Social Media and The Lack of Nuance
Platforms like Instagram aren't the place to debate serious issues…
I’m not sure about you, but I’m growing weary of all the armchair investigative journalists, theologians, and morality cops on social media. Particularly in the Christian world, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in people who feel “called” to point out all the mistakes, bad teaching, and wrongdoing in the Church and beyond.
Since social media doesn’t allow much depth, they usually take a single quote or video clip (often out of context) and do their best to destroy a person’s lifetime of work and ministry. And of course, rarely reach out to them for clarification, specifics, or further information.
But it generates clicks, and that’s what’s important in social media.
I have a feeling that many of these self-proclaimed theology, doctrine, and morals cops will be pretty surprised at the people who will be there when they arrive in heaven.
At this point, many will remind me that serious criminal activity, abuse, or mismanagement needs to be reported, and that’s true. I understand that more than most, especially since I wrote a book about it. Sexual abuse with minors, financial embellzement, and similar issues are more than just “moral failure,” they are serious crimes and must be reported immediately. But we should report it to the police, authorities, or others who can intervene and make a difference, not just to our social media followers, hoping the post will make us famous.
So, especially when it comes to relatively petty squabbles about doctrine, theology, or practice, let’s ease up a bit. In the long run, whether someone blows a shofar during worship, waves a flag, loves the creeds, speaks in tongues (or doesn’t), gives an altar call at the end of the service (or doesn’t), prays for the sick (or doesn’t) or does communion differently than I, my criticism on social media won’t make a difference.
I’ve made my share of mistakes on social media, but we can all do better. And after spending my career working with ministry leaders of all types, I’m pretty confident in saying that in today’s culture, pastors, evangelists, and other ministry leaders slugging away in the trenches could use much more encouragement and much less criticism.
Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
