Well, I wonder whether you have started
to read this because of the title.
Indeed, I wonder whether if, like me you use social networking (in my
case Facebook and Twitter) you have ever considered that the Bible does have
something to say about it. If you have
already realised this fact, then has it been affecting what and how you write?
The main passage addressing this topic
can be found in James
chapter three, but Paul also had something to say about it in his
letter to the Colossians,
(chapter four verse six). Of course both James and Paul were writing
before the days of the internet, but what they have to say is perfectly
appropriate to how we use social networking today. In their day the main tool for communicating
was speech. I invite you to take a few
moments before reading further, to click the links and read what they wrote. After that consider what they might have
written if social networking had existed and people could be ‘heard’ by so many
other people.
In the early days of emailing some rules
were introduced. For example, we were
encouraged not to SHOUT (i.e. put some words in capitals). This was several years before social
networking was developed but it would be good if, as Christians, we gave some
thought to what the rules ought to be. When and how should we communicate on
matters of common concern and about which we might have strong opinions? I can think of several aspects where this
might apply, such as political issues – especially at election times, or in the
current EU debate within the UK. Friends
reading this in other countries will be able to identify their own times of
risk.
Several weeks ago I wrote about the
power of rumours and referred to the occasion in the story of Nehemiah when
those opposed to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem employed rumour
as a weapon, recognising its power of influence. I wrote this in the context of the EU debate
because I knew well that much would be spoken and written that would be
prejudiced (for or against leaving) and in which the language would be deliberately
manipulative.
Frankly, the issue is too important for
us to join the bandwagons or to allow ourselves to be caught up or
influenced. We need facts and we also
need to evaluate what they are and where they come from as we seek to make a
rational decision. You may have heard
about the novice preacher who wrote against part of his sermon notes, “Weak
argument; shout here”. Strong, loud and
passionate comments certainly will contain risk. We need to be careful that we are not unhealthily
swayed, or worse, seek to sway others in the same way. Does truth need amplification?
One appalling example recently were the
ways in which folk that are keen that the UK leaves the EU, used the issues of
the Prime Minister’s benefit from overseas investments made by his father as a
reason for “Not trusting Cameron on the EU”.
If a person has to have a spotless life before we are prepared to listen
to them or trust them, then you might as well stop reading, as my past isn’t
perfect (and I still mess up from time to time).
A few weeks ago, I had
a dilemma. I have a friend who is an
Anglican priest with a rural benefice nearby.
I discovered that he used to be the priest of a church in Brussels and
that one of his church wardens was the senior civil servant in the European
Commission. He is British and he has
since been trained and ordained and serves in a UK parish. This man, Richard, has a unique and accurate
understanding of the relationship between the UK and the EU. Understandably, before the date of the referendum
was announced and the conversation started to heat up, he wrote a short paper
from his experience.
I found this personally
helpful but have been hesitant about passing it on to others, only because I am
trying to shun influencing others through argument, and it might easily be seen
that I was trying to persuade others by espousing a one sided view. However, his paper is significant and you
might prefer that I shared this with you.
So I am making it available for you to read, should you wish. I would not want to publish an argument on
either side, or both. You will see that
it does present information in a way that might lead you to a particular
conclusion, but you must make up your own mind, and do so dispassionately if
possible, and certainly prayerfully and graciously. Click this link if you would like to
read it.
Meanwhile let us all
remember what James and Paul had to say, seek to tame our typing, and ensure
that our postings are always full of grace. (Hopefully this one is???)
From the Diary
As usual I start by
thanking you for your prayers. Please do
not think that this is a polite formality; I really do need and value your
prayers.
The past few days have
included planning meetings: one for school assemblies and the other for an outreach
programme for the summer. I also
attended the Churches Rural Group Meeting (part of Churches Together in
England) which proved a helpful meeting.
CRG is an important and useful networking body. Last Sunday I took the service in the prison
on the theme of doubt and faith. This
seemed to be very effective from the comments heard afterwards.
This weekend (15-17
April) I will be attending a Training Weekend run by the Congregational
Federation. My function is as the
representative from the Pastoral Care Board which has responsibilities
regarding the pathway to ministerial accreditation. The PCB also has a pastoral caring role
towards those in training (whether vocationally or otherwise).
Dr Gordon Temple, CEO
of Torch
Trust for the Blind, will take the Sunday meeting at Yelvertoft. Please support him in your prayers.
This week Doreen has a
follow-up meeting with the doctor. It seems
as if a gastric problem, from which she has suffered for well over a year, may
have finally cleared up. I am also
having a tooth pulled, which makes it impossible for me to do my usual half day
in the prison.
On Thursday I
shall be speaking at a Mothers Union meeting.
Next Sunday I will be back at Yelvertoft.
Please pray for our new
Children and Families Adviser, Katrina and for me as, together, we develop
publicity and set up three ‘launch events’ in the southeast. Katrina starts on
May 3rd.
Please also pray as I
plan my diary. I am trying to keep space
to undertake particular duties so planning is important. I have been nominated for a role which, if
elected I would serve wholeheartedly, and would see this as an indication of
God’s will. Voting takes place up to the
end of April. Please pray that those who
are voting will be wise and Spirit led.
Whatever the outcome, this will not immediately affect my plans to put
more time into promoting rural mission and evangelism.
So, once more heartfelt
thanks for your prayers. May the Lord be
praised for wonderful blessings received and the privilege of fruitful service
during the past week.
Barry
