In Your Face...Facebook
Does it really help you connect and share with people in your life?
Much has been said and written about Facebook, the social networking service founded in 2004 with the original intent of connecting college students...but has now grown to 900 million active users.
Facebook was once again at the top of recent news sources by taking their service public for stock shares. Of course that hasn't worked out the way originally anticipated.
Whatever course of action Facebook may be taking, it cannot be denied that with so many different applications and opportunities to connect with people from all over the world, Facebook has certainly become useful not just for relational connection, but spiritual connection as well. Facebook has provided both individuals and churches the opportunity to quickly send notes of encouragement, ministry announcements, and prayer requests (just to name a few).
But with every great resourceful tool, there can also be consequences. Ministries in general, and Christians specifically, must be gravely aware of the dangers in over "Facebooking." Not only can bad relational habits develop, but unbiblical actions and reactions can occur with ease. For Christians, Facebook can lead to quite a few spiritual landmines. Consider these few:
Time Crunch -
Now I know as I write this, someone will say, "Yeh, but I try to be careful with my time! It's not like I am sitting on the computer staring at Facebook for hours!" While this certainly may be true especially with over half of all users using Facebook on a mobile device, we can easily spend time reading what other people have written, checking out their pictures, responding to posts, and writing our own posts. But what about the time interpreting someone's post or considering our own writings. See it's not only reading and writing power...it's the brain power and effort making sure we are on top of the different applications.
If I am being honest...I haven't met to many people who have balanced their time well with Facebook. And the danger is that we can spend too much time on Facebook and so little time face to face. Ephesians 5:15-16 says "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." Notice the connection between walking wisely and making the most of the time we have. Evil days...require wiser walking.
We must be careful that Facebook doesn't become an excuse for our time. We must close the gap between our intentions and actions. As one writer said, we cannot kill time without injuring eternity. Use time wisely...even on Facebook.
Facial Relationships -
There is no doubt that people are starving for relationships. Facebook is one apologetic of this truth. However, Facebook can create a false sense of connection and relationship. In our efforts for deeper relationships, we tend to forget that relationship is more than only verbal. The physical and spiritual (I would argue verbal as well) necessitate physical presence. In fact, the majority of the verse that reference "one-anothering" (depend, devote, rejoice, care, serve, fellowship...just to name a few) can only be accomplished through physical connection...face to face meeting.
The danger is that Facebook has become Christians greatest connection to one another. Of course, Facebook relationships are much easier. But God has called us to deeper, messy relationships with people. And physical connection, not just computer connection, is needed to facilitate these types of relationships for the glory of God. Remember that God has put everyone (even difficult people) in your path for the purpose of imperishable glories!
Confrontation -
It seems that the longer I have used Facebook the more I have seen people get caught up in e-conflicts and e-arguments. This is problematic for us as Christians. The Scripture describes a proper confrontational ethic. In fact it's commanded. Christ gave a clear cut, easily understandable pattern of confrontation and church-discipline in Matthew 18:15-17:
1. a private, one-on-one confrontation; if he/she does not repent...
2. a small, private conference which involves one or two witnesses; if he/she does not repent...
3. a small private conference with the church leadership; if he/she does not repent...
4. a public removal from church fellowship
Clearly, the Bible assumes conflict as a normal part of any relationship...the question isn't when, it's how do we handle it. Facebook has become an easy way to hide from the Biblical grounds for confrontation.
Hideface and Seekface -
It has become increasingly easier for people to hide their issues and struggles in the Facebook world. Put a post out there in cyberspace and see who really cares. We all have seen it. The post that says that if you don't comment or "like" you will be deleted or defriended. Or how about someone who needs help...yet gets no reply. In Facebook you see both people searching out relationships and those hiding from certain relationships. Either way, we lack concern for our role in building meaningful relationships. As a result our communication skills continue to get worse. Unfortunately, it seems everyone is blaming everyone else.If communication is the melody of relationship, then Facebook is off tune. It allows people to hide themselves and/or justify their lack of ability to seek relationships.
Face and Facebook -
Please don't misunderstand me, Facebook is a phenomenal tool with great potential for kingdom things. In fact, Facebook itself is neither good nor bad in this way (as all technology...is neutral. My concern is that we put aside, even unintentionally, the Biblical call to deeper relationships (or at least limit the amount of truly Biblical relationships). So as you "Facebook," be careful to continue to take the relationships to a deeper level.
Happy "Facebooking"
