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Elders: John Cox, Richard Pryor
News & Notes from the Gallatin Church of Christ
Volume 40 Issue 6 June 2013
“And the Word Became Silicon”? By Daniel Gordon
One of my classes in Pittsburgh this summer will study the impact of technology on people and their values. We’re already answering questions about one of our books, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology (author Neil Postman).
Do you think that technology can solve our biggest problems in life? Below is my response to a similar question. I invite you into this discussion of technology, to get us thinking about how technology influences our values.
“I share Postman’s concern that we humans judge ourselves and others in quantifiable ways: in terms of numbers, statistics, rankings, productivity, dollars, etc. This is quite a degraded (and degrading) anthropology. Pastorally, I wonder how much of our anxiety, stress, depression, worry, and the like is rooted in the view that we’re only as good as what we can produce, only as good as the stats people could compile about us.
“It is my experience and belief that computers can be diversionary in general use. It is true that they can be useful to organize and communicate helpful information; this organizing and communicating takes time. If we don’t determine when it is and is not worth the time spent on computers, then we allow them to be diversionary – even diversionary from more worthwhile things, such as spending time face-to-face with people, face-to-face with real problems, present in the settings in which those problems occur. This kind of ‘incarnation’ in social problems positions us to address them. Computers are not a substitute for incarnational presence. In Postman’s pre-current-Internet time (1992), I’m not sure how useful computers could have been for social problems. I imagine that the Internet gives us the potential to use computers for social problems: for example, in communicating problems more widely and drawing in a wider circle of support and assistance. However, if, in drawing in a wider circle, the people nearest to the problem are somehow disengaged, then we use computers to swap out one helper for another. In Postman’s age, computers may indeed have seemed ‘useless in addressing’ problems (p. 119). Now, they could be useful, but only if preceded by, and subservient to, real, physical, human presence with the problem.
“With this in mind, I would agree with Postman that ‘our most serious problems are not technical, nor do they arise from inadequate information’ (p. 119). Our most serious problems are relational, in one way or another. The technical workings of nuclear power are not, by themselves, a problem. The relationship of the U.S. to Japan, or North Korea, or Iran, is. The technical workings of food production are, by and large, not a problem. The relationship of rich to poor, or food corporations to local farmers, is. In these, and many other examples, I believe we find that the problems really stay the same, even if the specifics change with new technologies. The one constant is people in their relations, good or bad, with one another. Relationships need to be the focus of problem-solving. If technology is more than a useful tool to relational problem-solving, then it is indeed diversionary and useless.”
continued on pg. 2
Minister: Daniel Gordon Associate Minister: Byron Gibbs
TO THE BENEVOLENT FUND
In Memory of Carrie Siever
by Martha Nicholls
Ben & Lou Della Mayberry
Robert & Edna Earle Mayberry
In Memory of Inez Bateman
by Jim & Mary Bright Young
Bonnie Cornell
Marilyn Kittrell & Hoyte Richardson
Larry & Carolyn Templeton
Dr. Judith Moore
Wesley & Dorris Elizer
Mary Howard Hayes
Jim & Sandra Travis
Allen & Alice Ann Parks
Frank & Peggy Flynn
Mary B. Boyd
William & Charlotte Anderson
In Memory of Inez Bateman
Cora Scott
Louise Suddarth
Carrie Siever by Maida Moss Thompson
TO THE RUTH FIELDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of Carrie Siever
by Zane & Linda Kittrell
Ada Key
Bea Scott, Ruthie & Sammy
Gallatin Church of Christ
Myra Hayes
In Memory of Inez Bateman
by Myra Hayes
Our Sympathy to the families of these who have recently passed away.
Inez Bateman Jean Womack (Edna Earle’s sister-in-law)
Newborn baby of Billy Ray & Ashley Eden (Brenda Davis’ nephew)
MEETINGS
VBS Organizational Meeting ~ Sunday, June 2 5:00 p.m. in the CEC
Leadership Meeting (for elders, deacons, ministry leaders, ministers and staff) ~ Sunday, June 30 ~ 5:00 p.m. in the CEC
Congratulations to Ray & Evelyn Augenstine as they celebrate their 65th Wedding Anniversary on June 18th.
