Welcome to a New Millennium
"For most United Methodist churches, the year 2000 was not so different from 1999, despite overhyped fears of the Y2K bug and the apocalypse" is the opening line of the year-end wrap-up article from United Methodist News Service (UMNS #564). The article goes on to say that, while daily life seems the same, there has been an undercurrent of wrestling with major issues.
Congregations have filled out charge conference reports and, for the most part, things seem the same. The numbers are slightly different; church leaders continue in their roles. FaithQuest groups are starting to notice the "undercurrent" of change in congregations and in the world. Our challenge as people of faith is to listen deeply for the voice of God so that among many issues and undercurrents we follow God's lead.
One undercurrent building at warp speed is the digital revolution. Change in this area is so rapid that equipment and knowledge improve (or at least change!) weekly. Even the language we use to describe what is happening is constantly being modified! This issue of FaithQuest News focuses on the digital world. Our guest writer is Donna Gaither, director of The Learning Center at the General Board of Discipleship. Donna recently completed a study leave during which she explored the implications of digital technology and distance learning for the church and for the General Board of Discipleship.
Betsey Heavner (bheavner@gbod.org) is Director of FaithQuest at The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee.
Changing Technology & the Church