I have been thinking about this post for a while. One of the greatest tools I feel at every children’s ministers disposal is social media. I have been on twitter for almost 2 years and have been blogging for almost 3 and have met some amazing people but have also been disturbed by some people I have met.
I have met some people who seem to be more interested in building their own ___________ (insert whatever here). This drives me crazy. I know for me even with my blog I at times find myself thinking how I can write something that will get more hits instead of something that helps.
I NEVER want to be about building the cult of me over building the Kingdom of God. I try to ask myself a few questions ever so often to help me stay focused on the things that won’t one day burn.
1. Am I using social media to grow as a leader to grow my church or am I using it to grow my name?
2. Is what I am blogging, tweeting building up or tearing down?
3. Am I generous with my time? Am I being to others what I wish someone had been to me when I started out in kids ministry?
4. Am I more concerned with building up the next generation or am I using them to prop up my agenda.
5. What do I want to be know for?
6. Who’s opinion do I value most right now?
Psalm 127:1
If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn’t guard the city,
the night watchman might as well nap. (MSG)
Be a blessing build His Kingdom not yours.
Great post! I have dealt a lot with this issues internally and also meeting people like that. I was often quick to judge them on their "Agenda" and realized that I was judging a lot of what I was about. I was convicted about a lot of things. I decided to stop tweeting about troubles in my life like a broken down car, and how hopeless I was in the situation. I realized quickly that I was not showing the hope that God has given me in those situations and was not showing faith!
It is a GREAT tool but can be misused just like any other tool! Try changing your breaks without having a clamp to push the piston back in and you will know how frustrating it can be when you are using the wrong tool on the job. Find purpose and guidance in the tools you are using and it because easy to use.
Thanks for the great post!
I'm not being humble, I'm really just that unimportant!
Not true you "offical Orange blogging fool" lol Your a good man and definitely more humble than unimportant.
Some great thoughts here. You are right – we need to evaluate our motivation behind what we are doing. Too often we fall into our own "glory" instead of building up His.
GREAT questions. might print them out and stick them on my wall.
GREAT questions. might print them out and stick them on my wall.