The 60-second preacher
22 Jan 2021 Editorial
Rebuilding good communicationsImage @pixabayLessons we could learn from a young London vicar
We live in an age of unprecedented avenues for communication, with modern technology opening up a whole new exciting world of social interaction. But in many ways, communication has never been so bad. We have come to use these new facilities as substitutes for real and lasting friendships, or weapons with which to reveal our disgust for someone else’s opinion. And so, with insults and abuse regularly traded on Twitter or texting, we are generating more heat than light.
Social media sabbatical
So I was heartened to hear of a politician from America, Chip Roy, announcing he was taking an indefinite sabbatical from social media. In an article for Wall Street Journal, he wrote: “We were inspired by seeing our Jewish brethren in Israel celebrate Shabbat, which reminded us of the Sundays we grew up with in the 1970s and ’80s. Ever since, one-seventh of our time has been immeasurably better, and Sunday dinner is a highlight of our week.” What a contrast to our frenetic Western culture – forever on the go, on a permanent treadmill, with phone in hand waiting for the next call.
“While social media has proved a useful vehicle for sharing information quickly, I have concluded that it does more harm than good to individuals and society alike,” Roy writes. “It reduces the value of communication to statements graded by ‘likes’… and other mechanisms that don’t reflect real human response or quality of thought. It has politicized communication to an unhealthy level, widened divisions rather than bridge them, and fed the temptation to call for censorship of views we find disagreeable.”
With insults and abuse regularly traded on Twitter or texting, we are generating more heat than light.
Rebuilding good communications
He said his action was not about making a political statement, “but in the hope that America can return to kitchen tables, churches, taverns, coffee shops… whatever it takes to look others in the eye and rebuild our communities and humanity.”1
For those of us communicating the gospel, the methods we use are of the utmost importance. We need to be clear, concise, relevant, wise and anointed with the Holy Spirit. Social media has made us lazy and sloppy, and we have lost the art of expressing ourselves well. I have rarely seen an email message (even from trained journalists) that wasn’t full of errors, so that in the long run brevity is cancelled by the time it takes to decipher what has been said.
Introducing the Rev Chris Lee
But not all social media is bad. Rev Chris Lee, a young West London vicar, has taken to preaching 60-second sermons on YouTube while walking in the park, and now has a staggering 170,000 fans tuning in to his pithy, passionate messages on a variety of subjects.2
After all, Jesus told us to be ‘fishers of men’ (Mark 1:17), for which we only need some tasty morsel to encourage hearers to hunger for more. No-one becomes a disciple overnight but, with Holy Spirit anointing, you can hook listeners with an instant bite which could well lead to lifelong commitment.
As Chris says in his 60-second talk, How to become a Christian, the most obvious place to start is to pray, and we all have the amazing privilege of direct access to our heavenly Father without having to hook up to the internet. Indeed, this is the ultimate in communication – the world-changing connection between heaven and earth. Just one word, ‘Help!’ could be the key to unlock a lifetime relationship with Jesus.
5-min biblical sermon
The Apostle Peter is another example of brevity – with a big punch. His sermon on the Day of Pentecost – and archaeologists have just discovered the podium thought to have been used for the occasion3 – saw 3,000 souls turn to Christ in repentance and faith. As recorded in the New Testament, it takes up 26 verses, equivalent to less than five minutes of speech, although he did actually add extra warnings which are not documented (Acts 2.14-40).
Bear in mind that Peter’s audience consisted of observant Jews who had come from all over the known world for the feast, so they would have been familiar with the background to what he was saying. He didn’t need a preaching marathon – there is a time and place for that, as with Paul’s all-night session at Troas (Acts 20) – but he got to the heart of the matter, as Rev Chris is also doing, and it caught people’s attention.
Just one word, ‘Help!’ could be the key to unlock a lifetime relationship with Jesus.
Establishing a habit
Our communication must be clear and concise. I find it good practice to ensure that everything I write, from birthday cards to sermon notes, and especially emails, is carefully composed, edited and double-checked, so there is no chance of being misunderstood. For if I habitually send out messages laced with errors, they will inevitably reappear when submitting material to publishers.
When I was a sports editor, I tried to give the same attention to a village 2nd XI report as a major cricket or rugby match. Jesus says we must be faithful in small things. That way, he will give us bigger tasks (Matt 25:21). By training yourself to be clear in your day-to-day conversations, your bigger projects will be better, sharper and more coherent.
Clarity of expression
Of course, it’s not just about words. If we love our neighbour – by looking after their cat when they’re on holiday, for example – then words are almost redundant. Actually, my wife and I have done just that over the past 18 years, and it has built up a wonderful friendship.
When I started out in journalism as a Fleet Street-based overseas correspondent, newspapers were still using hot metal for printing. Newsrooms echoed to a cacophony of typewriters, telephones and telex machines. Our remit was to produce fast and accurate, impartial copy, for readers in Southern Africa, and we churned out thousands of words per week. But accuracy was essential. While keeping a constant eye on the clock (with deadlines in mind), neither facts nor clarity of expression could be sacrificed.
So should it be with the gospel. Could you give your testimony, or sum up the gospel, in 60 seconds?
1. World Israel News, 13th January 2021, quoting the Wall Street Journal
2. For more information, read this article / interview
3. Gateway News, South Africa, 14th January 2021
2. For more information, read this article / interview
3. Gateway News, South Africa, 14th January 2021
Prophecy Today.
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