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(OPINION) The New York Times reports that Facebook and churches are partnering to reach more people. But how many readers caught a church planter’s Freudian slip?
Two Sundays ago, a NYT article caught my eye. Facebook aims to become the virtual home for religious community. It wants churches, mosques and synagogues to embed their religious life into its platform. The pitch is simple: churches can “go further farther on Facebook.”
The article highlights the megachurch Hillsong and its new church plant in Atlanta. Sam Collier is the church planter. He sought advice from Facebook developers on how to build a church. A Facebook team met weekly with Hillsong’s church planting team.
I have reservations about this. I’m not on Facebook but I’m not opposed to it per se. I’ve seen Facebook help the local Hispanic community keep abreast of developments in our food pantry. My concern comes more from Origen of Alexandria’s cautionary note.
Origen said Christians are free to plunder the Egyptians, but forbidden to idolize their gods (c.f Exodus 3:21-22). Israel took Egyptian goods and services as they departed Egypt but were warned not to idolize them.
How’d that turn out? How will this Facebook partnership turn out for the faith community? I don’t know. I do know I have a few questions.
For starters, at a recent “virtual faith summit,” Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, said, “Faith organizations and social media are a natural fit because fundamentally both are about connection.” Really? Look at how their respective business plans define connection.
God’s business plan is to “marry” us. In Genesis 2:1-3, we find the Hebrew melakhto, which means “God’s business.” In the ensuing verses, the mystery of this business begins to emerge. Yahweh (Covenant-Keeper) brings Eve to Adam in covenantal love. He connects them in nuptial union, reflecting the mystery of the triune God as well as the gospel.
Is this the “fundamental connection” Sheryl Sandberg is referring to?
Continued below.
Why We Should Be Wary of Facebook-Church Partnerships
Two Sundays ago, a NYT article caught my eye. Facebook aims to become the virtual home for religious community. It wants churches, mosques and synagogues to embed their religious life into its platform. The pitch is simple: churches can “go further farther on Facebook.”
The article highlights the megachurch Hillsong and its new church plant in Atlanta. Sam Collier is the church planter. He sought advice from Facebook developers on how to build a church. A Facebook team met weekly with Hillsong’s church planting team.
I have reservations about this. I’m not on Facebook but I’m not opposed to it per se. I’ve seen Facebook help the local Hispanic community keep abreast of developments in our food pantry. My concern comes more from Origen of Alexandria’s cautionary note.
Origen said Christians are free to plunder the Egyptians, but forbidden to idolize their gods (c.f Exodus 3:21-22). Israel took Egyptian goods and services as they departed Egypt but were warned not to idolize them.
How’d that turn out? How will this Facebook partnership turn out for the faith community? I don’t know. I do know I have a few questions.
For starters, at a recent “virtual faith summit,” Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO, said, “Faith organizations and social media are a natural fit because fundamentally both are about connection.” Really? Look at how their respective business plans define connection.
God’s business plan is to “marry” us. In Genesis 2:1-3, we find the Hebrew melakhto, which means “God’s business.” In the ensuing verses, the mystery of this business begins to emerge. Yahweh (Covenant-Keeper) brings Eve to Adam in covenantal love. He connects them in nuptial union, reflecting the mystery of the triune God as well as the gospel.
Is this the “fundamental connection” Sheryl Sandberg is referring to?
Continued below.
Why We Should Be Wary of Facebook-Church Partnerships