by Ken Walker 19 Dec 2007

When it comes to buzzwords for 2007, "going green" topped the list. Millions are embracing environmental consciousness, including many churches. Be it recycling bins, automated thermostats and temperature controls, or driving hybrid vehicles, energy conservation is popular.

In some cases, trends can go too far. Exhibit A landed in my e-mail last week: a press release from Thomas Nelson Publishers—one of the nation’s largest Christian houses—about its observance of a "green" holiday.

In an effort to be better stewards of the environment, Nelson announced it would forego sending Christmas cards to customers and business associates. Instead, the company will distribute a selection of "environmentally-friendly, interactive Christmas cards."

"We are constantly exploring what steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint," says CEO Michael Hyatt.

Now, I’m a big admirer of Thomas Nelson. The company has produced a string of New York Times bestsellers in recent years and publishes some of my favorite authors.

But to forego sending me a card in favor of yet one more piece of e-mail that I don’t want, don’t need and consider the height of impersonal gestures? I would advise anyone considering that to save even more energy by not bothering to design or transmit such a message.

Let’s face it, keeping up with e-mail is a never-ending challenge. The task is fraught with needless forwards and the obnoxious stream of junk mail that proliferates despite filters, spam blockers and the threat of execution (not really, but we can dream.)

Granted, lots of trees give their lives to produce those Christmas cards. Yet I question how much paper Nelson will ultimately save. After all, recipients are likely to consume reams of paper printing out those e-cards.

One could also ask whether Nelson intends to transfer all its books to electronic format, thereby saving even more paper. (While it may be easy to envision a world where everything winds up on a Blackberry, the thought of accidentally dropping one into the bathtub while savoring a novel one evening is a bit disconcerting.)

Lost in the focus on the environment is the danger of removing some of the touches that add joy and personal connections to our lives.

I enjoy getting Christmas cards, which often bring newsletters and updates on old friends, personal notes from people I haven’t seen for several years or more, and a sense of relationship.

Substituting an e-mail for a card I can hold in my hand is like pretending a fast-food burger is as good as the delicious dinners my wife cooks with skill, love and tender care.

This topic is particularly relevant to churches. In stories I have written the past two years about house churches, one reason cited for their growing popularity is the fostering of close relationships among participants.

Polls have shown young people are craving these kind of connections and authenticity, be that in church or other areas of their lives.

E-mails may be handy for spreading the word and quickly swapping information about church business. Likewise, phone trees may be a handy way to alert members to a particular emergency or church activity. But wise pastors will never forget the impact of a personal touch, which will never go out of style.

When my mother-in-law was on her deathbed and a hospital chaplain appeared in the room with kind words for our family, they literally felt like honey poured over the atmosphere.

Some things are best delivered in personable fashion, no matter how fast or efficient our electronic devices. Christmas cards? Bring ‘em on. Christmas E-cards? Bah, humbug.