(the twitter debate) Shhhh. God’s Talking.
1. Can being focused on tweeting cause me to not focus on the actual act of worship? Am I worshiping, or am I talking about worship?
2. Does twittering during church accomplish anything? I think it is awesome that Christians are using social networking as a tool to build relationships and honor God. But, does a tweet about the awesome Chris Tomlin song you just sang equal friendship evangelism?
Josh Harris, pastor of Covenant Life Church, responded to the debate and thinks it is not a positive contribution.
the most important thing I can do while I’m sitting under the preaching of God’s word is to listen to what God is saying to me. I need to actively engage my heart and mind to receive (Isaiah 66:2). Twitter, can take the focus off of hearing and receiving and and makes it broadcasting and sharing.
Pastor John Piper at Bethlehem Baptist Church agreed…with a special flavor only he can provide.
Don’t tweet while having sex. Don’t tweet while praying with the dying. Don’t tweet when your wife is telling you about the kids. There’s a season for everything. Multitasking only makes sense when none of the tasks requires heart-engaged, loving attention…When the church gathers and the Word of God is opened, God himself is speaking again. Everybody else can shut up.
I wonder what it would be like if instead of Twitter, it was a phone. Instead of tweeting play by play, you actually talked about everything as it was happening:
Hey Joe. I wanted to have you on the phone during worship and tell you what is happening while it happens. Standby.
-God is good.
-The Spirit is really moving here.
-About 5 seconds ago, God spoke to my heart.
-We are opening our bibles and reading Daniel 4:13.
-The pastor just said something funny. LOL!
Joe, are you there? I’m trying to tell you about worship today.
Oooh. That would be awkward. Please don’t do that.
I do think that Twitter can be a powerful tool to reach our culture and allow God to move.
I believe there are some ways we can use Twitter to benefit the kingdom and to glorify God:
- Tweet about specific situations in your life where God is working (his providence, protection, healing, etc)
- Tweet specifically to a person in public. Show them support when life change is happening to them.
- Tweet to people in private. The most intimate of spiritual moments will not occur if someone feels like they are on display.
- Pray that God would use Twitter to allow you to build relationships.
About the Author
Bobby Chandler Has Written 67 Articles For Us!
Bobby is the founder of ChurchKreatives and the Director of Communications at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Sugar Land, TX. His background includes serving as a pastor, church planter, and art director at an ad agency.
