Does Information Matter?

Orginally published on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 6:28 AM
by Earl Creps

The flash drive in my pocket holds astronomically more digital data than existed on earth fifty years ago. But part of me is growing increasingly suspicious over whether volume storage like this, apart from functions like backing up or sharing files, really adds value to what I do in ministry. This issue has ripened as I make the transition from seminary professor to church planter and go through the process of giving away all the books I should have borrowed for free from the library but instead bought on Amazon. The pile that remains is smaller than the pile stacked up for our students to scavenge. My growing doubts about the value of information stem from a market reality: As quantity grows, price declines. Imagine what diamonds would cost, for example, if they were as available as 9-volt batteries? So much text, graphic, and video material (to name just three genres) is being generated every few seconds that the demand for it simply cannot keep up. (See the Wikipedia article on "Information Overload"“). The new information market has brought us a couple of cultural realities...

1. Access is becoming the highest value: I’m slowly developing the capabilities of my gmail account and learning that the stuff I need seems to do just fine stored on the internet rather than on my hard drive. This is the future. For younger people, information tends to have its life only in the now. Why store it when you can just Google it?

2. Perspective is becoming the greatest need: Hearing that only 10% of teens wear wrist watches, I interviewed some who said that cell phones make watches unnecessary. But as I read Andy Ford’s CultureWaves website today I got a new POV: in a 24/7 world in which I expect to have my needs met whenever they occur, what’s the point of a Timex? In effect, we’re talking about every human having a Personal Time Zone, with everything that implies. Just knowing the stats on watches doesn’t tell me this. 

So what does the declining (or should I say shifting) value of information mean for leaders?

1. Expand ministries that emphasize access. Web 2.0 will offer new opportunities to create levels of interactivity that were unknown just a few years ago. I’m not suggesting this sort of thing replace small groups and other forms of relationship, only that we rethink our information model. For example, can a small group meet by conference call during the rush hour commute (and still get everyone home alive)?

2. Involve people in new perspectives. The typical person hearing a Christian sermon on Sunday is positively stuffed with messages and media received all week long. Rather than being like a cup of cold water in the desert, a talk at church can feel like a cup of cold water thrown into the ocean. Something about how we talk should answer the question, “What kind of world is this, and how does God make a difference in how I fit into it?” That’s certainly not the only question, but it is one we (I) sometimes overlook.

For discussion:
1. Do these information trends really matter that much? Should we just ignore them and preach the gospel?
2. Have you seen some good examples of ministries adapting to the new information economy?

About the Author:  Earl Creps has spent several years visiting congregations that are attempting to engage emerging culture. He directs doctoral studies for the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri (http://www.agts.edu).  Earl and his wife Janet have pastored three churches, one Boomer, one Builder, and one GenX. He speaks, trains, and consults with ministries around the country. Earl’s book, Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders, was published by Jossey-Bass/Leadership Network in 2006. Connect with Earl at http://www.earlcreps.com .

 

 

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I'm a chronic workaholic, love to connect leaders with other leaders, and would consider myself somewhat of a 'maven'. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you'll like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step.

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