I’ve written about this already a few times but more articles and thoughts continue to crop up and certainly the much larger conversation isn’t settled by any stretch of the imagination (although you may know exactly where you sit… or tweet).
An article on Independence Day by the NYTimes is a great read on some of the reasons for and against tweeting during service as well as a perspective of different religions outside Christianity:
Religious groups from Episcopalians to Orthodox Jews have signed up for Twitter, Facebook and other social media networks with the same gusto that celebrities and politicians have, and for some of the same reasons — to gain a global platform and to appeal to young people.
Still, many clerics admit to an uneasiness about the merger of worship and electronic chatter.
In online debates and private discussions, leaders of all faiths have been weighing pros and cons and diagramming the boundaries of acceptable interactions: Should the congregation have a Facebook page, or should it be the imam’s or priest’s? Should there be limited access? Censoring? Is it appropriate for a clergy member to “friend” a minor?
The last part is something that I’ve not thought about extensively, especially on Twitter. Is there an age-boundary associated with “following” a minor (or friending in Facebook)?
Scott Williams, on the pro-side of things, wrote yesterday on “5 Reasons to Twitter During Church” with some good conversation already happening. His reasons are:
- You have the opportunity to be a real-time extension of your pastor’s voice while he/she is communicating God’s word.
- If the pastor shares something that moves you, inspires you or changes your life; there is a good chance it will have the same impact on the lives of your followers as well.
- When Jesus said: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel… “All The World” applies to the Internet world, as well as the TwitterWorld. Do your part by going into all the TwitterWorld, tweeting the Good News.
- You will have a stored database of your compelling thoughts and notes, from your favorite sermons.
- You can spare a couple of minutes of (SAD) Sermon Attention Deficit during most sermons. It’s better use of your time Twittering great thoughts than drawing on the back of offering envelopes.
Points well taken. Where do you stand? What angle of approach are you or your congregation and ministry taking? Has it changed ever or flip-flopped?
Jay says
In my view, you have to be careful. We need to remember that during the time the Pastor is preaching, the Holy Spirit is doing its work. If we look at in in the perspective of things that distract us, think about what it means to us when somebody has a crying baby and won't leave the sanctuary. Think about that person who has a cough and won't get up to get a drink of water or use a cough drop. Think about the family in front of you with the two kids laughing and giggling.
That being said, I can relate to what Scott is saying. I have sent tweets from time to time during the service, but I also make sure I don't allow myself to get distracted from the message by checking and sending tweets constantly.
Daniel_Berman says
In regards to #4 on the second list, has anyone found a good way to search your own tweets?
Darren says
my thoughts exactly. I thought we were only able to effectively search the last 30 days of tweets?
Luke says
1) I think the concern about friending minors is a genuine one. I'm a youth pastor and have seen plenty of well-meaning adults fixate on telling the teens in our church about Jesus at the expense of interacting with other adults… and there is an odd creep factor to that.
2) Facebook has been one of the greatest tools for youth ministry in years, but I'm starting to feel that Twitter doesn't have the same redeeming qualities for minors. Coincidentally, I posted about that last Friday: http://bit.ly/zgO5D
3) I think twitter in the service is a great "sometimes idea." Like communion, or a certain worship song, anything that is done the same way over and over can grow stale and lose meaning. Some services need to be a group conversation, others need to be a time to listen to what God has to say through the speaker, still others should be about going out into the community and doing good things. So I agree Twitter has some merits as a tool for churches, but the worship planners must think about how to best leverage such a tool instead of jumping on a trendy bandwagon.
stephenbateman says
When I first saw the "following minors" thing i thought it was ridiculous. On some level there is some "creep factor" going on, but I, like many, follow people for what they're thinking, not what they're doing.
social media requires maturity and caution, particularly for minors. It's their responsibility to make sure their tweets are not dangerous. I don't think someone like a pastor or friend should have to worry about whom they follow on an age basis.
Luke says
I agree that teens are responsible for the safety of their tweets, I just don't think there is much out there for them. You may follow for what people are thinking, but that isn't why teens join social networks.
I also agree that a pastor or (adult) friend shouldn't have to worry whom they friend based on age. It's a lot easier not to worry when they initiated the online connection.
stephenbateman says
what do you mean "not much out there for them"?
Mikes says
I'm so okay with people tweeting the sermons of the pastors. These are means and ways to spread the gospel. For me the points of Time is so far off.
Josh Harris also talked about this here: http://www.joshharris.com/2009/05/should_we_use_t…
Joel says
Those suggestions only consider the sermon part. Lets not forget that worship is more than the sermon; and on the flip side the sermon is not a "worship time-out." How can we worship when our attention is diverted. Tweet after church (and after the donuts as well…)
ScottWilliams says
Great comments and discussion… John thanks for the LinkLuv!
human3rror says
word up!
Josh Wagner says
I don't personally tweet in church. (I don't have a cool phone that tweets easily either, but if I did I probably wouldn't anyway) For me, I feel distracted if I'm grabbing my phone during the service. Any of the 5 reasons to tweet in church can be done before or after and still spread the good news. Now, I know that real time is what Twitter is about. So, maybe you have a tweet team during the service. As in, a small group (maybe 10) of people who tweet about service during service. Maybe rotate them. Ok, my 2 cents.
Josh Brage says
This is actually something that I had to sit and think about. I came to the conclusion that it is inappropriate to tweet during a worship service. Personally, I already feel such a strong pull to be disconnected and become a "reporter/commentator" rather than an engager and a worshipper. Plus, why is my opinion about something really that important. Also, I need time to process, rather than spout off immediately. I blogged about this. http://joshbrage.com/?p=1964
At Lifesong we will encourage heavy tweeting before and after. Probably even do tweet questions, etc. . . However, we will discourage tweeting service and encourage engagement, sanctuary and focus in the worship service. (This includes the message.)
Jim says
“Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter; I moan like a dove…"Isaiah 38:14a NASB Version of the Bible http://www.youversion.com/bible/nasb/isa/38/14
http://beaconhillnw.posterous.com/twitter-referen…
Jim says
“Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter; I moan like a dove…"Isaiah 38:14a NASB Version of the Bible ” target=”_blank”>http://www.youversion.com/bible/nasb/isa/38/14
http://beaconhillnw.posterous.com/twitter-referen…