My wife, Karin, and I have five children. The youngest three, all teenagers, are proficient in operating CDs and DVDs. Records in the 33 or 45 rpm formats are obsolete in their lives. It’s not in their experience to know the joy of placing a diamond-tipped needle on an album just cleaned of dust, enjoying the static-free sound. They consider the technology outdated.
     The music industry has mostly forsaken audiocassette tapes. If it weren’t for local churches that sell and distribute this older technology, audiocassettes indeed would be obsolete.
     With the FCC’s recent adoption of IBOC as the technology to move radio from analog to digital and the fast-approaching convergence between the computer, telephone and TV, Christian broadcasters are faced with an enormous challenge: How do we attain greater access for the Gospel on these new technologies? Although many are struggling with the idea of simply maintaining the level of access they currently possess, our real challenge remains attaining greater access.
     I am concerned that we, as Christian broadcasters, can soon become obsolete, especially in this technological TV industry. It is a common occurrence to pick up a TV Guide anywhere in America and see scores of cable TV channels without one Christian channel listed. In the mind of some TV Guide executives, we apparently are obsolete.
     Sometimes as Christians, we are most guilty of not being able to make the necessary shift in our thinking and operations. But when it comes to media, it’s a new, digitized day. We must make the necessary adjustments in order for our products, programs, stations and networks to avoid being ¾ or becoming ¾ obsolete.
     Let us each embrace new technologies as opportunities to expand the Kingdom of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. In order to make the necessary transition into this new world of digital convergence, wisdom would call for Christian youth to make themselves available. It’s a great reason to include many young people in the various established organizations within our Association.
     These next few years promise to be filled with many great opportunities and exciting changes. Expect it, prepare for it and flow with it, and we will avoid obsolescence.