My Space versus ChristianSpace

Should Christians use MySpace or ignore it altogether?  Video of a panel discussion from the 2006 meeting of the Internet Evangelism Coalition is online looking at the pros and cons of ministry and MySpace. 

Panelists:

Robby Richardson, Director of Internet Ministries, Gospel Communications International
Craig von Buseck, Ministries Director, CBN.com
John Sorensen, Executive Vice President, Evangelism Explosion
David LeFlore, Vice President of Evangelism/Outreach, American Tract Society

Comments

[Cathy H. Grantham]

It's real simple people. U ain't got S_ _ _ if U don't or, haven't, experenced that explainable feeling of GOD ! Just try it. Guaranteed! U will like it!ps;U can give ouy my E-Mail address.

[john galt]

theres nothing wrong with marketing to middle class males with scantily clad women. Its healthier to do this then advocate a homosexual lifestyle.

The reason people like George W Bush got elected in the first place was his ability to appeal to a conservative/evangelical base of people in the USA that obviously support these anti-myspace anti-everything views, while at the same time using the issue of the medium to address what they see as the "cultural issues" to more specifically frame an issue in a way that will by proxy force the people involved in the debate to come to the same preordained conclusion that the religion and its hierarchy holds.

*pauses* hang on you've already done that! :P

If you're that concerned about the influence that myspace has, do as anyone else would do in true american style and start your own evangelical/teeniebopper site to address the issues you raise.

Other then that hands off myspace!

I say this regardless of whether its being used in your opinion for good or evil, its better that young people get a broader secular and religious understanding of whats going on rather than being guilted by religion into avoiding it!

In conclusion the problem with analyzing these things is its always going to be slanted for or against the "authority" who is engaged in this debate whether corporate or religious.

If all else fails point them to the Libertarian values that you are apparently supposed to uphold both at home and abroad!

regards,

john G

[Brian Francis Hume]

I definitely think that MySpace can be a means to “evangelize” but I am curious as to the best method to employ in this regards. Obviously increasing traffic to a site so that others can have access to read is definitely an option. However, at this time, I think the best for the majority of Christian MySpacers is to use it as a tool to strengthen relationships with unsaved people in your existing sphere. The issue of whether you have Christian lingo plastered on your site isn’t the issue as much as how you go about connecting with the lost through your site. Again, I’m referring to those whom you already have a friendship with. The MySpace page should serve to strengthen existing bonds that can be a tool to allow those that you already know to connect with you in a different way. Just a thought.

I think it is wise for men to avoid using MySpace IF they are currently struggling with purity of heart towards the opposite sex or have a history of such struggles. This is the hour to turn away from the vice of lust and immorality, by bearing the fruit of purity and holiness. (Matthew 3:8) If this is an area of temptation, stay away! Yet, for married men, strong boundaries can be in place in collaboration with our wives that can serve even to strengthen the marriage. I’m not sure if there is a clear-cut answer in general, but one must seek the Lord for direction for their unique situation.

[digi]

i can understand several perspectives on this. i understand what the previous comment is saying in regards to the imagery on myspace. but, what i think makes me grit a bit (and this is just where i am, too...doesn't mean i'm right) is the fact that we segregate "ministry" with life. we talk about it and analyze it and box it all up, rather than just being and living and loving. maybe that is simple. maybe that doesn't make sense. but, i would bet that the majority of younger people (i'm in my twenties) have a myspace. if you've got a myspace and you're relating with jesus, shouldn't that relationship naturally flow out of us anywhere we are... via myspace or at work without having to strategize if it should come out or how it should come out? i mean, i know there is wisdom and discernment, but i think that people see through strategy whether it's through a website or face to face. i think that the church is trying to be "relevant" but they/we are often several steps behind...trying to get into what is already happening rather than being the church and living out of the power that we've been given that is love. relational love is life changing.

my husband and i were on myspace last night. he's gotten a couple of comments from a church. they kept mentioning the name of the church, so we went to the church's website. immediately on the site there was a "faux" instant messaging staged "myspace" conversation happening. it was all about how to minister through myspace. we were cringing! if we were cringing, how much more might people who don't live in the church cringe? i don't know. maybe they wouldn't. it could just be where i am.

[erik]

If MySpace would change it's advertising it would make it more bearable for Christians to use it as a networking and social community tool. However, they target males with ads showcasing scantily clad women and it serves as a major stumbling block. If MySpace would use personalized advertising and marketing based upon profiles (eg: Christian, male, 30s, etc.), they would probably provide a better model for their brands and their users.