Why bother with a social networking for 'your ministry'?

L

learjet Jun 27, 2012

I'm seriously wondering why people have social networking accounts if they don't want to spend part of their time actually being 'social'. The keyword to 'social' networking is the 'social' part of it :-)

If you have the energy to post something online why can't folks take the time to respond to what people wrote about their thoughts? This honestly is not directed at anyone here, but if the shoe fits put it on.

There are folks that do take time to go back and forth (Robert W for example) but the majority of pastors and ministries that I know on Facebook do nothing but use it as another pulpit to speak one way and not dialogue. It's sad because it passes up the opportunity to show someone that you really do care for them.

Just a thought :-)

sermonindex Jun 27, 2012

I agree with you brother, and on the 2 social networking sites we have on Facebook I try to be as prompt as I can to answer any questions or give any clarifications or just commendations to what someone posted.

http://www.facebook.com/sermonindex
http://www.twitter.com/sermonindex
http://www.youtube.com/sermonindex

http://www.facebook.com/gregjgordon7

I would also add that I try to streamline everything as much as possible so that twitter and youtube posts automatically to sermon index on Facebook. I find social media sites can really waste time easily and therefore people in ministry should be guarded against this.

But if I may make a comment also I believe that to have everything "commendable" is a weakness, nothing in our day cannot be questioned and that is a sad way to approach spiritual truths and the bible. Rather we should approach these things in a way that is humble, teachable and listening more then inputting.

I believe many ministries try to even not allow commenting on some of their social media is because they want to just promote what God has called them to promote and not spend all their time dealing with gainsayers who will question everything.

I do believe there are absolutely time for valid questions to be asked but the internet is full of too many who ask more then they listen. Try to give more then they receive.

Even on SermonIndex I would say those that spend more time just communicating in the forums here and not listening to the sermons are those that bring up the most trouble. I have seen those over the years who have been listening to the sermons their posts become more Christ-like and godly.

Just some observations from my end brother.

sermonindex Jun 28, 2012

There is the reality of the persona, is there not? The image of what someone wants you to perceive them as. I think it is nearly impossible to "love" or care for anyone in these medias. You exchange ideas and concepts , videos and pictures; this is much, much different than actually caring. It is entertainment, and filled with the ego-stroke.

Then there is the Priest-Class concept, that because I am a minister, I am to be supported, and yes, with cash donations if possible.

Most of what is promoted on Facebook and Twitter, IMHO, is directed at promoting the ministry for gain, both in numbers and donations; in the end there is a connection between the two. Inevitably this attitude of promoting ones ministry is simply striving for the success of these two worldly goals; money and power, and bonded to the honor of man; it is pride filled.

It is odd Greg, that you say that those who post the most on the forums, have given you the most trouble, when you yourself have posted far more than any closest rival; at least 26,500 times. I don't understand completely. [ I have greatly benefited from your site; some from videos, but much from the forum.]

I have a Facebook account,[thomas ray watkins] but do not feel obligated in it, or immersed in it. I also have a prophetic blog, where I primary post proclamations that I feel are from God; Prophesies and teaching and the like...just like a prophecy is in real life. In this, I do not desire dialogue; it is what it is. [ the bride in the wilderness]

But here, I enjoy it very much, and have gleaned much as well as, I suppose, given some too. I am a brother in the body first, and try to be a good son to my Father. Any ministry follows that. Also, I am free, as you are free, to respond or not to respond to anyone as you are led here.

I would not put too much expectation in people.
The real world is not inside the cyber-world , and either are real friendships and relations. The real world is the one you emerge into when your laptop is closing, and you struggle to express yourself while alone. It is here, and here only, that love and care manifest, and they emerge from the heart; not the mind or the keyboard.

I like the Internet, but now and then I come to my senses, and really do minister to real people. I try not to live there.

sermonindex Jun 28, 2012

It is odd Greg, that you say that those who post the most on the forums, have given you the most trouble, when you yourself have posted far more than any closest rival; at least 26,500 times. I don't understand completely. [ I have greatly benefited from your site; some from videos, but much from the forum.]

