Comments on: Can You Pastor Using Twitter?

By: Twitter During Church? « William Vanderbloemen

Twitter During Church? « William Vanderbloemen — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:05:55 +0000

[...] am attracted to several good uses of Twitter in church. At Catalyst, a live feed asking for reactions to the messages was posted on screens between talks, [...]

By: Anthony

Anthony — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:40:50 +0000

Twitter is a part of POP culture? As long as Ne0-evangelical Twittering is part of a solid face to face foundation it appeals. I prefer to breathe the same air as my moral mentors but recognize that the Internet has created an instantaneous venue that has no borders – very tempting! I grew up in churches where the minister was on site 24 hours a day. The visual presence of the collar made us all stand a little straighter. How do we TWIT that?

By: Pepper

Pepper — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:03:45 +0000

Virtually. But not really. Virtual reality is getting closer and closer. It sounds good on the surface, but I fear in the long run, it will result in greater isolation of the individual. Tweeting lacks the sound of the human voice, the direct look of eyes into eyes, and the communication of unspoken thoughts and feelings, never mind the reassurance of a hug. Yes, tweeting will suffice for a lot of intellectual exchange, but it will never provide the human contact necessary to the human soul.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:39:28 +0000

Sure, why not? If you have the time & interest, and it’s not a distraction that keeps you less focused on your primary calling (including family), then I’d say go for it. Jesus said to make disciples, and gave us imaginations to figure out how. Brian McLaren wrote an excellent book several years ago called *More Ready than You Realize* about a two-year email spiritual conversation he had with a woman, in which he eventually led her to make a profession of faith in Christ. God is not limited by anything – and can use everything – we do and use to bring people to Himself.

By: Leanah

Leanah — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:38:07 +0000

Awesome post, William. It’s Relational, Relevant, Risk-taking, Inclusive, Generous AND Fun!

By: Trey

Trey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:37:28 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. Our pastor continually says that in order to reach the world we’re going to have to do ministry different than we have the past 25 years.

We, as a staff, are encouraged to be on Facebook and Twitter and to maximize the opportunities that the internet offers us. So it certainly works for communication with our teams. But it’s also a place for personal feeding. I regularly check in with Lifechurch.tv and NPOnline.com . To try and feed my soul. And many of these links come from a trusted Twitter follower or a Facebook friend.

But at the end of the day, it all hinges on relationships. So we are going to have to find a place where relationships are formed and true discipleship takes place (whether it be physically or digitally.)

Thanks for the article. Good stuff.

By: Dune Patten

Dune Patten — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:20:52 +0000

although I have not used Twitter, I have received numerous testimonies that it is a great tool for reaching out the a mass amount of people in a relatively direct way. Pastors taking the approach of using the internet tools as a way of spreading the good news is an awesome revelation and mirroring to how God desires to connect with us directly and spiritually. i think you are doing a wonderful and grand thing William. As it says in 1Timothy 6…let’s keep fighting the good fight of faith ). Please keep in touch William

By: David

David — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:58:10 +0000

I am a bit confused my wife and i got a wonderful bundel of joy a puppy! After we had been with him for three month tragicall he was killed do to a hit and run driver? How can I best help my wife deal with this loss and help he to move forward! We will miss Max everyday and it is sad that someone could hit a dog and just keep on going?

By: Jana Hall

Jana Hall — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:37:29 +0000

I think facebook & Twitter are great tools. In this digital age we have to find a way to use it as a way of proclaiming Christ. I’ve realized that for some people, their pastor is a connection to God. That’s a sobering thought since pastors are just as human as anyone else. Hopefully the use of facebook & Twitter by pastors can point others to the real living Christ.

I like keeping in touch with you. I still haven’t moved on to Twitter. Don’t see the need. God bless!

By: Evan Courtney

Evan Courtney — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:18:37 +0000

That is the truth.
All of a sudden the people at church can now follow the daily lives of their pastors.

Sunday isn’t about “What’d you do this week?”
Because they know.