There is an unprecedented acceleration of knowledge. Schilling, D.R., writes: “In 1900, collective knowledge doubled every 100 years, by 1942, every 25 years; by 1982, every 13 months, and today, it is believed to double every 12 hours.” When the pace of change outside the individual or organisation exceeds the pace of change within, relevance deficit sets in, which results in a loss of connection.
Knowledge increases: Prophet Daniel prophesied that the knowledge would increase, and people would wander seeking it. People travel on the Information Highway using the Internet, seeking knowledge from website to website. (Daniel 12:4) Every minute, new websites are born, YouTube channels begin, and the Digital world is hyperactive.
No end: There is no end to making books. Much knowledge is weariness to a person. (Ecclesiastes 12:12) The volume that was produced by the Television industry for several decades is done within 24 hours. There could be information paralysis, overwhelmed by information, people are unable to respond, react or make decisions.
Affordability and availability: Reasonably priced smartphones and cheap data connections have made knowledge available to all. The mission is to make the Bible available to all.
Study: Paul writes to Timothy to study and prove himself as a worthy servant of God, preaching, teaching and proclaiming the Truth of the Scripture, appropriately. (II Timothy 2:15) The Bible becomes the ultimate reference point for all knowledge.
Lifelong learner: Paul was a lifelong learner, and so should be all servants of God. Not only was he a student of the Scripture, but he was a student of culture and contemporary writings. He could quote from the Old Testament to the Jewish audience and from other literature to non-Jewish audiences.
Mission Mandate: Strategies, approaches, and methods when valued above mission and considered sacred, irrelevance is the result. Those aspects of mission need to change according to the technology of communication, the ways people develop relationships, and acquire knowledge. However, the focus of sharing Christ and glorifying God should be the ultimate goal, and that is possible only by being in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
Am I a relevant witness to my contemporary generation?