Stop Being Weird Online!

The local Christian church has more than its share of critics these days.  Sometimes the criticism is unwarranted. People who stand up for life, traditional marriage and absolute truth often find themselves the recipients of disapproving looks at best or objects of profane language at worst. And, of course, the local church will inevitably run into criticism.

What we’re doing is counter-cultural and will never be met with universal applause. The Gospel, even when powerfully shared, got John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, Jesus and the prophets killed, just to name a few. While it seems strange to say it, even speaking truth in love, when seen fully and magnificently, gets rejected.

But other times we absolutely deserve the criticism that comes our way.  Often these days, it seems, we’re not ridiculed or persecuted because we’re fighting nobly. Nope, sometimes we just shoot ourselves in the foot.

Here is ONE thing that, in the view of many (cf. C. Nieuwhop), would help the mission of the local church become more authentic and more effective if we could just stop doing it. (REMEMBER THIS THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE ON FACEBOOK!)

Being So Weird Online

Too many Christians come across online as either:

Toxic (Hello angry ranters, trolls and haters);

Cynical (Yes, we know you’re disappointed with everyone all the time and no one gets it as right as you); or

Syrupy (So sweet we can’t stand the taste and are not really sure you live in the real world)

Why do so many Christians think their social media feed is a place to show the world their weirdness?  It gives the impression that if you’re going to follow Jesus you also need to become socially awkward.  I know people might say, “No, I’m just being authentic or I'm just being transparent”. But being authentic or transparent does not mean being odd. 

If you go to post something and you think, "Well, that would be self-aggrandizing if I said that to someone", that’s a red flag. You are about to announce your narcissism to the world via social media!.  Just say "no"!  Similarly, if you think, “Well, If i said that at work in the lunch room, everybody would leave the table,” then maybe don’t say it.

If you’re always angry or cynical or all you do is complain online and you think, “Well, I wouldn’t want to be friends with someone like that in real life,” then that’s a clue that maybe you shouldn’t say it.  And if you think, “Well, then I’ll have nothing to post,” then you’ve likely put your finger on a deeper issue.

Christians, let’s just stop being so weird online, okay?