The Church, social media and evangelism
Thousands of years ago, and perhaps even a few years ago, when Christians were encouraged to go spread the gospel, they may have never imagined that this may have involved getting interactive on the World Wide Web. But in an age where it’s expected that you’d be able to turn on a computer, log onto the Internet, and surf not just to a website of your choice, but also to a popular social networking site, knowing how to reach audiences online is a highly effective way of meeting the masses.
Sunday morning, I listened to Joel Osteen’s morning sermon, and as he invited people to download podcasts, it struck me, how many other churches are doing this? Well, I don’t know, but if you do, please tell me about them. As various faith-based organisations try to find new ways to engage people, it has become evident that social media presents not just a free or cheap medium, it presents a place where people of many demographics often interact. Even the Vatican has grasped the meaning of social media for reaching young people.
I remember when I was pursuing my International Relations courses at the University of the West Indies years ago, I learned the true meaning of “the nation of Islam”. We’re accustomed to hearing about the nation of Islam. But do we understand the true meaning of a “nation”. A nation isn’t a physical place. A state is; a country is. Yes, in some dictionaries you’ll read the definition of nation as a community of people or peoples who live in a defined territory and are governed by a single government. However, you’ll also read another definition that refers to a nation as a community of people who share common ethnicity, whether or not they live in the same territory of have their own government. I favour the latter. A nation refers to the emotional or psychological togetherness of a people, and that is what the nation of Islam is, because regardless of what country or ethnicity they may come from, Muslims see themselves as belonging to a brotherhood. So how does this relate to social media?
Fact is, when you belong to a community, and share strong beliefs regardless of geography, you can become a nation. Bloggers certainly hail from all over the world, but we’re bonded in our common interest for blogging, enhancing our blogs, finding content, sharing information and such like. Blog communities are formed when people who have similar interests congregate in an online forum. Whether people return often for the teachings that a blog shares, depends on whether that blog fulfils their need. Similarly, people attend church because they share beliefs and want somewhere where they can interact with others to share their stories and receive advice, which leaves them feeling a bit better about themselves or whatever dreams or plans they have.
This analogy does not imply that social media by itself creates nations. Oh no. but certainly it can attract people who share belief systems and facilitate greater communications, since they are not bounded by geography or time differences. As a forum for congregation, social media tools also attract newbies to whatever the cause or niche discussion may be. And this is why people like Joel Osteen know what they’re doing when they offer their sermons free of charge to the world. That’s why they stand on their pulpits and encourage you to download Podcasts to your Ipod, and play it as you go through your day. They know that social media is not the core of communications. But they know that it makes them, and you, more accessible, and certainly it catapults word of mouth, which really is what evangelism is all about.
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