There are so many lovely and meaningful ways to connect in the modern world. Email is generally the best way to reach me. While serving a congregation, I make it possible for members to reach me by phone or text for urgent pastoral concerns during waking hours on my working days. I also offer ample opportunities to set appointments with congregants.
Social media is a balance. Shared ministry is, in part, about meeting people where they are (though we don't leave them where we find them). If the people are on social media, those of us who seek to bring compassion and truth might reach them there. On the other hand, social media is a corporate business, and there are ethical implications for lending our energy to those corporations. We must also be mindful of boundaries and privacy.
To that end, I am rarely on Facebook and have paused my Twitter use, though I still maintain accounts as we wait and see what become of these platforms.
On Tumblr, I share some of my own sermons and prayers. I also share or “reblog” items of interest to Unitarian Universalists, such as announcements from Skinner House Books and inspirational poems. Tumblr is a platform mainly used for short public messages and photographs.
On LinkedIn, I keep up with colleagues from the various industries and disciplines I have been involved with, from high tech to pastoral counseling. I do more listening than publishing on LinkedIn.
Social media is a balance. Shared ministry is, in part, about meeting people where they are (though we don't leave them where we find them). If the people are on social media, those of us who seek to bring compassion and truth might reach them there. On the other hand, social media is a corporate business, and there are ethical implications for lending our energy to those corporations. We must also be mindful of boundaries and privacy.
To that end, I am rarely on Facebook and have paused my Twitter use, though I still maintain accounts as we wait and see what become of these platforms.
On Tumblr, I share some of my own sermons and prayers. I also share or “reblog” items of interest to Unitarian Universalists, such as announcements from Skinner House Books and inspirational poems. Tumblr is a platform mainly used for short public messages and photographs.
On LinkedIn, I keep up with colleagues from the various industries and disciplines I have been involved with, from high tech to pastoral counseling. I do more listening than publishing on LinkedIn.