I can't think of any other time in history where there were so many ways to communicate. As men, called by our Lord Jesus to disciple men, it is our task to communicate the Gospel to as many men as possible. But not all men communicate the same way.
Face-to-face; hand-written "snail mail"; phone; email; texting; instant messaging; social media. Our challenge is how we use these media to get the Good News to men. The men we are trying to reach are using one or more of the above; we need to use them all.
Some of us are completely resisting the new ways of communicating, using only the phone or face-to-face (writing letters was never a strong suit for us men). Some of us are way to connected to our "tech toys", stressing when our smart phone battery dies or we are stuck where there is no internet available.
Here are my thoughts on the effective use of all the current methods of reaching men:
Use social media (Twitter, Facebook, websites, etc) to get a message to lot of men when a respone is not needed.
If a response is not needed for a week or more, suprise them with a hand-written letter. I think it would be nice to receive mail that was not a bill or junk mail.**
If a response is needed in 48 to 72 hours, send an email.**
If 24 hours is your limit, phone, text, or instant message, depending on the recipient's technology level.
Face-to-face always has the most impact.
** I feel it is critical to follow up #2 and #3 with a phone call, if for no other reason than to let them know you sent something.
Remember Jesus used the most effective form of communication of the time, town-to-town, face-to-face. Martin Luther used the newest technology to spread God's Word, the printing press. Now it is our turn. If you don't know how to use one or more of these media you should learn. You do not have to be a wiz kid or have the newest an most expensive, just know how and when to use what.
Technology is not evil, it is a tool. The enemy is using it to its fullest. We need to use it to its fullest to grow the Kingdom of God, while bringing glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Step out and trust the Lord. His word will not come back void, see Isaiah 55:11, it will fulfill His purpose regardless of which method(s) we use, but we need to be heard!
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20
Together with you in the battle for men's souls,
Bill
