I saw some chatter several weeks ago in internet world that caused me to think and reflect about a few things, specifically in regards to why I use twitter…thus prompting me to write this post. (And let me be very clear that not everyone will agree with my thoughts, which is ok, I am not trying to win an argument here, just expressing how I feel.)
I basically use twitter for two reasons…
#1 – To Communicate To NewSpring Church
I do not have a Facebook account yet (we’re working on it though) and so I have found that one of the most effective ways I can communicate with people who attend NewSpring during the week is through twitter. I have found that throwing random tweets out about what I happen to be doing allows a big church to feel small and it allows me to share information to everyone in our church.
#2 – To Encourage Church Leaders
I believe church leaders really are the most important people on the planet. Church leaders have more potential to bring positive change to the world than any government official that has ever lived….
And church leaders are WAY under-encouraged.
So, I try to do what I can when I am led to tweet something positive and encouraging to church leaders.
However, recently I came into contact with an idea that seems to make the two reasons I use twitter contradict. Let me explain…
I’ve seen it said in internet world that a pastor should not tweet things like,
- “Had a really amazing service today as BLANK number of people were baptized!”
- “Saw BLANK number of people receive Christ today!”
- “Ran out of room in our 11:15 service at our BLANK campus!”
- “Best service we’ve ever had at BLANK church!”
I could go on, but you can see that it is the opinion of some for pastors and church leaders to NOT celebrate publicly when God is doing amazing things in their churches.
Why?
We seem to think it is ok for pastors to celebrate when their favorite football teams seem to accomplish something that isn’t really eternally significant! OR…it’s even cool for pastors to tweet/communicate about events like the Oscars or the Grammys…
So why not celebrate what God IS doing in the church?
The only reason that I keep seeing is that “it makes other church planters and leaders feel bad.”
Really?
WOW…I would have thought the opposite.
The primary reason I tweet is for NewSpring Church, the secondary is for church leaders, and I would hope that church leaders who are kingdom minded could celebrate anything that God is doing anywhere.
If seeing that God is blessing somewhere else (other than your church) causes you to “feel bad” then you most likely have one of two issues.
#1 – You Have Fallen Captive To Comparison.
As I once heard Bishop TD Jakes say, “some men never leave the locker room!”
Church leader, God has called you to do what He has called you to do where He has called you to do it. THE ONLY thing you should compare your ministry to is whether or not you are being completely obedient to His calling.
You are not called to be Andy Stanley…or Craig Groeschel (hands down the BEST looking pastor on the planet…I’m jealous) or even Steven Furtick!!! You are called to be YOU!!! Some people can’t see what God is doing right in front of their eyes because they are too busy being envious of what He is doing somewhere else.
The Apostle Paul warns about comparisons in II Corinthians 10:12, affirmed the same God working in different ministries in Galatians 2:8 and told us to pay attention to business at home in Galatians 6:4.
Be who God has called you to be! Do what God has called you to do! And stop trying to “measure up” to standards and expectations you feel others have placed on you but God hasn’t placed on you!!! (There is INCREDIBLE freedom in this line of thinking!)
#2 – You Are Not Kingdom Minded.
I know that sounds harsh, but stay with me for a second.
In Luke 15 Jesus said the angels in heaven throw a party when one sinner repents of his/her ways.
A PARTY FOR ONE PERSON!
A celebration!!!
If the angels (who know God and His heart better than we do) celebrate, shouldn’t we?
Or is it that we want to celebrate what God is doing with and through us…but not what He’s doing elsewhere because it make take away some of the attention that we secretly crave.
When I hear of another church running out of room in one of their services, I celebrate!!! PLEASE! That’s MORE PEOPLE coming to church, hearing about Jesus!!! That does not make me sad or mad, that PUMPS ME UP!!!
When I see on twitter that a pastor is celebrating one, or a dozen or even a hundred people receiving Christ on a Sunday…I celebrate!!! How in the heck can that make a Kingdom minded person feel bad? PEOPLE CAME FROM DEATH TO LIFE!!!
Christians seem to be really amazing at critiquing another ministry but not celebrating it!
And…if it makes you feel bad because it isn’t happening in your church then use it to motivate you, to set your heart on fire, to BEG GOD to do something great in your midst rather than being upset that He is doing something great somewhere else other than your church.
I remember when NewSpring Church was a year or two old and I would hear of God doing a great work somewhere else I would celebrate and then pray a prayer something like, “God, if you could do that over there then you can do greater things here.” God doing great things in other places always motivated me to BEG HIM for more!!
The world kicks our rear end when it comes to celebrating…which is sad because they have nothing eternally worthy of celebration!!!
So, as I continue tweeting I will continue to communicate to our church what is going on across five (about to be eight) campuses. I want everyone to know as much as possible as we are ONE CHURCH in many locations across the state.
And, I will continue to try to encourage church leaders. But…church leaders, if quotes about what God is doing here seems to dishearten you or even discourage you then I really do apologize, that has never been the intent at all. However, if that is the case then I would challenge you to pray and ask the Lord to allow you to be more kingdom minded…
Because…when one church “wins” WE ALL WIN!
We are on the same team!!!
Let’s CELEBRATE!!!