I remember the days before I had a cell phone. When I turned 18 I was able to buy my first Nokia cell phone! It was a great moment! I could play the game "snake" and call my friends wherever I went. The technology was amazing but as I look back, that phone is no longer useful compared to current technology. We live in a fast-paced, ever-changing culture.

We have a choice. Do we embrace technology or run away from it?

The church has responded. Some using it as a tool and others pushing it away. Using social networking/technology as a vital tool in ministry.

Why is it important? Simply communication. Paul wrote to the Corinthians about being "all things...." We have an opportunity to creativity communicate the gospel to a broken world.

Social networking is not a replacement to face-to-face interaction. It is simply a tool.

Tips on using social networking for ministry?

- Twitter: Sign up and begin one personally. Use it as a way to share your life experiences and thoughts that God lays on your heart. Use it to share scripture, blog posts, quotes and encouragements to others. I think in the next few years, twitter will overtake Facebook and email. I think it will be a primary communication tool in the future (unless something else overtakes it). Sign up and being one for your ministry. Make it simple for people to remember and make sure it is updated at least twice per week. If you do not update it, it has lost its purpose and you will lose any following and chance to impact others. Upload your ministry logo and explain in the description

- Facebook: Everyone seems to have an account these days, even grandparents! Facebook is the primary tool to communicate to all ages. I would have a page for your ministry to update and keep current. Group pages are useful but are more exclusive because it takes more time to add new people. I prefer a "page" that people can like on Facebook. It is easier to join and less cluttered. I am a part of a few youth pastor closed groups on Facebook that are helpful in sharing thoughts, encouragement and ideas. Click here for helpful tips to link accounts together to make it easier to update multiple accounts.

The most important aspect is making sure the updates are consistent and timely.

What else would you add? How do we do a better job of using social networking for ministry?

What do you think? Lately, it seems like Facebook has become filled with spam more than ever before. I remember the days of MySpace. Everyone, especially younger students loved it. To me, it was always hard to navigate through and read. Like MySpace, I think Facebook is losing steam in the social networking battle. Google+ is looking better and better each day, but everyone and their grandmother is on Facebook! My all time favorite is Twitter. Why? Because it is basic. You have 140 characters to write with no "like" button or multiple game invites! Twitter wins the "social networking award" in my opinion. We will see it unfold in the coming years. Second to Twitter, Google+ is next in line to Facebook. Will Facebook die a slow death similar to MySpace? We will see.

Social networking is a great tool. It can be used in great ways. You can share scripture, encouraging comments and more. It is a place to share pictures and videos to family and friends. But, the danger that arises is when we see social networking as the actual way we socially interact. We are in a generation that is connected technologically but disconnected relationally. MySpace lost its relevance when it moved away from the basic premise of social networking. It became lost in its purpose. Facebook is slowly losing its purpose. It has gotten so messy. A thumbnail of a dirty picture was left on my wall from spam this past Saturday! I quickly removed it as fast as a I could! Facebook has become less relevant due to ads, spam and games.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. We become distracted by the things of the world. Before we know it, we have lost our focus upon our main purpose. We need to stay focused upon the basics of glorifying God in our lives.

Let's remember that social networking sites can be used for good. But, authentic relationships are meant to be in person. We were not meant to focus all of our energies looking at a computer screen. Social networks can be helpful in connecting people, but it will never take the place of life on life relationships. I pray that we become more connected to God rather than more "connected" on social networks. I pray we never substitute face to face interaction for a social networking website.

What are your thoughts? I'd like to hear them.