Blogs, Tweets, and Narcissism

As many of you know, I often battle the idea of blogging and updating my Twitter all the time.  Sometimes it's because I'm really busy or maybe just lazy.  But, in many other cases, it's simply because I'm not comfortable with it.  I certainly recognize the value of such platforms.  I recognize how they connect me with others and provide me with communication channels  to people from all across the world.  However, I also battle the notion of constantly talking about myself and all that I'm doing. 

Here's a Tweet that I saw from my colleague and co-author, Ed Stetzer.  It says, " Trying to convince Krakow missionaries about the value of Twitter. They are trying to convince me of the danger of narcissism."  In a way, I think they may be right.  (Not about Ed, but about their concerns with these tools). As I've shared in the past with my friend and Catalyst superhero, Ben Arment, this is a real challenge for me. I wish I was that brilliant to be constantly providing wonderful content (like Ed) or insightful thoughts (like Ben), but instead I usually default to what is easy to talk about - me.

The more that I interact with these things I am reminded that they in themselves are not bad.  Instead, I just need to be careful of the bad thinking that often comes along with them for me.  This thinking tells me that I am "somebody" and deserve to be talked about.  This thinking encourages me to talk as opposed to listen.  This thinking tells me to spend more time working on the "Jason Hayes brand" as opposed to telling the story of God and others.  This thinking tricks me into believing that a few more posts or a few more Tweets will get me noticed.  This thinking tells me that gaining readers is more important than providing quality content. This thinking flies in the face of humility and promotes my own personal ego trips via the blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Again, don't hear me wrong.  I DO NOT believe that these characteristics can be attributed to everyone that utilizes these tools.  That would be ridiculous.  (Just look at my wife.  She blogs and is the most humble person I've ever met)  But, I do believe that we all must use caution in how we use these mediums.  This doesn't necessarily mean less posts, less Tweets, or anything else less.  Maybe it just means more - more thought, more others, and more Jesus.  I can't predict what is to come with social media, web 2.0, my blog, and all that other stuff as it relates to our ministries and our faith.  But, I can say with great certainty that God is interested in me making much less of myself and much more of Him.

Feel free to push back on this if you think I'm off target.

Comments

[Chris Ediger]

Great thoughts, Jason! I think anyone that is using social media tools struggles at least a little with the same questions. For me, I think I have to approach it with a people mindset. I don't look at blog stats hardly ever, I'm not so concerned with how many Twitter 'followers' I have or how many Facebook friends might grace the side panel of my profile. I can, however, say that I have gotten connected to some great people solely because of my blog, Twitter or Facebook pages. Just last week at Catalyst I was able to meet face-to-face several people on Twitter that I had been interacting with over the last couple of months. In that way these kind of tools can really expand community for some (although I admit not for all).

For anyone who has a voice out here the best word of advice I have heard that I would pass along would be to focus on sharing great content - whatever the means or platform. Ultimately God can & will use your influence to impact the right people (and the right number of people) when it isn't about us.

It's a struggle, but a worthy one to me. It stretches me, helps me keep my own vanity and pride in check, and connects me in new ways to the greater Body of Christ.

My two cents.

[Ron Edmondson]

Jason, I strongly share your thoughts. It's one of my struggles too. Having had an Internet ministry for 15 years though (www.mustardseedministry.com) I have realized that it really isn't "about me" when I talk about me. Just as people who listen to me preach are encouraged by personal stories, wo are people who follow my ministry online. It's seems prideful, but I've learned that people really do enjoy seeing the "real" side of me. To hold back actually keeps people from truly experiencing all they could receive from you and your ministry. You are an influencer because of your position within the body. Online is one way you God can use that influence to bring Him glory.

The key, of course, is to use it well!

God bless,
Ron Edmondson
www.ronedmondson.com
www.twitter.com/ronedmondson

(How's that for shameless plugs!)

[Kent Capps]

I think you're on the right track here, Jason. I often find myself wishing that pastors and Christian leaders, including myself, would spend less time mastering their web tools and more time mastering the words of God. I think that would be far more fruitful for our faith and for the impact of our gospel "communication." I'm currently planning ways to streamline my use of the internet. I am often the greatest offender in this area. This is a conversation worth having.

[Beth]

This is exactly the reason that I struggled with beginning a blog and using Twitter in the first place. I began my blog this summer after much prayer and consideration, and decided to do so because I genuinely believed that God would have me use that medium for His glory.

Yet it is a struggle with every post to make sure that what I am doing is actually glorifying to Him.

We live in such a selfish culture, and sometimes these tools only serve to fuel that sin. I'm glad to know I'm not alone in my thoughts on this!

[Jason Hayes]

I appreciate everyone's comments thus far. Chris, it as great to see you at Catalyst. Kent, great to hear from you. Ron, hope you are well. Beth, thanks for sharing!

[liz]

if you were in a breakdance battle - you totally would have won with this move :-)

total "lightbulb" blog - VERY honest insight - its good to keep ourselves in check

[Brad Ruggles]

You make some very good points. I think some people are more focused on the ME in social MEdia and forget that a community is only as strong as your relationships with each other.

I'm a social networking junkie - blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube - you name it. But the reason I like those tools is because I've connected with some really amazing people. I've developed some real and genuine friendships that have helped me to grow spiritually.

I wrote about the benefits of growing your online social networks on my blog at http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/10/02/becoming-a-social-network-butterfly/. I'd be interested to get your feedback on it.

[Ariel]

Jason, I was at the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Youth Ministry Conclave earlier this week, where Gabe Lyons was a speaker and breakout session leader.

As I was reading your blog, it's like you were writing exactly what Gabe was saying. He too was not saying that Facebook or Twitter was bad, but that we have to be thoughtful about it and consider the implications on those under our leadership.

So all that to say, I don't think you're off target at all.

[Jason Smith]

On the money post.

[Patrick Bailey]

I think we need to be careful. I also believe that blogs and the like are a way of sharing God's story in us. I think that is something we should be sharing with others.

I look at the stats from my blog not because I want me to feel better but to learn. I have learned some interesting things. One of which is that there are a lot of people looking on the internet about deacon qualifications. This tells me that this is an issue that people are dealing with. This realization has spurred me on to deepen my own personal study and understanding and to continue to dialogue with people about this.

In the end I think we must guard against the focus being on me while also remembering that God desires for us to share His story in our life.

[audrey]

I think this is great, and so true. Sarah U had a link from a post she did back to this post. I commented on her's. I struggle with this too. Not sure what will happen in the future with our blog but this is just something that has been on my mind, too.