Barna group estimates that by 2010 10 percent of Americans will rely exclusively on the internet for worship experiences. That’s mind boggling, isn’t it?
In case you haven’t picked it up, I’m a fan social media. I see it as a medium with immense potential. And in a society where most of us don’t even know our next door neighbor’s name, like the church, it builds a needed community.
Twitter Fellowship Hall
Like I said before, the Internet (or social media) should not be the primary form of fellowship–but a complementary one. It should add to in-person interactions, not take the place of it.
Twitter helps in creating fellowship. Through Twitter I’ve met people from around the globe. People who’ve strengthened me, corrected me, prayed for me (as well as me praying for them), and etc. So because Twitter has such a special place in my heart, here are some tips ministries can use to create that complementary fellowship:
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Show who’s on Twitter
Mickey Mellen (follow him @mickmel) gave an example of how his church does it.
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Got an event? Promote it through Tweetvite.
Tweetvite allows you to create events specifically designed for Tweetups (or “meet ups” that use Twitter). Its free and offers a fully search able listing of upcoming Tweetups (should you want to get out the house). You can sign up through your Twitter, Facebook, or Myspace account; it allows you to map the location of the tweetup; and you can use your own URL. Its pretty cool actually…I can see me using this in the future.
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Tweet during service
“What!! Alright Mike you lost me! You were making sense with the others…but this is just disrespectful! Tweeting in the House of God? During service?!”
Alright well let me explain. Time Magazine had an article about churches using Twitter in their worship services. In fact, Westwinds Church showed the tweets of members and congregants on large screens in the sanctuary. Some of these tweets were:
- I have a hard time recognizing God in the middle of everything.
- The more I press in to Him, the more He presses me out to be useful.
- Sometimes healing is painful
Bishop TD Jakes is employing the same technique at the this year’s Woman Thou Art Loosed. He’s calling 50,000 thankful women to join him on Twitter. He encouraging woman to share a Thankful Tweet up to and during the event.
That’s so awesome!
In the End its All about community
Paul said, ”Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.” [1]
Times have changed since he first penned that–but the Message itself will never change. The practice of fellowship must be observed, but how we fellowship has changed and will continue to change. Ultimately, all this change (especially technological change) must be embraced prayerfully and purposefully. But it must be embraced.
What are your thoughts?
- Hebrews 10: 24-25 (The Message)
