In 2019, I had the opportunity to speak at the Lay Academy in Zimbabwe held at Africa University about how to use social media as Christians. I recently dug out my notes to remind myself of what I presented and I was pleasantly surprised (and in some ways disheartened) to find much of my discussion still relevant today. This article has been adapted from that talk from 2019. I will cover the positive and negative aspects of social media, how churches can use social media to reach people, how you can individually be a positive role model on social media, and what you can do if it gets to be too much.
What are some dangers of social media?
It is important to talk about how to use social media as Christians in a time when our online words and actions have a serious impact on the lives of others. Social media is a very useful tool, but there are definite negative aspects that we must contend with.
People can become addicted to social media and spend large amounts of time scrolling through content. When they aren’t on social media, they feel like they should be. This can affect their work productivity, their relationships, and their overall health and wellbeing. Often people will isolate themselves from their loved ones, favoring the feeling they get from being online instead.
People often become jealous of their friends and family and envy the lives they see others leading. If a person who doesn’t have the opportunity to travel often sees others posting about all the fun and interesting things they do, or someone who doesn’t haven’t have a family sees endless photos of their friends' children, it may make them feel down about their own life and feel resentful towards others.
It’s very easy to forget that what people post on social media isn’t representative of what everyday life is actually like. Yes, a mother may post the smiling photos of her peaceful and happy children, but odds are she isn’t sharing photos of the very real struggles of motherhood, of sick children and tantrums and exhaustion. Social media does not equal real life.
On the flip side, people often post on social media to brag about their own life and to seek validation and praise. This too can lead to dissatisfaction in one's life, especially if they are not receiving the validation they feel they deserve.
Social media is a convenient platform for bullying. It allows people to hide behind a screen and say things that they would never say in real life to a person's face. This can be very damaging to a person’s mental health and self-esteem. Refrain from talking about people, but instead talk to them.
People and groups with less than noble intentions often use Facebook to deliberately spread disinformation to cause division. They will post lies in order to deceive or to cause people to react in certain ways. We often think of this tactic being used in politics, but unfortunately we in the United Methodist Church see this happening regularly as talks about disaffiliation ramp up. Misinformation damages not just the perception outsiders may have of our denomination, but also harms the relationships between people within the church. Social media is a great way to spread untruths and many believe everything they read on social media, especially if it confirms a bias they may already hold. Social media is also a great way to correct untruths.
Finally, social media is a breeding ground for fighting and conflict. It is very easy to say something hurtful to a person when you are not face to face. Especially contentious topics, like politics or disaffiliation, can lead to anger and indignation and people will often find themselves reacting without thinking. This can happen not just between strangers, but between friends and family and church members. In my opinion, this is the worst and most prevalent aspect of social media use. The instantness of social media gives people the opportunity to immediately react, rather than taking a moment to rationally think. Proverbs 17: 27 reads, “whoever restrains their words has knowledge, and they who have a cool spirit is one of understanding.”
Why Use Social Media at All?
Now that I’ve properly alarmed you about the dangers of social media, I now must answer, “why use it at all?” Social media, when used in positive ways, can truly advance ministry and bring love and joy to the world.
Social media allows people to build connections and encourage each other in their faith. By sharing favorite verses from the Bible, or posting about a particularly godly moment you experienced, you are showing others that it’s okay to outwardly profess your faith and your love for Jesus Christ.
Social media also allows you to stay connected to friends and family who may be far away. Young adults who have left their communities for college can still be a part of the family, even if they are not physically there. The same goes for staying connected to their church. If a young adult is able to see what is going on at their church while they are away, they are likely to feel a deeper connection.
When I gave this talk in 2019, I never could have imagined how critical online ministry would become in the next year. I highlighted how churches can use social media to highlight important events and activities in their church to reach their members and nonmembers. I talked about how social media allows Christians to collaborate in mission, service, and prayer. I mentioned that social media can be used not only to share information about big events or global happenings in the church, but also for joys and prayer concerns of people in the church. I emphasized that Facebook is also a great way to lift up those who are doing good in the community and show the world who we are as United Methodists.
I even mentioned that social media allows churches to reach people unable to attend a service by live streaming their worship, with the caveat that not all churches are capable of doing so and many don’t. If the COVID pandemic taught us anything, it was that amazing things can happen in online communities.
Finally, social media allows churches to connect globally. The United Methodist Church is a global denomination and we strive to build lasting and meaningful partnerships with people from other countries. We have the ability to learn so much about other cultures and the lives of people we are in ministry with.
How Can Christians Use Social Media in a Loving and Respectful Way?
Individuals can personally live into being good Christian witnesses while using social media. What might this look like?
Strive for connection and not attention. Your social media should be just that- social. Don’t throw content into the abyss without receiving feedback or conversation. Be transparent and honest on social media, but don’t feel the need to share every aspect of your life.
When interacting with people online, remember that there is actually a person on the other side. Treat people like they are actually people, and not just a screen. With every interaction, ask yourself, “would I say this to somebody in person?” Treat them how you would want to be treated.
Avoid causing conflict and division. This doesn’t mean you should avoid critical conversations or not speak up against injustice. Rather, take the time to reach out and actually listen to the other person. You may be surprised at what you find out and the kind of connection that can be built
Don’t be tempted to only engage with people who think and believe like you. To loosely quote Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi who said, “I wouldn’t want to be part of a church with people that only believe exactly the same things I do”. Social media is rife with disagreeing viewpoints and arguments and on occasion, the posts and comments became hurtful. It is my hope that conversations between those with opposing viewpoints are respectful and open and if possible, taken offline. Don’t bully others or try to strong arm them into feeling what you want them to feel. It will never work out the way you want it to.
What Can You Do When Social Media Becomes Too Much?
Over the Lenten season, it became popular to abstain from social media. A coworker of mine stayed off Facebook for the entire duration of Lent. When she felt tempted to scroll, she read her Bible instead. At the end of her time, she felt like the social media break gave her some distance to reflect on how she used it and how to fix the unhealthy behaviors she didn’t realize she had. I would recommend fasting from social media periodically to anybody. When you feel that negativity is overwhelming, turn off Facebook for a day and spend that extra time in prayer, or reading your Bible, or walking in nature. It will strengthen your relationship with God in unexpected ways.
When used in a positive way, social media can be a wonderful way to connect. Be aware of the pitfalls and actively do what you can do becoming ensnared in all the noise.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)
