Priests using social media - how do you feel?

[HalupkiMonster]

I think that priests and monks using social media is beneficial to the faithful. There is a man named Abbot Tryphon, the abbot of the monastery on Vashon Island in Washington State. He runs a blog. Originally intended to deliver Gospel readings to Orthodox without a parish, he posts pictures and occasional video that help the faith of myself and many others daily.

Many "old fogies" in the Church seem to be against social media, but I find that those who are against it do not use it themselves and therefor can't comprehend it's potential for evangelization.

When I was investigating Churches, I e-mailed my Babca's RC Church. I got a response from a lay leader telling me that the priest didn't know how to e-mail, but would be happy to call me. Should this have changed my opinion of this priest and parish? No. Did it? Yes.

Social media is certainly one way in which the Church must advance with the times.

 

[Michie]

I think the Vatican agrees. I've read several pieces where social media is encouraged for evangelization by the Vatican.

 

[AMDG]

Many "old fogies" in the Church seem to be against social media, but I find that those who are against it do not use it themselves and therefor can't comprehend it's potential for evangelization.

Snipped to portion addressed. Longer post above.

Careful. "You don't have to be a chicken to love eggs." And you don't have to use social media to realize that it can be useful for evangelization.

I think I'm as "old fogie" as they come. I don't use social media. I don't use Facebook or those things. (My choice, and yet I know that was the only way we could keep in touch with family when my husband was first hospitalized so had to rely on the younger folks who did use it.) I don't use cell phones. (Right now I have an absolute hate relationship with my husband's smart phone that I'm keeping for him and he expects me to use occasionally while he's in the hospital. Now if it was up to me, I'd toss expletive censored thing that buzzes at me like an angry hornet!) Heck, I'm not even comfortable with my husband's new phone services--I liked the old simple one we had and am forever saying "What was that? Did you hear that beep? Are you still there?" at just about every phone call now. Still, I can and do appreciate how social media can be useful for evangelization--and have said so.

Priests should be free to use it, if they want. Just as I should be free to remain that "old fogie" if that is my choice. Tolerance should be "the name of the game".

 

[Jimmy P]

Paul: "Thou spell checketh is of the Devil!"

 

[WarriorAngel]

He'd be in trouble too!

Pretty much!
In todays world - i wonder what Paul would do if he was sent to return [sight unseen to the changes] to earth what he would think.
Might be his expression.

Then run for cover.

When I was investigating Churches, I e-mailed my Babca's RC Church. I got a response from a lay leader telling me that the priest didn't know how to e-mail, but would be happy to call me. Should this have changed my opinion of this priest and parish? No. Did it? Yes.

Social media is certainly one way in which the Church must advance with the times.

Wow, rather harsh on the old ppl.
Its not easy to learn new tricks when your old.

I dont let such things change my opinion of ppl. Its called - accepting the things i can and cannot change. I cannot change the inability of the elderly from learning this whole big net thing.

LOL - one of my closest friends took years to do email by herself and she's not even that old. But terrified of 'breaking' the computer.
Her husband has to be nearby for her to get into her emails.

My other friend - was computer challenged even tho [her now ex] wouldnt help her and he was a computer techie.
I had to teach her. Then her kids from there...

Be nice. It seems easy because you havent known any other way.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Paul: "Thou spell checketh is of the Devil!"

I could see that..

Could also see dial up being a curse too. Low RAM and so forth.

 

[Jimmy P]

Haha yeah...

*Paul on road, encounters Lord*

*Paul trips on phone line*

Paul: "Thou stupideth who put this in thy path...oooopseth"

Lord: "Hey"

Paul: "Sup?"

Lord: "No, just ate..."

Paul: "I was greeting you..."

Lord: "Oh right *rolls eyes*..."

Paul: "What would you haveth me to do Lord?"

Lord: "Next town over, get High Speed and upgrade your RAM"

Paul: "Yes Lord...but my Ram? Would you suggesteth an Ox?"

Lord: "Oh brother"

John: "Yes?"

Lord: "Not you...bbl"

 

[Gwendolyn]

There is a priest named Fr. Barron who uploads lots of videos to youtube. He discusses current events and things happening in pop culture and things like that. It is always relevant and he always relates it back to Scripture and the teachings of the Church. I really enjoy his videos.

I will be writing a letter to my bishop concerning my priest-friend. I am not sure how long it ought to be, or what I really ought to say, but I hope that I will be able to convey how important it is for this priest to be using social media to reach people.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Father Barron is AWESOME. Love his stuff....

