In a recent conversation a pastor confided that he did not believe in the old school ways of reaching people. His thoughts were, “if we’re going to reach people we need to use the internet, social media, and other technology.” I could not agree more. I personally use three social media interfaces daily, post to this blog site weekly, have a ministry website and am open to other technological communication advances as well. It was the pastor’s next statement that troubled me. He began explaining what he meant by “old school.” The implication was that face to face personal interaction was no longer relevant. “People don’t want that anymore,” he stated.

While I absolutely agree that we must use the technological advances God has blessed us with to reach out to and connect with society today, I also know that nothing will ever replace the impact and dynamics of personal face to face interaction. I did not say “I believe…” my statement is that “I know...” Studies have shown for years the level of emotional, perceptive, and cerebral impact on individuals. In person, face to face interaction has always placed strides above and beyond even a personal phone call. Written notifications are even less impactful.

God placed within each of us a desire to have relationships with others as well as Himself. Relationships require interaction. The innate desire God placed within you to interact with others is fueled by emotional response. While a card, letter, phone call, text, or social media post can elicit a degree of emotional connection, none can compare to the emotional connection as delivering the same message face to face in person.

Just this morning in our staff meeting, without prompting, two staff members shared of the joy they each experienced in making an unplanned visit to church member families. I loved sitting in that meeting and listening to these two as they shared their stories with joy and excitement. One even stated that he felt a little embarrassed being so blessed when he made his visit to encourage the family.

Only a few (4-6) short miles from the church of the pastor mentioned above, is a church who had not reached out to their community in twenty years. Two years ago they decided to change that and began doing what this other pastor (and others) say people do not want today. This church is reaching people for Christ and have been welcomed by the community. There are at least six souls, that I know of, who are now eternally grateful for the church who once again decided they needed to personally interact with the surrounding community.

Yes, we should use social media, texting, e-mail, video chats, and other means of technology to reach out and connect with the world. No other generation has ever had such availability to mass communication and if we, as individuals and organizations, do not take advantage of it we will die on the vine and become extinct as the dinosaurs and many cultures who have gone before us. However, we cannot depend on these to the exclusion of God’s greatest gift to us in communing with others – the personal face to face interaction with others.

Please church, be the church. Use all the resources God has placed at your disposal, and most of all do not forget the one He gave us to make the greatest impact on those around us. Let us encourage one another to be intentional about sharing of Christ with others in the most personal of ways.