To facebook or not to facebook...

I received a sms (text message) recently..."WHAT! You got facebook??"

Evidently, explanations are in order but first, let me backtrack...

It started with the handphone. Text messages instead of phone calls would surely spell trouble! I remember my pastor declaring it the number one cause of inappropriate guy-girl relationships.

Then, the internet became the next greatest thing and as a result, we ditched mailing letters for email. Blogs started gaining popularity and many either boringly stated the course of the writer's whole day or involved the ranting and raving about anything that crossed the writer's mind.

At each step of the way, I looked warily on the latest communication method that was gaining traction and gave much consideration to my involvement. Looking back, I wonder....Has each of these made our lives better? Is it possible for us to live without them now?

Of course, I did end up getting a handphone...and email...and then, this blog.

The big question for me now is facebook. For a long time, the bad press it received due to misuse tarnished its perception in my mind. So, the idea was put aside as not a very good one. People would ask, do you have facebook and be shocked at my answer. I started to feel out of the loop sometimes...from "didn't you see my update on facebook?" to "if you're not on facebook you aren't alive". I guess I tend to be unconventional since this didn't really bother me...I'm used to being different:)

So, why the change of view now? To answer that, I give you this verse..."Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31. As facebook is the norm nowadays, I'm beginning to see that it can be a useful tool to give glory to God if used in the right way...just like this blog. That said, I still have many considerations and it was only after counsel from my mom and lots of prayer that I went ahead to get facebook for a ministry purpose.

If you have facebook, like our page.

If not, I am definitely not encouraging you to! To get facebook is not a decision that I will advocate yet...my plan is to re-evaluate my decision after a few months and weigh the pros and cons again.

For now, I'm jumping in with these thoughts...

1. I commit to using facebook with common sense whether it is in posts or privacy settings. 
2. I commit to using facebook for a ministry purpose as per 1 Cor 10:31 and to further the kingdom of God.
3. I commit to using facebook without letting it take the place of real-world ministry.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" - 1 Peter 3:15

Additional reading: How (and how not) to use facebook for ministry

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