10 Reasons for Christ Followers to stay on social media

 

I’ve seen debate about the merits of social media for several years. I’ve seen an increasing amount of debate in the last week. I’ve been tempted to post some articles and columns. Yet, none seems quite right to me. Here are 10 quick thoughts:

 

1. I’ve long been a disciple of an old missionary, Roland Allen; and his book, "Missionary Methods: St. Paul’s or Ours." That led me to continually ask the question, “WWPD?” or “What Would Paul Do?” That question always seems a bit more applicable for us ordinary humans. As my sister-in-law Debra Carr once said, “We ain’t Jesus, and this ain’t Jerusalem.” We have human limitations that Jesus as the Son of God didn’t have. Also, the historical context of Jerusalem in the First Century is tough to replicate. Paul, however, is clearly a flawed human, changed by grace and the Holy Spirit, and seeking to make a kingdom difference in a world that’s complex and rapidly changing. I can relate to Paul. 

 

2. I really doubt Jesus would be on social media. He didn’t write anything we have a record of. Yet, His disciples were prolific writers. When I see all of Paul’s correspondence and realize that he kept writing even from prison there is little doubt in my mind that Paul would be on social media if he did ministry today. He’d be tweeting, Instagraming, Facebooking, blogging, and Youtubing constantly to keep his broad international network informed and inspired.

 

3. Yep, social media can be destructive. It elevates nuts. It doesn’t check sources. It profits off conflict. It creates unrealistic expectations of our bodies that idolize self. It’s no wonder that it’s led to a decline in mental health among the youth. Yet, I also think it’s a factor in elderly people’s dementia acceleration. It promises community, but many times fuels isolation. It’s mobilized violence. I can empathize with the calls to limit it’s use or just be done with it.

 

4. Yet, watch what it does for diaspora people. It creates conversations that span continents. The best ideas that are scattered around many nations are discussed in ways that would have been impossible years ago. Articles in international media houses get discussed in remote villages. Columns in Global South media houses get discussed in the West. Good authors in rural America get put in front of international audiences. This is how the Gospel spreads. We get to see every day what another old missionary Donald McGavran called relationship webs and people movements. 

 

5. Also, watch what happens with marginalized people. I consistently interact with 3 clusters of the marginalized – immigrants to the West, people of color, and the disabled. Many times, these clusters are just a few local individuals in a local community. With their responsibilities they may rarely get a chance to communicate with one another. The social groups they are part of on social media gives them community wisdom that would likely not happen without social media.

 

6. Then watch how marginalized voices can be amplified on social media. Frankly, in Christian circles if you control pulpits, media houses, and seminaries you control the conversation. If you are denied those outlets, you can easily be ostracized. Social media has allowed those without power to speak to those with power with the voices of a community. That’s what the Old Testament prophets did.

 

7. On my social media over the years, I’ve seen that the conversations of immigrants, people of color, and the disabled have drawn out the ugliest, most manipulative, and cruel side of American evangelicalism. I’ve tried to moderate, but I’ve ended up blocking some. The criticism can be relentless. Frankly, we shouldn’t be surprised as the Christian voices of the marginalized drew out religious hypocrites in both the Old and New Testament. 

 

8. I’ve noticed the last week that most of the Christian leaders who are calling for less or even no social media engagement are in positions in pulpits, media houses, or seminaries. Some of them can even occasionally represent voices of the vulnerable. Yet, I notice that generally they only take the conversation as far as they can go and remain well employed. They are also generally only dialogue in public with their own elites or pet people they have picked from the vulnerable.

 

9. Thus, I come back to my missionary question, “WWPD?” or “What Would Paul Do?” I’m sure he’d tell us to get off our phones, go for a run, take in creation, visit with our neighbors, share a meal, and love our families. Yet, I’m convinced he’d also spend some time each day checking on his network that spans continents and creating conversations about how the Gospel should address life.

 

10. I also bet Paul would be outside the controlling circles of power. He’d be written off. He’d be abused. He’d block the nuts and nurture the wounded. Paul’s social media ideas would endure. Caesar’s ideas would be in history books, but rarely quoted by ordinary folks. Please use social media with Pauline wisdom.

Eight Missionary Suggestions for the Church and Coronavirus

I’m seeing a tremendous amount of conversation on social media related to coronavirus. Also, there are conversations in organizations I’m part of related to the best responses. There is lots of good information out there. I’m seeing strands of thoughts related to how a person of Christian faith lives in community during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s my best attempt at putting the best thoughts together:

1. Don’t fear. God is sovereign. He knows all

and has all power. He will not leave us. His Son, Jesus has risen from the dead. Death will not overcome those who believe. Some of us may not live through this pandemic. Yet, death is not the final matter. Most of us will live through this pandemic. As we get through this, we will be wiser, and our stories will glorify God.

