Global Trends Analysis
Non-Readers on the Rise
Populations of predominantly illiterate, semi-literate and traditionally oral learning peoples will increase due to high birth rates in many communities. Continued challenges in providing universal access to basic education for the poor, socially marginalized, and women, will dictate that oral-based methods be the primary means of disseminating information to many people. Modern communication itself is contributing to a growing population of inattentive- and non-readers – undermining words, books and reading. The internet generation will approach learning in vastly different ways and will challenge conventional methods of education.
Implications for the Global Church: The Bible is replete with the most extraordinary collection of stories to help communicate its message. The Church should rediscover how to make better use of story-based communication – whether spoken, in images, or in text. Reaching oral communities with the gospel will require media-based approaches and grassroots training for repeatable storytelling. The use of broadcast media will grow more pervasive, making the task of evangelism easier, but the work of discipleship more challenging. With less expertise behind an increasing flow of information, people will become increasingly inattentive to any single source. The Church has the opportunity to provide a vital filter for the overload of information by offering relevant theological critique and communicating with substance, truth, and clarity.
on Sat July 24, 2010, 10:45 AM