In celebration of Internet Evangelism Month, this is the third in a 15-part blog project discussing the book, @stickyJesus: how to live out your faith online.
Reading through file 3 “Jesus Author of Relationship” I was really concerned that there was going to be some tough, living in community style advice and words. After all, every other time I had ever spoken to anyone who had any understanding of Christianity at all about the question of relationship it always defaulted back to “Well Jesus LIVED with the disciples for three years man. Talk about intentional community.”
But that’s not what I found here at all. Instead I found six basic values that are basically designed to help someone start an online community. Not intentional community, just a place where people can be and talk with one another. These values are
- Leadership
- Service
- Consistency
- Compassion
- Encouragement
- Inclusiveness
But there’s one thing these all have in common that stuck with me throughout the entire chapter. “God wants you to go deeper…even more so now when Wi-Fi, widgets, and apps so easily dehumanize human hearts”
I don’t about the rest of you, but this was actually the appeal for me to go online and get involved with social networking in the first place. This is why Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) are so popular: anonymity. The ability to hide behind a brick wall made up of widgets and apps and avatars isn’t merely an obstacle for the online missionary to overcome, but a defense mechanism for every person who has ever been wounded in a social context. That is to say, these are the defense mechanisms I used when I first got involved with social media: I could be the person I wanted to be and happily ignore everything and everyone who challenged me.
In light of that these values are not just a means of building community and discipling the world through a new media, neither are they a replacement for the four spiritual laws and the decades of evangelistic methods that have come before now but rather they are a means by which we can meet someone where he or she is and then draw that person back into healthy, personal relationship.
- Have you ever used social media to help heal someone before? What were some of the challenges of that? Would deliberately tapping into these values have helped?
- Which of these six values speaks to you the most strongly? The least?
- What values, if any, would you add to the list?
2) Jesus: the stickiest story ever told <– @StickyJesus project –>4) Jesus: Master of buzz
I’ve been all over the place, and tried to learn a lot, but the only thing of which I am certain, is that I am the instrument, the pen, and not the Author. Everything I do or say, all my material comes from God…at least the good stuff. If it isn’t any good chances are I tried to come up with something on my own.
28 Comments
Chapter 3 was a lot to digest.; but its rich nutrients is, w/out a doubt, what I need.
Don't laugh, but I didn't realize right away, that the stories in this chapter were about current ppl with active accounts until I did a Twitter search. That's when I saw that some of bloggers from this group project were following the ppl from the chapter lol! I am amazed by the creativity, the dedication, and the action that I've read about in these stories. Tworship? Virtual Abbey? Wow God!
I already know I will need to re-read this chapter- there is just so much. But from the onset, I must say I most resonate with Melinda's story. I love the way she described Kim's voice." … Kim's voice cut right through the noise of cyberspace and ministered to real hearts in real need(paraphrased). I thought to myself, I want a voice like that. As I continued to read though, I learned that Kim paid a price of 30 yrs of planting ministries. I'm sure she spent a lot of time with the Lord and she knew her stuff (action plan for bringing encouragement). I guess I love and long for that F2F connection too from Melinda's story. That's one of my challenges with online ministry- it a paradigm shift for me in that, I'm tactile; I like to see my relationships face-to-face:-). But even as I type this, the Lord is saying to me, I know that about you- I created you that way. Ok, having a moment…
Sorry Seiji, you did have questions- good ones too 🙂
Have you ever used social media to help heal someone before? What were some of the challenges of that? Would deliberately tapping into these values have helped?
A: I have certainly encouraged others through social media, but not on the scale of the stories I've read in chapter 3.
Which of these six values speaks to you the most strongly? The least? and What values, if any, would you add to the list?
A. Of the six, compassion speaks to me most strongly. It's the passion in compassion that just moves me to want to act. Inclusiveness is a tough one to balance for me. While I may want to include everyone, everyone may not want to be included. Maybe some folks won't care for my style, or humor, or sensitivity- I'm learning to be o.k. with that and love on.
I would add patience. Since this project, I've jumped from 7 faithful followers-who probably just felt sorry for me, lol- to 50 something new followers. Alright! I'm ready! let's get real! But good, meaningful relationships are built on trust and consistency over time. In my excitement, I'm eager; but I must be patient and build relationships over time.
Thanks for the great post. I think the most important aspect to me is compassion. There are so many opportunities for people to be hurt in this world, and unfortunately FB and Twitter offer a new avenue for people to be hurtful. That said, I really work double time to post encouraging and uplifting resources for people. Music, Bible verses, videos, etc. People need to feel loved and included.
Chapter 3 was a lot to digest. It is filled with such rich nutrients, and it's just what I need.
