Can the word Facebook be used as a verb? If so, I Facebook about like I cook: Rarely and badly.
Still, I enjoy Facebook (in my own, dull way), and I appreciate its ability to connect with old friends, its goofy little surveys, its knack for plugging into folks’ lives with a strange degree of immediacy and even intimacy. And as such, I found Jon Sweeney’s story in latest issue of The Lutheran pretty interesting.
Sweeney’s article, “Is Facebook … Church?” (a snippet of which can be found here) argues that the social networking site actually does church better than some churches.
In my Facebook messages and statuses, I usually express myself sincerely, whether it be emotions, opinions about what’s happening in the world, concerns or prayer requests, blessings or insights. And I receive multiple comments daily, sometimes within seconds of my postings, from my Facebook friends. I receive back concern, advice and sometimes even spiritual guidance that can be profoundly moving and important.
I think he’s right. As poorly as I do Facebook, I still do it better than I do church. This week on Facebook, I’ve rejoiced with “friends” over minor triumphs, mourned with them over major setbacks, talked smack over football, perused vacation pictures and learned that in the Harry Potter world I am most like Ron Weasley. In church, my interactions are, too often, vacuous: I say hello. I shake hands. I leave. Some weeks, I have more meaningful conversations with the Wal-Mart greeter.
So really, when I say that “Facebook does church better than some churches,” I’m being unfair. My lack of intimacy in church isn’t the church’s fault. It’s mine.
Sure, maybe there’s something about online interaction that encourages its users to be a bit more open with one another. Perhaps it’s because we don’t risk being rejected as much online: If our friends roll their eyes at us, we don’t have to see it. Perhaps our souls are just connected more closely with our fingers than our mouths.
But Facebook will never take the place of church. We can’t share laughs or hugs or tears online — not really. And, as Sweeney points out, church gives you the opportunity to do something that Facebook, by its very nature, can’t: It forces you out of your comfort zone – and that’s a good thing. “A congregation brings together people who may not have much in common,” Sweeney writes. “It’s there that we are called to practice hospitality and charity — discovering the other and becoming more like Christ in the process.”
Frankly, the church can only excel as the church if we walk through its doors ready to be vulnerable — if we’re ready to answer honestly when someone asks, “How are you?” That’s strangely hard for me to do, but it’s important.
Plus, the idea of actually telling someone how I am without a typed character limit has its up side.
Thanks for the link to “The Lutheran.” Here’s a deep-link to the whole story for those who would like to read it in its entirety.
Much appreciated, Amber. It’s a story well worth reading, I think.
Paul, i have to admit, sometimes I do Facebook better than I do church. Nothing will ever beat face-to-face community, but it’s so much easier to hide behind a status update.
Ain’t that the truth. Uncomfortable conversations are far easier to sidestep if someone’s not looking you in the eye.
Sorry but Face book and my church are every where with me -On a horse out in nature praying and spending time with god- and sewing and being with God- and sitting out back and watching the birds-and bunnys-and butterflys and talking and thanking God. Nature is god house for me like in all your beautiful pictures.
I completely agree with you, Donna. I talk to God – either out loud or in my head – where ever I may be. Yes, you get fellowship in a church, which, to many, is just as, if not more important than making that private connection – and I understand that. Sometimes I need those hugs, those tears, those “hands-on” prayers. But most times all I really need is to lay myself before God, talk to Him as a friend, ask His forgiveness, tell Him how much I love Him and appreciate all He’s brought to my life (I’m alive, mostly healthy, I have healthy children, a husband I love, who loves me – and when the mood strikes, I praise Him for the glorious sunset, the cooling breezes, another day to fill with life & love).
Thanks for this observation. I recall hearing that Facebook was founded by a student of Robert Putnam, the author of Bowling Alone who brought the term “social capital” into our collective vocabulary. What you (and I) experience through Facebook is an attempt to generate “virtual” or at least electronic social capital. Like you there’s something disconcerting about its relative success as church, but I’m grateful that the Spirit can use it just as it uses other institutions. I’ve had a great experience conducting a group study on Facebook this summer with a new Bible Study starting this week!
Hi bud would it be ok if i used some info from here to use on one of my blogs? cheers mate
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