Sunday, January 26, 2014

Expansive Communication Without the Mass

When have you been attracted to or repelled by large crowds (sporting events, rock concerts, political rallies, opening day at a new mall)? What do you do to get away from the maddening crowd? (Serendipity Bible 10th anniversary edition, page 1395).



I am never attracted by large crowds, but I am attracted by their significance. For example, I used to on occasion attend the Florida annual conference of the Methodist Church. Thousands attended and it was reassuring to know that I and my home congregation were not alone but Methodism was an expansive, ongoing, and thriving enterprise. As a youngster when I would go with my father to conference, I would frequently abandoned the conference (once the significance of the occasion had duly made an impression) and walk downtown to the dimestore and buy a bag of salted Spanish peanuts (as I recall, a big bag for 35 cents). Likewise, after the election of Barack Obama I rejoiced to see on TV a huge crowd gathered to help him celebrate his victory. Yet, I would have gladly given 100 bucks not to have been there personally. The same goes for sporting events, mass concerts, and huge throngs generally. One reason I attend the early service on Sunday mornings is that only a 100 or less attend that service. I like to feel that I am within a fellowship not a throng-ship. I feel especially fortunate for television and other forms of mass communication paradoxically go a long way toward taking the “mass” out of communication—every day communication is becoming more personal.

PS: If you follow my blog daily you will notice that I have had a lapse or two now for several days. The reason is that I caught a head cold that hit me like a ton of bricks—head congestion, coughing (thank goodness, no flu symptoms). I did have to take some sick time off from work. Which in a sense makes it a vacation—or as British Prime Minister Lloyd George said, “I find that a change of nuisance is as good as a vacation.” (Quoted in The President's Devotional by Joshua Dubois, Jan 26).
 


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