Jeremy Hoover

Some of you know that I have accounts on both Facebook and Twitter. I really enjoy and get a lot of value from both sites.

If you don't know what they are, Facebook is a networking site that mainly connects you with people you know and or have known in the past. You have complete control over how you connect to these people, if you do at all. You connect with "friends" in your "network" (those whom you have given permission to connect with you) by sharing links you have found online, pictures you have taken, "notes" that you write, and status updates that allow you to post thoughts and updates about what you are doing.

You can check out part of my Facebook profile here. If you're already on Facebook, send me a friend request.

Twitter is a different beast for networking a different way. Twitter allows you to send short headline-like messages of only 140 characters each. You share information, ideas, questions, and connect with "followers" via short snippets of conversation. Twitter is public, although you have the option of maintaining a private page.

Check out my Twitter page here and if you are on Twitter, "follow" me and I'll follow you back

You may have guessed where I'm going with this post. Can two web services really teach us anything about Christianity? Yes they can!

Facebook and Twitter teach us that you only get out of them what you are willing to put in.

I have many Facebook friends and Twitter followers who started an account, maintained it for about a week, and dropped out. Sometimes they're too busy to maintain an account, sometimes they realize it's just not for them in the phase of life they're in, and sometimes they can't be bothered to put the effort in at all. Thus, they don't keep connected to those with whom they are connected.

Other friends and followers maintain their accounts but do very little sharing. When you go their "wall" (Facebook) or the profile page (Twitter) you see a lot abou them but very little interaction with the community that surrounds them. These people are getting value for themselves but not giving value back to the community.

My point is this: What value are you adding to the church community you are part of? Or do you merely attend services and meeting without keeping in contact with church members outside of those meetings? Are you looking to receive value (be served) from church members without giving back (serving others)?

There are online social networks and there are offline social networks. Facebook and Twitter are examples of online social networks. Your church and community of friends are examples of your offline social networks. Seek to add value, to serve, to provide input, and to stay connected both online and offline.

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