Wednesday, November 8, 2000
Wednesday, November 8, 2000 |
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Join us as we 'unplug' and fast for a week... By REV JOHN HATCHER Some folks at River's Edge Community Church are experiencing anticipatorial withdrawal as we count the days to a church-wide television fast, Nov. 12-19. Many of our members already have signed commitments pledging they will keep the one-eyed monster unplugged a full week. Some, however, are wondering if they could survive without television. Why fast from television? The answer is the same as why anyone would fast from eating. One fasts from eating in order to give oneself over more to other disciplines like prayer, Bible Study, and self-examination. Fasts have been largely missing from the everyday diet and lifestyle of Christians. As we thought about the prayer needs of our church and the needs of families to revive the art of conversation, we decided that a fast from television would be more significant and more impacting than even a fast from food. And it will. Can you think of life for seven days without surfing, without the weather report, without hearing the latest string of murders, rapes, and robberies? It's simple. We're asking that individuals and families use television viewing time to read through the Gospel of Luke, in addition to playing board games, and perhaps hit on an intellectual conversation. Also, we're asking families to observe a few moments of prayer, praying for their own particular needs and the mission and purpose of the church. After we decided to make Nov.12-19 our Television Fast, I heard that the same week had been designated "sweeps" week by the television industry. Meaning, they will be broadcasting their very best and most sought after programs that very weekhoping to increase their ratings so they can charge more for advertising time. Oh well, whatever they air that week, we will be able to see lateras if we could not live without the best and latest from Hollywood and New York. Fearing that some folks would try to get around the television fast, we included also videos, movies, computer gamesanything which involves a monitor or a screen. Business and communications conducted by the world wide web are not included. There is also the question about our seniors who are homebound and the television serves them as neighbors and friends stopping by. We'll not be legalistic about the fast, and only those who want to participate are asked to sign up. But seriously, can you think of anything more discomforting to our lifestyle than to unplug the television? Let me invite you and your family to join the folks at River's Edge by turning off your television, experiencing family life like it was a half-century ago. It will be, "I heard every word you said, dear," rather than, "What did you say, dear?"
Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
