EDIT: 2020/01/23 - This article was forked from "The iWorship.co.za Platform Explained" in order to provide a more focused view into each article. Keep reading for a bit more on how social media can (and cannot) be a good tool in your outward reach.

At the core of our vision is a focus on providing free resources to Christians, based on current technology.

The aim is quite simple, really: The platform is created to serve Christian ministries and individuals with content, services and other resources to enrich their lives and help them become more effective in reaching their own goals.

You may be on a budget, but that doesn't have to mean substandard methods to get things done.

One of the main goals is to help avoid the "bad side of social media" and save several hours of unproductive use of your time.

It is true that we usually search through the main networks such as Youtube, facebook and google whenever we need inspiration from others, and iWorship.co.za does not aim to replace these valuable resources. In stead, our aim is two-fold:

1. Leverage the information gathered from whatever sources we currently use and curate them in a hub specifically geared toward christians and their goals.
2. Provide resources from our own ministries, posted on the publically accessible platform. You may choose to host your teachings in a closed group for your members, publish them in the public resource center, or submit them to be curated into an online course, helping the greater community grow with a greater focus on gaining in-depth understanding of the topics.

Secular Social Media

1. Are You Busy or Effective?

2. Engaged or Entangled?

3. The Good In Networking

Many Christians have opted to leave the social networks behind over the past decade, for various plausable reasons. For these people, iWorship.co.za is becoming a viable replacement, creating the space for fellowship, learning and engagement as the Body of Christ.

They have identified the "bad" part of social media...

Businesses are still maintaining a very strong presence (even paid advertising) on the major social networks. The same rings true for many ministries and this will probably never end, although there is already a serious decline in favour of the "older", more sustainable methods of grabbing the attention of their target audience.

If it's so popular, what's this whole "problem" people have with the big networks out there?

While every person has their own reasons for liking or disliking the social media world, one of the major problems in a christian's life is actually a centuries-old tactic of the enemy:

The devil is excellent at keeping Christians busy.

Are you busy, or effective?

I'm sure we've all fallen prey to this many times before, but have you noted how often this happens on social media?

You open the site (or app) just to get a quick thought off your mind...or maybe you're looking to find info on a specific topic...

Before you hit "post" or "search", out pops your first 12 notifications!

Sally, the friend of your sister's brother's mother-in-law just posted the cutest photo of her nephew's epic fail while trying to blow out his birthday candles.

You like. You share. You "LOL".

The latest 50 "cucumber cat" videos pop up in your stream and you just can't say no...

After the tenth video, a previously unknown guru emerges with the "ultimate step-by-step to generate R200k per hour from home" invites you to sign up at no cost.

The title got you to click. Over the next 7 weeks your inbox will be flooded by some guy who seems to know your name, giving you just enough to keep you clicking onto his website, trying to sell you the free blueprint, but this time with a promise of so many extras, your second Lamborghini will be the center of everyone's attention.

It's a mouthfull.

You want. You like. You're "Feeling extatic". Hashtag #Blessed.

All of this doesn't even include all the "urgent stuff" that popped up, taking up so much of your time.

By the end of the day, you share with everyone how busy your day was, and that you haven't even done half of what you were supposed to. You'r exit post says "Another super busy day, done and dusted!"

What you don't realise is that all your time was spent on things you probably could have survived without. While there are certainly exceptions, even "urgent" can often take the backseat without the universe exploding. In a purpose driven life, "urgent" is not always "important".

The honey-coated snare of "engagement"

While non-important things can often take up so much of our valuable time, just about every day someone in your friends list will share a bad experience.

Whether it's politically driven, crime-related or some feud in a friend's private life, it is posted for the world to see.

Let's say it's your friend who was badmouthed by a congregation member...You're furious and feel obligated to stand up for your friend. You comment and "share your heart". Afterall, you feel how can someone do such a thing? "The audacity!"

And before you know it, you've become part of an ever-growing network of negative rumours. Usually (at least some of) the original post was accurate, but one of the many reasons this works against the kingdom of God, is that you are not part of the solution. You are not a peace maker. Without realizing, you are destroying someone else, one small part at a time. And if you're one of those who often share those beautiful scripture-images daily, unbelievers who see today's post have one more reason to make a mockery of "christians as a whole".

The sad part is this: The two persons originally involved in the matter usually make peace and forgive one another, but by that time you've forgotten about the whole ordeal. Maybe you miss their post stating how the misunderstanding was resolved. Your post, however, remains live for everyone to see. And the next person who sees it, shares the post and comments as though it's as fresh as this morning's bread.

This is not "engagement" in your friend's life. This is not standing up for a brother or sister. This is seed sown in the Master's field. Seeds of thisthles and throns.

No matter what post we see, our job is to pray for the people involved. Our job is to help establish peace wherever possible.

The Good in "networking"

Although some will never return to social media, with good reason, there are others who are able to utilise this tool very effectively.

If you are disciplined in the principles of God's Kingdom, you will navigate the snares of negative engagement, time stealers and many more, using the networks for an absolute influence on fellow Christians and the world at large.

I have seen pages and groups of prominent leaders and everyday Christians alike, being very effective agents of change.

To people who understand the value of social networking and outward reach, the platform of iWorship.co.za will never replace the "big blue flags".

While closely integrated, the goal is totally different.

We discuss this in the article "The iWorship.co.za Platform Explained".

I do have a couple more thoughts to share on this current article, though, so be sure to subscribe to our site notifications. You will be notified as soon as updates or new resources are available.