This post is one that addresses an issue that many have already addressed. This is my own personal musings and thoughts on social networking. Why have a blog? Why do I have Twitter account? Much of the Internet and especially social networking is an absolute waste of time! I am not a big fan of Facebook (although I do have an account), but I really do enjoy Twitter. I have never been a big blog guy, but I do see the value in having one. Below are four reasons why I personally like the possibilities of social networking…if done properly.

1.  To Influence – The one factor that has always kept me intrigued with blogs, Twitter, etc. has been the possibility of another avenue to influence. I love influence. I am a youth pastor today because someone influenced me! I could go through an extremely long list of people that have had a huge impact in my life and that will probably be another post, but the point is…I’ve been influenced by some great people! Those people have inspired me to influence others and to do so in a biblical way. Is it possible to influence someone through social networking or micro blogging? Of course it is! Everything we do can influence for good or bad! Every word you say, type, post, tweet has a good chance of influencing someone that is following and watching you. I have a two year old daughter, Alexis. The other day we were in the car and someone honked their horn. The next thing I heard came from the mouth of my innocent little two year old…”Go dude!” What a lesson I received from Lexi!!! I am influencing my little girl even when I do not think I am. Let us remember the admonition of Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. I hope that in your home, ministry, and life you want to be one that influences in a way that is well-pleasing to the Lord!

2. To Edify - Not only do I hope to influence, but also to do what Paul said to do many times in his epistles, edify. Paul stated many times in his epistles the importance of edification or edifying others. 2 Corinthians 12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. The word edify portrays a picture of a construction worker that builds a house. When we edify someone, we are adding to the building of that spiritual house. One of our goals as a Christian should be to spiritually build others. Our society dropped an avenue of “edification” in our laps…the avenue of the Internet. If we are not using the “web” tools to influence and edify then why are we using them? I hope, as I use these online resources, Christians are edified.

3. To Encourage – How can I forget this one? I receive many “tweets” that come to my phone daily via text message. There has not been a day go by where I have not been encouraged by a Bible verse, quote, thought, or a funny joke. I do not know about you, but there are not too many days that I do not need encouragement! I hope that I, in turn, can do the same for someone else!

4. To Communicate – Many people will claim that the age we live in is the Communication Age.  I find social networking to be enjoyable also because I love communicating with those I love and care about. I am from a family of six kids. All of my siblings are on Twitter except for one really stubborn one (sorry Darren!). A couple of months ago, my younger sister, Deanna, told my mom that she had learned more about me from Twitter than she had learned about me her whole life! Part of that is my fault since I ignored and humiliated her for many years! In all seriousness, through Twitter, I also have gotten to know my brothers and sisters better. It is all summed up into one word…communication. I am thankful for the added way to communicate with my family and friends! We also should keep in mind one of the detriments to social networking…poor decisions in the way we “communicate.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. We must be careful in the way we communicate because we may lose the opportunity to influence and edify.

There are four reasons why you can count me in.

Let me make sure it is clear, I do not substitute Twitter or anything like that for Biblical teaching, preaching, training, and counseling. It is an added tool!

Are you using the tools that we have today? Are you using them appropriately? Are you using them for influence, edifying, and encouragement? If not…why?