Because you are reading this you know that I maintain a weblog which roams all over the map when it comes to issues related to faith and religion. I often wonder about the value of trying to convey something meaningful about various subjects in a matter of a few paragraphs.
So I was interested in the cover article for the most recent United Church Observer with the title Are Meaningful Relationship Possible 140 Characters At A Time? http://www.ucobserver.org/living/2011/05/social_media/ The article is really about the internet and meaningful relationships but it got me thinking.
I have been pondering whether Twitter (the 140 character reference) and Facebook are worth my effort as vehicles for communication as a pastor. They are both current trends, but we live in a time when we are bombarded with information and starved for substance, or so it seems to me. All three of our children are adults in their twenties. I value their opinions and they don't seem convinced that either would be of any great benefit despite the fact that all three are on Facebook. They actually lean toward Twitter between the two, as a possible mini-blog.
I have been pondering whether Twitter (the 140 character reference) and Facebook are worth my effort as vehicles for communication as a pastor. They are both current trends, but we live in a time when we are bombarded with information and starved for substance, or so it seems to me. All three of our children are adults in their twenties. I value their opinions and they don't seem convinced that either would be of any great benefit despite the fact that all three are on Facebook. They actually lean toward Twitter between the two, as a possible mini-blog.
I am interested in your thoughts folks. Should I be tweeting away like a bird in Spring? Should we all be official Friends on Facebook? How could I ever "unfriend" anyone!
10 comments:
As someone who can barely find the power button on a computer, I think your weblog is just fine. I only go on Facebook to monitor my teenage daughter on it - otherwise I wouldn't even go near it. I have no plans to go near Twitter either.
Then again, I often think I am living in the wrong century. All this tech stuff blows me away...I would sometimes rather be living in the horse and buggy days.
Both are mindless. Stick to this, what you do best.
I find that adding facebook and twitter only complicates things as that is one more place to go, and see what's being said. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my e-mail, reding your blog and another I read, and following my adventurous siblings on facebook. Adding a twitter feed would be one more step. The person that writes the other blog I follow has added twitter and facebook, I don't read them, no time. Keep up the blog.
Facebook and Twitter are, as you said, a fad. Truly, I don't believe that 'tweet'ing like a bird, with every random thought that flits through your brain, doesn't need to be shared with the world.
You are one of the most eloquent writers I know... Reading your blog is a pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing yourself with your loyal fans. :) I'm happy to name myself as one. :)
Okay, I have to chime in on this one, as I am a huge Facebook user and am on Twitter as well. It should be noted that my wife on the otherhand is not a fan at all, this makes for some lively supper time conversations. Reverend, your blog is ideal for what you want to do, twitter would not work for you, as it is a live blow by blow action report, and not a true platform in which to have a say. Facebook is an ideal platform for the Church, as it would give a very popular platform to post the events that you host in what I am observing as a lively and active congregation, but putting your blog on their would mean only facebook users would have access, and as you can see by the comments above, alot of people do not beleve in Facebook. You could easily "link" your blog to a "community facebook page", giving facebook users easy access.
However calling Facebook and Twitter mindless does them great disservice, they are at the root of democtratic change in North Africa and the Middle East. They are the first place our younger generation go to ask questions and look for information. As such they should be utilized as tools and monitored, I want to know what my kids are saying and doing, and I want to share with them what they consider important. A community facebook page for St. Paul's would mean that you would not have to friend or un-friend anyone, but it would also allow the community to see how great a church you are.
Just my two cents
Shane
Good point on the middle east, Shane. I stand down from my characterization, but maintain my reservations.
Facebook has revolutionized the way many of us interact, but it still possesses much negative potential. It's been well documented that Facebook usage has led to the destruction of relationships and marriages, an increase in the sedentary lifestyle, has contributed to violent incidents at schools and in workplaces, etc. etc. In my own work experience, after school altercations on Facebook have led to polic cruisers at area schools the next morning, diffusing potential problems before they can resume or escalate the next day.
Kids primarily use Facebook as a social tool. It's replaced MSN and IM in general as the method of instant communication for them (when they don't have their phones handy.) In my experience, they are still using Google and Wikipedia as their first stop for information. Facebook is purely fun and games.
I guess what I'm really getting at is that it's PEOPLE that are the problem with Facebook. Perhaps once it's old enough and a proper, codified and assimilated set of behavioral rules for it are established, then we'll see it harnessed for more promising ends in the future.
Twitter I just can't appreciate. I understand how it could serve as a means of barrier busting (between celebrities or athletes and their fans, for instance) but given the brevity of the form, I think it's presently a limited means of substantial communication. (I say 'substantial' for a reason.)
Over the last couple of years, I have scanned what former classmates and colleagues have had to say on Twitter. Invariably, I read about the lady sleeping across from them on the TTC bus, how much their head hurts, how tired they are, and/or the kind of embarassing public navel-gazing that would make most people cringe.
Does this make them 'twits,' then?
Getting back to David's original question, I'd again say "stick with the blog." The kind of rich exchange we've had here - that we always seem to have here, and that all of us love and learn from - simply couldn't happen on either Facebook or Twitter.
Good thoughts folks!
I like the pros and cons you offer. I spoke with one of the aforementioned daughters who clarified her assessment and did agree with Shane's premise that info about the congregation could be shared through Facebook.
I suppose the real question is purpose and the effective use of time.
Thanks everyone.
I am of 2 minds on this subject.
I do think face book can be more trouble than it's worth, but there are so many people on it I can't discount it's worth as a platform. Same for twitter.
I think the content you bring to your blog would be of great benefit to those who are more porne to go on Facebook or Twitter.
I feel the more who read your words, and can share in this type of conversation the better.
I love Facebook, but I am not on there all the time. It takes up a lot of time to read everyone's status. I find it useful though for posting and inviting people to events, I am a fan of a couple of pages, which means I can follow my favourite author or musician and see what they are up to, and most of all, I love sharing pictures and videos with family. I also find that sometimes its the only way to reach young people who don't check their e-mail.
As for Twitter, I am hardly ever on the site, but I use it to keep up with what is happening at the national church level. Sometimes it can be a pain to have my phone vibrating all the time to tell me there has been another post, but I do like the idea of knowing what's new at that level.
David, I agree with everyone else that this blog for your musings is sufficient, although a community Facebook page is a great idea!
I am not sure where Ian's subsequent comment went. The technical difficulties with Blogger wiped out several comments back to last Wednesday.
This is all food for thought, and while I did comment before, I will say that this encourages me, at least on the Facebook possibility.
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