Recently I reluctantly joined Facebook. I did it because one of the young ministers in our area suggested it as another way to connect with people, particularly the younger crowd. It may also be another way to share Jesus with a group that may never come to church. I had avoided this for a long time because I believe more in the value of real face to face relationships. However the possibility that more might get to hear the message finally put me over the top.
At first I was pleasantly surprised. I was connecting with people I hadn't seen or heard from in years. Even kids from 20 years ago (who were no longer kids and had kids of their own) However after a few days I realized that to be apart of this required time. Time I didn't have. Time to write something cute or interesting. Time to post pictures. Time to read different posts. (As you know from the frequency of this blog time is a premium for me) What little time I had I preferred to invest in people. In person. Where did all these people get the time? And in all honesty why did they use it to share such useless information that really doesn't matter? Maybe I'm old and getting a little senile but what about jobs, and house work and family and God? Where was the time for God? Now I only have about 30 friends but on any given day there are only one to two posts that are uplifting. Do I really need to know if someone is tired (again)? Is going to their kids ball game? Doesn't like the ending of a TV show? Wants to tell me who will win American Idol? Took some stupid Super Hero Quiz? Needs cards for a card game? Or something for some Mafia game? To the best of my knowledge all these people are supposed to be or at least were believers in Jesus Christ. But you couldn't tell by reading these posts. And some of these are pastors! Yikes! We wonder why our churches are shrinking.
Now I don't care if people want to post these things. I don't have to read them. But in reading them I was shocked to see just how weak our faith is. I was especially disappointed by our pastors wasting time with this. We should be leading the way with positive and Godly posts. and all of us as believers should spend more time studying the word!
So that leads me with a choice I guess. I can bail out and leave Facebook. Or I can start to contribute something positive. I'm not sure what I'll do yet. Give me some time. I'll get back to you. (Soon I hope)
Do any of you who are on Facebook encouter the same? I'd love to hear your comments.
Pastor Paul
