Listening to the news on the radio this morning, I realized I can't remember the last time I picked up a physical newspaper and read it. Scanning headlines on news media websites, or listening to a news radio station is typically how I know what is going in the world.However, I rarely read the entire article when I do follow the link. Or if I am listening to news on the radio or web, I am usually doing something else while doing so. Why is this occupying space in my brain?
Because of a statement attributed to Karl Barth. He is reported to have said the Christians must "read with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other."
I wonder if somehow my ability to engage the congregation and the culture through my preaching is somehow diminished because of my peripheral contact with news. (Not to mention my ability to engage culture as an informed citizen who is a follower of Jesus.)How about you, how do you keep tabs on what is going on in the world? How do you engage current events as a follower of Jesus?
Recently I was at a party talking with someone of my parents' generation, and I commented on how I rarely read the Fauquier-Democrat. He insisted that I should as a good Pastor. I disagreed because I check fauquier.com and while it does say "for the full article see printed edition" I feel that is enough to stay in touch with life in town...and npr is where I get my national news, and often from podcasts because I'm busy during the regular broadcast! I've also found blogs to be a place for a lot of news.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago the number one place I would hear of national news first (like the death of someone important) was on the discussion forum for my favorite band (in the "off-topic" discussion area). I feel I've grown up just a little bit since that time, but I'm not ready to go back to reading a newspaper daily.