Brother to clarify this for you, I was speaking of those who primarily come on sermon index to use the forums to post their own ideas and thoughts and are not willing to try and listen to the audio and video sermons to grow in Christ.

This has been an observation over the last 9+ years of users on this site. In no way am I throwing stones at anyone the point I am trying to make is that to benefit the greatest from this site is to delve into its resources and be teachable.

It seems to be social media and web 2.0 is more about sharing your ideas and thoughts then learning. Though in the midst of it we all learn and find new resources.

L

learjet Jun 28, 2012

Please hear my tone in this, very happy (like a saved Elmer Fudd) :-)

I believe many ministries try to even not allow commenting on some of their social media is because they want to just promote what God has called them to promote and not spend all their time dealing with gainsayers who will question everything.

I understand the reasoning behind this and would agree with you to some extent however, a social network is just that: 'social'. If a ministry has a social networking page solely to 'promote' then their motive is not to be social. It's not a 'promotion-network'.

If you say something to me face to face and I just shrug my shoulders and walk away, most folks would think that I'm rude, and rightly so.

I see folks complain about haters (sorry for the word but it explains what I mean better than anything else) that will type any caustic garbage behind a keyboard because "hey you would never say that to my face" (which i happen to agree with). But on the other hand we don't just walk away from non-caustic people who are talking to us in public either because it would be rude.

We can't choose to call someone out on their lack of social decorum because we don't like what they say, and then just walk away from conversations and have no social decorum of our own.

I do believe there are absolutely time for valid questions to be asked but the internet is full of too many who ask more then they listen. Try to give more then they receive.

There are plenty of haters on the internet and I understand that, no worries. If we can't handle a little internet persecution then how will we handle the face to face persecution?

I understand that people can waste hours of time just going back and forth with people who just want to argue however, if you are going to put something out there that is controversial, at least have the guts to face up to what you post and explain it.

sermonindex Jun 28, 2012

"Brother to clarify this for you, I was speaking of those who primarily come on sermon index to use the forums to post their own ideas and thoughts and are not willing to try and listen to the audio and video sermons to grow in Christ.

This has been an observation over the last 9+ years of users on this site. In no way am I throwing stones at anyone the point I am trying to make is that to benefit the greatest from this site is to delve into its resources and be teachable.

It seems to be social media and web 2.0 is more about sharing your ideas and thoughts then learning. Though in the midst of it we all learn and find new resources."
Sermonindex: [ Greg]

Thank you Greg for clarifying that; Without trying to be facetious; I really did not understand in my question.

Both have benefited me, and thousands of others, and for this, I am thankful to you for keeping SI together, and orderly...sincerely, Tom.

K

Koheleth Jun 29, 2012

learjet wrote:

I'm seriously wondering why people have social networking accounts if they don't want to spend part of their time actually being 'social'. The keyword to 'social' networking is the 'social' part of it :-)

There are no laws governing Internet usage. Nothing dictates that putting any content on the Internet requires that you respond. In fact, I am glad that many Christians do not respond to much of what they post. I think it would degrade the material to chase every rabbit trail and foolish insinuation. It is perfectly legitimate to use the Internet as a means of broadcasting. Personally, I don't often like the "social" aspect of Facebook and prefer to use it as a one-way means of communication. I take input from other Christians, often without comment, and post items usually without expecting feedback, and I like it that way. When I want to have a conversation, I connect with a local Christian face-to-face. You say it is a social network, not a promotion network, but that is not correct. Many people use social networking for promotion. There are no galactic laws that require us to use a social network for something particular. The nice thing about the Internet is that if you don't like what is on a webpage, you close it. Just a perspective to keep in mind in regard to your question why some don't interact. Time is valuable, and we all need to use it well.