Don't laugh, but I didn't realize right away that the stories in this chapter were about current ppl with active accounts, until I did a Twitter search. That's when I saw that some of bloggers from this group project, were following the ppl talked about in the chapter lol!
I am amazed by the creativity, the dedication, and the action that I've read about in these stories. Tworship? Virtual Abbey? Wow God!
I already know I will need to re-read this chapter- there is just so much. But from the onset, I must say, I most resonate with Melinda's story. I love the way she described Kim's voice:" … Kim's voice cut right through the noise of cyberspace and ministered to real hearts in real need(paraphrased). I want a voice like that I thought. As I continued to read though, I learned that Kim paid a price of 30 yrs of planting ministries. I'm sure she spent a lot of time with the Lord and she knew her stuff (action plan for bringing encouragement). I guess I love and long for that F2F connection too, described in Melinda's story. That's one of my challenges with online ministry- it is a paradigm shift for me in that, I'm tactile; I like to touch my relationships face-to-face:-). But even as I type this, the Lord is saying to me, I know that about you- I created you that way. Ok, having a moment…
Sorry Seiji, you did have questions and good ones too 🙂
Have you ever used social media to help heal someone before? What were some of the challenges of that? Would deliberately tapping into these values have helped?
A: I have certainly encouraged others through social media, but not on the scale of the stories I've read in chapter 3.
Which of these six values speaks to you the most strongly? The least? and What values, if any, would you add to the list?
A. Of the six, compassion speaks to me most strongly. It's the passion in compassion that just moves me to action. Inclusiveness is a tough one to balance for me. While I may want to include everyone, everyone may not want to be included. Maybe some folks won't care for my style, or humor, or sensitivity- I'm learning to be o.k. with that and love on.
I would add patience. Since this project, I've jumped from 7 faithful followers-who probably just felt sorry for me, lol- to 50 something new followers. Alright! I'm ready! let's get real! Buuuut, good, meaningfu,l relationships are built on trust and consistency over time. In my excitement, I'm eager; but I must be patient and build relationships over time.
Great comments Kawanzaa!
All of the stories you read in the book were shared by people just like you. God showed us who to connect with and why. We didn't look at follower numbers, or status, or title. We just let God take the lead on the hearts that were magnetic in some way. We didn't know 2/3 of them when we contacted them.
Your stories are yet to emerge, but they will in no time. People everywhere need Christ. You are just getting started and God will bring people and situations across your digital path. An awakened heart (you have) and a countenance resolved to listen and respond prayerfully is all that's required.
We're cheering you on! 🙂
"God showed us who to connect with and why." God does such marvelous works! I am often amazed and encourage by God' s attention to the details of our lives. I mean stop and think about it- I'm sure you already have- God knew you and Toni were going to step out and write a book for such a time as this. I'm sure the idea of this book was a direct message from His heart to yours. He did not miss one detail, right down to selecting the real ppl and their stories that are in these chapters; AND the intended impact on the readers! He planned it all!! Ok, my head is beginning to spin 🙂
Toni, my heart is ablaze! Learning to serve God in a new capacity??? This is just for my radical soul :-).I am grateful for your generosity (sharing knowledge and wisdom) and continuous encouragement. Thank you for being the voice that cuts through the noise 🙂
Umph! the Lord Bless ya real good!
I agree
This is my first time through @StickyJesus and I find myself having to re-read chapters to absorb it all! Seiji, I love how you took the comments in and rethought your discussion question and clarified…that is authentic. I agree with you in struggling with inclusiveness. I have been irked about the "apparent" exclusiveness I see, even in Christian circles, but am reminded that we cannot develop deep relationships with everyone we meet – online or F2F (thanks, Tami). I think we can acknowledge everyone, but need the Holy Spirit's leading to determine with whom we need to "go deeper" and when.
These probably resonate the most with me:
Leadership – As a leader (who has often asked the question "Who am I to lead?") I come across believers almost daily who don't recognize that "Simply put: leadership is in your spiritual genes!" I can ONLY lead because I am connected to God…I don't have the skills or authority in my flesh.
Compassion & Encouragement – "Own and respond to the prayer requests you see. Let someone know when you pray for him or her." It is really easy to type the words "I'm praying for you." and then not do it! Do it first…then let them know in a personal way (use their name or "handle") and follow up. Encouraging people online is something that has tremendous impact and really doesn't take much time, just heart.
Loving the book and the discussion. Thanks everyone! Lisa
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Several of you encouraged me to continue the thought about what community would look like without each of these 6 key elements. As I did, I realized there was one big one I had to add. So if you're interested, check out…
7 Essential Ingredients of Meaningful Community – http://bit.ly/krcgVI
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