By ALL MEANS possible...this is the phrase that the apostle Paul uses to describe his approach to ministry. Basically, he was saying, "I do whatever it takes, whatever works best, and whatever will bring about the maximum result."
I have become all things to
all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22
Now obviously, there are some limits on ALL MEANS. Paul was not saying that he would be willing to be unethical, or immoral, dishonest, or destructive in order to reach people for Jesus. What he was saying is that, while maintaining the attitudes and standards of a Jesus-way-of-life, we use every possible method, technology, or strategy to win some.
A few weeks ago, I was in an historic church here in the Pittsburgh area. This church had been in existence for over a hundred years. It's membership has now become small and its impact on the community reduced over time.
On the back wall there was a banner hanging (pictured here) that spoke volumes. The banner reads, '2000-Moving forward into a new century of service under God.'
The banner was made of 'felt' material with cut out letters that were glued onto the fabric. While the sentiment on in the banner was one of vision, the style of the banner was NOT. There was nothing wrong with the MESSAGE on the banner. It was the right thought for the moment. It was the METHOD of the banner that wasn't working.
This is the reason why we try to use every available technology in ministry. We use websites, blogs, twitter, facebook, text messaging, and you tube. During our services we use video screens. We use video-editing programs to make our own unique stuff. We pod-cast our messages. Soon we will be video-cast the messages as well.
Over the past few years there has been a literal explosion of easy to use, available communications technology. When I was growing up the church had just begun to step into the use of TV and Radio. Messages were available on tapes, and the bulletins were created on an electric typewriter. By the 80's were we beginning to project the words to songs on a wall through an overhead projector and transparencies.
Now it is possible to produce full color, graphically designed bulletins, banners, and posters. Songs can be projected on screens with amazing moving backgrounds. Video clips are available for use on sites like Bluefishtv.com for $1.99 a piece.
It would simply be wrong to NOT use every available means to communicate the greatest message the world has ever heard. I have to believe that if the apostle Paul was living in 2009, that he would be using every TECHNOLOGICAL MEANS available to share the gospel and to win people to Jesus.
Some people might say, "Well, I don't need any of those things to worship God. I would be content with some good, old fashion ministry methodology. In fact, all of these new-fangled techniques just don't feel as spiritual to me.' Several in fact have expressed to me these feelings. Often church doesn't feel the same because of all of these stylistic changes.
But remember Paul doesn't say, "I use EVERY MEANS possible to feel most comfortable in worshiping God.' Paul did say, "I adjust my preferences to WIN SOME...to the Jews, I become like a Jew and honor Jewish customs, to the non-Jews, I become like a non-Jew and set aside Jewish customs.'
In fact, we really don't know what Paul's preferences really were? Did he personally long for a nice Jewish service with all of the Jewish dress, an old fashion synagogue service format, and the Hebrew worship style of his childhood? Well, if he did, he was willing to set all of that aside in order to use whatever means he could to connect with and reach people who needed Jesus.
We use ALL MEANS POSSIBLE because it helps us reach people who need Jesus in the year 2009. And communication technology enables us to reach the next generation with the power of the gospel. It makes the message of Jesus easier to understand because it comes dressed in the cultural language of the day. God help us to win as many as we can for Jesus.