I am not the most social-media-savvy pastor. I don’t tweet pithy alliterations or wise mantras for the masses. It’s not me and it probably never will be. But I do try to stay aware and use the tools of social media to articulate hospitality and hope. And yes…I occasionally post ridiculously cute pictures of my kids. My struggle with these platforms is what to say or do when something political strikes a chord with us. I fight temptations to say something so much that I want to scream but am silenced thankfully by a Spirit of peace and wisdom.
Dear reader, I can’t even give you an example of such an instance because I know that it could incite an unneeded debate…and let’s be honest, are those online debates even worth it?! Some pastors and ministry leaders step into the mire and deliver heartfelt responses. I get it. I really do. Perhaps it appeases a great number of their congregation, but it undoubtedly alienates some. Imagine those readers hearing the words of their shepherd chime in on gun laws, civil rights, immigration reform, or alas, POTUS tweets and being hurt, misunderstood, confused or lobbied to a political perspective. I have imagined it. I have read them. And I am heartbroken for either side who cannot stomach what they read from someone they trust to speak God’s Word.
In my battle, I continue to err on silence – usually after commiserating with my wife – but ultimately believing that if I don’t have God’s Word to speak on the issue, I am to be silent on the matter. This idea was first communicated to me from Henry Blackaby who spoke at a conference on The Power of the Call. When speaking of the call of Moses, he pointed to Moses’ inability to communicate clearly (really, just one of his many excuses) but to the soon-to-be-prophet heard this:
“Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Exodus 4:11-12)
Blackaby’s point was that we are to speak what God gives us to speak. He went so far to say we should only speak what God gives us to speak. Woah. What a radical call! Imagine ONLY saying what God wants you to say! The idea it intimidating and the weight of responsibility is immeasurable. But at the same time, imagine the sense of freedom. There is no worry of saying the wrong thing… because you’re just saying what God says. It’s terrifying and beautiful. And this world needs more mouthpieces of God, not more pithy tweets. (And yes, I realize the hypocrisy of this post on a social media platform.)
In Moses’ story, he finally relents as God promises to speak through him and his brother, Aaron, and he sets off to deliver the message of freedom to Pharoah and the Israelites in bondage. That should be my task: deliver God’s voice of freedom. Perhaps that should be every pastor’s social media gut-check.
If I fail at this, dear friends, remind me to return to the call. And if this encourages those outside of the vocation of ministry, then welcome to the mission of speaking life into the darkness.
Not Just a Corner 