Email, Twitter, Blog, Facebook, and Linked In, Too?
Written by Ron Retherford
Tuesday, 13 October 2009 09:27
Email, Twitter, Blog, Facebook, and Linked In, Too?



Why would any pastor with more than enough to do want to "log on" to all
these communication networks? The fact that the rest of the world is already
doing that is one reason. And since we are trying to "RETHINK CHURCH"
anyway, exploring our relationship with the world through networking and
communications technology seems important to me. After all, if we're not
present on the worldwide web, we're practically invisible to the fastest
growing segment of our society, 18 - 34 year old young adults. I do find it
challenging to keep up with my email, but I feel called to stay current with
these other communication tools that our world is now using.



According to the Wall Street Journal article (Oct. 12, Page R1, "Why Email
No Longer Rules. .And what that means for the way we communicate" by
<http://online.wsj.com/search/search_center.html?KEYWORDS=JESSICA+E.+VASCELL
ARO&ARTICLESEARCHQUERY_PARSER=bylineAND> Jessica E. Vascellaro) using email
is no longer the preferred communication tool. Although most of us will
continue to use email, Twitter and Facebook are now the communication tools
of choice that offer more flexibility, connectivity, and spontaneity than
email ever will. What that means is that using these other communication
tools helps us to be more "in tune" with our congregation and the world as
we learn "What are you doing" (Twitter) and "What's on your mind"
(Facebook). In one sense, it becomes a brief "visit" as I learn more about
our congregation and the world where they live and work.



What I find intriguing is that the huge impact that email had on our means
of communication ten years ago will happen again as Facebook and Twitter
become the preferred communication tools. And even though I've blocked
Instant Messaging for my phone (too many ads that I was paying for) millions
of others are also texting each other all the time. And if the "friends" we
allow to follow us on Facebook, or the "contacts" we've made through Linked
In want to know what we're up to, or the "fans" who are following us on
Twitter want to see what's on our mind, they don't have to call us, text us,
or even email us, they can just look in their Twitter, Linked In, or
Facebook account to see the "Updates" and "Share" postings we've made and
they'll know what we're doing, what's on our mind, and even where we are!
And if you are wondering who would really care that much about us, the
number of users on social-networking and other community sites in August
jumped 31% to 301.5 million people.

What role do I have as a United Methodist Pastor in this emerging
communication network? Does all this communication really seem necessary?
I'm not sure that it's all that important for me to know that someone is
wondering whether or not 7:30 PM is too early to go to bed, or if they like
Olive Garden more than Old Country Buffet. But what does seem interesting is
that people are being far more open about what they are doing, where they
are, and what's on their mind. That can draw some people closer to other
people they may not know very well before they even talk to each other. And
depending on our privacy settings, we could be able to see everything from
family pictures, hobbies, who our friends are, where we are, and what kind
of mood we're in.

I have to wonder if a simple phone call or even a face to face visit isn't a
more efficient, more effective, and ultimately, more satisfying way to
relate to each other - especially if we're looking for real "friends" or
people who would want to spend time with us doing something we could both
enjoy. The question is, if we'd have enough time, if we're connecting with
so many others, in so many ways, with so many words, some of which may not
have much importance to anyone, including ourselves.

But in the mean time, to at least stay connected with some of the people
some of the time, in ways that are open to me, I'll continue to explore how
God can use my pastoral presence in these networking programs. That means
I'll still Blog when I can, Twitter from time to time, Facebook when I have
something to share or see something that seems appropriate for my response,
and Link In to help others I know to connect with professional
opportunities. For as a pastor charged with the responsibility to share the
Gospel, I believe it is important for me to try to connect with people in
these new ways so I can "Do all the good I can, in all the ways I can, to
all the souls I can, in every place I can, at all the times I can, with all
the zeal I can, as long as ever I can," as John Wesley challenges me to do.
See you on the worldwide web!
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