By REV JOHN HATCHER
Religion Columnist

Many Christians, including church directing ministers, seem ignorant of a modern technological advancement which could revolutionize their effectiveness as Christians. The technology has been around a long time but never utilized to its maximum potential. The device would make it possible for any minister to communicate with any parishioner or any fellow pastor in a moment's notice. It would allow Deacons, Elders, Presbyters to communicate their compassion without the inconvenience of putting on a tie or a shoe.

Of course, I talk about the telephone. It's overused by telemarketers and under-used by preachers. It's over-used by political operatives and under-used by spiritual care givers. Alexander Graham Bell exclaimed, "What hath God wrought." Indeed, the telephone can be used far more effectively than thought possible.

Just some facts! The average adult receives no more than two or three personal telephone calls each week. That's the opposite of perception. Many people perceive that other people's telephones are ringing like mad. You see, most of us think that other people are more popular than we are. They aren't.

Sure, some exceptions. Teenagers, whose youthful juices are racing, are always calling and being called. I know. I have a 16-year-old daughter. When she's out of town, on retreat, or a mission trip, the telephone line at my house cries out for a simple surge of power. If the telephone rings when she's gone, I know it's a telemarketer or somebody's dead.

Seriously, ministers are not the exception. We rarely receive personal telephone calls. Someone just calling to say, "hello." Youth ministers, however, may be the exception. Young people do call their youth ministers just to talk.

People, generally, cry out for someone to care. The telephone is the best way to do it. It's better than a personal visit. Most people don't want someone knocking on their doorespecially someone who expects to be invited in and stay for 30 minutes. If you want to make a visit to say "I care," you better make an appointment and even then, more often you will be put off.

The telephone. Even if the machine answers, they will at least know you cared enough to call. All the lonely people would love for their Sunday School teacher, their Deacon, their Elder, and their Minister to pick up the phone and call them for a brief visit. Ever heard of "telephone prayer?" Did you know that you can pray just as effectively over the telephone? It was the telephone company who encouraged us to "reach out and touch someone." We who believe that the power of God transcends space and time not only can reach out and touch someone, but also we can reach out and pray for someone by telephone.

The Internet supplies more possibilities. How about a Sunday School teacher composing a prayer in prayer, writing it down, and sending by E-mail to all his or her Bible students? Or, how about a spiritual care giverarmed with E-mail addressessending brief messages of hope and love to those under his or her charge.

Whatever the world has invented for itself, let's use it for the Kingdom of God. After all, it may have been intended for Kingdom work in the first place!

Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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