The Use of Technology and Social Media in Preaching - Literature review Example

Use of Technology and Social Media in Preaching Preaching can be defined as the concerted engagement of an individual’s faculties of mind, body and spirit. It can therefore be categorically termed as a skilled activity. However, preaching has to do with a specific content, a particular message conveyed. Because the basic content is not a creation of but a gift to the speaker, preaching is both learned and given. An observation in most sermons is that hardly anyone accepts the sum activity plus the content as adequate description. Preachers and listeners hold and express doctrines of the Spirit with huge disparities. However, the absence of the power of God reduces the delivery of the sermon to a sad repeat. Preaching is also description and address. In a properly understood narration, the story of Jesus must carry and express word of address to listeners. Preaching is done intentionally to he listeners and as such the indicative mood carries the importance in its bosom. Likewise, speaking that takes to the hearers but does not possess content of faith is not preaching. Finally preaching is both private and public. It is private in the sense that the process of preparation creates a strong sense of ownership to the preacher (Johnston 2011, 108). In his book, Giving Blood, The Art and Craft of Interactive Preaching, Leonard Sweet’s fundamental questions addresses the kind of communication style best reverberates in a social and technological world. This social world is depicted by platforms of Twitter, Google, ipads/phones and Facebook best abbreviated as TGiF. Sweet takes a thorough analysis and tries to find out whether this communication mode is deductive, inductive, and abductive or is just something else. For instance, Twitter handle offers an avenue for better discipleship and offers a platform for ministry. Important to note about twitter is the categorical principle of followership because it fundamentally involves who you are following and who your followers are. This social platform is a constant reminder that every happening does not entirely depend on leadership but rather on followership. Followership involves two orientations namely: who am I following and who is following me. Just like apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ”, twitter provides an avenue where one constantly reframes himself. This reframing is especially geared towards conforming to acts performed by Jesus including being gracious, forgiving, loving and acting as a discipler who helps his flock (Sweet 2008, 157). Social platforms offer great quotes that have an impact on a multitude of crowds. An analogy is depicted that if one is unable to say a statement in everyday’s words, then probably he or she does not comprehend it. As such, the platforms provide unique channels where one is able to eloquently state the message that reaches out. The gospel is expressed with immediacy and terseness on a number of teachings that Christ advocated or. Social network sites basically involve the simple stuff every common human being is able to connect with even at personal levels. Social media offers a common ground for global undertakings throughout the world and even in churches and parishes across the world. Through the social media, questions on whether the listeners or partakers of the message connect with the global community are addressed. Additionally, under common global concern, the listeners of the messages are encouraged to act as mirrors to others and lead by example. It is also through the social sites that a preacher may find social solitude. By this a preacher is shut off his undertakings while simultaneously giving back to the society without hiding. Therefore, Sweet advocates for the use of social media in preaching and this is in tandem with the above mentioned reasons (Sweet 2008, 136). Another great piece of work by Leonard Sweet is the book Viral: How Social Networking Is Poised to Ignite Revival by Leonard Sweet. This book equally plays a fundamental role in addressing the role of social media in preaching especially in the 21st century marred with technological advancement. Social networking is perceived to act as the awakening rod which provides a spirit of fire and ideal fabrication. This network acts a revival point in which advanced exploits can rapidly increase the kingdom growth hence spread virally. It is imperative to note that God allows positive change and the recent technological advancements are a manifest. Therefore, God uses the internet in reaching out to the large multitudes through his followers. A notable attribute to collect from this book is the need for adaptability. Whether one is ancient of days, he or she is still capable of learning the technological inventions especially the internet as it acts an avenue for preaching and reaching to great numbers. Special attention is not only given to the role of social networking in the context of TGiF, but also to various blogs, articles and discussions. It is through such networking avenues that Christians have an opportunity to help in growing the Christ kingdom beyond the imaginable levels. Therefore, there is the need for artful development in preaching the gospel to all the nations