2. Steward your health, wealth, and home. There are ways to prepare. Stewardship should be part of your life. Yet, if stewardship has been lacking, we still have some of a window to prepare. Those who are most likely to be helpful in a pandemic are good stewards of their health, wealth, and home. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat nutritious food. Get some daily exercise. Live on a budget. Have some savings. Have enough food and essentials in your home that you can quickly host others with a little to spare. Have an extra bed or two for visitors.

3. Conversely don’t pillage Walmart and hoard. That’s a response based on fear and coveting. Faith is very different. Also, the ability to hoard ignores the plight of those in our community who live paycheck to paycheck. We’re better than that.

4. Listen to good counsel. Stay aware of what government and medical leaders are advising in your

locality. Make sure you have some personal friends who are experts. Call them when you have a question. Don’t get sucked into pundits and paranoia. When you hear definite advice follow it.

5. Protect the vulnerable. Some of us are going to have it more difficult than others. Five quickly come to mind. They are:

a. Asians. Sadly, crisis brings out the darkest sides to humanity. Some will look for an easy target to blame instead solving problems in a community. Some of my Asian friends are posting about language ranging from inappropriate jokes to just meanness. Let’s put that nonsense behind us. If you hear or see bigotry confront it. Then just extend extra measures of respect and kindness to those of Asian descent.

b. The elderly and chronically ill. Follow the instructions. Minimize physical contact. Wash your hands. Avoid unnecessary large social gatherings. We need to slow down the infection rates. Remember avoiding getting the coronavirus isn’t just about you as an individual. It’s about how many others you will infect. For the sake of others take precautions.

c. International students. Universities are closing. International students will be in a difficult place. What do they do? Where do they go? Where do they stay? Now is a time to practice the art of hospitality. Stay aware. Call international offices of nearby universities. Be in touch with campus ministries. Make your extra bed at home available for those who don’t have family nearby.

d. Students from low income families. Many of their families budget through the year with their

room and board covered by financial aid and are saving for their transportation home. Closing universities puts low income families in a jam. When school closures are extended to elementary and high schools low income students will need to replace breakfasts and lunches that their children typically receive at a reduced rate or free. Now is a time to stop by these families home with a bag of groceries. It’s the time to put some cash in a card to hand to someone you know. If you are in the position to hire, it’s a time to create a little extra work for a parent. Remember don’t turn these families into a project or prop on stage at church. Help them out while respecting their dignity.

e. Working families. Many families rely on open schools to both educate and care for their children as both parents work. School closures create chaos in household management. Many don’t have extended family or neighbors nearby. If you know a family in this situation offer to watch their kids.

6. Discern. We’re in new territory here. This is a time for prayer, learning, and appropriate decisions. Discernment means we’ll make decisions that push against our culture and comfort. Most of us haven’t been through something like this before. Many events that we find great joy in will need to be canceled to slow down infection rates. If you are a decision maker for a church stay informed, and make the best decision you can to protect your church members and their network. For a season you need to withhold the compassion of Christ expressed through physical touch. Shaking hands and embracing aren’t necessary to be pastoral. As I’ve mentioned we do want to slow infection rates in our community.

7. Yet, if predictions are accurate a time is coming in which our community will have members

who are gravely sick. Historically, this is where Christianity has thrived. The compassion of Christ is displayed through human touch. Some Christian leaders will need to sit with the sick, hold their hands, read to them Scripture, pray, and be physically present for a long period of time. No one should be gravely ill alone. No one who is gravely ill should be deprived of human touch. At times this will include reminiscing about the past and laughing – even when it hurts, and the laughter causes coughing. It’s likely that paid medical people won’t be able to do it all. Those of us who are physically strong may need to carry the sick from their beds to the bathroom. We may need to carry the sick to car and drive them to a hospital. We are possibly entering into a season where shepherding one’s spiritual and physical fitness is shepherding one’s community.

8. Create new and appropriate ministry paradigms. Christianity has grown historically despite epidemics and violent persecution. Though our rhythms of weekly services in buildings have blessed many for generations they are not the core of church life. Creativity and community are the core of church life. “What would the Apostle Paul do at such a time as this?” may be the most important question of the day.