There is a priest named Fr. Barron who uploads lots of videos to youtube. He discusses current events and things happening in pop culture and things like that. It is always relevant and he always relates it back to Scripture and the teachings of the Church. I really enjoy his videos.

I will be writing a letter to my bishop concerning my priest-friend. I am not sure how long it ought to be, or what I really ought to say, but I hope that I will be able to convey how important it is for this priest to be using social media to reach people.

 

[hsilgne]

I will be writing a letter to my bishop concerning my priest-friend. I am not sure how long it ought to be, or what I really ought to say, but I hope that I will be able to convey how important it is for this priest to be using social media to reach people.

I think short and concise is the best approach Gwen.... Bishops are extremely busy so something short and to the point would be best... IMO.

 

[Standing_Ultraviolet]

Paul: "Thou spell checketh is of the Devil!"

Awesome, but you have to update it to keep with the modern vernacular.

First Book of Smartphones chapter 11 verse 12: Your spellcheck is bad and you should feel bad.

 

[Jimmy P]

^

 

[Virgil the Roman]

Your Spell-checking is abominable; like the foul odour of a sepulchre. (the 'Confraternity' version; i.e., the orthodox, yet moderately and carefully revised modern recension).

 

[AMDG]

Her husband has to be nearby for her to get into her emails.

I know a lady like that! If I don't hear back on an email, I figure that her husband wasn't around to help.

One of my daughters (who is taking a course on teaching) explains it thusly:

They younger generation is "native speaking" in computers and in technology while the older generation is like computers and technology is learning a second language. She says that's why it's so difficult for us "older folks"--it's more difficult.

I can understand that. (I can even understand the concept of not wanting to "break" the computer. ) And at the same time I can see that social media is great for evangelization and all. Let the Church step into the "great unknown", but leave some room for me (and people like me) who just want "easy" communications.

 

[Jimmy P]

I remember my Mom first learning the computer...she didn't even know how to turn it on...

Now she can power it up, install games, defrag, do disk clean, put CD tunes onto the computer, etc...she's 71 now...

My Dad though, well, he can SPELL computer...that's about it...he's 85 and don't think he wants to learn it...as long as he has the NBA on tv and good grub, he's happy...

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

No...THIS is abominable...bet most people can't name this character!

Your Spell-checking is abominable; like the foul odour of a sepulchre. (the 'Confraternity' version; i.e., the orthodox, yet moderately and carefully revised modern recension).

 

[MKJ]

i think the main guideline for appropriate use by priests would be to keep their personal account and "priestly" account separate. There could be real issues with sharing the same account they have for friends and family with parishioners.

I would think it would be best to have an account as Fr So-and-so, which is the public account for everyone, or maybe a kind of page that is not an account? And then a different account as Joe Smith for more personal use, which most people would not have access to.

 

[Tallguy88]

I follow an Orthodox priest named Fr. Mark Hodges on Facebook. He posts a lot of prolife stuff.

 

[Luther073082]

See I guess that's something I don't understand. I suppose a Bishop is allowed a lot of leeway to run his own diocese.

But this priest stays faithful to the teachings of the church and isn't personally involved in any bad stuff on the web.

And despite the fact that the Vadican and the Pope himself use social media the bishop can reprimand him for using it in the same way the Pope does and/or order him to cease to use it?

Color me confused...

 

[WarriorAngel]

I think short and concise is the best approach Gwen.... Bishops are extremely busy so something short and to the point would be best... IMO.

Which - goes to show how times change - so comparatively speaking - if they need it short - its cos times have changed.
If times have changed - then we follow those times by evangelizing via techie.

Its all good. Logically speaking.

I know a lady like that! If I don't hear back on an email, I figure that her husband wasn't around to help.

One of my daughters (who is taking a course on teaching) explains it thusly:

They younger generation is "native speaking" in computers and in technology while the older generation is like computers and technology is learning a second language. She says that's why it's so difficult for us "older folks"--it's more difficult.

I can understand that. (I can even understand the concept of not wanting to "break" the computer. ) And at the same time I can see that social media is great for evangelization and all. Let the Church step into the "great unknown", but leave some room for me (and people like me) who just want "easy" communications.

Good analogy.
Second language.

No...THIS is abominable...bet most people can't name this character!

Looks like Vincent Price.
But if you want to pick my memory - you'll come up with 'nothing'.
IE - dont think i recall the character.

Boris Carloff? Er... :o I dont know for sure.