just a friendly reminder
I was reminded again last night of the importance of careful communication. I know that everyone has a right to their opinion, even church staff members and volunteers but…facebook, blogs, and twitter or other social media may not be the right forum to share those views. We had an African American man express some disappointment in something someone said on a “social media” as relates to our President. Brian had made a comment about loving people with differing opinions and included the fact that the majority of our church are probably southern conservative republicans but that a number of our people supported the more liberal President Obama in the last election and that we are all Christians and need to love each other.
It is alright to disagree but make sure you handle that kind of controversy in the right way. If you expect to reach people that are different from yourself and you pastor or serve at a large church or even a small one you don’t want to offend the people you would like to reach. So just some friendly reminders if you feel a need to share your thoughts on a social media: 1. make sure your communication is about the issue not about a person. 2. before publishing consider who might read your comment (is there a possibility a person of another race, party, or persuasion might be offended unnecessarily). 3. does the comment divide people into an us and them. 4. even if the truth is shared in love, does the truth “need” to be told in this context. 5. can you clarify so that a person with a differing opinion is allowed to feel okay about that opinion and you are open to dialogue.
I hate it that we have come to the point in America that when we disagree it is about race or party instead of issues. I do have serious disagreements with our President, abortion (a biblical concern), spending (a personal concern), and taxes (a public concern). I make these distinctions because there is not a biblical perspective on spending – except neither a borrower or lender be (isn’t that biblical?) nor taxes – except that Jesus said pay ‘em if you owe ‘em. But I hope that I never degenerate to the place where I believe his positions are because he is African American. I didn’t vote for Clinton nor Gore for similar reasons. (both who say they are Southern Baptist, my tradition, both southerners – my tradition, both white – my race, both fat old farts – my condition) :
Paul said, “I have become all things to all men so that I might win some.” It is hard for me to believe that having made that statement he would blog or twitter something like this, “let’s change the name of tax day to Nero day.” Not only because he would have been killed but because he would not have been able to openly share with a soldier that was loyal to Rome. Obama didn’t invent taxes. Don’t blame him for using them to further his agenda. He was honest with the people who voted for him, we have the person we elected. If you disagree, disagree but make sure you don’t alienate people in the process. I’ve seen some pretty mean comments on twitter. If I was African American I would have a hard time hearing the gospel from you no matter how passionate you preach, sing, or pray.
Let him who hears have ears of understanding….
