Should churches stay away from Facebook?

[Rachel Collinson]

During the conference I gave a session about social networking. Some people were quite negative about churches using social networking as they percieved it as a waste of time or something which might get them into trouble in terms of child protection. I was quite shocked at this as I see social networking sites as an extraordinary opportunity with some of my clients having major success on sites like Facebook.

Do you have any comments about how to encourage churches to get out of the reactionary, negative mind-set when it comes to New Media?

[Jam Cary]

Churches can be very negative, can't they? It's worth noting that, at various points, churches frowned upon playing cards, dancing, theatre, cinema and alcohol. So we shouldn't be surprised.

I have friends that go to a church in Balham in which the church organises events through Facebook. It's a young church with singles and young families who are happy with computers generally - and so it's generally accepted that if you're a member of the church, you join Facebook and the groups. It's user-friendly and easy. Clearly some digital-luddites are somewhat excluded, but some are left out by any communication system. That's where Churches need to remember grace, kindness and care of others. Cater for the needs of others.

I also happen to thing that grooming and child safety on the net is massively exaggerated by the media.

[Russ]

I can understand some nervousness on the part of churches because of child protection issues, but often I suspect the negativity about Facebook is because they have too few people who have explored the possibilities intelligently, and too many who have heard endless social networking site scare stories via the media.

There is a critical mass necessary, I suspect. Our church has a Facebook group, but while there are 27 signed up, precious little seems to happen - even when I posted a couple of potentially provocative discussion topics.

It takes time, and maybe some creative ideas to show what's possible - but you do need some momentum, particularly from leadership. What has worked for others?

[Andrew Graystone]

As you can imagine I spend a lot of time talking at Christian groups and conferences about digital media - and also recently at several ministerial training colleges. I'm very conscious of the divide between "digital natives" who have been born and bred in a digital world and "digital immigrants" (like me) who are having to come to terms with it. I'm convinced that the way forward is not to try to get church hierarchies to understand. The reality is that most power in most churches lies with people over 45, many of whom struggle to programme their video recorders. The future lies in liberating young Christians in their teens and 20s who are 100% comfortable in the digital environment. The question is, who will help these young Christians work out what it means to be a disciple in a digital environment? I guess it's us.

[Rachel Collinson]

Andrew... that is a profoundly helpful and insightful comment. 'New wine for new wineskins' and all that. Surprisingly, I'd never thought of taking that tack. Thanks!

[Pam Smith]

Andrew Graystone said:

I'm convinced that the way forward is not to try to get church hierarchies to understand.

I agree Andrew. I've never got over the expressions on people's faces when I was at a church council 'getting to know you session' when we had to 'share one unusual thing about yourself with your neighbour' which was then shared with the group.

My unusual thing was that when we went to the States I met up with some people I'd met on the Internet - they were people I knew on the Ship of Fools and I think it was the first real life meet that had happened in the States so I thought it was pretty interesting.

I think people must have thought 'Internet' and 'pornography' must be exact synonyms from the looks on people's faces.

Last week I was licensed online as the priest in charge of an Internet church and my training incumbent, who is younger than me and has four children who use the Internet, said it was fascinating to be there with me as he had never seen a chat room before.

There's no point trying to convince people who are so far back in their understanding of the medium, and I wonder why we need to - Just Do It as the saying goes.

[Andrew Graystone]

Licensed to an internet church? Tell me more...

Pam Smith said:

Andrew Graystone said:

I'm convinced that the way forward is not to try to get church hierarchies to understand.

I agree Andrew. I've never got over the expressions on people's faces when I was at a church council 'getting to know you session' when we had to 'share one unusual thing about yourself with your neighbour' which was then shared with the group.

My unusual thing was that when we went to the States I met up with some people I'd met on the Internet - they were people I knew on the Ship of Fools and I think it was the first real life meet that had happened in the States so I thought it was pretty interesting.

I think people must have thought 'Internet' and 'pornography' must be exact synonyms from the looks on people's faces.

Last week I was licensed online as the priest in charge of an Internet church and my training incumbent, who is younger than me and has four children who use the Internet, said it was fascinating to be there with me as he had never seen a chat room before.

There's no point trying to convince people who are so far back in their understanding of the medium, and I wonder why we need to - Just Do It as the saying goes.

[Christopher Bliss]

Do you have any comments about how to encourage churches to get out of the reactionary, negative mind-set when it comes to New Media?

Well first we need to realise when we are talking about 'churches' we need to primarily be looking at people. One true strength of a body of people like the church is that we have a wide range of diverse skills and experiences within. Facebook may appeal to some people whereas it it won't to others. We need to discern in 'the body' those with an interest and competency in this area, because these are the people who will look to build such a digital community. Which in effect can be an actual out-reach ministry of the Church. Facebook and other social networking sites are all about building community, connectivity and keeping in touch. The good thing about Facebook for churches, is that it is good to have a virtual presence for people to who are seeking so that they may find, and are able to join in and be a part of it. I know that our Church's FB Group is quite successful and growing, but this will often depend upon the demographic of a particular church, ours is a contemporary Vineyard Church so it works quite well in our context.

[Christopher Bliss]

Andrew Graystone said:

As you can imagine I spend a lot of time talking at Christian groups and conferences about digital media - and also recently at several ministerial training colleges. I'm very conscious of the divide between "digital natives" who have been born and bred in a digital world and "digital immigrants" (like me) who are having to come to terms with it. I'm convinced that the way forward is not to try to get church hierarchies to understand. The reality is that most power in most churches lies with people over 45, many of whom struggle to programme their video recorders. The future lies in liberating young Christians in their teens and 20s who are 100% comfortable in the digital environment. The question is, who will help these young Christians work out what it means to be a disciple in a digital environment? I guess it's us.

I'd extend that to over 30's as well... As a Generation X'er and only in my mid thirties I am completely at home in the digital environment, I have experienced the development of the Net for about 14 years and seen how it has changed, moved and grown and encompassed a whole generation. I have also been a Christian for many years and I have had my own concerns about certain moral and ethical aspects of the Net and cyber-cultures. There is a lot of ignorance about the Internet, not being funny but the church needs to preach what is relevant for society from the pulpit and for many people that is the Internet (but not all). I think things like; watching what websites you visit, sharing your faith online, personal internet security and safety, are all relevant topics for many people in many churches. If we can dispell some of the myths and fears about the Internet we can equip and help Christians to make use of the Net for redemptive purposes in a safe and morally righteous way. The problem for the next generation is that they have no one to show them how to use the Net and consequently get themselves into some rather dark and nasty corners of cyber-space, we need to be able to help bring them back into the light by being technologically savvy and spiritually discerning.