By The Rev. Dr. Carl Grosse
An email came with the subject, “What Would Jesus Post?” Apparently, someone created a new social media platform called ActsSocial (makes one wonder where the branding inspiration came from). The snippet below tells the key part of the ActsSocial origin story:
If I had a dollar for every wacky idea that started with a devotional and the “unmistakable voice” of one of the Persons of the Trinity, I could have comfortably retired years ago. To be fair, just because I say something is wacky means zilch. What makes this idea wacky? First, what is “Christian technology”? Are there Christian cars, Christian barbecue sauces, Christian toothbrushes? You have a technology company, good for you. How you run it and what you produce have more to do with glorifying God’s Kingdom than slapping a religious adjective on your webpage. Do you create quality solutions to technology problems for businesses and individuals who provide useful goods and services to others? Do you show respect for your customers and pay your workers decent wages? Those kinds of business practices mean more than a fish sign or scripture verse on your business card.
What comes to mind when you envision a place for God’s people to connect, be fed, and show love to those who don’t yet know Him? If it sounds like church, then we should be asking why another social media platform is needed for that purpose. Perhaps we’re not doing church right and there is a real gap to be filled. But why not address whatever is deficient with church? Fix the root problem, don’t create another one (which is my prediction for this venture). Maybe the idea is to create a supplement to church, not a replacement. Ok, then you should have said that instead of describing EXACTLY what church is for. Even if that’s the purpose, there’s no such thing in the Bible. Church shouldn’t need a supplement if we’re doing it right, because God’s people take what they get from church into the world wherever they are, including social media. That’s how the Kingdom expands, not by creating Christian social media platforms or Christian barbecue sauces.
You all have a wonderful vision statement that aligns with both the scriptures and what you most appreciate about your church family. Believe in it and live into it, and don’t be sold any modern snake oil that pitches itself as though you don’t already have what you really need.