Casting Crowns Slow Fade
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
For Pastors and churches Facebook and Social Media present a huge new frontier. It is both exciting and frightening. Imagine that now you have a voice to so many believers and non-believers who would never have heard your message. You are just one like/share away from reaching the masses. It is that easy. You can make recommendations, give a sermon, share scripture, or even invite others to church all in a few little clicks.
However, so many churches and pastors have spoken out against Facebook. Some have gone so far as to call it the tool of the devil. Facebook has been compared to the air conditioner in some ways. If you are confused by this comparison let me give you some history. Back in the day when everyone finished dinner it was too hot to sit in the house so they sat on the front porch. On porch swings and at tables. People talked to their neighbors and knew the people living next store. When air conditioners were invented it became unnecessary to go out of the hot house to find relief and the social network of front porch living was broken. Some believe that face to face real communication will be broken by the superficial relationships formed on Facebook. Hebrews 10: 25 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The bible it would seem warns us not to give up on meeting together to encourage each other!
I am on the fence with this issue. on the one hand the bible instructs us to evangelize and share God's word! Matthew 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, What better way to spread his world than on a network so large that almost everyone on earth with a computer belongs to it right? It would be if Facebook were that simple, but people will say the darnedest things as they sit behind their computer screens. Cyber bullying is a real issue that now happens in schools across the country. Work places have now become drama filled due to the Facebook frenzy. Even churches cannot say they haven't been effected. Social media has allowed people to share their criticisms of everything from restaurants, teachers, department stores, to churches and pastors! With no end to the positive and negative criticism it becomes a balancing act for all! If you are friends with people from work you worry about what they see on your facebook. Some of us do things in our free time that we aren't proud of and Facebook has exposed us to the world!
Now don't get me wrong I am not decided on my stance; I am just the bearer of the news. Facebook can also be a tool for good. When you need a prayer, a hug, or a little pick me up from friends just log on and update your status. In an instant you have reached 10-50 people depending on the number of friends you have. The larger your friend base the greater the impact of your message. Want to share a bible verse post it on Facebook. If there is a need for service churches can easily call on hundreds of people to serve. No more phone trees or email lists simply post it on your page and ask others to share. Like wildfire you can spread a message! In terms of evangelism and the gospel that is pretty awesome.
For pastors though Facebook has another ugly side. You see as a pastor whether it is right or wrong you are held to a different standard. I know my own pastor has preached that he thinks all Christians should hold themselves to the standard that they hold their pastor to. Matthew 7: 1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you I certainly do not want to be judged in the unfair manner that I sometimes judge others. On the other hand if you are a public figure: a pastor, a teacher, a politician you have to realize that you will be judged. It doesn't make it right, or even fair. If you are a pastor and you post something on Facebook you have to realize that people who may not know your character could make a judgement based on that one comment. Your comments might be taken out of context and used against you. In addition with so many Christians who are not strong in their faith you tread a precarious line. One right step and you can draw them to Jesus forever, but one misplaced misconstrued comment may turn them away. For some people reading your comment on Facebook may be the closest they ever come to setting foot in a church.
I was so sad to hear of how Christians from one church used Facebook to judge each other. They gossiped about each other and their pastor. Proverbs 20: 19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. It turned many inside their church against each other. It turned some against their pastor. They had trusted him, but in the end a few misplaced words split the whole congregation and it all started out as a simple comment on Facebook. The only will served in this was the devils and in the end many a Christian was hurt. Pastors must tread lightly for Facebook has no body language. There are no facial expressions, and even things meant in love may be taken out of context. Additionally Facebook communication cannot take the place of real life face to face interaction. It is too easy to like something or leave a short comment, but whether celebrating or mourning it is in our human nature to need someone to lean on. You can't really lean on a computer screen!
However, so many churches and pastors have spoken out against Facebook. Some have gone so far as to call it the tool of the devil. Facebook has been compared to the air conditioner in some ways. If you are confused by this comparison let me give you some history. Back in the day when everyone finished dinner it was too hot to sit in the house so they sat on the front porch. On porch swings and at tables. People talked to their neighbors and knew the people living next store. When air conditioners were invented it became unnecessary to go out of the hot house to find relief and the social network of front porch living was broken. Some believe that face to face real communication will be broken by the superficial relationships formed on Facebook. Hebrews 10: 25 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The bible it would seem warns us not to give up on meeting together to encourage each other!
I am on the fence with this issue. on the one hand the bible instructs us to evangelize and share God's word! Matthew 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, What better way to spread his world than on a network so large that almost everyone on earth with a computer belongs to it right? It would be if Facebook were that simple, but people will say the darnedest things as they sit behind their computer screens. Cyber bullying is a real issue that now happens in schools across the country. Work places have now become drama filled due to the Facebook frenzy. Even churches cannot say they haven't been effected. Social media has allowed people to share their criticisms of everything from restaurants, teachers, department stores, to churches and pastors! With no end to the positive and negative criticism it becomes a balancing act for all! If you are friends with people from work you worry about what they see on your facebook. Some of us do things in our free time that we aren't proud of and Facebook has exposed us to the world!
Now don't get me wrong I am not decided on my stance; I am just the bearer of the news. Facebook can also be a tool for good. When you need a prayer, a hug, or a little pick me up from friends just log on and update your status. In an instant you have reached 10-50 people depending on the number of friends you have. The larger your friend base the greater the impact of your message. Want to share a bible verse post it on Facebook. If there is a need for service churches can easily call on hundreds of people to serve. No more phone trees or email lists simply post it on your page and ask others to share. Like wildfire you can spread a message! In terms of evangelism and the gospel that is pretty awesome.
For pastors though Facebook has another ugly side. You see as a pastor whether it is right or wrong you are held to a different standard. I know my own pastor has preached that he thinks all Christians should hold themselves to the standard that they hold their pastor to. Matthew 7: 1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you I certainly do not want to be judged in the unfair manner that I sometimes judge others. On the other hand if you are a public figure: a pastor, a teacher, a politician you have to realize that you will be judged. It doesn't make it right, or even fair. If you are a pastor and you post something on Facebook you have to realize that people who may not know your character could make a judgement based on that one comment. Your comments might be taken out of context and used against you. In addition with so many Christians who are not strong in their faith you tread a precarious line. One right step and you can draw them to Jesus forever, but one misplaced misconstrued comment may turn them away. For some people reading your comment on Facebook may be the closest they ever come to setting foot in a church.
I was so sad to hear of how Christians from one church used Facebook to judge each other. They gossiped about each other and their pastor. Proverbs 20: 19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. It turned many inside their church against each other. It turned some against their pastor. They had trusted him, but in the end a few misplaced words split the whole congregation and it all started out as a simple comment on Facebook. The only will served in this was the devils and in the end many a Christian was hurt. Pastors must tread lightly for Facebook has no body language. There are no facial expressions, and even things meant in love may be taken out of context. Additionally Facebook communication cannot take the place of real life face to face interaction. It is too easy to like something or leave a short comment, but whether celebrating or mourning it is in our human nature to need someone to lean on. You can't really lean on a computer screen!
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid When you give yourself away People never crumble in a day
Very good thoughts, my friend. I must admit, I do miss keeping 'in touch' with you and others who are long distance. But I still log into Court's every now and then to stay updated! I have to admit, I was getting addicted to FB and spending way too much time on it. I feel as though I have been freed from a drug I couldn't control. I so admire those who can have temperance and control with it.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your baptism photos. What a blessing. Amen. ♥ ya