My fears for an Internet generation of church leaders

Here are some of my fears for a young generation of church leaders who’ve grown up with the Internet:

1. That they will do ministry without talking with people. That’s what happens when your communication strategy usually means texting, emailing, etc.,  rather than having a conversation. 
2. That they will do ministry via quick fix, simple, limited-character solutions. I worry they will not understand the value of a long-term, deeply felt commitment to a group of people. They’ve grown up in a world of abbreviations and shortcuts.    
3. That they will not understand the value of their actual voice. It’s one thing to text a prayer to somebody, but it’s a completely different issue when that person hears you pray. A hurting, supportive voice can minister much better than a text. 
4. That they won’t know how to relate directly to people. When your communication with people is primarily through a phone or computer screen, dealing with people face-to-face can be anxiety-producing and difficult. 
5. That they will relocate physically as the Lord calls them in ministry, but they won’t really “move” from home. Today, you can relocate and still spend much more time talking with people from home than getting to know people in your new location. You’ve moved in body but not in spirit because of ready access to others.   
6. That they will learn the hard way the value of words. We probably all learned this lesson the hard way, but it’s just easier to say harsh or impure things via the Internet before you’ve thought about what you said. And, the words we put on the Internet seldom go away; they can haunt us for years. 
7. That they will waste a lot of time in ministry. For example, writing emails and then following up to clarify misunderstandings take a lot longer than a simple phone conversation would require. Moreover, the Internet simply beckons us to “come and search” when we have other things we must do. 
8. That they won’t know how to listen to people. It’s tough to know how to listen well when your entire life pattern has been to check your phone continually even while you’re having a conversation with somebody. 
9. That they will look down on others who fight against change. The young generation has been raised on rapid change, but the older generation is often longing for something to stay the same in their lives. That’s a recipe for conflict unless both groups are willing to slow down, listen, and consider each other. 
10. That they will have no up-close, personal heroes. That’s already happening: their heroes are not men and women with whom they can have coffee; they’re preachers and teachers they know primarily from the Internet. 

What are your thoughts?  

About the Author

• Chuck Lawless