New Technologies Changing

the Shape of World Mission

New communication technologies have the ability to transform means and methods of human interaction, and may ultimately also influence the content of the message itself. Tools that themselves are neither "good" nor "bad" need to be evaluated and judged on the basis of a fundamental criteria, "How effective is this tool in communicating the gospel and help people come to faith in Lord Jesus Christ, without letting the tool disturb the message?" There are sadly more than enough examples of how unconscious use of technically advanced tools has come to severely disturb the message one tried to communicate.

The use of television in evangelism may serve as an example of how the medium can transform a message and even create needs and a whole culture on its own. William F. Fore accuses the Electronic Churches today primarily of being driven by considerations of economics and power.

Expecting to use the enormous power of television for their own purposes the televangelists have instead been used by it. They had to conform their messages to meet the demands of TV-demands to get larger audiences to get more money to get more stations to get even larger audiences. In order to get larger audiences, their messages had to please the audience, and never offend them, a requirement that becomes fatal to any authentic proclamation of the Christian faith. ¹⁶

This possibility of disturbing or perverting a message lies implicit in any communications tool because every tool simplifies and amplifies the "signals" or messages. Selecting the right tool to communicate various messages is a basic skill, also for the Christian communicator.

Keeping this in mind should not discourage a generally positive attitude towards new technologies as potentially very effective channels for the gospel. The emerging possibilities provided by telecommunications should on the contrary especially challenge Christians involved in missions to carefully consider new ways of communicating the gospel and stimulate new ways of partnerships. Also the unique role some media’s play in our postmodern world and in particular in the life of the so-called "buster" generation should encourage an open mind to the media’s as such. Dieter Zander, the founding pastor of the "buster"-oriented New Song Church in Walnut, California, expresses the role of Christian media this way:

The concept of artificial intelligence and intelligent agents may present some new challenges to Christian ethic. Used commercially to keep track of customer's habits, amplify the pressure to by more goods, and even become somewhat intrusive to people’s feeling of privacy, agents definitely represent an ethical problem. On the other hand, using agents (i.e.; software programs) to develop better ways of fundraising, administrative routines, etc. in missions may not necessary be unethical. Yet, it illustrates the need for conscious ethical reflection when implementing new technologies in Christian ministry.

The Internet has developed into a forceful tool for establishing community and communicating not only knowledge but also emotions. A new virtual society can provide several opportunities for Christian outreach, education, and interaction. Several challenges can be listed and many more will surely be added in the future.

First, establishing ministries for friendship evangelism to penetrate the more than 20,000 discussion groups on the Internet.

Second, providing opportunities for pastoral counseling through virtual churches, forums, etc.

Third, providing resources for education also on topics relating to missions. Fourth, real time interaction through Internet Relay Chat.

Fifth, providing multimedia communication among partners in missions.

Sixth, effective prayer ministries via e-mail, IRC, etc.

Telephone, slides, radio and video can all be integrated as tools to amplify the effect of the message communicated on the Internet. Special training courses for people located almost everywhere in the world will greatly benefit from the same tools. Effective teamwork among partners living in different parts of the world will no longer be practically and economically impossible. These are only a few examples of all the new possibilities emerging.

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