I had the unique opportunity yesterday to be interviewed by the local Fox affiliate as part of a story they were doing over the use of Twitter in our community. Dave Quinn has done, and continues to do, an amazing job with the City of Levelland in the area of economic development. He has been encouraging area businesses and community leaders to become more involved in the social media realm. So Fox came out to interview him and others in the community who are using social media – specifically Twitter.
All that to say, it has prompted several conversations with different folks about the usefulness and benefit of social media – particularly in the church world. I am interested to hear your comments on this. I ask that you take the time today to leave me a comment with your thoughts on the subject.
I believe that if we are going to stay on the forefront, as a church, with the changing world, we have to learn to communicate with the world. As I see it, a transition is going to have to happen in the mindset of many of our folks. What has been seen as a waste of time (blogging, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc) has now become crucial. I believe that what was once seen as a diversion from the daily work we should be doing, this very thing has become (or at least is becoming) our daily work.
I would not have ever jumped off into the social media scene had I not been convinced that this is the way our world is moving. Now I am passionate more than ever that this is one way (albeit just one way) that we can reach people for Christ.
I would really love to hear your thoughts on this issue.
Clay in the Hands 
Great post Brian! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog over the past few months, but I haven’t commented till now. It’s been nice to get to know you beyond the handshakes we trade on that one or two Sunday’s I’m in Levelland though out the year. I will be in town next week I would love to stop by and say hello!
Hey Brian,
I totally agree with you. Like the gentlemen who commented before me, I read your blogs daily and have not commented on them before til now. I agree that our lines of communication have widen. There are now more forms of communication then there has ever been before. Not only do we need to use these social networks to connect with family and friends, we need to use them as a platform to reach our community. The site we have on facebook with the Ministerial Alliance is a great example of that. When we calander events and make them known throughout our community, we are encouraging Levelland that there are churches coming together united and that the people in Levelland are important to us. The people are the whole reason why any believer loves to serve! Social networks are what they are using, then the church needs to as well to connect with people.
Blessings,
Jeremy
Brian,
I truly enjoy feeling like I’m still a part of the church community simply by looking at your blog. I may not attend as consistently as in the past or even have a lot to say, but I still feel connected by checking out your blog. It gives me food for thought. I am in agreement that technology can be useful for connection. I am blessed to have such a great mother-in-law who, in her sixties, values the techological connection. She makes an effort to check out your blog and become involved in myspace and even texting in order to reach out to her grandchildren, church, and the community. Technology may not be for everyone, but we are enjoying it and trying to utilize it! Thank you for making the effort to connect to those “who don’t always feel connected.” It is invaluable!
Yvonne