What Would Jesus Tweet?

Just when many of us who have been around the proverbial block a few times have made our peace with so many changes in how ministry is done, now along comes a whole new genre of technology and practice to sweep the world and invade our parishes and pews.

I mean, seriously, didn't we just get Power Point, like, last month? Now we are being told something about our face needing to be booked and some kid is asking us if we are on Twitter?

Every time some new technology or methodology comes along, many churches and pastors seem to follow a predictable pattern resembling the well-known stages of grief.

First there is DENIAL: "Well, if the parchments were good enough for Paul, they are good enough for me. Movable type is a fad; it won't last long. Besides, that Guttenberg guy doesn't know much about theology."

Then comes ANGER: "If the psalms were good enough for King David, they are good enough for me. At any rate, that Luther has a foul mouth; someone should put a mighty fortress around his tongue."

The next stage is BARGAINING: "OK, Mr. Rodeheaver can use his trombone for some of the songs, but we reserve the right to bring out Spurgeon's pitch pipe for the a capella numbers."

Following that is DEPRESSION: "Yeah, yeah, I know that contraption will amplify my voice so that more people can hear, but George Whitefield didn't need one. I sure wish I lived in the 18th century. That must have been so cool. Sigh."

Finally comes ACCEPTANCE: "OK, then it's official. By a vote of 12 to six, with four abstentions, we will install a computer with one of those modem things in a spare office. Wait. What? DSL—what's that?"

Churches can jump on bandwagons, but they rarely do so in a timely manner and usually only after protracted and pointless debate and study.

So here we are in 2009; and while some are still debating the merits of methods and technologies now already obsolete, we are faced with the challenges and opportunities presented by newer social media vehicles immensely popular right now, such as Facebook and Twitter.

What is a preacher to do? Does using social networking tools put the gospel message at risk? Can anything of real and lasting value come from technology that limits information to a mere 140 characters?

We regularly see examples of how social media can play a constructive role in society. Last year when a hotel in Mumbai, India, was attacked and held for a time by terrorists, the world first found out not via Fox News, CNN or any other mainstream media outlet. Instead, someone sent a Twitter message (called a tweet): "Mumbai is in chaos. 18 dead, 40 held hostage at Oberoi, a five-star hotel, firing going on at a JW Marriott." That message was 107 characters long, and it got the word out about the emerging and ongoing story several hours before any traditional news organization went on the air with it.