Yesterday, Facebook (I understand this is META so it’s Threads and Instagram also) announced that it will do away with Fact Checkers. I’m concerned. Yet, I’ve also myself had a few things removed. Almost all of us have had times with Facebook where we need to clarify something with a human being on the phone and find there is no place in the system for a conversation. However, I’ve also seen our neighborhood cranks, smart alecks in a bar, and crazy uncles get by with spreading bizarre claims over and over again. Our collective wisdom has declined in the last 15 years. As a believer I have been and will continue to be particularly concerned as our fundamental identity is to be sources of truth, light, and life. In the last 15 years we have seen many measurable declines in Christianity in the West and much of it can be attributed to Christians passing false information on social media. Our witness has gotten worse. I offer these 12 suggestions for us to be better informed believers (in no order of importance or thoroughness):
1. Read something in the Bible everyday if you possibly can. Make sure you don’t just read your favorite passages over and over again. Make sure you don’t just go looking for answers for your daily issues. Read so you read it all – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the boring. See the big pictures of history and humanity. Then add in over time reading an Old Testament and New Testament Survey book. Then when it feels comfortable switch translations. By doing these type of readings you will see humanity’s historic tendencies and God’s eternal truth and get pushed out of your comfort zone.
2. Be part of a healthy local church. If possible, find one where the predominant teaching pastor(s) has a masters degree from an accredited seminary. If he’s studied well, he will have habits that keep the church well fed. (I recognize there are different theological perspectives on gender and leadership. However, for the purpose of this list you can find a woman pastor who is well read. The traits of a well-read pastor are not gender traits.) If the pastor doesn’t have a masters degree make sure he reads widely, has many pastor friends to sharpen his thinking, and is pursuing more education. I see too many poorly educated pastors with strong opinions who mislead too many people. With a studious pastor you will be well fed and informed.
3. Besides the quality of the pastoral teaching, look for a diverse community. Sometimes a local church just reflects an extended family, ethnicity, or economic class. In some circumstances that’s inevitable. However, be very cautious to be involved with a local church that only represents a small sliver of the people in their community. A sliver church will be a biased one. Look for a range of professionals that will create expertise. In life you will need a range of professionals from doctors to veterinarians, mechanics to butchers, and lawyers to therapists. Look for a range of economic and ethnic diversity that will create broad perspectives. With diversity you will be able to bounce ideas and learn from experts. Also, make sure you listen well to minority and vulnerable perspectives. Often minority perspectives in a church are only tokens. Let the vulnerable really speak. By listening to diverse friendships, you will be well informed.
4. However, if you’re in one of those local churches (or any community) that is small and like an extended family where everyone knows one another and has largely the same life experiences make sure you are part of a denomination or larger community that broadens your perspective. There are places (such as small rural churches or immigrant communities) where it’s inevitably homogenous. One of the reasons that so many Christians have become so misinformed is in non-denominational congregationally governed churches there is no wise outside counsel for complicated matters. When complications arise many turn to a preferred television news source or internet influencer who all make their income by stirring division instead of providing sound information. By being part of a broad network of well read and seasoned leaders you will be well informed.
5. Subscribe to and read local news. Though it often seems international and national news is the biggest issue of the day the local ones are the places we have the most influence. An editor will do sorting for you that helps get past the noise of so many voices coming at you. Writing also slows down and adds depth to quick inappropriate reactive news. If your local newspaper no longer exists subscribe to a regional one. Occasionally, drop a letter to an editor or writer. Discuss what you read over coffee with others. If you are locally informed, you will be a better member of your community.
6. Know and listen to seasoned missionaries and national church leaders. By doing so you will have a ready access to those who can quickly summarize and explain international issues from a faith perspective. However, be cautious not to give seasoned missionary status to those who haven’t been in their location for at least 7 years. It generally takes that long for accurate perceptions to become intuitive and for a relationship well to be broad. Pay particular attention to missionaries who are well respected by the leaders of the locations where they serve. Sometimes missionaries only serve misfits, and their perceptions are of kilter too.
7. Be cautious in taking in too much news from social media, television, or radio. All are designed to blur the lines between news and entertainment. In a certain way all of them numb our minds to complexity and cause us to pursue what only scratches our itches. If you get your news from shallow entertaining sources, you will become a shallow entertainer but not a good community leader.
8. Subscribe to a few other periodicals that are diverse and keep your aware of perspectives. Remember you get what you pay for. If you only take in what is free, then you are taking in media that thrives on emotional appeal so it can sell advertising. You will get off kilter and be part of the problem. I suggest subscribing to something national, something faith orientated, and something that is just fun. Then have friends and family nearby who you can share subscriptions and ideas with. By subscribing you contribute better information.
9. Find at least 10 diverse friends on social media who are professionally skilled, read widely, and cultivate thoughtful conversations. Most of us have some folks in our network who make us wiser if we listen. If you notice who they are and check on their feeds you will be better informed.
10. Be willing to walk away from trusted sources that go bonkers. If a local paper can’t keep editors and reporters there is a problem. If a social media house feels like looking for a needle in a manure pile move on. If a community organization loses it’s purpose and shifts to a partisan agenda quit giving it time and attention. Part of the partisan problem in our nation is loyalty to tribes instead of ideas. Those who stay philosophically consistent will be well informed.
11. Support and if possible, attend Christian liberal arts universities. Christian liberal arts education give us great tools and relationships. They teach a bit about a wide range and cultivate big pictures. They also teach us not to overstate our knowledge. Lastly, they create broad friendships with people who become experts in their field. Christian liberal arts alumni often have a trusted friend to guide them through complex issues and thus are well informed.
12. Acknowledge how much is out there that we don’t know. Ask questions. Keep reading. Stay humble. Those I know who I consider to be the most informed in conversations are asking questions and listening instead of monopolizing conversations.
P.S. When I tried to find photos on our family’s social media to represent these types of conversations all the best photos were of Jana. Always pay attention to the wise women in your life. When a man is in doubt about what to do or think just do what your wife, daughters, or granddaughters tell you to do and think.
