Social Networking

Happy New Year!

I pray that you and your family have been able to welcome 2011 with open arms and with anticipation of all that God will reveal to you this year!

Like many of you, I have made some promises to myself for the New Year. I would like to get into better shape (my "round" isn't fully proportional yet), I would like to become more disciplined in my spiritual life, and I made a promise to join Facebook.

Suffice it to say, I achieved 1/3 of my goals for the year when I joined the Facebook family 3 days ago. Many of my family and friends were surprised to see me finally get on board with the cultural wave that has crashed down on our society. I have been very reluctant to join Facebook in the past and I vowed to never join it. But, in the true wisdom of the Bee Gee's, "never say never again."

I am intrigued by the cultural phenomenon that Facebook has become. It has been deemed the ultimate social networking site. At the end of 2010, Facebook heralded 400 million users that spans worldwide. As a matter of fact, 70% of Facebook users are outside of the United States. The statistics are staggering when you think of how Facebook has exploded in just 6 years. If you want to view some of the statistics follow this link: http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/facebook-statistics-facts-figures-for-2010/.

Facebook's mission is, "Giving people the power to share and make the world more open and connected." Obviously, their mission is being accomplished so much so that Goldman Sachs just invested $500 million in the company. Estimates of Facebook's worth range from $10-$50 Billion. Of course, it's not just about the money, it's about the people using the site as a way of connecting to those with whom they have lost connection in their lives. It is a way to stay up-to-date in our busy and chaotic world.

I have always been intrigued by culture's response to the newest idea and fad. Facebook seems that it is becoming one of the primary ways that people stay connected and in relationship with one another. Facebook has met a need in a world that often feels disconnected, even though we are the most connected generation in history.

As I reflect on the success of Facebook and experience for myself the opportunities it provides to the world, I cannot help but reflect on the church as well. No offense to Mark Zuckerberg and his cronies over at Facebook, but, in my opinion, they are NOT the ultimate social networking site. The Christian church bodes some 2 billion followers worldwide - 5 times that of Facebook. The Christian church was established to connect people to each other and help people connect to Jesus Christ and the divine presence of God in their lives.

While Facebook has begun to transform our society (only time will tell how much), the Church has been doing it for years! Granted, there are times that we don't do it as well as we should, but we have been given a way to not only connect ourselves with others, but to help others get connected as well.

The caution I would provide to all Facebook users (which is why I resisted for so long) is to not subsitute your Facebook time for real face time with those you love and those who are part of your spiritual family. It can be easy in our crazy lives to think we are "connecting" through the virtual world and let that become our only reality. True connection, in my opinion, comes in the face-to-face, heart-to-heart, sit down at the table together, real world that Christ modeled for us. Facebook can offer us opportunities and provide us chances to catch-up, but it cannot provide us with the real thing.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT) states: "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

We are to meet together. If we happen to comment on someone's wall from time to time or "like" their status, that is fine. But let's not let it keep us from meeting with each other at the coffee shop, the book store, the dinner table, or the worship center. Let's not let it keep us from entering into real, authentic, loving relationships with one another. Let's not forget that the ultimate social networking site was created almost 2000 years ago and it has proven to be the best way to connect and be in relationship with each other and with our God!

I know that it is not always as convenient as getting online for a few minutes and typing a few words...it takes more investment and more time. But, I think many of us understand that building and maintaining a relationship takes time and effort. Which social networking site will you invest more of your time in this year?

"Creator God, You have created me for relationship with others and with You. Forgive me if I have lost my connection with You in my pursuit of the newest idea and cultural fad. Forgive me if I have lost my true connection with those I love. Remind me that I am more than a picture on a screen and a status on a wall - I am Your child, made for relationship with all You have created. Help me to recommit my life to making face time with You and with those who love me and encourage me on my faith journey. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen."