Think, for example, of the last round of the presidential voting in the LCMS and of the media that has either officially or unofficially promoted a position or a candidate in that election. What do those outside the faith hear and see in this kind of content? It may be thoroughly relevant to the issue at hand for us inside the LCMS but is it going to help them to know us or Christ through us? That is probably not the case. The best use of media is not to air our grievances but to promote our position. I know that you can do both at the same time but too much of what we do (maybe me included) is stirring the pot more than offering the world a taste of the goodness we offer.
I have heard others speak about this in particular with respect to Rome. Roman Catholics have a great deal of positive media presence. It is remarkable how easily they speak with deference and honor to their church, of the beauty and power of the liturgy, of the nearness of God's presence in the Mass, of the ordinary prayers common to most (the Rosary included), and of their unapologetic devotion to the practice of confession. They seem to do this not because such things are the domain of Rome and its discipline but because they truly appreciate the beauty of their church and its life that encompasses their being and their identity as people. Of course, as a Lutheran I cannot and do not always agree with the things they laud but I cannot help their admiration for they way they speak and of the positive nature of their witness. These seemed to abide even through the tumultuous years of Francis. I wish we knew how to be so positive in our display of our faith to the world.
One of the people who seems to do that so easily and powerfully is Pastor Will Weedon. I have long promoted his visits with someone interested in Lutheranism and how positive that conversation was. It remains, in my estimation, a high point of our social media presence -- even though it was done by someone outside our circle. I have attached the videos here below for you to review if you have not seem them before or to watch again if you have. This is how we need to speak to the world -- of the beauty of our confession, of our life together around the Word and Table of the Lord, of the catechism as prayerbook as well as explanation of the faith, and of our good works done not to impress anyone but because of Christ's good work to us upon the cross. We can and should address the problems among us but we dare not forget to speak even more of this beauty and the profound character of God's life among us through the means of grace. Beauty is not our enemy or even optional but intrinsic to our confession and our liturgical life. In art and music, architecture and hymn, ceremony and rite, beauty is our ally and a medium for our message. Why not online?
2 comments:
I wonder how important “positive media presence” is to the Gospel ? Really! There is much competition for attention on social media these days. Millions of people typing opinions as we speak, grinding out words promoting particular beliefs, products, advice. Much of it disappears instantly, as a fickle computer savvy international public moves on from the last screen while scrolling for another interesting person or image, which they can “send” and “share” with their friends. Looking for something new and bold is the addiction shared by millions, as attention spans decline, as reading becomes simply skimming through the words non stop. Some people crave attention so much that it is sickening. “Follow me, please follow me on social media,” they insist. “”Save my podcast so you can listen again!” There is a line between sharing useful information, and engaging in self promotion. Churches do it too. So I ask, “how will a large media presence advance the Gospel? I wonder. But the Lord already knows who are His children, and I hardly think He is impressed by social media. Soli Deo Gloria
Rather than noting how Rome and the Enemedia snuggle so peacefully together, it would be better to recall the words of Martin Luther:
“The world and its God cannot and will not bear the word of the true God: and the true God cannot and will not keep silence. While, therefore, these two Gods are at war with each other, what can there be else in the whole world, but tumult?
“Therefore, to wish to silence these tumults, is nothing else, than to wish to hinder the word of God, and to take it out of the way! For the word of God, wherever it comes, comes to change and to renew the world. And even heathen writers testify, that changes of things cannot take place, without commotion and tumult, nor even without blood. It therefore belongs to Christians, to expect and endure these things, with a stayed mind: as Christ says, “When ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be not dismayed, for these things must first come to pass, but the end is not yet,” Matt. xxiv. And as to myself, if I did not see these tumults, I should say the word of God was not in the world. But now, when I do see them, I rejoice from my heart, and fear them not….”
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