," "Death has visited us."

It was a simple but efficient communications medium that reached everyone within hearing distance.

Life is increasingly complex now, unfolding at an ever-accelerating rate, and we see this reflected in the Church. Congregational life used to be pretty simple. Today church calendars are brimming with meetings, classes, events, new ministries, missions.

Our church community spans great distances, an ever-widening global network of "villages." And the messages we communicate are increasingly complex, urgent.

For all its convenience and efficiency, the Internet and e-mail have a critical drawback that -- until addressed -- will leave information gaps in our church community.

One advantage the network of drums had over e-mail is that most everyone had ears and, therefore, access to the news.

The percentage of today's citizenry -- specifically United Methodist citizenry -- with access to e-mail, now is well over 50 percent and growing by the hour, according to recent studies. Still, those without it -- a dwindling minority -- represent a gap in our network.

Some resist being drawn into the tech revolution, just as some folks of earlier generations resisted having the intrusion of radios and telephones in their quiet home lives. While, as Christians, we intend to be not "of" the world, we must be "in" the world in order to be a part of today's living with all its prerogatives and responsibilities.

Jesus used mass communication (remember his speaking from a boat on the Sea of Galilee in order to better reach a hillside full of listeners?). If he were to come again today, he would have e-mail.

And the beat goes on â€¦

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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