Ok, I hope this post doesn’t border on Blasphemy but How would Jesus have used Social Media as we know it today? I mean he would probably have a ridiculous amount of followers right? Billions? Would Pilate have considered Jesus a Spammer? Crucify the Spammers!
What would His Blog look like? What platform would He use? Naturally he would use a Mac, because PCs are indeed Evil! What about cyber squatters? Would they try to ‘steal’ His Name or identity? You know He’d know about it, so why even try?
Imagine when his Disciples started to run the show, if they had GMail (could have been known as God Mail) or Google Wave accounts. Perhaps the Apostles would have been Bloggers?
Don’t get all freaked out that I mentioned Jesus and have a religious under tone to this post. Seriously though, regardless of your religious views, if your faith brings you to worship at your preferred congregation, how do you see your Church, Synagogue or Temple using Social Media? Are they adopting some of the platforms that you have become accustomed to using? Do they encourage you to participate?
As many congregations are group oriented, it makes sense that they utilize platforms like YouTube or Facebook and Blogs to spread their messages. I think there is a huge opportunity for these communities to share information in ways that many people are quickly adopting. As the younger generations become the bulk of the congregation, its going to be second nature. Messages can be passed along rapidly via text and instant message. Preachers can share their message via YouTube and Blog posts and the like.
Not to mention the organic SEO and back links a Church could get from their congregation if they were bloggers as well as the non-profits that receive charitable donations or voluntary work. Something to think about. I’m curious if these congregations are adopting the social web as quickly as they should.
Corey Harris of Tech Hijack sent out a status update on one of the various networks he contributes to and he mentioned a website, Foyble.com that has an interesting concept of ‘paying it forward’ by doing random acts of kindness. I joined this community because I like the idea of providing value and doing something good for someone. It seems to be a moniker of the Social Media communities today.
Sometimes when I’m feeling particularly altruistic, I will purchase a Cup of Coffee for the person behind me in the Dunkin Donuts drive through. I’ll drive off as if nothing happened and hope the person is pleasantly surprised. Perhaps, that person, will do something kind for the person behind them in line or for someone else later in the day. I did this once when there was a Pennsylvania State Trooper behind me. I wonder if maybe the Trooper gave someone some slack later that day for going a little over the speed limit. Who knows?
I know that these small little gestures of kindness don’t equate to the totality of Jesus’ work. That is not the intended message of this Blog Post. In what ways are your congregations using the Social Web?
