Community
12

How Much Ministry DOESN’T Get Done Thanks to Social Networks?

Posted by John Saddington on May 27, 2009

wasteA good parallel question that came up in my mind after the last conversation surrounding Anne Jackson’s close of her Facebook profile is the honest-to-God truth about how much time is actually wasted due to overuse of Social Networks.

Ouch.

If time is our most valuable asset and commodity, then any time wasted is also wasted opportunities to do effective ministry, opportunities that have gone down the tubes, literally.

Can we come clean and be honest with ourselves? We know how much we each individually spend on these very fun and “social” Social Networks, but is it too much? Should we be closing down shop on a few of them?

I wonder what the true cost associated with the social web really is. That’s another great question for God when I see Him (along with how many steps I’ve taken, and how many times I’ve breathed).

[Image from Macwagen]

  • Delicious 0 saves
  • Bookmark and Share

John Saddington

John is the Chief Editor @ The 8BIT Network and Senior Blog Junkie here at ChurchCrunch.He enjoys Triple-Tall Americanos, developing Wordpress Themes, and a few other Random Things.

Leave a Reply

12 Responses to “How Much Ministry DOESN’T Get Done Thanks to Social Networks?”

  1. Justin Wise
    Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    I hear you…That's ALWAYS a question we should be asking… Especially those of us who utilize social media tools everyday in what we do.

    I wonder if we should add an additional question, that being, "Where am I wasting time period?" That seems to be at the base of what you're posting about… A very good question indeed.

    Good thoughts… As a result, I'm going to ax my LinkedIn profile here before too long… Never use it!

    Reply
  2. DannyEason
    Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    I don't even think I can confront myself long enough to answer that questioned. I sometimes wonder if we aren't justifying our social media addiction by claiming to be establishing community and building relationships., when in reality we just want to be internet celebrities since we can't seem to be one in our own community.

    Whats worse about that statement is that I see myself in it.

    Dang.

    Reply
  3. Matt Harrell
    Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    Right on John. I've found myself being a lot more productive lately by putting down Twitter a bit more. I think Danny is bringing up a real concern. And this gets back to the research that is being done by Drew Goodmason and crew. I think churches don't need social networking for communication. They can use it to network and let their messages reach the world but it's not effective tool to communicate with your members and ensure that your core message and belief and ministry is actually progressing! I'm with you.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 5:46 pm

      sweet! let me know when that research is done! love to see it!

      Reply
  4. mheerema
    Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    You need to ask yourself what the "fruit" of your time spent on [insert social network here] is. Endless self-absorbed quizzes, blithering about vanity and trivia, accidentally stumbling across inappropriate photos on purpose, and otherwise killing your soul, or honest, God-honoring, love breeding, kingdom advancing, church edifying (*cough* strengthening), truth telling, Jesus glorifying networking?

    Reply
  5. Lauren Hunter
    Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 11:46 pm

    If I’m honest with myself, I’d much rather meet a friend for coffee, fellowship with another family, hang out with my kids and/or husband than spend any more time on the computer or on a social network. Lately, I’ve been asking the question of whether or not being active in a social network truly builds relationship, or is it just one more thing to maintain?

    I think social networking, when combined with in-person relationships, can enhance and highten connections, but there’s just no realistic way to have “close” relationships with your 150 friends on Facebook.

    As with anything, balance is everything. If you can’t go to sleep at night without Tweeting “off to bed” . . . you might have a problem.

    Here’s a link to my blog post on “Is Twitter Screwing Up Your Life?”: http://churchtechtoday.com/blog/?p=419

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 3:52 am

      Thanks for that Lauren! I think you've got some great points here!

      Reply
  6. tjgillies
    Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 9:46 am

    how much ministry doesn't get done when you sleep?

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 12:03 pm

      … A LOT! it's investing in ministry.

      Reply
  7. Jim
    Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    I encourage scheduling and not loitering. My goal is not to sit on my bum all day on twitter. i have before. Right now things are busy for the next 2-3 months. And plus the sun is out in the Northwest.

    Reply