I believe we must have BALANCE (moderation) in all we do. An over indulgence in anything speaks of being out of balance.
- How many hours a day are you surfing through myspace & facebook – reading up on everyone?
- Count the number of texts you receive and send today.
Recently, I shared this with our congregation. I asked them to consider the amount of time they are indulging in electronic socialism. We discussed the value of carrying on a conversation with someone face to face. Being able to read body language, looking someone in the eye and getting a sense of their character. All of that is shielded behind a computer screen and a keypad.
Last week some teens joined me for a round of golf. They kept their phone on them the entire time and were text messaging between every hole and updating their facebook on the fly. It was a little ridiculous and even a little irritating.
Again, I’m not opposed to the use of technology and communication. I just wonder what we’ll discover about our social skills when the latest studies come out.
Too much of anything can be damaging.
I've noticed I can whittle away hours of productive time doing nothing but reading various blog posts -- and have nothing to show for it afterwards. I'm an info addict, and I often overdose.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone else ever found peace of mind by simply tossing a stack of unread newsletters?
What's the right balance? Out of a 40-hour week (let's just dream for a minute :-) -- how many hours should one spend in books and blogs? How much in prayer? How much in the Bible (and nothing but the Bible)? How much time meeting folks one-on-one? How much time in staff development? How much in personal development? How much on sermon development?
I relate. With two sons, 13 and almost 15, texting, the web, and more have become issues on more than one occasion.
ReplyDeleteMy wife has her L.I.F.E. Group (with 12 women) on Monday nights. For years, my boys and have enjoyed "Guys Night Out". I take them anywhere they want to eat on Mondays...under one condition: (you guessed it) NO CELL PHONES! When we have guests in the home, the same rule applies - with one exception - when they're in the swimming pool!
Ken, good questions. I pretty much have a good routine when it comes to prayer, devotion, mentorship, leadership development. I try to return my emails in the early morning - thats when I'm the least distracted. Also, I have regular staff meetings on a routine basis. I learned quite a while ago that if I don't set my schedule...someone else will. Keeping a good schedule actually gives me better quality time with my wife and daughter.
ReplyDeleteJeff, I read a report that women 55 and older are the fastest growing demographic on facebook. Stange to think of it like that. I assumed that facebook was more geared for college students (at least at its inception) but more and more this social networking system has "taken over" the time of many older people as well.
ReplyDeletelike anything good, too much can become a weight which takes our focus from the necessary to the things that may not be bad but arfen't the best for us.
ReplyDeleteMany people I know say they don't have time for what matters yet I see them twittering and facebooking.
If what you do doesn't get you where you wanna go then I simply would not do it!
Sounds simple huh?
Several random thoughts here. Russel you hit a good point about social and communication skills. God is a relational being and in the beginning he stated it was not good for man to be alone - thus he created us to be relational. Many who use electronic tools of communication cannot carry on a conversation face to face with someone that has any lasting value. But that's my opinion and predisposed idea as I observe from a distance.
ReplyDeleteI recently asked my 16 year old son about this very thing and his response was "it's easier to communicate with more people in shorter time frames than with one person over a longer time frame."
As I pondered that statement I realized that kids are not unrelational as much as they desire to be multi-relational. They want to keep their friends close (please nobody quote the Godfather on me here) to them, knowing what's going on in their lives. Is this all bad? Out of balance, yes it can be, but at its heart, good.
Twitter gives us the capacity to communicate with many people at once which can be a great tool for a pastor to use if he/she has a "download" from Holy Spirit that they want to get out there to their people as a seed thought for the day. It can save hours of valuable time on the phone that we can better use to stay in the word and before God in prayer.
As with anything new, we as Pastors have to learn how to wisely use the tools that are out there. How many of us heard how evil the internet was when it evolved? Now it is a major catalyst for the church to communicate the gospeland get information to people in our congregations. It has always had the potential for evil, just as electronic socialism does. We just need God's wisdom on how to use it effectively and in balance.
Regarding new tools and balance...
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a new thing.
TV is a tool that:
- used to be preached against (and still is in some circles)
- has been adapted for communicating the gospel
- can get out-of-balance if you watch too much.
Books (particularly novels) also used to be preached against, but have been adapted for communicating gospel truths, but can still get out-of-balance.
As for Teens and twitter/texting...
I've seen my teen daughter on several occasions praying for a friends who had requested said prayers via tweets/texts.
Love the comments guys. I for one, love the use of electronic technology. I use every form available (that I can keep up with) to communicate.
ReplyDeleteBut nothing takes the place of "real" face to face communication. In fact, it's easier to talk behind a phone/screen/ID then it is face to face.
For example, how many people are bold in their speech through an email...but would be less abrasive if they were face to face with someone.
Where I was headed with the "electronic socialism" idea was simply, BALANCE.
Great comments team!