and as such, social networking plays a pivotal role. Finally, it’s important to take note o the capability of the internet in taking the mission o the church to a higher level. Christianity is all about followership and if one is able to tune his heart and mind around the following aspect, tremendous growth can be achieved (Sweet 2012, 231). In yet his book, Real Church in a Social Network World: From Facebook to Face-to Face Faith, Sweet portrays the circumstance in which the church is in today. Sweet, having assessed the current trends in social media, as they impact the young adults shows the importance of relationships. These groups are aligned towards having a strong desire for connection, being known and knowing. Additionally, these groups of young adults want to have some sense of belonging. They are also aligned towards direct exposure and relational perspectives of life. Much of the time we spend on earth should be focused on relationships as opposed to principles. In essence, the main hindrance in reaching out to the world hence make greater connections is the rules we have stipulated. This relational issue is well addressed in the chapter which addresses a longing to love, following Jesus and Faith versus Belief. A very pragmatic way to live as Christians is not only how to live but also to show how we live. This is the major challenge we experience as Christians and it should therefore be our endeavor to live just like Christ even on social media for our friends to see as image of Christ. In other words, we should be avid imitators of Christ, from the hearers to the doers of the word of God (Sweet 2009, 214). In order to maintain the ancient Christian worldview and still remain relevant to today’s Christians, it is imperative to understand postmodern worldviews. Preachers and pastors should be able to communicate God’s message effectively and without compromise. They should be able to connect with and confront the listeners of postmodern society. These important aspects are well covered in Graham Johnston’s book, Preaching to a Postmodern World: A Guide to Reaching Twenty-first Century Listeners. Important to note is the author’s in-depth insights on modern pop and media tradition that helps the ministers in addressing with relevance and clarity. With post modernism, preachers ought to devise different yet non-compromising ways o connecting with the listeners. Preachers should be able to use narrative preaching that is exemplified by expository methods while employing biblical texts plot. This is in contrast to the descriptive preaching that focuses on expository methods using various multiple points (Johnston 2011, 219). Additionally, today’s preachers and ministers of the word of God should make connection with the listeners despite communication barriers. They should be able to use different delivery options and sermon style while reaching out to the crowds. They can be able to give real life examples apart from the plots in the bible. These can be achieved by having a clear understanding of postmodernism and modernism. Moreover, he preachers should make use of the novel opportunities enabled by shifts in culture. Finally, it is imperative to show to the inattentive congregation or society the relevance of truth about God (Johnston 2011, 198). In summary, the book, 30 Days to Social Media Success: 30 Day Results Guide to Making the Most of Twitter, Blogging, LinkedIn, and Facebook by Gail Martin is quite significant. This is because, although the above addressed issue was with regard to preaching, social media plays a pivotal role in expanding God’s kingdom. The book offers a segmented approach on the importance of social media with an emphasis on business. Although, social media has been shown to be important in modern Christian society, there are inbound limitations on these technologies. For instance, it may not be possible to achieve 100% rate in getting followers or imitators of Christ in an overnight. In order to achieve some success in social media, Gail depicts the rule of 30. This principle basically involves spending at least 30 minutes daily for 30 days in which for our case, the preacher may set up a Twitter account and invite 30 friends as followers everyday. Additionally, the minister needs to spend 30 minutes in blogging for at least twice per week. Finally, the minister needs to post 30 forum messages over the 30 day period. This rule becomes extremely relevant in the written texts above with regard to preaching. The constant use of this approach can go a long way in ensuring that preachers reach the maximum audience hence widen the followership of Christ (Martin 2009, 164). Bibliography Johnston, Graham. Preaching to a Postmodern World: A Guide to Reaching Twenty-first Century Listeners. Oxford: Springer-Verlag, 2011. Martin, Gail. 30 Days to Social Media Success: 30 Day Results Guide to Making the Most of Twitter, Blogging, LinkedIN, and Facebook. London: Oxford, 2009. Sweet, Leonard. Giving Blood: The Art and Craft of Abductive Preaching. New York: Zondervan, 2008. Sweet, Leonard . Real Church in a Social Network World: From Facebook to Face-to-Face Faith. New York: Zondervan, 2009. Sweet, Leonard. Viral: How Social Networking Is Poised to Ignite Revival. New York: WaterBrook, 2012. Read More