Technology continues to revolutionize our Christian outreach and culture. McLuhan in Understanding Media speaks about a “global village” that has internationalized our environment. This reality has far reaching implications for all – Christians and the secular world alike. Institutions and Christian households use media regularly to cope with the rise of this new consciousness. Bill Gates (b. 1955), a business magnate, philanthropist, and co-founder of Microsoft, wrote: “The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.” It has achieved this goal with millions and millions of interactive exchanges worldwide. Today Christians and non-Christians alike, are blessed with an abundance of media to convey their messages. These interconnections include:

• Communications satellites

• Computers with software, workstations, databases, e-games, e-newspapers, e-magazines, e- graphics, power point, streaming audio and video

• Cable channels – news, sports, history, inspirational, and discovery

• Cell phones with Internet, pictures, video, and email capabilities

• Minicams for making home movies, with surveillance features, recording, and playback

• High Definition Television (HDTV) with crisp and well-defined pictures

• CD ROM with computer discs for encyclopedias and other data storage

• Teleconferencing with interactive features for communication to and from far away places

They are all part of the diversity which this Century’s Communication Age offers.

Christian & Secular Diversity

Max De Pree (b. 1924), a businessman and writer, said, “We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we can both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.” That’s why with all the technologies that communicate news, information, entertainment, and sports, have ushered in millions and millions of Christians and non-Christians alike, to be active participants in the global market place. People have opportunities to be themselves by making their feelings, hopes, and desires known to others.

These virtual participants who represent our nations include: linguists, doctors, nurses, teachers, scientists, businessmen and women, construction workers, electricians, plumbers, the unemployed, poor, and homeless. All is required is for them to gain access to computers and the Internet. That’s why citizens don’t necessarily have to be educated, for all it takes is the knowledge to surf the worldwide web. They gain access from their personal devices, from business places, or public libraries to use a computer.

Patience & Perseverance

John Quincy Adams (1767 – 1848), a statesman and sixth President of the United States, wrote, “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” Christians are encouraged to be steadfast in the face of trials (Job 1-42 KJV). In the New Testament they are to seek and they will find, knock and the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7 KJV). Christians’ achievements depend on how faithful they are in accomplishing divine goals.

With technological diversification it’s for them to persevere in promoting a Christian lifestyle, like those spelled out in The Catechism of the Catholic Church, viz:

• A belief in Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection

• Being a baptized Christian

• The importance of the sacraments

• Living a life of regular penance

• Making prayer a part of their daily life

It’s for us to bring these opportunities to light in the technological age of our global village.