Christian Facebook updates II

One of my most popular posts has been on Christian Facebook Updates. It's number one when you type those three words into Google. But it's basically a negative piece.

What follows, then, are five positive suggestions for using Facebook updates Christianly, followed by five reminders why ordinary Facebook updates are still cool, followed by five boundary markers to avoid (in my opinion) bad updates:

Positive suggestions

1. Frame the update in terms of a questions, realisations, doubts - 'Mikey never noticed that Isaiah was all about the remnant before, 'Mikey wonders what the sin that leads to death is'. It's more dynamic than mere pronouncements.
2. Sharing links can be a good way to encourage others, without the main Facebook update being too preachy.
3. Share really concrete things about church life. If the sermon you just heard was good or you are 'really pumped' about some new event, tell us why.
4. Don't forget to include the down side of your spiritual life - 'Mikey hates being on usher roster', 'Mikey sometimes finds it hard to really trust God'.
5. Pastors, pay attention to the details in your ministry-activity updates: 'Mikey is writing a sermon in ugg boots and a beanie.'

Reminders

1. In a big, busy life, mundance Facebook updates enable us to share everyday life with one another.
2. Facebook doesn't tend to promote artifical posturing. We are often quite real in our presentation on Facebook.
3. Ordinary updates enable us to find new points of connection with existing friends/acquaintances - 'I didn't know you liked Joy Division too!'
4. Facebook is a way for busy Christians to keep in touch with non-Christians - a good reason to avoid being cringe-Christian in your updates.
5. Mundane updates enable pastors to open their everyday life to their church.


Boundary markers

1. Avoid sounding pious or triumphalistic.
2. Keep your most sceptical non-Christian friend in mind as you post.
3. If you're a pastor, don't advertise your own church events on your own Profile updates - create a Page for your church/ministry.
4. Avoid hollow groupie comments about church/pastor - 'Pastor Dan preached an awesome sermon this morning! Praise Jesus!'
5. Avoid preachy updates - 'Christians must always live by God's grace: his power in our weakness'.