Updated 3/12/12

In a previous post — The Digital Pastor || Blogging as Spiritual Formation —  I began to explore one of the facets of ministry in the 21st Century — namely, ministry through the medium of technology.

While I talked about why I blog, and how I have experienced God in the midst of my online writing — and even in the generative conversations that ensue — there was something I didn’t mention…

I’m much more of a contemplative at heart.

Truth be told, I would probably still be without a cell phone, laptop, Facebook and twitter accounts, etc., if I had my way… BUT, I have come to see some of the ministerial and relational advantages — even necessities — of such things.

So I am learning to live in the tension.

On the one hand, wanting to unplug and withdraw, only to be accessed by those that know where and how to find me.

But on the other hand, believing that God wants us to engage this culture — through the culturally relevant mediums of our day — I sense a call to be “plugged in.”

And so I strive to find some sort of balance.

Bringing two opposite ends of the same spectrum together… and learning how to live with them both — side by side.

And as someone who can remember the introductions of the internet, email, cell phones and social media; I wonder what this must be like for this younger generation that has grown up only knowing these things.

They were born into a digital world (at least as far back as most of them can remember) and likely have little concept of what life before our digital age would have been like.

Yet, I would think that for many of our students, there has to be some level of this tension within.

They may not be able to name it, or even recognize it, but I would bet that it’s there.

Because it has to do with how God has “wired” us… as relational beings, incarnational beings.

While there are so many ways in which technology can benefit our lives, it also has the very real potential to serve as a huge distraction.

For one lacking in self-control, all the technological gadgets and ways of connecting, could easily occupy an overwhelming portion of one’s day — and life.

Finding our way forward — and helping our students to navigate these technology-infused waters well — needs to become a part of our work.

Learning how to live in this contemplative/tech tension — and discerning a level of healthy balance between the two — could be considered a new spiritual discipline of our technologically advancing time.

I don’t think we can (or should) avoid all of the new technologies, especially since our students are so readily engaged in them… but I do think we must proceed with prayerful caution.

What do you think?

• Is it possible to live in both worlds?  Can one be both contemplative and technologically relevant?
• How do you, as a minister, find some level of balance in this area?
• What does this look like for students in your ministry?  Do they understand the contemplative life?  Do they know how to “unplug” in healthy, consistent ways?

Take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below AND take just a second to answer this month’s question in sidebar poll on this very issue.