Remember the Y2K scare?
I remember reading about some airline CEO’s saying they would be flying the moment the clock struck midnight to show that planes would not be dropping from the air. Many people went to serious extremes, building underground bunkers and there were not shortage of end times enthusiasts promising everybody that Jesus was coming back.
In reality, it proved to be nothing. Most businesses, banks, governments, and others had taking the supposed-necessary precautions.
I remember as the company I was working for was consulting with web designers to create a website. Upper management thought it would be a great idea to show that our company was “Y2K SAFE!” and put a logo on every page of the side. I pleaded with them not to do it. Not necessary and it would date our site on January 2nd. Nobody listened.
Their implementation of that was based on fear. They reacted to the fear that potential clients wouldn’t sign on with us unless they were convinced we had this Y2K thing figured out.
We see it elsewhere. Our government has reacted with fear, passing legislation that did more harm than good in the long run such as the DMCA, Sarbanes-Oxley, The Patriot Act, TARP, etc.
Business often reacts to fear as well. We’re seeing it currently with a lack of hiring on the part of business because of fear with the economy.
One business will often release a product prematurely in reaction to another. Many people believe Windows Vista was released in reaction to the rising popularity of the Mac.
On a smaller scale, people in the office are afraid to do something on their computer for fear of “doing something wrong.”
What About Ministry?
It’s there. Most recently we have seen it with the explosion of social media. Churches see other churches getting blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and they react with fear. “We’d better do that too!”
But what comes of it? Blogs that are rarely updated. Facebook fan pages that offer nothing of value. Twitter accounts that are active for days and then go dormant.
Churches will add extra services based on a short boost in attendance leading to additional services that are nearly empty and stretch internal resources.
Churches will hastily change their style of worship because its “what other churches are doing.”
In ministry making decisions based on fear is often the result of a lack of trust in God. 2 Timothy 1:7 says:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
If you are part of a ministry and have any decision making ability, pray about it. Seek counsel. Base the decision on trust, not fear.
Good words Jay. This I think is what saddens me most about the church. Not any particular thing about technology or innovation, but a general sense that everything should be feared.
You see it in some of the home school parents (certainly not all) that fear the faith that they have instilled in their children will not stand up to the scrutiny of the public school (or even the Christian school.)
You see it in reactions of church leaders to innovation on the web or in teaching styles or just in questions about faith.
In the end, if our Lord is not really Lord, and if we cannot trust him, then what is the point of all of our effort.
“In the end, if our Lord is not really Lord, and if we cannot trust him, then what is the point of all of our effort.”
Excellent point.
Thanks for writing this. As a recent grad looking for employment, possibly within church media, this definitely rings true among many of the people I’ve dealt with. Those attempting to “modernize” with some hip graphics would do well to take these thoughts into account
So true.
I watch church after church chase after something new in fear that they’ll miss the boat. They end up neglecting the thing God has called them to. Sad.
Right on. I am glad I am not alone in thinking this. We must have faith, not fear.