On Sunday, June 23, Ron White will present the Healing Hands International story to combined Sunday School classes at 9:30 am. Then during
morning Worship he will preach “Walking in Jesus’ Steps”. We have contributed to Healing Hands in the
past and we have worked with them on the Magi Boxes in past years. Come out and join us to hear
about the wonderful work that they do.
Congratulations to Byron & Cassie Gibbs on the birth of daughter, Devri Elizabeth May 22, 2013 She weighed 8lbs. 2 oz. & was 21 in. long.
Proud Grandma: Sheryl Jetton Proud Grandparents: Gordon & Audrey Gibbs
Great Grandmother: Marilyn Meyette
My hope is that, in my life, I can become more aware of the ways I use technology to avoid real people and real problems. And not just more aware, but that I can repent and make any necessary changes. The Incarnation teaches us that God became a human, not a piece of technology: “The Word became flesh,” not a silicon microchip. If God’s Word is to become flesh in us and through us, then we must place people above our knick-knacks and gadgets. And we would do well to realize that, when we have problems in our world, it is unlikely that the problems are with the gadgets, but rather with the people who use them—and get used by them.
On Sunday, June 30, Mark & Candy Garrett, missionaries with SIM USA in Senegal, West Africa will be here for a combined Sunday School class at 9:30 and will be speaking during morning Worship. Be sure to join us.
June 9-13, 2013
Directors: Josh & Jamie Rector $85.00 camper cost
Green Ridge Church of Christ
2215 US Highway 41S (P. O. Box 424) Greenbrier, TN 37073
615-643-0002
Gallatin Church of Christ 150 E. Main St.
Gallatin, TN 37066 615-452-0271
Camp Leatherwood
3235 Westcott Rd. White Bluff, TN 37187
615-797-2756
A five-day Christian camp in White Bluff, TN,
having fun in fellowship with people of faith.
Campers: ages 8 and up Adults: camp help - partial or whole week
(See Byron or Daniel) Cost: $85.00 per camper ($150.00 for two, $200.00
for three+). Includes: lodging, meals and snacks, recreation, faith-forming activities, and crafts. Brochures and registration forms are available
outside Byron’s office. Please get your registration forms in as soon as possible.
June 2 VBS Organizational Meeting ~ 5:00 in the CEC June 5 Prepared Meal ~ 6-6:45; Classes begin at 7:00 June 9 BENEVOLENCE SUNDAY June 9-13 Camp Leatherwood ~ White Bluff, TN June 12 Prepared Meal ~ 6-6:45; Classes begin at 7:00 June 14 Flag Day and Daniel’s birthday June 16 Father’s Day June 17-29 Daniel in Pittsburgh for Divinity school June 19 Prepared Meal ~ 6-6:45; Classes begin at 7:00 June 23 Ron White with Healing Hands International teaching combined Sunday school class, speaking for Worship June 26 POTLUCK June 30 Mark & Candy Garrett missionaries with SIM USA in Senegal, West Africa will be speaking during Sunday School and Worship
Wednesday Morning Bible Class ~ resumes in the fall Men’s Ministry - Thursdays at 12:00 Noon in the CEC. Bring a sack lunch and join us
Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Gallatin Church of Christ 150 East Main Street Gallatin, Tennessee 37066
Office: (615) 452-0271 ● Fax: (615) 452-7787 Prayer Line: (615) 664-1322
Email: [email protected] Web: www.gallatinchurchofchrist.com
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
GALLATIN, TENN
PERMIT NO. 17
The cost to sponsor the Prayer Line is $25.00. See Sheryl or Kathy.
Mark Your Calendars!!! VBS ~ July 8, 9, & 10
6:00-8:00 p.m.. “The Life of Paul”
Watch for more info.
Happy
Father’s
Day
Sunday,
June 16
