Social Media, Friend or Foe: Could the Holy Spirit Really be on Twitter??

I have heard it said that social networking is a symptom of our consumerist, individualistic culture which should be prophetically resisted. Yet after several years of prayer, research, and experimentation, I’ve become convinced of quite the opposite: the Holy Spirit is, in fact, on twitter. As a postmodern in her late twenties who can remember life without the internet, I have watched my peers and my students change the ways they interact with one another. And while opinions on what this means abound, changing methods of communication is quite a normal thing.

While some Christians are afraid that communication changes mean a growing irrelevance for the Church and a narcissism which prevents young adults from seeking community, I would argue that God is up to something here, perhaps calling us to a new way of doing life together. After all, the Holy Spirit has never been one to sit idly by as humanity changes beyond recognition. We worship the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, One who is the master creator of culture and at work in all times and places.

On November 2^nd at the Faith and the City conference hosted by St. Augustine’s United Church, I will argue that social media is not only a valuable tool for the Church, but it is a place where God is already at work, drawing people into community and into God’s self. The ecumenical conference will focus on faith and political engagement, so I will look at how Christians might use social networking as a way to live into God’s call to pursue justice and mercy in the city. Other panelists include Jane Barter-Moulaison, Tim Sale, Aiden Enns, Lynda Trono, Bill Blaikie, and others. For more information about the event check out the blog: http://faithinthecityaugustine.blogspot.ca. To
register, please contact Augustine United Church at augustine.uc@mymts.net or (204) 284-2250.