I just read an interesting article from our local newspaper about a church in the Grand Rapids, Mi area which is using Twitter broadcasts during the sermon to enlarge the conversation of faith amongst followers.  Fascinating!

Twitter followLeaves me wondering 'What Would Jesus Do?' if he lived in our global culture today?  In his day, he preached sermons on mountains and from a boat adrift on the shoreline to amplify his message to crowds.  So, would this be a medium he would embrace?

Jesus was a master of communication and chose to use simple stories and parables which captivated the imagination to lead people into a deeper relationship with God.  This was in stark contrast to the teaching of the religious leaders of the day whose descent into the minutiae of the law complicated life.

Does a tool like Twitter have the ability to simplify profound truths into small bite sized pieces that people can readily absorb?  Or is there a risk that profound truths will be diluted and manipulated in ways that minimize the power of the message?  

Interested in knowing...how is your church or religious organization responding to the use of social media?  Is it considered a welcome tool or a threat?

Twitter follow picture courtesy of szlea on flickr

 

 

Lola Audu, CRS, GRI e-Pro ~ Audu Real Estate

Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate.  Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area.  We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511. 

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10 Comments on Pew Twitters...Can Twitter Change Sunday Morning 140 bits @ a time?

JUL
11
466,552 Points 54 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Lola, Jesus would have used what ever tool that would have helped to spread his message, and I think that Churches today would are open to the idea of using the social media to spread the Gospel Message, but many are just unsure of how to use it.

9:20pm • #1
676,533 Points 145 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Lola - well that is an intriguing question. Be able to use Twitter effectively means being succint in your communication, adn that can be a good thing. Will folks see using Twitter, or social media for that matter, in a religious context as being to impersonal? Hard to say. It certainly has possibilities for opening up and broadening communication. Time will tell.

Jeff

10:56pm • #2
202,313 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

In answer to the WWJD question ... I believe he would tell us to embrace the technology.  To use it to help spread His word.  There are many that, for whatever reason, can't get to a service but have access to a computer or cell phone where they can receive Tweets.  I don't see anything wrong with this application of social media networking.  It's a sign of the times.  And the more people that can be reached ... all the better.

11:01pm • #3
JUL
12
567,071 Points 95 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

One of my pastors blogs, hadn't thought about Twitter. yes, I think Jesus would have embraced all the technology...oh wait...he already knew it was coming, when, where and how. So all good.

7:30am • #4
JUL
13
138,992 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Lola,

Very interesting topic you bring to light here.  I believe that all communication that is well intended shouldn't be stifled.  Twitter is just an application, just a tool, to communicate to a larger audience so in that vein, it can't be a bad thing.  Reaching to a larger audience is a great thing.

11:35am • #5
293,886 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

George, interesting thoughts..."Jesus would have used what ever tool that would have helped to spread his message,"  

You know, thinking about it...mountain top chats were probably not the normal teaching venue in his day.  Jesus definitely functioned 'outside the box'  

6:43pm • #6
293,886 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Jeff, you bring up a good point about social media like Twitter being impersonal.  But, I'm also struck by the rise of the mega church in America...the fastest growing segment of churches today. It's easy to get 'lost' in these large arenas precisely because they can be very impersonal.  Wonder if social media could be used to make these large gatherings more community oriented.  Just thinking...

6:46pm • #7
293,886 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Carol, thanks for sharing your thoughts.  I haven't seen many churches using this medium...Maybe some of the backlash from the excess of some TV evangelist makes for a certain type of caution when dealing with a new medium.

6:49pm • #8
293,886 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Love it Missy!  This is no surprise to Him! :)  How nice to have a pastor who blogs.  Has there been a good response from the congregation?

6:50pm • #9
293,886 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Rebecca...my gut level reaction is that you're probably right.  But, the right use of an application can make all the difference in the world.  There are some issues of faith which require more indepth reflection than can be communicated through a tweet, but on the other hand, the appropriate use of links could also be effective in engaging conversation and taking the discussion to a deeper level.  Thanks for sharing your insights here...

6:52pm • #10

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Lola Audu~Real Estate Broker/Owner Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate

Grand Rapids, MI

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Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

Address: 3659 Alpine NW, Suite 102, Grand Rapids, MI, 49321

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