This is a Guest Post by Phillip Gibb.
I made an arbitrary and somewhat random tweet [Editor: Aren’t all tweets arbitrary/random?] on Twitter with no thought nor intent of receiving any feedback from anyone but someone responded, someone replied.
It then hit me: Twitter is an awesome mission field.
Although I probably don’t need to convince the vast majority of you that this is true, there are perhaps a few readers who need to hear it, and a few others who need to also have a tweet-ipiphany.
You see, as Christians, do we really realize the potential that any social networking mechanism or application offers to us to reach others?
In my situation I had made a comment that was completely random (a weather comment) and through a chain reaction of relationships I received a reply even though I was not a follower of her and she not of me, and even though her response was as equally “arbitrary” we had an instant moment of connection, and that got me thinking.
Now I am not saying that we should post bible verses and Altar Calls every 5 minutes, but I am suggesting that we can leverage twitter (and really any social networking/media mechanism) with purpose and mission, and invest into other people’s (tweeps) lives by the way we conduct ourselves and express ourselves on twitter.
The connection is possible and easy. What you do next with it is totally up to you.
In the Google Story by David A. Vise, Sergey Brin and Larry Page made their fame and fortune by leveraging the internet and people’s need for information. We as Christians can also leverage that as well and the desire by people to be known by and to know something bigger than themselves – God.
So I challenge you to make use of that opportunity… it may be all that you (and God) need(s) to get things rolling in the right direction.
[Image from JavaJunky]
Christina says
I'm totally digging this. I'm all for it!
human3rror says
definitely christina!
Phillip Gibb says
awesome π
Jim says
it's the imission
NicCharalambous says
Hey … watch the use of the word ipiphany…. you don't want the Ipiphanist to send the lawyers after you hehe …
Phillip Gibb says
he he he
oops
epitome
lol
A search for Ipiphanist brings out your twitter account at the top – Ipiphanist
Graham Brenna says
bahaha
Josh Wagner says
This is the future. Using new tools for our mission, whether that's marketing, publishing, or telling people about God. Gets me excited thinking of all the possibilities.
Phillip Gibb says
amen to that π
Ancoti says
The thing I really like about Twitter is how easy it is to reach outside our Christian bubble. I encourage everyone to have a good community of believers for support but to reach out to those who do not share your faith and beliefs. It is easy to get the good news out there 140 keystrokes at a time.
human3rror says
i like that too. it's pretty easy to connect with others… π
gavin richardson says
i am surprise you all are just now figuring out this. wherever people are you have a 'mission field' but if you are on twitter for that sole reason or gaining 'followers' then you using of twitter is disingenuous
human3rror says
I've been singing this song for a while, but, everyone has a “first” time.
Phillip Gibb says
yip
Graham Brenna says
Good point… "wherever people are you have a 'mission field'"
Ron_Tuffin says
as you put it on your blog Phil "And Twitter is another opportunity for Christians to be Salt and Light to even the most unlikely people."
Graham Brenna says
Yup… good post Phil. Like you said, you don't need to convince me, but I'm for sure forwarding this on to some of my staff. π
Jim says
my ninja brother…so proud of you…all grown up and stuff…*sniff*
DerekDRobertson says
It seems the church is always the last to figure this stuff out. Our parents gasped at Christian rock 20 years ago but now we embrace it.We are still learning the details of the industry because as always we are behind.
human3rror says
trying to leap frog it though… we're getting there…. i have hope!
Danielle Schneller says
I have been dying to work with someone that will realize what a gold mine Social networks are for ministry! I joined a social network for moms, started a playgroup because I was having such Salt and Light convo's and in 9 weeks have over 94 moms in my group! I've had run in's with people dealing with divorce, financial struggles, teen suicides and just day to day wanting to find purpose in life. All of these run ins because of a connection through a Social Network! Wake up church! HUGE mission field and HUGE opportunities! Let's not miss the boat on this one!
human3rror says
sweet! danielle, hang around here and you'll meet a number of us… we're interested, and we're in.
vangyblue says
Yes. Christians can make such an impact in the lives of people who are online. We wouldnt normally run into them or converse with them but online we get to, and we can share the gospel, impart truth by sharing verses, and encouraging one another.
vangyblue says
YES I THINK ITS GREAT! I started on twitter to meet other believers and also reach athiests and other unsaved people to share the gospel. Its a little hard to do all in one 140 char shot, and DM isnt much longer, but i've found that I can direct them to some retweets or a conversation I had before (via posting it on my blog and putting the link in twitter). Also I can point them to websites with answers, to the gospel, or to chat with them online. I've created a chatroom just for that purpose (interacting with those lost souls who connect with me) via http://tinychat.com/openminds I've also blogged about the atheist interactions Ive had to point other AggressiveAtheists to it so they dont (purposely) waste my time. If they are genuine and have further questions they'll DM or @ me if they really do want to learn and discuss the things of God. Twitter is a good place to reach souls by planting seeds and giving them the truth of God's word and reality of their spiritual situation, and need of Christ.