God used you in my life today and I wanted to say thank you. I’ve been battling with some depression issues over the past week or so and I couldn’t figure out what was at the root of it.

Social media is only indirectly involved with my issues, but this post was the catalyst that got me thinking about my sins of pride and (attempted) self-sufficiency. I have been trying to find significance in what I do (and how other respond to what I do) rather than in Christ.

It’s amazing how God works things for His purposes…

May God richly bless you and your ministry.

To address another point you mentioned. I think one of the biggest hurdles people in ministry need to overcome is remaining connected with unbelievers. I appreciate your sentiment about using social media to help overcome that barrier and think its well-put. But I think you would agree that nothing beats real face-to-face relationships. Because that’s the case, I think ministers need to be intentional about having lost people in their life, not just around it. It’s too easy to get caught up solely in “church stuff” while unbelievers are all around us. I know that’s the case for me far too often. But that’s another post for another time.

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

That may sound strange, but at my church, we still argue over how many hymns to use and if we should eliminate the Christmas card distribution boxes in the lobby.

For me, on Twitter and elsewhere, it feels to me that I can really connect with the real world. I’m doing all I can to lead my church to engage culture in a more relevant way with the gospel, but I feel like many churches need to be listening to this. It may be one more sign of the church’s slide into irrelevance (not the irrelevance of truth, just “church” as we’ve done it).

So I find myself wanting to expand my online influence not because of narcissism or ego, but as an outlet for my soul to truly feel connected with lost people in some way.

To be honest, I have wrestled through all of your questions, the first three in particular.

The new media technologies are powerful. They can be used as tools for achieving great kingdom purposes. They can also play strongly to the things and principles of the world.

Without the discernment you’re calling for, technology will backfire on us.

The lesson here is that we need to submit our use of technology, as with all things, to the Lordship of Christ. Every minute of the day.

Otherwise, we run the risk of falling under its control. Thanks for pointing out the dangers.

Excuse me now, I need to run and tweet about commenting on your blog!!!