Should an ordinary pastor get involved in the latest social media extravaganza? Drawbacks and benefits abound. Like most things the devil isn’t in the device as much as in the one using it. To each his own, but here are five temptations to avoid and ten reasons why I use Twitter.

Twitter Temptations

1. Narcissism. Twitter assumes not only that others care what you are doing, but that you should have a group of followers enamored with what you are doing. Who can know a person’s motives for Twittering, Facebooking, or involvement in any other social media. But if you lust for a following Twitter (or social media in general) may bring out the worst in you.

2. Wasting Time. This is obvious. If you have Twitter tools to interrupt you on your computer, or perhaps have it text you when someone sends you a Tweet, you can be continually interrupted, checking in and responding, that you will inevitably neglect the important issues of your life.

3. Too Much Info. Twitter is not a place for confrontation of sin or a place to air out your disgruntled feelings. Some tell us too much about what’s in their hearts. Not everything we think or feel needs to come out of our mouth or from our keyboards.

4. Not Enough Info. Some don’t say much when they Tweet. “Eating cereal” may be significant when you are an avid 140 character Twitter-bug, but if such is the sum and substance of your comments, it is hardly a benefit to anyone.

5. Avoiding the Face-to-Face. As with virtually all electronic media, it is immediately easy to say something to someone in an e-mail or through a Tweet that you would be too uncomfortable saying in person. No significant or deep community can be built 140 cha racters at a time. Personal relationship built on face-to-face interaction is where stable relationships are built. Don’t kid yourself with all the talk about Twitter and “community.” “Community” in our contemporary culture has the tendency to be short for surface, fad-driven relationships.

Reasons Why I Twitter.

1. Insight into the life of an ordinary pastors. The pastorate can be a hidden life, but it shouldn’t. I can communicate much about my study of Scripture, involvement with family, details of ministry, needs for prayer, insightful articles I’ve read, or simply showing how normal and real an ordinary pastor’s life is.

2. Quick communication with friends/family/church members. I really have enjoyed short opportunities to check in on what a family member is doing, what they are thinking at the moment, how a church member is handling the normal of their life, etc. It has been fun to chat back and forth with multiple church members various events and issues. I’ve learned more about my members by reading their Tweets and seeing how they Tweet others. Friends and members have communicated with me about not being able to attend a meeting or that they would be there. A few have sent me notes about something they’ve needed from me. In some cases, Twitter has replaced e-mail.

3. Learning from the lives of others. I love it when a few significant voices in Christian circles Twitter – I don’t mean those who have an underling Twitter for them, but those who take 30 seconds to give some insight into what they are doing and why. I have learned from their habits. I’ve been encouraged with articles they’ve recommended. I’ve enjoyed learning some about their family and the places they work and serve.

4. Prayer. Does this one sound silly? I actually have a Twitter account where I Tweet the various parts of my sermon preparation for a group of people in our church who pray for me while I am preparing my messages each week. They can keep up with what I’m looking at and how I need prayer at the moment. Others have communicated their prayer requests to me through a direct message or a public prayer.

5. Finding insightful information/articles. I love it when writers and leaders I follow link to articles or information that I am interested in. This is a quick and easy way to spread around some good reads.

6. Meeting new people. I’m looking forward to meeting a few local folks face to face who I’ve met through Twitter. I plan to meet one or two at an upcoming denominational meeting who I’ve been following on Twitter.

7. Evaluation. This is more of a personal use. I like to communicate what I’m doing through the day and look back over it to view how I used my time. This is an area I plan to use Twitter for a bit more in the future. What have I communicated about life, ministry, Christ, and family through a week’s worth of Tweets?

8. Lighten up the heaviness of life. There are some clever folks out there who bring a quick laugh and a smile with their witty 140 characters. Sometimes the schedule is quite heavy. A minute break to read though a few Tweets almost always lightens a heavy mental moment.

9. Learning to communicate concisely. I could use all the help I can get in this area. I’ll stop with that.

10. Personal Enjoyment. I simply enjoy it. I realize some won’t. No problem. Stay in personal isolation. Keep everyone else out – just kidding. Twitter isn’t for everyone. I know of a few pastors that I would rather they didn’t take up Twittering, because technology is more of a burden to them to figure out than a blessing to engage in. I simply enjoy it.

Here’s a few good articles on Twittering.

Albert Mohler: Why Use Twitter (article) click here for the Radio Program

John Piper: Why and How I Am Tweeting ; More on Not Using Twitter During Worship Services

Michael Hyatt: 12 Reasons to Start Twittering; The Beginner’s Guide to Twitter ; Twitter Dee Twitter Dum

That’s a few thoughts from this ordinary pastor – any comments on why you do or don’t Twitter?