How should I as a pastor think about social media? Is it an essential ministry tool or a harmful distraction? Is it a responsible realm for influencers or a battleground for fools?

Recently, I emailed some pastor friends to ask them about the role of social media in their personal lives and ministries. I thought I would share a bit of that interaction with you for your edification.

Questions About Social Media

Dear brothers, 

For a while now, I’ve been wrestling with the role of social media in the life and ministry of a pastor. I would value your thoughts on the questions below:

  • Pastors often feel pressured to be active on social media in order to expand their “platform” and influence. Do you think your ministry is clearly helped by being active on social media? I’m especially interested in hearing from those who – despite the pressure – don’t have an active presence on social media.
  • Do you think being on social media has helped or hindered your own holiness? How? 
  • Should pastors encourage their people to “redeem” social media for gospel purposes or quit?

In short, when it comes to social media, why do you do what you do? Some of you have a very active presence on social media. Others, not at all. I would value your input on these or other questions related to the pastor and social media. 

The Pros and Cons of Social Media

I received a number of thoughtful responses that helped sharpen my thinking and perspective. Ultimately, social media has both powerful pros and frightening cons that need to be carefully considered. I’ve included my final response below:

PROS

John Wesley once remarked, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can” (cf. Gal. 6:7-10). Clearly, social media (SM) can be used to apply Wesley’s counsel. Through SM, we can receive and share helpful, edifying information that has the potential to bless us and others in profound ways. There are books that I saw recommended by friends on Facebook (FB) that have significantly shaped my life and ministry. I’ve shared articles and books I’ve written on FB that have received encouraging responses.

Despite all of the obvious pros, there are some devastating cons that should not be easily dismissed…

CONS

SM has definitely contributed to our current “Technopoly” culture that is reshaping our worldview, values, and philosophies in deeply disturbing ways. We are becoming tools of our tools as we collapse under the weight of information glut. Reality is being replaced by an illusion. The kind of meaningful, personal friendships and face-to-face conversations that are essential to our very being are being replaced with lightweight connections and impersonal clicks or comments. SM also powerfully appeals to our pride. Online culture tends to be self-aggrandizing. Furthermore, we know that SM is intentionally designed to be addictive (cf. I Cor. 6:12) and is having devastating effects on the brain.

Far too many who innocently started out on SM to connect with old acquaintances are now compulsively checking SM multiple times a day, spending precious hours scrolling, clicking, arguing, and commenting. Before taking a SM fast about a year ago, I can personally attest to the negative consequences of SM on my relationships, family, mood, perspective, and ability to sustain concentration. 

As I think about these things, the following applications come to mind: 

1. Social media fast.

One of you wisely noted, “Most people use these tools so uncritically that they have no real sense of the way it affects their time and attention. Most people should probably completely detox for 30 days and then honestly evaluate the pros and cons.” In his book Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport recommends that this fast be unannounced (if possible) so that we can candidly assess how valuable our presence or influence on SM really is. When I took my fast about a year ago, no one even realized I wasn’t on FB. Frankly, my SM presence or lack thereof did very little to contribute to the wellbeing of others. This fast also gave me time to reevaluate my priorities and more deeply cultivate the quality of the relationships God has given to me. I also found myself enjoying the moments instead of trying to capture and “share” them. 

2. Razor sharp intentionality and boundaries.

This will probably look different for each person. For some, it might mean no SM at all. They can get the value of SM using other means that are not nearly as addictive or harmful. For many, it probably will result in a lot less time online and a lot more time actively cultivating the relationships God has given us. For me, a thoughtful, restricted approach looks like no mindless scrolling or impersonal “likes” on FB. It also looks like no FB outside of scheduled times to post articles for Rooted Thinking or check in on specific people who I know share helpful information.

Think About It

You may or may not agree with all of my arguments or applications. That’s okay. I hope, however, that this email exchange will help you evaluate your own philosophy and practice of social media usage.