Michael's Notes - Thoughts On Worship, Leadership & Fitness

Social Networking A Reality for Personal Accountability.

Most of us have heard it said one time or the other ‘you never have to worry about being caught in a lie if you always tell the truth.’ In these times of social networking that becomes even truer.  As we use Social Networking tools we become fully exposed. The caution is not with what we personally post but what those who may witness our actions or hear our words may post. This change in how our society interacts becomes another tool for Personal Accountability. So the old saying could be changed for these times to read: “if you have nothing to hide then it won’t get uploaded.”

Twitter, Facebook & Prayer

Social media has invaded most of our lives. I guess that statement should have a disclaimer: ‘if you allowed it to.’ I am one of those that have allowed it to become a part of my life and I am very thankful.  In this fast paced world, social networking has become a way to stay connected with family, friends and even those I work for and with.

One of the social networking tools I use is Twitter.  This tool is a great way to connect with people with similar interests and with friends.  An unexpected connection is how Twitter can become a ‘prayer chain.’ In the last few weeks I have received Twitters asking for prayers.  Twitter is real-time communication and the prayer requests are for something that is taking place right then.

The following is a group of tweets sent by Pastor and Author Max Lucado while he was ministering and attending a service in Honduras.

•    Time 2 go to the crusade- leaving hotel for the immense field where 10s of 1000s will gather.
•    I'm in Honduras w/ Mike Silva. The festival is live on-line - Google "Enlace". Mike preaches. I smile and pray:) pray with me!
•    Could I ask you to pray one more time? The crowd is restless, distracted. Mike is preaching his heart out, but it's a battle. Dear, Lord..
•    Amazing! A peace has settled over the crowd. They are listening!
•    Every raised hand is professing faith in Jesus. Thank you for praying. Thank you Lord for listening
•    Last tweet of the night is a huge thanks to all who prayed! God uses Twitter!

Just this week I received this request:
•    OK Twitter peeps. Please pray for friends of mine as they minister to a woman who is considering suicide. Prayers needed all around!

I even know of a small church in Georgia whose pastor needed a way to communicate quickly with his deacons and prayer leaders.  The pastor asked all of them to sign up for Twitter and now he can send one brief text message and the prayers of people and for situations are being voiced to God.

My personal story: over Christmas my family experienced a tragedy, while the event was taking place I sent out a short Twitter asking for prayer. Almost immediately I received twitters from people saying they were praying; people I knew and people I had only connected with through Twitter. And this past Sunday I sent out a request for prayer and again I received responses, immediately. (I have Twitter set up to interface with Facebook, so that all Twitters show up as status changes on Facebook. Many of the responses came through Facebook.)

I don’t know how long Twitter or other social network tools will be around. I do know they can be used affectively to communicate and to support each other through prayer.

Related Posts
Why Twitter

A Personal Story…God Has A Plan

Why Twitter?

Social networking is really becoming a part my life and ministry: finding old friends, keeping up with new ones, keeping connected with church members and learning about new things and technology.  Right now the two I rely on are Facebook and Twitter.  Almost everyone I talk to understands Facebook however it is not quite the same for Twitter. 

Twitter is a micro-blog tool that allows for you to post current information that is immediately posted to those who follow you.  For me the Twitter posts also show up as status updates at Facebook and they are also posted on my blog. 

 The biggest question I get about Twitter is “why?”  Here is a short list:

Staying connected with people is important, Twitter helps.

• • I get to follow some interesting people:
  • I follow some great leaders who lead me to some great information
  • I follow my leader…I want to know where he is headed
  • I follow some funny people, whose twitters make me laugh
  • I follow some people in other parts of the country who do the same job as me. 
• Twitter helps others stay involved in my day
  • It has helped when I needed prayer
  • Gives people a glimpse into my life (I’m not just the person on the stage each Sunday)
  • Helps the people I minister with to know me better
• I follow creative people who help get my creativity flowing
• I follow some techno ‘nerds’ who are always showing new ways to use technology

Here are a couple of resources Twitter helps:

The Beginners Guide to Twitter,a blog post by Michael Hyatt titled: 

Ten Easy Steps for Twitter Beginners, a TwiTip blog edited by Darren Rowse.

Why Twitter Matters, a Business Week article.

In the future…

•  I hope to have more worship ministry people connected through Twitter.
•  I see the possibility of different ministries within the church having Twitter accounts so that information can be communicated quickly.

If you want to follow me go to www.twitter.com; sign up for an account and then search for me @michaelhsmith.  You follow me and I will follow you.