Two things about me will be revealed in this post.  First, pop culture interests me.  I like learning about what is catching peoples’ attention and what people are talking about.  Second, I’ve been asking lots of questions about the impact of social media on our lives.  That means I have a lot of questions about the value and impact of online networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. 

 

We’re all supposed to believe that Facebook and Twitter are the best things since sliced bread.  I confess I haven’t embraced that belief.  I find myself asking questions like “is this worth my time at all” and “in what ways is this worth my time?”  I love connecting and interacting with people, but I often wonder how much “interacting” is truly going on with Facebook and Twitter.   

 

These questions are the tip of an iceberg for me.  I am on Facebook - you can find me there, if you’d like.  I have a private Twitter account (i.e. you can’t find me there) where I’m learning about how it works and determining whether I want to spend more time with it.  I’m considering taking the time to write an article to include my questions and observations.

 

Twitter events of the last week expose that I’m not the only person who is skeptical.  I don’t usually look for wisdom from seventeen year old pop stars, but ironically Miley Cyrus took a thought-provoking stand last week.  She expressed her questions and observations about Twitter by deleting her account - an account that had two million followers.

 

In fine teen pop-star fashion, Miley took to YouTube to explain herself in a rap.  It’s a cheesy video that features her girlfriends dancing.  I won’t be posting the link here because I’m not necessarily recommending that you see it.  But if you need to verify my summary below, you know how to find it.  Oh, and I will be getting to why I’m posting this for Christian coaches. 

 

The rap includes the line, “you write what you’re doin’ but who really cares?”  Miley admits to “tweetin’ ’bout pimples” and “just doin’ my hair.”  She was trying to please others or was “living for people” with her Tweets.  But “the truth is I’m too busy.” 

The last lines are:

I might have some withdrawals

I was a little obsessed

But I’m peace-ing out

And I’m leaving with this…

Huh.  Good bye.

 

Out of the mouths of babes.  This seventeen year old just closed a Twitter account with more than two million followers.  Will Miley’s career suffer?  My guess is she’ll be just fine. 

 

And what does this have to do with Christian coaching?  Like I said, I could write an article or series with my thoughts on this topic.  But here’s a start: 

 

• If we are living our lives based on what’s most important, and if we encourage our clients to do the same, then what is the place of Facebook, Twitter and the like in terms of priority?  
• How does Twitter, i.e., support your calling, mission or unique purpose - or that of your client? 
• As believers I ask us to consider, in what ways does Twitter extend blessing to others?

 

So now you may think that I believe we should all delete our Twitter and Facebook accounts.  No, that’s not what I think.  I do think we should be intentional how we spend our time.  However we spend our time, we should be clear about the results we expect.  And I hope as believers we are expecting Kingdom results.  Even with Twitter.

 

(P.S. My reference to “Kingdom results” is in no way meant to suggest that for those of us who status and tweet we need to be more “spiritual” by quoting more scripture or “preaching” more.  To be very clear, I’m really not saying that.)