5 lessons today’s church can learn from social networks

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ome time ago, my wife’s late aunt, who passed away several years ago, updated her Facebook profile picture. It was a sensation in the family! Thank God she chose a picture from when she was still alive; I do not think I would have liked to see a more recent photo. My wife liked it, shared it, and commented: “Case settled! There is Internet in heaven.”

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.

Revelation 20:11

There is no pulpit in heaven. There is a throne, but no pulpit. The pulpit is a very ancient piece of religious technology. It developed as a natural need of the church when it became the official religion of the Roman Empire and began using government buildings, called basilicas, for worship.

Pulpit Mindset

My issue is not so much that the Church became official or consecrates buildings with other purposes. Not even that the pulpit is used in large gatherings.

My issue is with the pulpit mindset.

The pulpit as a metaphor of faith has created a flawed philosophy of what it means to be a Christian.

Ministry modeled after the pulpit has created a gap between clergy and laity. It has fostered a monologue, letting another voice say what you also have to say, and other hands do what you also have to do.

The pulpit mindset has seeped into everything the church does. For instance, you show that you’ve chosen to be a Christian by raising your hand and then stepping down to the pulpit, or you aspire to be invited to preach from the pulpit someday.

It affects how you live and experience faith. It permeates all mediums. You turn on Christian TV or radio, and what do you see or hear? Pulpit.

Jesus Walked Among the Crowd

Jesus didn’t preach from pulpits or stages. He wasn’t always at the summit of the Sermon on the Mount or the Transfiguration Mountain. Thank goodness He didn’t listen to Saint Peter! He came down from the mountain to be with them. To be with us.

As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

Mark 9:15

If we follow Jesus’ model, we will have to remove the pulpit from the church and step down from the stage to walk among the people. Swap the pulpit for sandals. And for tables. That is why they accused Him of being a glutton and a drunkard (Luke 7:34).

The pulpit as a ministry model has lost its influence and failed to reach this generation. It doesn’t work. But we are either blind to it or choose not to see.

We need to remove the pulpit from the media. Where is the creativity? Remove the pulpit from the church. Where is the call to walk with and among the people?

Let us Walk with the People

Let us replace the pulpit-based ecclesiology with the ecclesiology of social networks. Social networks as a new metaphor for ministry can teach us at least the following 5 lessons:

1. Participate
   Social networks give everyone a role. They level the playing field. They downgrade the pulpit and upgrade the people. They facilitate the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). They demand the responsibility of all.
2. Dialogue
   The language of social networks invites open and candid conversation. Like, comment, share, recommend, follow. Circles and friends in constant dialogue. Emoticons create a new language to convey our moods in a new era of visual literacy. Retweeting is the short form of the old saying “A little birdie told me.”
3. Edit
   Admit it. Whether you like it or not, you’re already online. What will people find when they search for you? The Holy Spirit edits your life and story, but you have the chance to edit your profiles to let people know the transformed you. This is an unprecedented opportunity.
4. Pass Down
   We are the first generation in human history to leave a digital legacy. It is our responsibility to leave a digital inheritance that points to Christ and His power to transform lives. What will the online world say about you when you’re gone? It is obvious that your aunt didn’t update her profile; a relative did it. So, who will be the custodian of your digital legacy? Who will edit your profile when you’re gone?
5. Listen
   When was the last time the preacher asked you about the sermon? Oh, if only there were comment cards like in some restaurants: “What’s your opinion about our service?” The church that wants to be relevant must learn to listen. Listening ushered in a new era of television with Reality Shows. If we learn to listen, maybe we can create the new Reality Church.

I love the Church. I believe in the Church. It is probably the most impactful institution in history. I am committed to serving in the Church for the rest of my days. But it is time to change the metaphor.

I want to take my own medicine: I need your help to listen. A good way to listen is through a survey. It will help you better understand your audience and know what topics are relevant for today and the near future. Let us unite to change the model and transform our generation.

How about you? Do you wear sandals or stand behind a pulpit? Are you on social networks to participate, converse, edit, inherit, and listen?