As I prepared for Lent, I did a little research on how we can use social media more effectively in our communications and, by extension, in spreading the Gospel to the online world. What I was reminded of yet again is to keep social media simple!
Remember, spreading the Gospel, or getting anyone to listen to what you are saying, is about relationship. Building relationships is not all one-sided, meaning if I talk about myself long enough, they will like me. At the end of the day, are you trustworthy, a good listener and, then, can you help to make a difference.
On my Twitter biography I write that "Social Media is the way to the future." To unfold that a bit, social media is the place where, today, we can find, meet and interact with people all over the world. It is in those discussions that we develop relationships that will take every one to a deeper level of understanding, a deeper level community involvement, and a deeper level of effecting how our future will unfold. But first, we have to keep it simple and use the tools of social media for they way they were intended to be used, or at the very least, the way that they have evolved to be used.
Here is a brief video from my friend, Mana, who works at LightSpanDigital in Chicago. She reminds us of the very basics of social media.
Keep social media simple. In doing so, we will create more connections from whom we can learn and with whom we can share this social media life.
I believe that God meets us where we are without us having to put up facades or walls pretending to be something we are not. I also believe that we need to meet people where they are and, then, by our listening, helping, and caring for others, we and they may see the Gospel being lived out in a new way. One of the blessings that I use at the end of a service is "The Wisdom of God, the Love of God, and the Grace of God strengthen you to be Christ's hands, feet and heart in this world." Maybe in this case, we should say "The Wisdom of God, the Love of God, and the Grace of God strengthen you to be Christ's eyes, ears, and fingers in this world."
Blessings,
Fr. Kenny
