Yeah, it's true. 300 million people use Facebook today. Isn't that more people than the entire population of the United States? It's close.
Social networking sites - especially Facebook - have changed the way that most people connect or relate with others. On college campuses, Facebook is replacing that old dinosaur affectionately known as "e-mail." Most organizations, businesses, and churches have set up and maintain Facebook pages that have replaced or expanded their websites.
Though some have yet to take the plunge, Facebook is here to stay. For many of you, this is old news and you have 300+ Facebook friends and wonder how you ever lived without it.
Personally, I jumped in early as a way to connect with friends from High School (Northeast Ohio), College (North-Central Indiana), home church and family (Akron, OH), and our current home (Central Ohio - Delaware). I relish the chance to stay connected with long-time friends and improve interaction with current friends.
As a pastor, I love being able to connect with people and ministries through Facebook. Our church has a Facebook "fan page" for DGBC, where people can read updates, learn of current events, and post pictures.
For Christians who embrace the Facebook way, I think Facebook presents both great opportunity and great need for caution.
Opportunity on Facebook? Absolutely. It's one more way to be "salt" and "light" (Matthew 5:13-16) and represent Christ and our faith in a natural way with people in our lives. It has become a way of connecting, caring, laughing, and socializing. Some people interact through live chatting, through the e-mail message feature, or through discussions and status updates in real time. All great features!
Caution on Facebook? Yes.
People sometimes share too much information. Is your personal life really everybody's business? Even if just for your "Facebook friends," that could be more than they need or want to know. The Facebook way threatens our rights and proper boundaries of privacy.
People sometimes post offensive words or pictures. If you're trying to live the Christian life, but I see profanity, sexual comments, or angry outbursts on your information page or wall... then maybe you're not trying to live the Christian life. Maybe you're living a double life.
Note: If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, then people do notice when you contradict those claims with obviously non-Christian words, pictures, or attitudes...
People sometimes just post what they're doing at the moment. Yes, on Facebook you get the joy of telling people what you had for lunch, or describing your experience at the mall. Sometimes I read that and think it's funny, and just part of people expressing thoughts. Other times, I wonder about why we need to share or broadcast or interact all throughout the day. Maybe we don't. Just something to think about.
I think it's interesting that Facebook still has it's naysayers. "I don't have time for that." "I don't need to know who ate a donut." "I'm too busy." And that's fine. Facebook isn't for everyone.
But it's still 300 million people, and most of the people you know. They have accounts and pages which they look at - some do it weekly, and others by the hour. Consider the words of Peter...
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:12)
Facebook is one of the best places to "live such good lives among the pagans..." Around people. Some who are close to God, and some who are far from God.
If nothing else, Facebook presents a revolutionary way to stay connected with people, which I think is very much a "love your neighbor" kind of thing. And, just as any time you're around a group of people, be wise and use caution in word, action, and status update.
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