eformation--When the Message is the Same

#1 in the eformation Series

I have a sister that has a green thumb, 

and happens to work at a landscaping business.

She has access to great raw material

 for planting flower containers,

and uses a fearless good-eye for combinations.

Then explores some great containers-

like this old wash tub. 

My time visiting with her last week

 has me stewing about plants and containers.

 Seeing snippets of this,
 as it relates to the eformation2014 conference
 that I attended in June-

 at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA.

Got to meet and hear many of the authors that I had 

read in my research last summer- 

about Social Media Gospel.

eformation is learning about the
 electronic spiritual formation technology
 that God has advanced 

for the sake of His kingdom.

 It is the same message-
 but the method changes.

It might be the same ole message (plant)

but when packaged together (container),

someone, somehow just might see it differently.

A fern looks different when nestled 

against an unusual

companion-Persian Shield,

 and catches the eye of someone

 who might otherwise miss it. 

The common and ordinary

 finds itself with a new neighbor,

 and perhaps a new conversation.

The tension the church faces as it ventures

 into the social media realm

 is the fear of not being "in control"

 of how and where and when
 the message gets shared.

Perhaps something found normally

 in the "shade"

has new found light.

Or, the movement is maybe a bit "wilder"

as the message of Jesus Christ-
Lord and Savior

for ALL people,

 dances with the power and whimsey 

of the Holy Spirit.

When our lens is changed,

and we step back to see the overall vision,

maybe we can begin to see that this obedience to

share the centuries old message

 of the Love of Jesus

 for His people,

will not be dishonored,

 if we group it a bit differently

 than has ever been done before.

I believe it is worth the risk

 of every mistake we might make,

 to repackage this gift,

 for the sake of those

 who have never seen it quite like that before.

Are you ready to plant some new combinations,

that just might allow the Holy Spirit free-reign

for the sake of the Kingdom of God?