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Church
Are We Facing a Faster Future?
by
Q Ideas
More than a decade ago, journalist James Gleick delivered a lecture at
Duke University’s Sanford Institute of Public Policy
mocking Western society’s obsession with saving time. He had just released a book entitled
Faster: The Acceleration of Just About Everything
after observing the way Americans were adjusting to technological advances such as speed dial, fast forward, and instant replay.
"As we drum our fingers on the desk as a weather map takes a few seconds to download, from data received half an hour ago from a satellite in space, we ask, 'Why is this taking so long?'" Gleick remarked at the Duke gathering. "It's staggering how much things have changed." By his prediction, American society was headed for an increasingly faster future.
[See
The Duke Chronicle's report on Gleick’s address
.]
Things have continued to change since Gleick delivered his address, and few would argue that most of America's life-pace has continued to rise.
The Journal of the Association for Psychological Scienc
e
, for example, reported in March of this year that America’s “fast food culture” has made us increasingly impatient. This confirms the hypothesis of Dr. George Ritzer in his book
The McDonaldization of Society.
But is this future set in stone? Not everyone is pleased by the speed of life. Many think that the speed of our society is robbing us of life’s most precious gifts—intimacy, rest, and relationship. A faster pace works for now, but some question whether this is the best social framework for the next year or the next generation. They are mobilizing their networks and pursuing their callings in a way that promotes a slower, smarter, and better tomorrow.
A recent issue of
GOOD Magazine
devoted itself to perspectives on slowing society. They encouraged practices like gardening and reading, and featured organizations like
Slowlab
, a non-profit encouraging design professionals to consider the history, meaning, and life cycle of their products. Rather than hurrying to design a product and then rushing it to market, Slowlab promotes a “considered approach” that first questions whether the product is necessary and then reflects on the best way to sustainably design and produce it.
Accompanying such efforts is the rise in widespread popularity of old-world systems, such as local food production and knitting. Many people are now riding bikes not simply to save the earth but also to enjoy the time we inhabit it.
Or consider the
new urbanism
movement, which promotes “livable communities” that are sustainable and enjoyable. Proponents are developing neighborhoods that promote walking and mingling through ubiquitous sidewalks, front porches, and the mixing of restaurants and shops with residential housing. Rather than rushing around in one’s car, a livable community allows for more time at home and with friends. Some governments, like the State of Oregon, have begun adopting anti-sprawl laws to promote the development of these types of communities.
[For more on new urbanism, watch
this short film
.]
From a Christian perspective, such efforts may be promising. Reflection, prayer, and meditation are big parts of the Christian way that require us to slow down. God told Job to “Stop and consider God’s wonders” (Job 37:14). Who can forget the words of Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” How can one hear the still, small voice of the Lord if they do not stop long enough to listen? Perhaps our lightning fast pace keeps us from fully connecting with God and others.
There is no way to tell whether efforts to slow life down will die the unfortunate death of all fads or take root and change the course of society. Are Americans heading for a faster future or a slower tomorrow? It seems we’ll have to . . . wait to find out.
_______
Editor's note:
The retro-futurist artwork above is a piece by Frank Tinsley entitled "Lunar Unicycle" (1959).
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Comments
Guy Chmieleski
Great post!
I know that I fight this fight internally on a regular basis. I was just on retreat, on an island off the coast of Seattle, WA, and was again reminded of the joy found in slowing down - and the nearness of God in those "thin places" we seek out.
I think the world will continue to increase the pace at which it operates, but it doesn't mean that we have to follow suit. Especially as Christians... I think we should model for the world what it looks like to live more slow and intentional lives.
Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry... and we are called as His disciples to follow His example.
Easier said than done, I know, but I will try.
Rich Wooten
One of the difficulties in this is that as we slow down, and the world continues it speeding up, we risk potential irrelevancy. For many, following Christ is already backward enough. So to slow down is truly a difficult balancing act.
I agree wholeheartedly with slowing down and approaching all of life with an intentionality that displays Christ's activity in each of us - we have much to offer. And as the father of 4 kids, 2 of whom are teens, the struggle for intentionality and simplifying and slowing down does seem like a pipe dream.
Guy is right - if Jesus did it (and arguably he had heavier weights to bear than any of us!) - then we can emulate him!
So, I will slow down what I can, grab hold of life as a husband, father, pastor, and lead those I can into the truth of what the essay is challenging us with!
Martyn Mayfield
Urgency, intentionality and sustainability are key words for me in this discussion.
When I walk my city and see the millions of people (literally) not having an opportunity to know of the Father's mission and I see people begging on the streets, and others sleeping under bridges it is difficult to tell myself, "take it easy - I deserve a break." But moving at full speed 100% of the time is a sure recipe for burnout and so finding a sustainable pace is required.
If I were to do it over again with my family: I'd take them on more community helping projects and talk about God's way as we walked and worked together. My wife and are are working to mix more time with Christian friends and non-Christian friends. I want to spend more time walking the streets looking for people who will tell their story.
When I think about the prophets of old, when I read Hebrews 11, when I see the intensity of Jesus' ministry with people and problems, his tiredness and his need for retreat, it reminds me of the shortness of our time here and the urgency of the situation.
The American culture has become radical in many ways, music, entertainment, sports and even recreation, but when it comes to changing our lifestyle to meet the financial, time and energy requirements to bring the Kingdom ways to the earth, isn't it time to be equally (if not more) radical?
I won't back down, I need to continue to simplify, but dome to the basics of helping bring wholeness to the lives of others. I encourage continued uncomfortable tension between urgency and sustainable lifestyle for the cause of Christ and for those in the dark!
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