Overswamped with ministry specifically with talking to people online outside my church going through various things and late night discussions. All of it the last few days resulted in me yesterday falling asleep early hence this late post.
Piggybacking off yesterday’s post Big Tech Interference with Veritas Domain in 2020 I want to share a post I wrote for an apologetics group in the context of many Christians talking about leaving Facebook.
I wish in the future to flesh out a Christian theology of social media; there’s some work out there but they are pre-2020 and things has changed in the sense that most of those literature isn’t accounting for the present heated culture war. But for now I want to share some thoughts narrowly on the topic of jumping to new social platforms in light of censorship and self-censorship.
1. Just a word of encouragement for those that sign up for various social media: Remember all social media starts kind of slow and not much going on when they first start up. Over the years I remember Xanga was slow, WordPress was slow and Facebook was so plain and not much activity when it was only for people in certain college and universities to sign up. So something being slow or glitchy must be put in perspective. Sometimes patience is a virtue we need to cultivate. Sometimes it pays off and the social media platform grows.
2. In light of point 1, realize some social media will get bigger but also some will fade away. Think of Myspace and many other no names.
3. In light of point 2, signing up to more than one platform might be a wise idea you don’t know which one will catch wind for its sail.
4. Rejoice there is more than one platform being discussed right now (GAB, Mewe, Parler). Given our concern for freedom of speech and the problem of censorship and self-censorship the more there is the better since as basic economics if there’s only one platform that is catering to conservatives than there is less disincentive for that one platform to go against Christian conservatives later down the road (caving to outside pressure) since the platform feel they are the only venue for Conservatives anyways and conservatives are still going to have to ride with them. Then you will have what some people are complaining about the Fox News effect. Use Freemarket to our defend free speech and don’t depend on the government to intervene with everyone’s concern about Big Tech.
5. Generally speaking starting up earlier in a platform as a rule of thumb you will have easier time to increase more following, influence or meaningful interactions when a social media does grow.
5. Also by influence I don’t mean in a superficial man centered way like social media influencers who are wannabe starlet. I mean influence to be motivating people towards what is right, good, true, and beautiful.
6. I realize time is a limited resource we all have and we all have various responsibilities. It might sound like more is going to eat up our time. But as we grow in Christ we have the spirit of discipline and we have to be more intentional of what we are doing.
7, Redeeming the time by writing and post some stuff from time to time, maybe from your reading, a verse, some Bahnsen quote, or a couple of links here and there and make sure you use hashtag to maximize views.
8. Also if you are involved with other things like teaching, preaching, writing and blogging recycle that and share it on social media platforms. If you write a book review for one platform say Amazon reviews, share it other places. Don’t waste your social media time in one platform!
9. Still I think some of us when we do things we want to increase our impact for others. Sometimes that means sitting down and really spending the time and effort in studying, writing and research. What Christ’s body need more than anything now is quality content for the Glory of God. A lost and dying world also needs it. Give freely good contents and God will give you more grace and wisdom for future contents.
10. Also beware of the danger of using social media only as echo chambers. There’s a place for like-minded fellowship, help, resources and sharpening who have basic Christian conviction. Here is where I am going to say I’m not going to totally leave FB or Twitter altogether (unless they ban me), though I will be judicial in my interactions with others. Even if one doesn’t comment much on FB and Twitter we can see opposing views and learn from them.
11. Nothing is easy. But I think of how people in 2020 have had changed views, Christians gotten more biblical and people warned. Such were some of us here in this group. But we are so weak. Pray about your use of social media. Don’t be discouraged. WE aren’t the first to go through this. Our Reformed and Protestant forbearers wrote pamphlets that was their version of blog posts. The printing press was the first to make the truth of the Gospel viral. Before podcasts there was table talks. Sermons were live streams. Tracts were comment threads with opponents. God uses the medium we use to communicate truth. SDG.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Jim! I’ll continue reading this later today. GOD bless you and your family!
I’m praying for you with the storm. Al Jeezeera reported that this is the 21st storm to hit the Philippines this year. That’s so much, I don’t know if that’s normal or if this is something with 2020…
Thank you once again for this call to serve and give glory to the Triune GOD in social media and your practical advices. You are right, we should not focus on one platform, be disciplined i.e. time management, and give your best (content) for GOD as you share it with everyone in other platforms. I’m inactive in Facebook this year since I diverted the FB time for WordPress. Honestly, it is easy to share the Gospel in WP than FB but if FB won’t allow sharing from the site in WP then I’ll upload the post directly in another GC FB account. As for the depressions, storms or Typhoons, the frequency is typical (for the 3rd most disaster prone country) but the strength/power/intensity is greater due to CC. Thank you very much for your prayers and initiating prayers, much appreciated.
Howdy brother. This is right on target. As you know, I am active on a number of platforms. Despite the challenges, it is worth it all to get the mighty message of Jesus out .
Blessings.
BTW – I’m now on Parler as well as @MichaelWWilson
Thanks for the good information and counsel in light of the increasing censorship!
And on Veterans Day, thank you for your service! I enjoy banging the drum about the dangers of conflating faith and nationalism, BUT I’m mindful of the freedoms I enjoy and also mindful of all those who sacrificed so that we can enjoy those freedoms.
Thanks brother that means a lot. I’m with a Marine veteran friend right now and going to find a veteran dinner place for tonight. I imagine your son has done Apple Bees or other restaurants with specials for veterans?
I hope you had an enjoyable dinner with your friend! Not sure if our youngest son in the Air Force takes advantage of the Veterans Day specials. Our oldest son plays down his service because he was in the AF for just a few years before his unit was civilianized and he took a discharge.
Excellent advice. I don’t know whether I will be starting on another platform. Maybe I’ll wait a few months to see which of them are succeeding. J.
Thank you for your service! If I were to join social media it would be Parler. I am thankful that you share your thoughts with us!
Aww thanks sister! Did you and Nathan doing anything for Veterans Day or eat out at certain places catering deals for Veterans?
No, it’s terrible weather here so we stayed in. I gave him a card this morning. No matter how much this country changes, I am thankful for nathan (and you) for being a part of something bigger, yea God for that calling! Are you guys doing anything?! Sorry about study I need to start taking a nap on Tuesday so that I won’t be asleep by 7pm your time!
I recently joined Parler, but since I never understood Twitter – and I am not a terse verse guy – I have not seen much reason for Parler either. Maybe I am in the “slow” lane on a slow start up.
Thanks for all your comments. What is your parler name?
hatrack4
Thoughtful and encouraging points gotta look at opportunities in the mists of the bias of big tech
Great advice here Pastor Jim.
I had to follow your blog again.
I appreciate the fellowship and also how you shared our blog too on Twitter, etc. My favorite prayer for you for the week is happening now, for your Friday!
God bless you. Thank you so much for praying for our ministry .
Thanks always for your insight.🙌
10 and 11. We must not make our own echo chamber and also realize we’re not the first in this battle to share the truth.
Most people are leaving not to look for an echo chamber but because of FB censorship and flagging conservative and Christian contents.
Thank you, Sweetie.
God bless you Maw Maw
You too.
Shared it on my FaceBook profile. We were discussing this topic on Monday night’s podcast on TalkShoe with Chuck Bartok and You Can Build It, Best Business Mindset Alliance.
WordPress is my only outlet for my writing, and I am comfortable with it. Interesting to note that one of the pastors at my church turned off his social media for awhile. He needed a respite from the “noise.”
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.