Friday, April 27, 2012

The Ultimate In Communication


Email, tweeting, texting, blogging, letters, notes, signing, singing, videos, mp3, m4p, m4a, flv, mov, wmv, wav, semaphore, loudspeaker, megaphone, facetime, Skype, ipa, cell phone, land line, walkie talkie, telegraph, television, radio, telex, fax, paging, newspaper, magazine, yellow pages, smoke signals, banner… These are some of the ways people communicate — deliver a message.

Most, if not all, of these methods have been used to tell people about Jesus. Some have been used more effectively than others and a key is making sure the method used will reach the intended audience and be received by them. (It doesn't do much good to send a text message to someone's land line. I know. I've tried.)

Determining the method in most situations does not need to be difficult. Most people we want to reach are people within reach. John showed us the way: "Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete" (2 John 12). Jesus did not say, "Send a text." He said, "Go" (Matthew 28:19).

Some folks spend way too much time talking about ways to reach people when all they need to do is go to them and talk "face to face."