Some of you are going to be very happy reading this. You have been watching the world shift dramatically toward digital communication – email, web sites, Facebook, where does it end? – and you are reluctant to get on the boat.

Your reasons are varied. Some are at that point in life where you can successfully ride out the remainder without having to learn a complex new technology.

Others have to work with digital communication all day, which is why you are more than fed up with it by the time your workday ends.

Then there is the strongly held opinion by some that digital communication is inferior because it is impersonal. This is the category of people who actually still write letters, and who refuse to leave a voice mail message.

You know that I am not in any of those categories. You watched me set up my web log so that I could share with you the insights and discoveries of my sabbatical. When I returned I let it be known I intended to continue writing, and I have urged you to check in regularly.

While I was away, I set up a Facebook account, and now I have quite a few “friends” within Faith Church. I like it.

Then there was the introduction of the online forum for worship planning, in which I encourage people to dialogue with me, before and after each worship service, regarding the themes and content of the worship. (http://faithchurch.freeforums.org)

I’m still bullish on all this stuff, but you may have noticed that I have dropped off in the frequency of my entries on my web log. I haven’t run out of things to say, but I regularly run out of time to write.

So I was relieved – and perhaps you will be relieved – when I read a web log entry entitled, “Why I Don’t Blog Much.” The writer, Hugh Halter, is a church planting pastor in Denver, author of The Tangible Kingdom, and leader of an organization that helps train people in the missional church movement. In short, this is a busy, accomplished person. And here is why Hugh doesn’t blog much: “I prefer to spend my time with people. . . I haven’t got time to be a good husband and dad, let alone a good writer.”

But we might be misled if we think that Hugh Halter won’t spend much time blogging because he is so “productive.” As a missional Christian, Hugh logs lots of hours accomplishing very little. Like endless numbers of other Christians I have met this past year, who have pushed themselves out the doors of their churches in order to engage with people who haven’t yet become followers of Christ, Hugh Halter believes that hanging out can be kingdom work.

So do I. I told some folks this fall that I want to make one new acquaintance with a non-churchgoing person per month. That means I have to find a way, and find the time, to cultivate friendships beyond Faith Church.

After two months, I have one name. I’m slipping behind schedule. So, as I head into 2009, I am renewing my decision to be a missional Christian. If I have time to write about it, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, you can figure that I’m out on the field.