I recently saw a post on one of my favorite link blogs, BagofNothing.com.
BON linked to an article on TheChurchReport.com that was originally published in Facts & Trends (published bimonthly by LifeWay Christian Resources.) The article is a summation of the data from a recent survey taken by ministers and laity within the ‘church.’ ARTICLE

New research shows that Protestant ministers tend to be less informed about popular culture (magazine, TV, video games, music, etc.) than are the people to whom they are ministering.

This survey exposes the fine line between being immersed in a popular culture that runs contrary to biblical truths; with avoiding this popular culture at all costs. There are definitely two extremes on this topic. Many without ties to a ‘church’ must be confused as to why this even matters, so let me explain the problem. If I try and encourage my congregation every week to live a demonstrative life of God’s goodness while trying to abstain from the things of this world (greed, selfishness, sexual lusts) at what point do I need to engage my world so that I can better reach the people to whom I’m trying to influence? Does that make sense? You have to know what’s going on in the world to better reach the world with your message, but at the same time you must keep a healthy distance to avoid your message being watered down.

I know of ministers who think nothing of devouring all the world has to offer, in television, movies, books, and Internet. They think God will shield their eyes and it’s their duty to absorb as much as possible to be as relevant as possible to their congregations. Other people I know are the polar opposite. They don’t have televisions or computers, and try to avoid the culture of our world at every turn. Most of these families are ignorant on all the major issues facing the world.

I personally fall somewhere in between these two extremes. I fulfill the need to keep aware by reading Time and The Week magazines every week. I also am an avid news reader, and keep up on current political and world events. There are also a few ‘Christian’ resources made available to ministers that help keep us on top of the current popular issues in society.

So in response to BON’s questions about whether this is a good thing or a bad thing… I say it’s both.