The big cultural change of my adult life has been the explosion of social media. It is likely that most of my readers will have at least one, if not more, of the following accounts: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok. In fact, there’s a good chance, if you are reading this blog and don’t know… Continue reading Social Media: the good, the bad and the ugly
Tag: Facebook
If Twitter were to die tonight, would your tweets get into heaven?
Yesterday, the internet was caught up in rumours and gossip suggesting that Twitter, one of the main social media platforms people communicate on could be about to completely collapse. Elon Musk appears to have picked up the Liz Truss playbook at the same time as taking over Twitter leading to complete chaos with many key… Continue reading If Twitter were to die tonight, would your tweets get into heaven?
We shouldn’t be throwing anyone under the social media bus
The other day, I shared this Gospel Coalition article urging people not to throw their pastor under the bus. The article was specifically about how Christians engage on social media. I thought it might be helpful to say a little bit more about the specific subject. By social media we mean internet sites and phone/tablet… Continue reading We shouldn’t be throwing anyone under the social media bus
No context outrage
The other day in a coffee shop I overheard something I found absolutely hilarious, roll on the floor laughing out loud silly. Because I knew Sarah would find it equally hilarious I texted her one of those messages that begins “Overheard ….” Her response was a series of laughing emojis and then the question “Was… Continue reading No context outrage
Should Christians disagree on social media?
Social media, whether it’s twitter or Facebook (I assume that TikTok and Instagram have the same challenges but I’m not trendy or young enough to know) isn’t always the easiest place to be. Friends fall out quickly, words are said, others are muted, unfriended and blocked. It can become toxic very quickly. Sadly, that seems… Continue reading Should Christians disagree on social media?
Using social media as a shop window into your church
Churches put a lot of effort into the appearance of their buildings, particularly taking time to create inviting entrance foyers that enable people to see in and feel able to come in. We know the effect of a church building with closed, heavy, austere doors. We know the impact of walking into a building which… Continue reading Using social media as a shop window into your church
What should we do about online church after the pandemic ends?
If the government roadmap goes according to plan in England, churches will be able to fully reopen again from the 21st of June. During the pandemic, most of us have been providing online content for the many people who have been unable to attend our services in person. During that time, we have learnt that… Continue reading What should we do about online church after the pandemic ends?
Twitter Church?
The big debate over the past 12 months has been about whether our online activities during lockdown counted as church worship services and whether it was possible to do things like share communion online. My position throughout has been that given the specific context we found ourselves in, that yes the online provision did count… Continue reading Twitter Church?
You don’t have to be my Facebook friend
I was asked a brilliant question the other day. The questioner explained that they have friends on social media who they really struggle with, they find their regular comments about immigration hard to stomach and often there is an undercurrent of racism. For balance, they observed that they find some of the Black Lives Matter… Continue reading You don’t have to be my Facebook friend
Why talking about virtual church is unhelpful
My friend John was in the later stages of Motor neurons disease. Each Sunday he would come to church and each Friday to our home group. He’d had surgery on his throat and so was no longer able to speak. He relied on one of these voice synthesizers made famous by Stephen Hawking. Several of… Continue reading Why talking about virtual church is unhelpful
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