I propose that Paul would listen well to government leaders and his ministry colleagues. He’d bathe all of this in prayer. He’d thank God for all that church infrastructure had accomplished in the Western Church. Yet, he’d stay very flexible. He’d not ask for any Christian leader to do what he wasn’t already doing. He’d model. He’d appoint deacons to get in the sick’s homes to help. He’d instruct elders to pray, teach, and touch the sick. He’d be working overtime on blogs, vlogs, and social media. He’d wish everyone a Happy Birthday. He’d check on people individually and in groups. He’d be a very consistent messenger of what it means to live “in Christ.” I suspect that his most memorable teaching would not be in large public sermons but in intimate correspondence over the internet.

Our prayers are with all our friends and family around the world as you wrestle through these matters. We know none of this is easy. We do believe this season will pass. We will be wiser when it’s over. God will be glorified. Christ’s Church will continue to transform many lives.

Mungu akubariki! Mukama abere namwe! Imana ikurinde! May God bless all of you!

Mzee Daudi Jenkins

Setting the Table for Social Media Conversations

We will be making some adjustments in coming months.   We anticipate those adjustments will see more blogging, writing, and social media usage.

 We’ve had some express concern about our social media use not being appropriate for pastors.   We’ve also had many affirm our social media usage.  We thought we should give a little clarity.

We see that God has given us a treasure to steward on social media.  We’re not celebrities but we do have many friends and those who follow our postings.   We’ve lived in diverse settings that very quickly became quite intimate due to their intensity.   Social media has given us a way to bring our diverse worlds together in conversation.  In many ways it has made us more authentic.   For instance, we don’t have one missionary face when “we’re on the field,” and another missionary face when “we’re reporting to donors.”   It’s all together.

If you’re looking at social media and asking the question, “What would Jesus do?”   We at this point don’t have a good answer.  However, if you are looking at social media and asking, “What would the Apostle Paul do?” please pull up a chair.   We think he’d be a blogging, facebooking, and tweeting missionary.   We think the same thing about Exilic prophets like Ezekiel or Daniel.   We’ll try to live out that presupposition as best we can.  

A few times we’ve gone through our friends list and counted categories.  Yet, much of the following is an educated guess. 

  

I have over 4,000 friends on Facebook.   About half of them are of African descent.   Probably about 30% are European-Americans.

Probably about 20% are from other nations.   Of the 20% most of them are those we met in global cities such as embassy personnel, development workers, international business people, and academics.   At least 1,000 of my friends are African immigrants to Europe or North America.  My friends are educated.   Many of them I’ve met in academic settings.   I’d guess 75% have a bachelor’s degree.   I’d bet at least 20% have graduate degrees.  Most are believers in Jesus’ resurrection.   I’d guess that number is around 85%.   Yet, there are some who don’t believe in Jesus’ resurrection.   Some of them are followers of the Muslim faith.   A few are Jewish.   

For some who follow me the conversations on social media are an exposure to a world that is completely new.    The general tone will be thoughtful people representing the Global Church.  You’ll notice we’re discussing frequently North America as a mission field.   At times that will be enticing.   At times that will be offensive as you’ll discover the Global Church’s appraisal of the North American Church.   

If you’re struggling to understand what’s happening think of the conversation as the types of ones  you’d find around a kitchen table with the above people.  You’ll see some intimacy and candor that is out of the ordinary.   Please take the time to listen well.   Occasionally, we introduce people to one another.   We like all of you and hope you will like one another.  

In my home we deal daily with issues of race, immigration, poverty, and disability.   Just as you’ll see photos of births, weddings, parties, athletic and academic accomplishments you’ll read stories of us processing painful parts of the American experience.  You’ll notice we rarely have the TV going at our kitchen table.   We tend to only have it on for sporting events and generally just turn it off when the news and commentaries are on.   You’ll notice lots of reading of newspapers, magazines, blogs, books, and Bibles happen; and they get quoted frequently.   You’ll notice we read pretty diverse sources and have few partisan affiliations.   You may want to think of the conversations as ones you’d have in the morning in a large extended family.   Some times the conversations will be quite pointed.   Yet, we’ll try our best to be kind and gracious.   

We’ll on occasion delete comments if we find them abusive.  

 I’ve 12 times blocked someone so it does happen but is rare.   You’ll get blocked if you try to manipulate the conversation to take people’s money, or are unkind to children or parents.  Basically, you’re in the home of an old man who still runs a few miles in the morning.    I expect you to be good to your neighbors.

Pull up a chair.  Grab a cup of coffee.   What’s up?   What have you read lately?   What are you thinking?   Murakaza neza.   Karibuni sana.   We hope you feel welcome.