YES. The Church must go where the people are, including online. Social media holds tremendous opportunities for spreading the gospel and nurturing the saints.

BY CARSON SAMSON

Remember back in 2008, when we used Facebook to track down old flames and high school teammates? Or reconnected with friends no longer tied to our everyday lives—like our parents for instance? People don't use social media to reconnect anymore; they use it to connect. Want to reach the world in 30 seconds? Welcome to Twitter. Want to gather a mass of like-minded individuals around a cause? Bring light to injustice? Defend the marginalized? Enter Facebook.

As a graphic designer, I sell social media to businesses like I used to sell stationery. It's quickly become an integral part of a company's brand strategy and an ever-growing facet of effective public relations. Why? Because every successful business understands the key to success lies in not just connecting with customers, but building relationships with them. These days, we see this happening with big business all the way down to the “mom and pop” operations.

Am I saying the Church is a business? Certainly not. But while we may not have customers or chief operating officers, we are in the business of training disciples of Jesus. And through his love and in proclaiming the message of salvation, we are involved in the business of saving souls.

I think churches can benefit by embracing social media. Here are two key ways:

Use social media to spread the gospel message. Can Twitter be an evangelistic tool? You bet. Social networks are open platforms to engage others in discussion, encourage them to pray and drive them to social action. Through social media we can ask others for spiritual support, invite them to attend our church events or urge them to support our cause or charity. Can you imagine running an entire Red Shield campaign online? Some might find this hard to envision, but last Christmas the fillthekettle.com initiative, where people recruited donors through Facebook, proved that the Army is readily embracing social media.

Let's employ these same concepts in our community churches. How can we use social media to call people to action? Small groups, committees and ministry units can share agendas, schedule rehearsals or plan meetings over a social network. My worship team communicates regularly through Facebook messages. We also share videos via YouTube to become familiar with new music.

In my professional circle, I use social networks to swap success stories and setbacks, to glean useful information from others in my chosen profession. I've found that comparing strategies and best practices benefits all parties. Why can't our corps do the same?

Use social media to build relationships. In times of joy or sorrow, we can uplift and support each other through social media. Healthy relationships between believers help solidify a church and bring glory and honour to God. I wouldn't dare suggest online relationships should replace in-person connections and face-to-face ministry, but in many cases, they can be the touch-points through which deeper bonds are fostered.

In every church there are families or individuals who float about on the margins. They pass in and out of our doors, disappearing for varying lengths of time. To some, a church can be an intimidating place, and many are afraid to share their needs in this setting. Online communication isn't nearly as scary. The sense of anonymity the Internet brings can help bridge the gap. Those who may be hesitant to speak to a pastor in person might welcome an online exchange instead.

The Salvation Army must continue to be a transforming influence in the communities of the world—be it in our neighbourhoods, across the globe or online. And as the world changes at a rapid pace, we must change our methods of outreach. Neglecting the opportunity to use social media to equip soldiers, officers and local leaders would be a mistake, because one thing will never change: a global longing for the love and grace of Jesus and his gift of salvation. People need the Lord, and we must find them, wherever they may be.

Carson Samson is the principal of Samson Design Studios based in Winnipeg. He can be reached at twitter.com/carsonsamson or facebook.com/samsonstudios.

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NO. Social media, texting and electronic devices have become distractions. They prevent us from the real business of getting to know people face-to-face.

BY MAJOR RANDY HICKS

Hi, my name is Randy, and I used to be a Facebooker.… I am one of those people who have revolted against the tendency to put their lives online for the world to see. I decided to close down my social media account, and here's why.

Recently I was in line for the teller at my bank. The person ahead of me had already taken up an inordinate amount of time and patience was wearing thin in the queue behind me. That's when it happened. His phone beeped, indicating a text message had arrived.

That's OK, I thought. It happens. But to my dismay he read and responded to it while the rest of us (including the teller) were placed on pause. I slowly counted to 10 as tensions rose. Just when I thought we were back in business, he took a phone call. Was this guy for real?

There ought to be a law limiting the use and abuse of social networking. I'm all for freedom of speech, but where did our manners go? Have we forgotten how to filter what we say before we actually put it out there, either in text or voice? When is it appropriate to use the tools we have developed? Do I need to be in your personal “phone booth” every time your cellphone rings?

I must admit that I'm a neophyte when it comes to texting. A while ago I received a text from a ministry board member that had me a little worried. Don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy and all, and I'm sure we're fond friends but to sign off with “LOL”…. The joke was on me when I learned that “LOL” doesn't mean “lots of love.” When he cleared it up we did indeed “laugh out loud.”

That's harmless enough, but what about all the swearing and inappropriate topics that now freely flow through many fingers in abbreviated text-talk? Here's a text for you: “Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift” (Ephesians 4:29 The Message).

Also, I wonder if we've forgotten the importance of communicating “face-to-face?” When I send a text message, comment on your Facebook page or leave a voice mail, you don't see my body language or, in the case of the text, pick up on my tone or mood. You get the words without the music. And what if I'm way off key?

Ah, you say, but the same is true of this article in the magazine. You don't see my face or hear my voice so the onus is on you to interpret the tone of my rant. Perhaps through my choice of words you're able to pick up on my sarcasm, anger and frustration. Do you imagine me pacing then pounding the keys on my laptop? Maybe I should use more exclamation points!!!

There is a difference. The beauty of print is that this conversation is simply between you and me right now. There are no comments to post, “like” buttons to press or messages to retweet. There's something refreshing about that.

As for Facebook's wall, where users can post a variety of inconsequential information—from what they ate for breakfast to the latest Farmville application—I think we can do without it. Nobody needs that much information. As for the whole social media trend, here's a post from old Belshazzar's wall: “You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting” (Daniel 5:27).

Major Randy Hicks is the corps officer at North York Temple in Toronto.