Published: November 03, 2007 04:38 pm            

VASICEK: What’s happening here?

I love my office. As a matter of fact, I do not know anybody who has an office more suited to their personality than I do. Built as part of the Conradt Mansion (constructed in 1913), my office is noted for quarter-cut oak woodwork. The beautiful fireplace is framed with antique ceramic tiles couched between oak carved pillars. I love the hardwood floor, vintage 1913 light fixture, the two closets and a recently built (matching) oak bookcase.

On the back wall (where only I see it) is a framed piece of sheet music with a photo of Al Jolson (my favorite singer of all time). I am the right person for this vintage office.

In contrast, you might note the “Mac mini” computer on my desk (don’t forget the flat screen monitor). This striking contrast between eras and technology is certainly a Kodak moment: How quickly the times are changing!

Like the conversion of large closets into water closets in the early 20th century, technology is invading our lives at an exponential pace. We stack our DVD player on top of our VHS player on top of our television set (and our TVs are quickly becoming obsolete!).

A sage once wrote there are three kinds of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who say, “What happened?”

Our world is changing so quickly that most of us find ourselves in the last category, and not just when it comes to technology. We wonder, what happened?

One day we went to sleep, thinking that the rest of the world revolved around the U.S. The next morning we woke up to realize that we are a significant nation, but one of many nations. Other nations are becoming wealthy, educated and powerful. Like the hare, we are surprised to find that the tortoise might win the race. Our executives travel the world, and international partnerships are becoming the norm. We are so intertwined with the rest of the world that even our national identity is weakened.

Our identity as the richest, most educated, and largest English-speaking nation is on the endangered species list. In the next 8 seconds, 34 babies will be born in this world: five in India, three in China, and one in the U.S. In 10 years, China will be the largest English-speaking nation in the world. Right now, India is right behind the U.S. when it comes to numbers of English-speakers and will soon surpass the U.S. in this area. All college grads in India are fluent in English (well, they consider it fluent!).

The job market is changing. The U.S. Department of Labor tells us that one-fourth of all working Americans have been at their current job for one year or less; half of all workers have been at their current job for 5 years or less (source: shifthappens.wikispaces.com).

In the world of religion, two religious movements are growing dramatically throughout the world. Evangelical Christianity (my persuasion) is growing at a rate of a little more than 40 percent while Islam is growing at a rate of a little under 40 percent.

Up until 1980, the majority of evangelical Christians were in the West (especially the U.S. and the U.K.,) but in these last 27 years things have changed drastically: there are nearly five times as many evangelicals in the non-West than the West!

The world is getting smaller and that translates to change, change, and more change.

In years gone by, a young man could graduate from high school, find a decent job, and support his family. Those days are mostly gone (although some still manage this). Because previous generations have made ends meet without college (or a viable trade) does not mean our children will be able to manage to do the same. All central Indiana residents need to embrace an ethic that makes education (or some sort of specialized training) a priority. The world we are entering is uncertain, and we need to bring all the skills we can into it. We must avoid the temptation to keep our heads in the sand.

Ed Vasicek is pastor of Highland Park Church and a weekly contributor to the Kokomo Tribune.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.